Praying for an adult child is nothing new. In fact, parents often pray for their child throughout their life, even as they take on a family and a career.
There’s a saying that things tend to get more complicated as we get older – and I believe it’s true. We get an education, find a job, establish a family, and have to pay bills. These are major decisions in life and they don’t always go as planned.
With this in mind, the subject of a prayer will likely change as your child develops from a fun-loving kid into an adult. Prayers may include topics about work, relationships, and parenting.
In the sections below we’ve shared a few example prayers for adult children. Feel free to use and and adapt a prayer for your situation.
How To Pray For Your Adult Child
Depending on your specific situation a prayer for adult children can be general or for a specific issue (such as health or wisdom). When we pray we often believe that it must sound perfect or sound wise.
This is actually the opposite of what the Bible teaches us.
Matthew 6:7 And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words.
God expects us to pray from the heart and from our own words. Many people pray to God when they want something or when something is wrong. This is okay to do! However, also remember to thank God in your prayers for the many things He has done for us and does each day.
Regarding the actual prayer, start with an opening to greet God and thank Him for listening. Then discuss the purpose of the prayer and what it is You want to share with God.
You can have a conversation with Him and share thoughts and feelings.
Conclude the prayer with thanks and praise (also read my Prayers for Busy Moms).
Great Prayers For Adult Children (Powerful Examples)
1. Happiness
Psalm 37:4 Take delight in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart.
Dear God,
Thank You for the many blessings You have bestowed on my family. I have raised strong and healthy children in faith and we are grateful.
Under Your guidance, our child has accomplished much, however they still lack the cheerfulness they once had a child. They have endured tough times and don’t appear to be happy.
I know that happiness and contentment can only be found in You. Please show the way to my child and show them true happiness. I am grateful for everything You have done for my family and praise Your continuous work in our lives.
Amen
2. Relationships
Proverbs 13:20 Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm.
Heavenly Father,
Today I come to You with a prayer about my adult child. Although my child is grown, I still worry about them. I raised my child to love You, family, and those they come into contact with.
I set an example for my child to show them the love a family provides.
If it is Your will, guide them to have a partner in Christ. Allow them to meet someone who respects them and who shares their faith in You.
I know that a lasting relationship is possible with Your guidance. Point my child in the right direction and towards those with good values.
Amen
>>Also read: Prayers For Safe Travel
3. Addiction
1 John 2:16 For everything in the world, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, comes not from the Father but from the world
Dear Lord,
I come before You, humbly, with a prayer for my child. We raised a child to be strong-willed with a solid foundation in faith. In recent years our adult child has displayed signs of addiction and we are concerned about the path they have chosen.
Addiction is often an intimidating word. I pray to You for guidance as a parent.
It’s often the case that those who have addiction don’t recognize it as a problem.
I pray that you can help our child recognize and fight their addiction. With us supporting our child and you watching over them, I know they can improve and live a live worthy of Your praise.
I don’t know whether the addiction has been created by the people they are spending time with or if it’s used as a way to cope with disappointment or depression.
In Your time, please give them the wisdom to see that they need help and surround them with strong Christians in faith.
Amen
4. Purpose
Proverbs 19:21 Many are the plans in a person's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails.
Dear Father,
Thank you for all You have done for me and my family. Each day we are blessed to be in Your presence and witness Your perfect creation.
As I have done so many times before, I pray for my child who is now an adult. As an adult, they now make their own decisions. I fear they are lack direction and interests in their life.
If they put You first they can find purpose in anything they do. Please guide my adult child to activities and a career that they enjoy.
There are so many amazing things that You have created. You allow us to explore and discover. Instill that child-like desire in my child so they live a purpose-driven life.
Amen
5. Friends
1 Corinthians 15:33 Do not be misled: "Bad company corrupts good character."
Dear God,
I come before You to pray for my family. Thank you for your many blessings and for watching over my children.
I pray for my adult child and their ability to create lasting friendships. Whether it be at work, church, or playing in recreation leagues, be with my child as they form new relationships.
I know that we grow stronger in Christ when we have fellowship with like-minded friends. Allow my child’s friends to inspire spiritual growth.
Allow friends to build their faith and bring them closer to You. And allow my child to build up new friends in faith.
Amen
6. Humility
James 4:6 But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: "God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble."
Dear Lord,
I come to You today, humble, and requesting Your blessings. You have blessed my family with health and prosperity, and my child with success.
Now an adult, my child has learned a great deal. You have blessed them with a sharp mind, a good education, and a wonderful job.
With all these blessings, I ask that You remind my child to be humble. Humility is important for every Christian and every servant of God.
Give them perspective to realize that they are insignificant in Your grand plan, yet they can be a powerful tool to help and encourage others. Thank you again for all Your blessings.
Amen
Also read: Birthday Prayers and Scripture
7. Wisdom
Proverbs 4:5 Get wisdom, get understanding; do not forget my words or turn away from them.
Lord and Savior,
I come before You today to ask that You bestow wisdom on my family. The blessings You provide my family frequent and I can’t say enough to express my thanks.
Today I pray for my child and request that You provide them with wisdom. I raised my child right, to respect and honor You. Now, as an adult, my child is on their own, seeking truth and making decisions that will affect their rest of their life.
Provide them with the wisdom only You can provide. Point them in a direction that puts them around others who share in their faith. Allow them to see right from wrong, and to avoid the material possessions that are too often a distraction in life.
Give them spiritual wisdom, wisdom in choosing friendships, and wisdom in their decision-making. Thanks for Your unwavering commitment to my family.
Amen
8. Work
Proverbs 12:24 Diligent hands will rule, but laziness ends in forced labor.
Dear Father,
I come before you to pray for my adult child and their work. I raised my child to work hard, to learn, and to appreciate the opportunity to be employed. With so many people in the world suffering, I give thanks to You for every work opportunity.
My child needs work and it’s been tough to find the right opportunity. Bless them as they search for an opportunity that fits their skills, abilities, and interests.
Encourage them to work hard and to set an example for others. To not be complacent but to always strive to improve. In Your name,
Amen
>> Also read: The ACTS Prayer Methodology
9. Forgiveness
Ephesians 4:32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
Dear God,
I thank You for giving us this day and for allowing us to come before You and pray. You have always blessed my family and I am grateful for Your presence.
I ask you to forgive my child and their errant ways. Be patient with them and do not give up – I know you never do.
Although my child is an adult, they are bound to make mistakes. I pray they have the wisdom to submit before you and repent, just as our family taught them.
I thank You for always being there for my family, no matter how far we stray. Guide my child and bring return them to your side.
Amen
10. Integrity
Proverbs 28:6 Better is a poor man who walks in his integrity than a rich man who is crooked in his ways.
Dear Father,
You alone are faithful, and You alone are pure. I raised my adult child to worship You and live their faith in a way that celebrates Your name.
Give my child integrity. Allow the to do all things in Your name, even when others aren’t watching. You are the model of integrity and I pray my child looks to You as an example.
As iron sharpens iron, surround my child with Christians of strong character who set an example for them and challenge them to walk in faith.
Amen
11. Stressful Period
Psalm 34:4 I prayed to the Lord and he answered me. He freed me from all my fears.
Father in Heaven,
Throughout my life, you’ve occasionally brought me out of the depths and into the light. You’ve rejuvenated me and made me feel anew.
It’s my prayer that You help my child through this challenging time. I know that my child is under stress and I know You can relieve them.
Be by their side, even when they don’t ask You for help. Remind them that they can do all things through Christ. They can overcome any obstacle in life with you by their side.
Allow this period to pass and let them learn from it. I thank You for Your unwavering commitment to our family.
Amen
12. Education
James 1:5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.
Father,
Today I come to you regarding my adult child and their education. They worked hard as a youth in education.
Now, as an adult, I pray that their work ethic continues. Provide them with comprehension and understanding and allow them to learn and retain the things they’ve been taught.
Throughout life, education never stops. Whether it’s education for their degree, or education in faith, give them the motivation and will to continue learning. Education allows us to better serve Christ and our family. In Your name,
Amen
13. Health
Psalm 147:3 He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds
Heavenly Father,
As I so often do, I come before You in need of help. Your wisdom and guidance always puts me at ease and I thank You for always being there for my family.
Today, I come to You because my adult child needs prayer. Their health is suffering and it pains me, and any parent, to see their child suffer.
It’s weighed on our family emotionally, physically, and financially and we aren’t sure what else we can do. I pray for your guidance as we continue to search for ways to improve my child’s health. Take us in the right direction so that we can cure this disease (or other health issue).
You always take us through life with a purpose. Show us what we can do and what we can learn from this situation. We praise you for all the wonderful things you’ve done and I ask that you continue to work miracles in our family.
Amen
Conclusion
As parents of children, there are so many things to pray for. We routinely thank God for all His blessings and we share with Him our struggles so we can grow in our faith.
Prayers for our children shouldn’t stop when they reach age 18.
Adult children should also be prayed for. They may be bigger, taller versions of themselves but they will still encounter trials and tribulations.
Whether it’s for relationships or health, continue to pray for your adult children. They may not know you are praying for them but God knows and He can help guide those we love closer to Christ.
