Prayers for the New Year: 31 Daily Prayers for Children’s Ministry
For this new year, resolve to take on these daily prayers for your children’s ministry.
What better time to get into a new rhythm of prayer than when you’re ringing in the new year? One of the beautiful things about the Bible is the prayers written in Paul’s letters for the early church. With just a few wording changes, these prayers can also inspire you to pray for your church’s children’s ministry!
We’ve taken 29 prayers from Paul (plus a couple of bonus verses from Jude and Psalms) and paraphrased them to be daily prayers for the children in your church and your ministry leadership. Read through the list below or download this free prayer calendar! Then pray through the list each month this year.
Daily Prayers From Ephesians 1
God, I thank you for the faith in Jesus children in my church have shown, and their love for your people.
I pray for the children in my ministry constantly, asking you, the glorious Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to give those children spiritual wisdom and insight so that they might grow in their knowledge of you, God.
I pray that children’s hearts be flooded with light so that they can understand the confident hope you have given to those you called—your holy children who are your rich and glorious inheritance.
I also pray that children will understand the incredible greatness of your power when they believe in you. This is the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at your right hand in the heavenly realms. Now he is far above any ruler or authority or power or leader or anything else—not only in this world but also in the world to come.
God, I praise you because you have put all things under the authority of Christ and made him head over all things for the benefit of the church, including our children’s ministry. Our group of children is your body; it is made full and complete by Christ, who fills all things everywhere with himself.
Daily Prayers From Ephesians 3 and 6
When I think of what Christ has done to unite us, and what he has called me to in ministry, I fall to my knees and pray to you, Father, the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth. I pray that from your glorious, unlimited resources you will empower me with inner strength through your Spirit, to teach your children with excellence.
Jesus, make your home in children’s hearts as they trust in you. Give them roots that grow down into God’s love and keep them strong.
May children have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is.
May children experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then may they be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from you, God.
Now all glory to you, God. You are able, through your mighty power at work within our children’s ministry team, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. Glory to you in our children’s ministry and in Christ Jesus through this generation we lead, and all generations forever and ever! Amen.
And God, I pray for myself. Give me the right words so I can boldly explain your mysterious plan that the Good News is for children and grown-ups alike. No matter what happens, I pray that I will keep on speaking boldly for you, as I should.
Daily Prayers From Philippians
Every time I think of our volunteer team, I give thanks to you, God. As I pray, I make my requests for all of them with joy, for they are my partners in spreading the Good News about Christ with the kids at our church.
And I am certain, God, that you began a good work in the children I teach and will continue your work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.
So it is right that I should feel as I do about the children in my church, for they have a special place in my heart. They share with me the special favor of God. God, you know how much I love these children and long for them with the tender compassion of Christ Jesus.
I pray that your love will overflow more and more in the children I serve, and that they will keep on growing in knowledge and understanding.
I pray that children truly understand what really matters, so that they may live pure and blameless lives until the day of Christ’s return.
May these children always be filled with the fruit of salvation—the righteous character produced in their lives by Jesus Christ—for this will bring much glory and praise to you, oh God.
Daily Prayers From Colossians
I always pray for these children, and give thanks to you, God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. For they have shown me their faith in Christ Jesus and their love for all of God’s people, which come from their confident hope of what you have reserved for them in heaven.
This same Good News that we teach in children’s ministry is going out all over the world. I pray for those ministries, that they may bear fruit by changing lives, just as it changed my life from the day I first heard and understood the truth about God’s wonderful grace.
The children at our church are learning about the Good News from me and _____, my beloved co-workers. We are your faithful servants, and we have seen the love for others that the Holy Spirit has given my kids.
I will not stop praying for these children from the moment I meet them. I ask, God, that you give them a complete knowledge of your will and give them spiritual wisdom and understanding.
May the way children live always honor and please you, Lord, and may their lives produce every kind of good fruit. All the while, may they grow as they learn to know you better and better.
I pray that you will strengthen these children with all your glorious power so they will have all the endurance and patience they need. May they be filled with joy, always thanking you, Father. You have enabled us to share in the inheritance that belongs to your people, who live in the light.
Daily Prayers From Romans and the Letters to the Thessalonians
Now all glory to you, God, who are able to make kids strong, just as the Good News says. This message about Jesus Christ has revealed his plan for all these children, a plan you’ve held from the beginning of time. But now make this message known to children everywhere, so that they too might believe and obey you. All glory to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, forever. Amen.
I thank you, God, for our children’s ministry team, and pray for them constantly. As I pray to you about them, I think of their faithful work, their loving deeds, and the enduring hope they have been because of you, Jesus.
Now, God of peace, make children holy in every way. May their whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ comes again. God, make this happen, for you have called me to reach children, and you are faithful.”
So I keep on praying for these children, asking you to enable them to live a life worthy of your call. Give them the power to accomplish all the good things their faith prompts them to do. Then the name of our Lord Jesus will be honored because of the way they live, and they will be honored along with you. This is all made possible because of your grace, and because of Jesus Christ.
Daily Prayers From Philemon
I always thank God when I pray for ______, because I keep hearing about his/her faith in the Lord Jesus and his/her love for all of God’s people.
And I am praying that children will put into action the generosity that comes from faith as they understand and experience all the good things we have in you, Jesus.
2 Bonus Prayers
Now all glory to you, God, who can keep each child from falling away and will bring them with great joy into your glorious presence without a single fault. All glory to you who alone are God, our Savior through Jesus Christ our Lord. All glory, majesty, power, and authority are yours before all time, and in the present, and beyond all time! Amen.
O Lord, our Lord, your majestic name fills the earth! Your glory is higher that the heavens. You have helped me teach children and infants to tell of your strength.
Looking for more ways to incorporate prayer in your ministry? Check out these 10 ways to fill your ministry with prayer. Or teach kids how to pray using the Lord’s prayer. Plus, get a family prayer idea for every month!
And don’t forget to ring in the new year with a great planner that keeps you focused on Jesus every day! The Jesus-Centered Planner will help you do just that.
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