Wisdom can be defined as the quality of having experience, knowledge, and good judgment. Some forms of wisdom come naturally as our kids grow up and experience more of life. Other forms can be taught. My prayer is for my children to be open to wisdom, recognize it for what it is, and learn to love living it out.
The book of Proverbs is full of wisdom for living. In fact, I've read and prayed through the Proverbs many times, for many different reasons. I've used it as a prayer guide for my ministry, Million Praying Moms. I've used it to pray for my marriage. I've used it to pray for friends and family, and as I read it each time, I almost always found myself pausing to pray specific verses for my children. The older they get, the more convinced I am that wisdom, understanding, and knowledge are some of the most valuable gifts I can give them.
In my resource, Praying God's Word for Your Child to Have Wisdom, I explain that, "there are basically only two types of people—the foolish and the wise. The foolish man says in his heart, “there is no God,” (Psalm 53:1) and does as he pleases all his days. The wise man fears the Lord, and follows Him (Proverbs 1:7). Which do you want your child to be—foolish or wise?
The older they get, the more I desire for my children to have wisdom, and the Proverbs are where I turn most often. They serve as a guide, helping us know how to make decisions, which paths to take, and how to understand the life God has called us to live as believers. Doesn’t that sound exactly like what you want God to accomplish in your child’s heart? But how do we ensure that our children will choose God's wisdom?
I invite you to start the process with prayer.
Prayer is one of the most important parts of Christian parenting today. Unfortunately, it's also one of the most overlooked and underutilized. God has assured us that when we need wisdom, He'll give it (James 1:5). I suggest praying God's Word for your children (and yourself), because it's, "living and active...able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart" (Hebrews 4:12), and because it will do exactly what God purposes for it to do in the heart of your child (Isaiah 55:11). Prayer is a partnership between you and the God Who loves your child more than you do. He will use your prayers in the life of your child, and in your own heart to give you comfort and direction in times of need.
With that in mind, here are three scriptures to pray for your child to have wisdom:
Photo Credit: Image created using DALL.E 2024 AI technology and subsequently edited and reviewed by our editorial team.
1. A Prayer for Our Children to Walk in Awe of the Lord
"The proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel: For learning wisdom and discipline; for understanding insightful sayings; for receiving prudent instruction in righteousness, justice, and integrity; for teaching shrewdness to the inexperienced, knowledge and discretion to a young man...The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and discipline." - Proverbs 1:1-4 & 7
A Prayer for Our Children to Walk in Awe of the Lord
Father, help my child to learn wisdom and discipline, and make him open to understanding insight. May he have a reverential fear of You, Lord, so he can receive wisdom and begin to have knowledge.
2. A Prayer for Our Children to Listen to the Lord
"My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you, listening closely to wisdom and directing your heart to understanding; furthermore, if you call out to insight and lift your voice to understanding, if you seek it like silver and search for it like hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and discover the knowledge of God. For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding." - Proverbs 2:1-6
A Prayer for Our Children to Listen to the Lord
Father, help my child accept your words and commit your commands to heart. Help her listen closely to wisdom and direct her heart to understanding. May she seek Your wisdom like it’s a precious jewel.
Photo Credit: Ben White via Unsplash
3. A Prayer for Our Children to Trust God
"Never let loyalty and faithfulness leave you. Tie them around your neck; write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will find favor and high regard with God and people. Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding; in all your ways know him, and he will make your paths straight. Don’t be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and turn away from evil." - Proverbs 3:3-7
A Prayer for Our Children to Trust God
Father, make my child loyal and faithful, finding favor and high regard with God and others. Help him trust in You with all his heart and not lean on his own understanding. May He acknowledge You in all his ways? And as he does, he makes his paths straight.
Learning to Pray for Our Children
If your child needs God's wisdom (and who doesn't?), begin praying right away. Look to God's Word to show you what to pray, and bring your petitions to the Lord on their behalf night and day. You might not always know what to do, but you can always know what to pray. If you need help learning to pray God's Word, download your free copy of my how-to guide, How to Pray God's Word for Your Children. And don't forget to pray for yourself. Ask God to give you compassion for what your children are going through, for the strength to follow Him faithfully in your own life, and for wisdom for the next step.
Originally published Thursday, 16 May 2024.