These verses are foundational and can be prayed over children of any age, emphasizing God's love, their value, and the importance of His guidance.

• Proverbs 22:6: "Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it." [1, 5, 6, 8]
  Prayer Focus: Wisdom for parents in guiding their children in God's ways, and for children to internalize these teachings for life.
• Psalm 139:13-14: "For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” [6, 8]
  Prayer Focus: For your child to understand their intrinsic worth and value as God's precious creation.
• Numbers 6:24-26: "The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace." [2]
  Prayer Focus: A prayer of blessing for God's protection, favor, grace, and peace upon your child.
• Matthew 28:20b: "...And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." [2]
  Prayer Focus: For your child to always know and feel God's constant presence and companionship.
• Psalm 127:3: "Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from him." [5]
  Prayer Focus: Thankfulness for the gift of children and recognition of them as a blessing from God.
• Mark 10:14: "When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, 'Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.'" [5]
  Prayer Focus: For children to freely and joyfully come to Jesus, and for our hearts to be open like theirs.

For younger children, prayers can focus on simple truths about God's love, kindness, basic trust, and obedience.

• Ephesians 4:32: "Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you." (Adapted: "Be kind to one another.") [2]
  Prayer Focus: For your child to develop a kind and compassionate heart towards others.
• 1 John 3:23b: "...to love one another as he commanded us." (Adapted: "Love one another.") [2]
  Prayer Focus: For your child to learn to love others as Jesus taught.
• Psalm 56:3: "When I am afraid, I put my trust in you." [2]
  Prayer Focus: For your child to learn to trust in God, especially in times of fear.
• Psalm 145:9a: "The Lord is good to all..." [2]
  Prayer Focus: For your child to understand the goodness of God.
• John 11:35: "Jesus wept." [2]
  Prayer Focus: To help your child understand Jesus' humanity and compassion.
• Genesis 16:13b: "You are the God who sees me..." [2]
  Prayer Focus: For your child to know that God always sees them and cares for them.
• Ephesians 6:1: "Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right." [2, 7]
  Prayer Focus: For your child to learn the importance of obedience to parents as unto the Lord.
• Psalm 136:1: "Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. His love endures forever." [2]
  Prayer Focus: To cultivate a heart of thankfulness and an understanding of God's enduring love.

For school-aged children, prayers can include wisdom for learning, good friendships, protection, character development, and understanding God's guidance.

• Proverbs 2:6: "For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding." [8]
  Prayer Focus: For God to grant wisdom, knowledge, and understanding in their studies and life.
• Psalm 91:1-2: "Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, 'He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.'" [3]
  Prayer Focus: For God's protection over your child, that they would find refuge and safety in Him.
• Luke 6:31: "Do to others as you would have them do to you." [2]
  Prayer Focus: For your child to treat others with fairness and kindness, building healthy relationships.
• Colossians 3:20: "Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord." [2]
  Prayer Focus: For a spirit of obedience and a desire to please the Lord in their actions.
• James 1:17: "Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows." [2]
  Prayer Focus: For gratitude for all good things and recognition of God as the giver.
• Psalm 119:105: "Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path." [2]
  Prayer Focus: For your child to value God's Word as a guide for their life choices.
• Daniel 1:17 (adapted): Pray that God would give your child "knowledge and skill in both books and life." [7]
  Prayer Focus: For academic success and the development of practical life skills.
• 3 John 1:2: "Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well." [7]
  Prayer Focus: For your child's overall well-being – physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health.

For teenagers, prayers can focus on identity in Christ, guidance for the future, strength against temptation, wisdom in decisions, and living a life of purpose.

• Jeremiah 29:11: "‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’" [8]
  Prayer Focus: For your teen to trust in God's good plans for their future, finding hope and direction in Him.
• Isaiah 40:29-31: "He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak... but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." [3]
  Prayer Focus: For God to renew your teen's strength when they feel weary or overwhelmed, and for them to find their hope in Him.
• Philippians 4:13: "I can do all this through him who gives me strength." [2]
  Prayer Focus: For your teen to rely on Christ's strength to face challenges and achieve their God-given potential.
• Proverbs 3:5-6 (from source [4]): "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight."
  Prayer Focus: For your teen to fully trust in the Lord for guidance rather than relying solely on their own understanding.
• Ephesians 4:14-15: "Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching... Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ." [7]
  Prayer Focus: For spiritual maturity, discernment against false teachings, and growth in Christlikeness.
• Titus 2:11-12: "For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say 'No' to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age." [7]
  Prayer Focus: For your teen to embrace God's grace, to resist ungodliness, and to live a self-controlled and godly life.
• Colossians 3:23-24: "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving." [7]
  Prayer Focus: For your teen to develop a strong work ethic and to do everything for God's glory, knowing their ultimate reward comes from Him.
• 1 Thessalonians 5:14-15: "...encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone. Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else." [7]
  Prayer Focus: For your teen to develop a compassionate character, showing kindness, patience, and a commitment to doing good.
• Psalm 20:7: "Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.” [6]
  Prayer Focus: That your teen would place their ultimate trust in God rather than in worldly strengths or securities.
• 3 John 1:4: "I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.” [6]
  Prayer Focus: A parent's prayer that their teen would embrace and live according to God's truth.