The Proverbs are full of good things to pray for our children as they’re growing and maturing, whether they’re graduating from middle school, high school, college, or grad school. I handpicked these verses for you as a mom whose oldest son just came home after his first full year of college. I’ve prayed them over him for a year now, believing that God will work them in his heart and life in His own time. Some I’ve seen God accomplish first-hand. Others I’m still waiting to see take shape…but isn’t that what faith-filled parenting is? Isn’t that what biblical hope is (see Hebrews 11:1-3)?
As you enter in to the last few days in this current season with your child, remember that God’s plans are good, and He is a God of compassion. His mercy and truth continually watch over our children (Psalm 40). Turn YOUR heart to God’s Word and choose to believe what it says. Watching your children take steps into a new season where there are new experiences and new potential pitfalls isn’t easy. Make sure your own heart is grounded. They will make mistakes, and they will make choices that are different from what you wanted for them. To survive this, you have to keep your own eyes on the truth of God’s Word.
At Million Praying Moms, we choose to pray God’s Word back to Him for those we love.
We do it for two main reasons found in Hebrews 4:12 and Isaiah 55:11.
“For the word of God is living and effective and sharper than any double-edged sword, penetrating as far as the separation of soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12).
“…so my word that comes from my mouth will not return to me empty, but it will accomplish what I please
and will prosper in what I send it to do” (Isaiah 55:11).
If these two verses are true (and we believe they are!) it seems to us that there can be no better thing to pray for our children than God’s Word itself.
With that in mind, here are 31 verses from each chapter of Proverbs to pray for your child as they prepare to graduate into a new season of life.
How to Use These Prayers
We call these prayers, “scripture-inspired.” That’s because most of them are not re-written word-for-word exactly as they are found in the Bible. We try hard to keep them in the appropriate context…meaning what the original writer meant them to say about God, or mean to those who follow Him. For that reason, we recommend looking up each scripture reference in your Bible, and taking time to think about it deeply.
We’ve included a space for you to use your child (or loved one)’s name. Praying God’s Word for our children is powerful, and we believe you’re going to love it! If you’d like to go deeper, and learn more about our Think, Pray, Praise method of daily prayer, click here.
Proverbs 1:7
Lord, help (your child’s name) to fear You, for this is the most important, foundational knowledge she can possess.
Proverbs 2:7-8
Father, give (your child’s name) the desire to be upright in all his ways. As he lives this way, be his shield. Guard his paths and protect his way.
Proverbs 3:5-6
May (your child’s name) trust in the Lord with all her heart, and not rely on her own understanding. In all her ways, may she choose to acknowledge Him so He can make her paths straight.
Proverbs 4:13-14 & 26
May (your child’s name) hold on to wise instruction and not let go. Let him guard it, for it is his life. Keep him off the path of the wicked and away from the way of evil. May he carefully consider the path for his feet.
Proverbs 5:1-5 & 21
May (your child’s name) stay away from destructive, sinful relationships, knowing that her ways are seen by the Lord.
Proverbs 6:6-11
May (your child’s name) learn from God’s creation, choosing to be wise, prepared, and a hard worker.
Proverbs 7:1-4
May (your child’s name) treasure the commands of those who are wiser than him, guarding their instruction and keeping it before him at all times.
Proverbs 8:1
May wisdom call out to (your child’s name), making her voice heart and pointing the way to understanding.
Proverbs 9:1 & 15
May (your child’s name) hear the voice of wisdom and tune out the voice of folly.
Proverbs 10:9
May (your child’s name) live with integrity and be secure. May he not pervert his ways.
Proverbs 11:2
Lord, keep (your child’s name) from arrogance, because with it comes disgrace. Give her the desire to be humble and so have wisdom.
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Proverbs 12:5-6
May (your child’s name) recognize the difference between righteous and wicked guidance. May he be rescued by upright speech.
Proverbs 13:3
May (your child’s name) guard her mouth and so protect his life.
Proverbs 14:7-8
May (your child’s name) stay away from a foolish person, considering instead the wisdom of the sensible person.
Proverbs 15:14
May (your child’s name) have a discerning mind that seeks knowledge. Let her not be a fool who feeds on foolishness.
Proverbs 16:7
Let (your child’s name) ways please the Lord, so that even his enemies are at peace with him.
Proverbs 17:20 & 24
Father, keep (your child’s name)’s mind untwisted and her speech honest and pure. May she be perceptive, keeping wisdom as her focus.
Proverbs 18:1-2 & 11:4
May (your child’s name) not pursue selfish desires or rebel against sound wisdom. May he find wisdom in a multitude of sound counselors, not isolating himself or desiring to show off his opinions. May he delight in understanding.
Would you like a scripture-inspired prayer calendar for your child every month? Join Million Praying Moms in our Patreon community and get a new calendar to support your prayers for your children!
Proverbs 19: 1 & 8
May (your child’s name) acquire good sense and safeguard understanding. May she choose to live with integrity and keep deceit from her lips.
Proverbs 20:1
May (your child’s name) not be led astray by alcohol.
Proverbs 21:2-3
May (your child’s name) allow the Lord to weigh his heart and choose to do what is right.
Proverbs 22:1
May (your child’s name) choose to represent her family name, and the name of the Lord, well.
Proverbs 23:17-18
Help (your child’s name) not envy sinners, but instead fear the Lord. Give him a future and a hope.
Proverbs 24:3-4
May (your child’s name) build her future by wisdom and establish it by understanding. May her life be filled with every precious and beautiful treasure.
Proverbs 25:11-12
May (your child’s name) have the right words at the right time, and listen to wise correction.
Proverbs 26:20-22
Teach (your child’s name) not to gossip, choosing instead to let the fire go out.
Proverbs 27: 12
Give (your child’s name) eyes to see danger and take cover. May she be sensible and experienced.
Proverbs 28:7
May (your child’s name) be discerning, choosing his companions wisely.
Proverbs 29: 1 & 11
Keep (your child’s name)’s heart soft and open to correction. May she be controlled, wisely holding her anger in check.
Proverbs 30:5
May (your child’s name) know that every word of God is pure, and that He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him.
Proverbs 31:8-9
May (your child’s name) speak up for those who have no voice, for the justice of all who are dispossessed. May he speak up, judge righteously, and defend the cause of the oppressed and needy.
