One of the best ways that we can pray is to pray the Scriptures. After all, they are the Word of God. We can pray these truths in our own lives and in the lives of those around us. In particular, I think it’s important to pray the promises of scripture over our children. I am teaching through the book of Colossians. It’s actually a letter from Paul to the church at Colossae- and it contains the typical components of an ancient letter. One of those components is a prayer in 1:9-14. Paul prays:

“We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way; bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have have great endurance and patience, and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light. For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.”

How do we pray this over someone- especially our children?

Almighty God,

Fill your child with the knowledge of your will through the gift of your Spirit. May this knowledge lead (child’s name) to live a life completely committed and pleasing to you. May his/her life and faith bear fruit every day as they grow in their knowledge of you and as they are strengthened to endure every attack the enemy might engage in. Fill (child’s name) with joyful thanksgiving as we remember that you have rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the Kingdom of Light, the Kingdom of your Son in whom we have redemption and the forgiveness of our sins. We pray these things in the name of your beloved Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.