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5 Prayers Every Dad Should Pray

5 Prayers Every Dad Should Pray

When I was pregnant with my only child, a daughter, her dad began praying for her from the moment we knew I was expecting. As her dad, he took his role as prayer intercessor very seriously and has continued in that role for 29 years. Over the years, our non-Christian friends and family thought daily prayers excessive, but her dad also believed that God called him to follow Proverbs 22:6: “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.” 

He knew that God calls parents to pray daily for their children because, while we think we are in control of what happens in the lives of those we were given to raise, God is the ultimate supreme sovereign authority who knows what is best for each child. If dads are called by God to pray for their children, what kind of prayers should every dad pray?

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  • Mom and dad with baby guilt and stress as new parents

    A Dad’s Prayer for Wisdom and Guidance

    My husband and I had taken every prenatal class we could find. But when we brought our daughter home at 48 hours old, we both cried; we felt clueless about what to do for her now that we were on our own to take care of her. We needed wisdom and guidance and prayed for it fervently. We knew that the Bible says that “children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward.” (Psalm 127:3) And that heritage and reward are for a lifetime.

    Dad’s Prayer for Wisdom and Guidance

    Most merciful heavenly Father, you have so graciously given us a child/ren to raise. Please give me the wisdom and guidance that can only come from you as we make decisions for them. Lord, as a dad, I understand that you designed the family to have a faithful father–one who will look to you for answers to questions big and small. I pray not only for wisdom for me, but for my children. As they grow “in” the world, please keep them from being “of” the world. As your word says, “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31). May everything that I and my children do bring praise, honor, and glory to your name.

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  • dad hugging toddler son joyful

    A Dad's Prayer for Protection and Safety

    Our first real challenge came when my daughter went to preschool. Would she be safe in body, mind, and spirit? Her dad was on his knees praying that the God of the universe, being the most powerful being in heaven and on earth, would protect her from the world, the flesh, and the devil.

    Dad’s Prayer for Protection and Safety

    God, Your word says in multiple places that you are our stronghold, refuge, strong tower, fortress and a shield around those who love you. I pray for my children that they learn to run to you when they are in need. I would humbly ask that you would keep them from harm of all kinds wherever they may be. We know Lord that our faith grows in times of trial, so if You are to allow trials for my children, I pray that You would help them understand that You are always with them. Please help me and them to remember Isaiah 41:10: “Fear not, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you;  I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Thank you for this promise that guards our hearts and minds.

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  • Dad comforting crying daughter

    A Dad's Prayer for Patience and Strength

    Patience is a key character quality that all dads need. God makes children in their own unique way, and at times, we clash with our children’s personalities. That’s why we need supernatural patience and the strength to maintain our faith and lead by example.

    Dad’s Prayer for Patience and Strength

    Heavenly Father, your word shows us time and again how you are the epitome of patience. For example, in the Old Testament, You led your children out of slavery and through the Red Sea, only to hear complaints from them in the wilderness. Their grumbling and unfaithfulness led You to remove your blessing for a time until they repented. Even when they did, they would sin again and the cycle would start again. Lord, You know that it is very often the way I interact with my children because they are not perfect (and neither am I). Help me to have that kind of patience and respond in a way that will bring glory to Your name and help them grow in their faith in You, and in respect for their parents. Please give me strength to lead by example, following in Jesus’ footsteps, so that they see the value of walking with You as well. Please help me to put into practice Ephesians 6:4: “Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.”

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  • senior man reading Bible with granddaughter with little white lights in background

    A Dad's Prayer for Faith and Spiritual Growth

    My husband has known throughout my daughter’s life that no prayer was more important than for her to accept Jesus’ sacrifice for her sins and be filled with the Holy Spirit. He prayed for years that she would understand who God is, that He loves her, and offers her eternal life through His son. Without this relationship, everything is, as Paul said, “filthy rags." It was his responsibility to fix his eyes on Jesus himself and be a student of the Word so that he could help direct her in her walk with the Lord.

    Dad’s Prayer for Faith and Spiritual Growth

    My Abba Father, you know that as your child, I have nothing to give others if I am empty myself. I ask the Holy Spirit, as my Comforter and Guide, to keep me in Your word each day. I know that You grow your children through a deeper understanding of the Bible, so Lord help me mine for treasures that I can carry with me in my heart and mind each day. I commit to reading with my children and teaching them more about you every day as you reveal more to me. I pray also for the strength to remember verses that build me in my faith. Father, you know my children and how to reach them with the gospel. Father, I pray your word from Ezekiel 36:26-27 over them: “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them.”

    Photo credit: ©GettyImages/Halfpoint

  • A Dad's Prayer for Blessing and Provision

    A Dad's Prayer for Blessing and Provision

    Everything belongs to the Lord, so while we may have employment that pays the bills, it is God who has provided that job. We need to teach our children this truth, and pray that God would show them wise ways to steward what He has given them. My daughter has learned much about God’s provision through her father: he grew up poor and studied how God wants us to handle money and other possessions. Young people need to also understand that because God owns it all, He may decide to remove a blessing from our children. We need to teach them to praise God nonetheless and continue to pray that He will restore what has been lost. May we have the same attitude as Job said, “The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; Blessed be the name of the Lord.” (Job 1:21)

    Dad’s Prayer for Blessing and Provision

    God of all creation, we thank you for blessing us with more than we can imagine. Not only do you bless us with the gift of your Son Jesus, you give us human relationships that can flourish in His name. I ask that you would bless my children as you see fit, knowing that blessings can sometimes be disguised as trials. But help my children know that You know the plans you have for them (Jeremiah 29:11), will never leave or forsake them (Hebrews 13:5) and therefore they can place all of their trust in you. One of the things they can trust You for is the provision for their needs (not their wants) for “ …my God shall supply all your needs according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” (Phillipians 4:19)

    May the blessing that God gave to Moses for the people of Israel be the blessing that dads say to their children regularly:

    “The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord makes his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.” Numbers 6:24-26

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    Mary Oelerich-Meyer is a Chicago-area freelance writer and copy editor who prayed for years for a way to write about and for the Lord. She spent 20 years writing for area healthcare organizations, interviewing doctors and clinical professionals and writing more than 1,500 articles in addition to marketing collateral materials. Important work, but not what she felt called to do. She is grateful for any opportunity to share the Lord in her writing and editing, believing that life is too short to write about anything else. Previously she served as Marketing Communications Director for a large healthcare system. She holds a B.A. in International Business and Marketing from Cornell College (the original Cornell!) When not researching or writing, she loves to spend time with her writer daughter, granddaughter, rescue doggie and husband (not always in that order).