How to Pray for Your Daughter
- Michelle S. Lazurek Author
- Updated Aug 30, 2024
Having a child truly is a special gift from the Lord, as Psalm 127:3 reminds us, “Children are a gift from the Lord; they’re a reward from him.” This scripture emphasizes the importance of recognizing each child as a precious blessing. Praying for your children is vital, but there can be an added urgency to pray for your daughter, given the unique challenges she may face. From navigating societal pressures about her appearance and behavior to confronting the sexualization of young women in media and culture, your daughter needs spiritual armor and guidance more than ever.
As parents juggling daily responsibilities, it’s easy to overlook the importance of praying for your daughter. But remember, it’s never too late to start. Whether you’re new to prayer or looking to deepen your practice, here are six simple ways to pray for her: pray for her faith, her learning, her health, her relationships, her character, and her future. These areas cover the most important parts of her life where she could really use God’s guidance and your support.
If you are new to prayer and don't know how to get started, here are six ways to pray for your daughter.
1. A Prayer for My Daughter: For Her Identity
When I pray for my daughter’s identity, I focus deeply on her seeing herself through God’s loving eyes. It’s essential for her to grasp just how wonderfully she’s made, echoing the awe in Psalm 139:14, “I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” I pray fervently that she understands her worth is not tied to what the world says but is anchored securely in her Creator’s hands. My hope is for her to walk confidently, knowing that she is loved, valued, and beautifully created with a unique purpose.
I also pray that she embraces the roles and paths God has laid out for her, reflecting the hope found in Jeremiah 29:11, “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” In my prayers, I ask God to fill her heart with the certainty that she is part of a grand, divine design—that every step she takes is woven into a larger, hopeful narrative. I want her to feel empowered by this promise, secure in her journey, trusting that she’s exactly where she is meant to be, guided by His hand in every moment of her life.
Dear Lord, Thank you for the precious gift of my daughter, a true blessing from You. As she grows and navigates the complexities of this world, I pray fervently for her identity to be rooted deeply in Your love. Let her know, beyond any doubt, that she is fearfully and wonderfully made in Your image, as declared in Psalm 139:14. May she see herself through Your eyes—valuable, strong, and created with purpose.
Guide her heart to recognize the unique talents and traits You've bestowed upon her, and help her to use them in ways that bring glory to Your name. Protect her from the doubts and fears that the world might cast upon her, and instead, fill her with confidence in who she is as Your child. Teach her to walk in Your truth and to wear her identity as a badge of honor, knowing that she is not defined by external approval but by Your eternal love. In Your holy name, I pray, Amen.
2. A Prayer for My Daughter: For Her Friends and Relationships
Bad company corrupts good character. When your daughter gets older, she will seek advice and help from her friends rather than from you. Although this is a normal part of independence as she transitions to adulthood, your influence in her life will decrease as the years pass on.
It is important she is surrounded by strong Christian people that hold the same moral values as you do. Children often choose friends based on who likes them or to increase their social status at school. However, these people may not be the best influence on your daughter.
Additionally, you may find people with poor character located even within your local youth group. Ask God to give you discernment and exercise that discernment to help your daughter choose her friends.
There may be times when you have to say no to your daughter having a friend that you don't approve of. Although it will be painful because she will not like this, in the end, it will pay in dividends as your daughter finds a group of people who will spur her on toward love and good deeds.
Dear God, Bless my daughter with the gift of discernment in choosing her friends. As she seeks independence and begins to lean on her peers for advice and companionship, I ask that You surround her with individuals who uphold strong Christian values, who cherish what is right and who will positively influence her character. Lord, help me to guide her wisely and patiently, even when it means making tough decisions that she might not understand or appreciate at the time I pray that she finds friends who not only care for her but also challenge her to grow in love, faith, and good deeds. May she be a light among them, just as they are a light to her, encouraging one another in the path that leads to You. Protect her from those who might lead her astray, and fill her life with friendships that bring joy, growth, and a deeper connection to Your love. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.
3. A Prayer for My Daughter: For Her Health
Having chronic health issues might become a major hindrance to your daughter's overall well-being. While they are young, instill in them good nutrition, exercise, and getting enough rest. Help them to understand what it means to take breaks while instilling a healthy work ethic.
With rising economic costs, your daughter may be forced to work to make ends meet. Chronic health issues may get in the way of that, which may lead to other problems down the road. Help her to help her understand that she is important enough to take care of her body.
Take vacations regularly and help her understand from an early age that it's okay to rest and work normal hours rather than become a workaholic and jeopardize her health.
Heavenly Father, I come before You today to pray for my daughter’s health. Lord, You know every cell in her body, and I ask for Your healing and protective hand to be upon her. Please guard her against illness, strengthen her physically and mentally, and provide her with the endurance to face the daily challenges of life. Help her body to function at its best, that she may grow strong and healthy under Your watchful care.
Grant her wisdom to make healthy choices in her diet, exercise, and rest, and the discipline to maintain those choices. Cover her with Your peace and reassurance when health concerns arise, and equip her with a spirit of resilience. May she feel Your presence in every moment of weakness or struggle, knowing You are with her, comforting and supporting her journey towards wellness. In Your loving name, I pray, Amen.
4. A Prayer for My Daughter: For Her Heart and Mind
As a parent, one of the most profound privileges I have is to pray for my daughter’s heart and mind. The heart, as Proverbs 4:23 tells us, is “the wellspring of life.” It’s where all her hopes, dreams, and loves spring forth. And her mind? Well, Romans 12:2 reminds us not to conform to this world, but to be transformed by the renewal of the mind. That’s why I pray not only for her to make smart choices and stay safe, but also for her heart to be tender towards God and for her mind to seek His truth in everything.
When I tuck her in at night, I sometimes whisper a prayer over her, asking the Lord to cultivate in her the fruits of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control, as Galatians 5:22-23 describes. These aren’t just virtues I hope she admires; they’re characteristics I pray she embodies. And for her mind, I ask God to grant her clarity, wisdom, and the courage to think for herself, steeped in the love and wisdom of God. I pray that the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard her heart and her mind in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:7). These moments of prayer connect us, and I believe they lay a foundation of faith and love that will guide her throughout her life.
Dear Lord, I come to You with a grateful heart, lifting up my precious daughter to Your loving care. Father, I pray for her heart—that it may always be filled with Your love, kindness, and compassion. Let her heart be brave, pure, and steadfast, reflecting Your light in a world that needs Your grace. May she love You wholeheartedly and serve others with the joy and generosity that come from You.
I also ask You to protect and guide her mind. Help her thoughts to be anchored in Your Word, filled with wisdom and discernment. May she think clearly and make decisions that honor You. Instill in her a love for learning and a curiosity that drives her towards Your truths. As she encounters challenges and influences from the world around her, let Your peace guard her heart and mind in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:7). May she always remember she is not alone, for You are with her, guiding each step she takes. In Jesus’ Name, I pray, Amen.
5. A Prayer for My Daughter: For Her Financal Decisions
Children have two different personalities when it comes to money. They can either be savers, or they can be spenders. It is important when they are young to teach your daughter how to use money wisely.
It is important for your daughter to understand how to prioritize money in a healthy way, so she doesn't make decisions based on a lack of finances. Teach her to tithe from an early age. Giving to causes other than themselves will help them to be others-centered when it comes to their money.
Help your daughter choose her first job or occupation that will help build her a career in the future. Help her to understand that working is not just about making a living. It's also about living out your God-given purpose and calling. Help her to figure out her calling and purpose. Encourage your daughter in their strengths and abilities and help her choose occupations that will help hrt use those skills to the best of their abilities.
Father God, I lift up my dear daughter to You today, seeking Your wisdom and guidance for her financial decisions. Lord, grant her discernment to manage her resources wisely and responsibly. Teach her to be a good steward of all that You have entrusted to her, to recognize the value of saving, and the importance of giving. Help her to understand the balance between spending and saving, and inspire her to invest in things that have eternal value.
May she always trust in Your provision, Lord, and not succumb to worry or greed. Provide her with opportunities to grow her finances in ways that honor You, and keep her heart generous and kind. Lead her away from the pitfalls of debt and impulsive buying, and instead, guide her towards financial freedom and stability. Bless her efforts to build a secure future, and may she always use her blessings to bless others and glorify Your name. In Jesus’ Name, I pray, Amen.
6. A Prayer for My Daughter: For Her Future Spouse
Paul makes it clear in 2 Corinthians 6:14, “Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?” This is especially true for the marriage relationship.
It is not enough to marry simply because they love each other. Love is a fickle feeling that changes with circumstances and with age. Pray that the Lord gives your daughter someone who will love her even in the darkest of times.
Love deepens in its maturity. With young people so quick to divorce today, she will need someone who will stick by her side no matter what. It is also important that your daughter and her future spouse feel called to marry one another. It is when times get the toughest that that calling will become so important. If your daughter is young, pray now for God to reveal her future spouse if that is God’s will for her and her choice.
If your daughter is older, use discretion and host open and honest conversations about the people she wants to date. Ask her the reasons why she wants to date a particular person. It is not enough for a person to merely be interested in church or come from a religious background. People who are hungry for the Lord make that hunger apparent. Even if things change down the road, pray God brings someone into her life who will give himself up for her the way Christ gave himself up for the church.
Heavenly Father,
I come before You today with a heart full of hope for my daughter and her future spouse. Lord, I pray that You would guide them both in Your wisdom and love as they grow individually and eventually come together in union. Prepare their hearts for each other, cultivating virtues of patience, understanding, and unconditional love within them.
May You lead them in their single lives to pursue You first, setting a firm foundation in their faith, which will strengthen their relationship when they come together. Surround them with godly mentors and friends who will encourage them to live lives of integrity and purpose. Help them to seek Your will in all things, and when the time is right, bring them together in Your perfect timing. Protect their future marriage, Lord, and let it be a testimony of Your faithfulness and a reflection of Your love. May their union glorify You and be a source of blessing to others. In Jesus’ Name, I pray, Amen.
Praying for and with Your Daughter
Although there are many ways you can pray for your daughter, the suggestions above will help get you started. Make it a family affair, and pray with your daughter as well. Let her know she is a priority, and pray for her every need.
Ask for her prayer requests and let her know you’re praying for her regularly. As you ask her for her prayer requests, you will notice your communication with her increase. Prayer can be the glue that bonds you and your daughter together for years to come.
Photo credit: ©Getty Images/max-kegfire
This article is part of our prayer resources meant to inspire and encourage your prayer life when you face uncertain times. Remember, the Holy Spirit intercedes for us, and God knows your heart even if you can't find the words to pray.
Prayers for Healing
Morning Prayers
Prayers for Family
Prayers for Surgery
Prayers for Strength
Night Prayers Before Bed
Prayers for Protection
The Lord's Prayer: Our Father
