Marriage is not easy. Falling in love is easy, but marriage can be hard work. Marriage relationships require unconditional love and forgiveness from both parties, and a commitment to making a life together.
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 says that two are better than one as they can help and support each other and verse 12 says that a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
When we invite Jesus into our marriage, that threefold cord is created. It is no longer just the two of you working at it, but you have the resources of heaven to call on as well.
God’s Word is powerful, and it says that the prayers of the righteous person are powerful and effective (James 5:16).
As we pray scripture God promises that it will accomplish His purposes and prosper (Isaiah 55:11).
Here are 19 scriptures you can pray for your marriage.
Jeremiah 29:11
For I know the thoughts that I think toward you,” says Yahweh, “thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you hope and a future.
Lord, thank you that you have a good plan for us, and our marriage, and we claim Your hope and Your future for us in Jesus Name.
1 Corinthians 13:4-8
Love is patient and is kind. Love doesn’t envy. Love doesn’t brag, is not proud, doesn’t behave itself inappropriately, doesn’t seek its own way, is not provoked, takes no account of evil; doesn’t rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things. Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will be done away with. Where there are various languages, they will cease. Where there is knowledge, it will be done away with.
Thank you Lord for Your love for us, help us to demonstrate Your love to each other.
Proverbs 24:3-4
Through wisdom a house is built; by understanding it is established; by knowledge the rooms are filled with all rare and beautiful treasure.
Lord, thank You that You are Wisdom, and that You have promised to give us Your Wisdom if we ask for it (James 1:5). Fill us with Your wisdom for all areas of our marriage and family.
Hebrews 13:4
Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the bed be undefiled; but God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterers.
Thank You Lord for the blessing and gift of marriage and we ask that You would protect us from anything that would try to destroy or undermine our marriage and our relationship with each other.
Ephesians 4:32
And be kind to one another, tender hearted, forgiving each other, just as God also in Christ forgave you.
Thank You Lord for Your kindness and Your forgiveness toward us. Help us Lord to show Your kindness and forgiveness to each other.
Psalm 1:1-3
Blessed is the man who doesn’t walk in the counsel of the wicked, nor stand on the path of sinners, nor sit in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in Yahweh’s law. On his law he meditates day and night. He will be like a tree planted by the streams of water, that produces its fruit in its season, whose leaf also does not wither. Whatever he does shall prosper.
Lord, help us to delight in You. May our marriage be like the tree planted by the streams of water, growing, prospering, and producing good fruit.
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12
Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow; but woe to him who is alone when he falls, and doesn’t have another to lift him up. Again, if two lie together, then they have warmth; but how can one keep warm alone? If a man prevails against one who is alone, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
Thank You Lord for our marriage. Help us Lord to always encourage each other, support each other, and build each other up. May we always remember to keep You central to our relationship.
Isaiah 62:5
As a bridegroom rejoices over his bride, so your God will rejoice over you.
Help us Lord to rejoice, celebrate, and delight over each other, just as You rejoice, celebrate, and delight over us.
Romans 15:5-6
Now the God of perseverance and of encouragement grant you to be of the same mind with one another according to Christ Jesus, that with one accord you may with one mouth glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Lord, grant us unity of mind and harmony with each other, and with You, that we may glorify You together.
Philippians 2:14
Do all things without complaining and arguing.
Help us Lord to be more patient and considerate and to do all things without complaining or arguing.
Hebrews 10:24
Let’s consider how to provoke one another to love and good works
Help us Lord to be more encouraging of each other.
2 Corinthians 12:9
He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Most gladly therefore I will rather glory in my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may rest on me.
Thank You Lord that You have promised that Your grace is available, and sufficient for us, not matter what our circumstances, and we ask for that grace, especially in our times of need.
Isaiah 64:8
But now, Yahweh, you are our Father. We are the clay and you our potter. We all are the work of your hand.
Lord, we are the clay in Your hands, mold us, and our marriage, into Your likeness.
Galatians 5:22-23
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith,gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
Lord, we ask that You would help us to grow in, and display, the fruit of Your Spirit in our lives and in our marriage.
Ephesians 4:29
Let no corrupt speech proceed out of your mouth, but only what is good for building others up as the need may be, that it may give grace to those who hear.
Lord, we ask that our speech would always be glorifying to you, that we would think before we speak, and that our words would be encouraging to each other.
Philippians 2:3-7
Doing nothing through rivalry or through conceit, but in humility, each counting others better than himself; each of you not just looking to his own things, but each of you also to the things of others. Have this in your mind, which was also in Christ Jesus, who, existing in the form of God, didn’t consider equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men.
Thank You Lord for Your example of humility and a servant heart, may we be more like You, looking to the needs of each other more than our own.
James 4:8
Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners. Purify your hearts, you double-minded.
We come to You Lord, to draw near to You, and we thank You that You promise to draw near to us.
James 5:16
Confess your offenses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The insistent prayer of a righteous person is powerfully effective.
Help us Lord in our forgiveness of each other, and also as we need to ask for forgiveness, remembering Your grace in forgiving us. Help us to hold each other in prayer and continue to lift each other up and encourage each other.
Habakkuk 3:18
Yet I will rejoice in Yahweh. I will be joyful in the God of my salvation!
Together Lord, we rejoice in You, and in the gift of our salvation!
The enemy wants to destroy marriages and families. We are not just in an earthly struggle, but a spiritual one (Ephesians 6:12). God wants to be a part of our lives, and our marriage, to protect, encourage, strengthen and sustain us. May the truth of God’s Word be at work in your lives, and in your marriage (1 Thessalonians 2:13).
Our first introduction to God as ‘I AM’ is when He spoke with Moses in Exodus 3:13-14.
Moses said to God, “Behold, when I come to the children of Israel, and tell them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ what should I tell them?”
God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM,” and he said, “You shall tell the children of Israel this: ‘I AM has sent me to you.’”
‘I AM’ is a clear declaration, a statement of who God is.
In John 8:58, Jesus made a statement about Himself to the Jewish people, it was a very profound statement as He not only claims His existence before Abraham some 2000 years previous, but also as He equates Himself with God in His reference to Exodus 3:14.
“Most certainly, I tell you, before Abraham came into existence, I AM”. John 8:58
Throughout the Gospel of John there are seven other times that Jesus uses the ‘I AM’ statement about Himself. The declarations not only tell us who Jesus is, His character and purpose, but it also affirms His status as God Himself and His work in the lives of His people.
Let’s take a closer look at each of the seven ‘I AM’ declarations of Jesus.
I AM… The Bread of Life
Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will not be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty. John 6:35
Just as physical bread sustains us physically, Jesus, the Bread of Life promises to sustain us spiritually.
Jesus showed He could provide for the crowd’s physical needs when they were hungry, by producing an abundance of food, with leftovers, feeding thousands, all from five loaves and two fish. John 6:1-15
If Jesus can provide for our physical nourishment, how much more, as the Son of God, can He provide for our spiritual nourishment.
Spiritual nourishment and strength comes from knowing Jesus, His love and forgiveness, and growing in our relationship with Him. Only Jesus can truly satisfy. Psalm 107:9 says, “For he satisfies the longing soul. He fills the hungry soul with good”.
I AM… The Light of the World
Again, therefore, Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the light of life.” John 8:12
Light is essential to life and growth. Without light plants will not grow, there would be no warmth, no food, no gravitational pull, no life. Without light we would be in the dark and we would not be able to see.
Jesus, as the Light of the World, offers to take us out of the darkness of our old life, and bring us into His light, His glorious presence (1 Peter 2:9). Light can illuminate the good and the bad, where we fall short of God’s perfection, as well as showing us His revelation through His Word (John 1:9).
This light can bring illumination to our day to day life too, as we allow God to guide and lead us, as He shines His Light on our path (Psalm 119:105).
In Matthew 5:14-15 He also asks us to be lights in the world, helping others to find the way out of their darkness and into relationship with Him.
I AM… The Door – of the sheep
Jesus therefore said to them again, “Most certainly, I tell you, I am the sheep’s door. All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep didn’t listen to them. I am the door. If anyone enters in by me, he will be saved, and will go in and go out, and will find pasture. John 10:7.9
We all know what a door is, and we know it’s purpose. It’s an entrance, it’s the way in. Jesus declares that He is the Door to salvation, He is the way to a relationship with God. If we want to enter a room, or a house, we go through door. If we want to enter into a relationship with God, we go through Jesus.
I AM… The Resurrection and the Life
Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will still live, even if he dies. John 11:25
Jesus says that He is the Resurrection and the Life, it is a declaration that He has won the victory over death. We see Him demonstrate this in John 11 where, after Lazarus had been dead for 4 days, He called him out from the tomb and raised him from the dead.
Jesus proved again that He had power over death when He rose from the dead (Matthew 28, Mark 16, Luke 24, John 20). Jesus is alive! He is a living Savior and we can have a living relationship with Him.
For those of us who have put their faith and trust in Jesus, we do not need to fear death, it is a doorway to the heavenly realm where we can spend eternity with God in His presence.
I AM… The Good Shepherd
I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. He who is a hired hand, and not a shepherd, who doesn’t own the sheep, sees the wolf coming, leaves the sheep, and flees. The wolf snatches the sheep, and scatters them. The hired hand flees because he is a hired hand, and doesn’t care for the sheep. I am the good shepherd. I know my own, and I’m known by my own; even as the Father knows me, and I know the Father. I lay down my life for the sheep. John 10:11-15
What does a shepherd do?
A shepherd’s primary responsibility is to protect the safety and wellbeing of the sheep. Sheep are vulnerable and defenceless, without a Shepherd to protect them they are prey for wolves, thieves, and other dangers.
As our Good Shepherd, Jesus gave His life to protect us and to save us. He wants us to accept His gift of salvation, and He wants to guard and protect us as we do life on our journey with Him.
Psalm 23 speaks beautifully of Jesus our Shepherd, as our provider, comforter, restorer, and guide.
I AM… The Way, the Truth, the Life
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father, except through me. John 14:6
Jesus is the Way. He is the Way to God, the Way to salvation, the Way when we are lost, the Way when we are afraid. When you are not sure which way to turn, turn to Jesus.
Jesus is the Truth. In a world where truth is no longer an absolute Jesus declares that He is the Truth. He reveals truth, truth about the world, about us, about Himself. In John 8:32 Jesus says, “You will know the truth, and the truth will make you free”. Knowing Jesus, knowing Truth brings freedom.
Jesus is the Life. Faith and salvation in Jesus promises eternal life, life everlasting. In John 10:10 Jesus promises life, not just any life, but an abundant life, a rich, lavish, plentiful life. I’m not speaking here of monetary wealth, I am referring to a spiritual wealth, a life of fullness, meaning, purpose and growth, a truly rewarding life here on earth, and with the promise of eternal life with Him.
I AM… The True Vine
“I am the true vine, and my Father is the farmer. Every branch in me that doesn’t bear fruit, he takes away. Every branch that bears fruit, he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. You are already pruned clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. Remain in me, and I in you. As the branch can’t bear fruit by itself unless it remains in the vine, so neither can you, unless you remain in me. I am the vine. You are the branches. He who remains in me and I in him bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. John 15:1-5
Anyone who has done any gardening, even basic gardening, knows that if you cut of a branch from the main part of the plant, it will die. Jesus is the vine, and we are the branches, we need to remain connected to Him in order to grow and flourish spiritually, allowing His life to flow through us enabling us to grow and bear good fruit (Galatians 5:22-23). He is the source of life, now and forever.
Through the I AM statements Jesus promises to be our spiritual nourishment and strength, our illumination and guide, our way to have a relationship with God, our life and victory, our safety and protection, our salvation, freedom and purpose, and our way to spiritual growth.
He is I AM, from the past, in the present and into the future.
Grace is the undeserved and unwarranted favour of God.
God shows His grace to us in many ways, the greatest being His unconditional love demonstrated in Jesus’ death on the cross for our sins, and His victorious resurrection three days later, making a way for us to have a personal and intimate relationship with Him.
The Bible speaks a lot about God’s grace.
Why not use the following verses in your Scripture Journaling and meditate more deeply on His amazing grace.
Ephesians 2:8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God.
2 Timothy 1:9 Who saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given to us in Christ Jesus before times eternal.
John 1:14 The Word became flesh, and lived among us. We saw his glory, such glory as of the one and only Son of the Father, full of grace and truth.
Ephesians 4:7 But to each one of us, the grace was given according to the measure of the gift of Christ.
Hebrews 4:16 Let’s therefore draw near with boldness to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and may find grace for help in time of need.
Ephesians 1:7 In whom we have our redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace.
2 Corinthians 8:7 But as you abound in everything, in faith, utterance, knowledge, all earnestness, and in your love to us, see that you also abound in this grace.
John 1:16 From his fullness we all received grace upon grace.
Galatians 2:21 I don’t reject the grace of God. For if righteousness is through the law, then Christ died for nothing!”
Romans 11:6 And if by grace, then it is no longer of works; otherwise grace is no longer grace. But if it is of works, it is no longer grace; otherwise work is no longer work.
2 Timothy 4:22 The Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Grace be with you. Amen.
Acts 4:33 With great power, the apostles gave their testimony of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. Great grace was on them all.
Psalm 103:8 Yahweh is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abundant in loving kindness.
1 Corinthians 15:10 But by the grace of God I am what I am. His grace which was given to me was not futile, but I worked more than all of them; yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.
2 John 1:3 Grace, mercy, and peace will be with us, from God the Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love.
Romans 5:2 Through whom we also have our access by faith into this grace in which we stand. We rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
Acts 20:32 Now, brothers, I entrust you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build up, and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified.
2 Corinthians 12:8-9 Concerning this thing, I begged the Lord three times that it might depart from me. He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Most gladly therefore I will rather glory in my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may rest on me.
2 Timothy 2:1 You therefore, my child, be strengthened in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.
2 Peter 1:2 Grace to you and peace be multiplied in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.
Acts 20:24 But these things don’t count; nor do I hold my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to fully testify to the Good News of the grace of God.
God’s grace for us is for our past, our present, and our future. John Newton said it well in his famous hymn Amazing Grace when he said, “’Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far, and grace will lead me home”.
What is prayer? Simply, it is communicating, or talking, with God. Just as we communication and talk with the people in our lives who are closest to us, our partners, family, friends, in order to grow our relationships with them, so it is with God, and growing our relationship with Him.
Even Jesus, who was God incarnate, felt the need to pray and communicate with His Father in heaven. He gave thanks, He prayed for His disciples, He prayed for healing, He prayed for God’s Will, He prayed for the Church. He prayed because He knew the importance of keeping open communication between Himself and His Father.
So, what are the different types of prayer?
Let’s take a look at the main ones.
Adoration
To adore someone is to show deep love and respect for that person. When it comes to adoration prayer it can take the form of praise and worship. Praying through the Psalms can be a good way to adore and worship God. I really like to use music and song as a way of worshiping God. Some people love to dance as an expression of their love and adoration for God.
God is worthy of our love, respect and adoration and He is worthy to be praised.
The Psalms are a great place to get started. Some good ones to begin with are Psalm 150, Psalm 8, Psalm 111, Psalm 76, Psalm 100, and Psalm 146.
Confession
After spending time worshipping God and reflecting on His amazing love and character, it can often lead into a place of confession as we recognise who we are and how we fall short in relation to our holy God.
Confession requires us to be open, honest, and transparent with God. It’s acknowledging and agreeing with God about where we have fallen short of His Holiness.
Psalm 139:23-24 is a prayer asking God to search our innermost thoughts and being, and asking Him to reveal anything in us that is out of harmony with Him. This can be a good place to start.
As God reveals things to us, whether it is an action we have taken, (such as an angry outburst), a thought (such as jealousy), something we should have done but didn’t (such as forgive someone), or allowing our negative emotions to take control instead of allowing faith and trust in God, whatever it is that God reveals to us, He wants us to confess this to Him, to admit our shortcomings, and to want to do things differently going forward.
Confession also requires repentance. It is not enough just to confess, or admit, our shortcomings, but we need to not want to fall short again. Of course, we will never be perfect, only God is perfect, but we do need to be sorry. We are not truly sorry if we plan on going ahead with our wrong attitudes and actions. Repentance means to change our mind, about something, to decide that instead of acting in this way, you will act in that way.
So, if we confess, agree with God about our where and how we fall short, and repent, genuinely not want to fall short, but to choose a better way, God has promised to forgive and restore us.
1 John 1:9 says that if we confess our sins to Him, because of His faithfulness to us and His justice, He will forgive us of our sins, and not just forgive us, but cleanse us of all unrighteousness, which leaves us righteous in His eyes.
God has promised in His Word that He will remove our sins as far as east is from west (Psalm 103:12), that He will drop them into the depths of the ocean (Micah 7:19), that because of Jesus death on the cross, we can, and will be, forgiven, and He will remember our sins no more (Hebrews 8:12).
Thanksgiving
The Bible encourages us to give thanks to the Lord (Psalm 107:1). Thanksgiving differs from adoration in that adoration is about praising God for who He is, whereas thanksgiving is about praising God for what He does. Of course, what God does comes from who He is, so there can be some similarities and cross overs but basically it is thanking God for the things He does for us and expressing our gratitude to Him.
We can thank God for His gifts, for life, love, the Bible, our Salvation, God’s blessings, our family, our homes, creation, the sunshine, the rain, our jobs, friends, His provision, the list is endless.
Thanksgiving is a choice. A thankful heart and attitude is something we can express to God, even if we don’t feel like it. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 encourages us to give thanks in all circumstances. This can come easy when things are good, but it can be a little more challenging during the hard times.
When things are tough, giving thanks and being grateful to God can help us to re-focus and get us through.
Intercession
Intercession is where we pray for others. God gives us the opportunity to partner with Him in bringing other people’s needs before Him.
In James 5 we are instructed to pray for each other, we are also encouraged to pray for our leaders (1 Timothy 2:1-2), for the sick (James 5:14-15), and even for our enemies (Matthew 5:44).
Ask the Holy Spirit to guide you as you move into intercession for others. Sometimes God may put a person on your heart or mind, and even prompt you to pray a certain way for them. For example, someone might be on your mind to pray for and as you bring them before the Lord you may feel prompted to pray for them in their job, or their health, or their family. Listening to God’s promptings is how we partner with God in our prayers.
When interceding for others we should always be careful though not to pray our will on anyone, but only ever God’s will for a person. What I mean by that is, for example, instead of praying that Mary would take that job that’s been offered to her because you think it would be good for her, instead pray that God would give Mary His wisdom and that she would know God’s will as to whether she should take the job, and that God would bless her in her decisions and continue to provide for her. By praying this way you are working with God for Mary and praying His will for her.
Using scripture is also a great way to pray for people. Here are just a few scriptures you can use to pray for others.
Matthew 13:23
What was sown on the good ground, this is he who hears the word and understands it, who most certainly bears fruit and produces, some one hundred times as much, some sixty, and some thirty.”
Ephesians 1:15-18
For this cause I also, having heard of the faith in the Lord Jesus which is among you, and the love which you have toward all the saints, don’t cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers, that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him, having the eyes of your hearts[ enlightened, that you may know what is the hope of his calling, and what are the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,
2 Thessalonians 1:11-12
To this end we also pray always for you, that our God may count you worthy of your calling, and fulfill every desire of goodness and work of faith with power, that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Philippians 4:4-7
Rejoice in the Lord always! Again, I will say, “Rejoice!” Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. In nothing be anxious, but in everything, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus.
Petition
Petition is where we get to pray for ourselves. This is probably the one that most of us find the easiest to do, after all, who knows our own needs better than ourselves.
But it’s not just about us asking God to give us stuff, yes, He wants us to bring our needs and desires to Him, but He also wants us to grow to become more like Him.
A few ideas you can use to pray for yourself are: you can pray that you will understand who you are in Christ, that you would be more aware of God’s presence with you through the day, that God will give you His wisdom, that you would develop Godly character, that you would use and choose your words wisely, that you would be filled with the Holy Spirit, that God would equip you for spiritual battle, that God would give you His strength.
As you read through Scripture, and learn more of who God is and who He wants you to be, you will find more ideas from the Word about how you can pray for yourself.
God is waiting to hear from you, to commune with you, and He wants to bless you.
Forgiveness is a conscious and intentional choice to release our negative feelings of resentment and revenge held towards those who have hurt us. Forgiveness is a choice and is not based on the worthiness of the person being forgiven.
Forgiveness frees us of negative and damaging emotions.
The benefits of forgiveness are many, better physical health, improved mental health, a stronger immune system, fewer symptoms of depression just to name a few.
What if I’ve asked for forgiveness but the other person won’t forgive me?
Being forgiven by someone is a beautiful gift, but we can’t force others to forgive us and sometimes we may need to accept that they are on their own journey and may not be ready yet to offer that to us. It can be a difficult situation to be in but with time and love hopefully restoration can occur.
What about God’s forgiveness?
God’s forgiveness is amazing, His love is unconditional and His forgiveness is given to anyone who genuinely asks for it.
It came at a great cost to Him. Hebrews 9:22 tells us that without the shedding of blood there can be no forgiveness of sins. This is why Jesus died on the cross for us and shed His precious blood, so that we can be forgiven and have a relationship with Him (1 Peter 3:18, John 3:16).
How do we receive God’s forgiveness? All we need to do is ask for it. The Bible tells us that if we confess our sins to God He will forgive us, but not just forgive, He will cleanse us from all unrighteousness, making us positionally righteous in His sight. Wow! That’s pretty awesome!
Reading God’s Word, meditating on it and Scripture Journaling are great ways to reflect on God, His Word and the forgiveness He offers us.
The following verses are a great starting point.
Take them one at a time and, as you meditate on them, allow God to speak His truth into you and allow His Word to transform you and your thinking.
1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us the sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Colossians 3:13 Bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, if any man has a complaint against any; even as Christ forgave you, so you also do.
Matthew 6:14-15 For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you don’t forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
Ephesians 4:32 And be kind to one another, tender hearted, forgiving each other, just as God also in Christ forgave you.
Acts 3:19 Repent therefore, and turn again, that your sins may be blotted out, so that there may come times of refreshing from the presence of the Lord.
Isaiah 1:18 “Come now, and let’s reason together,” says Yahweh: “Though your sins are as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow. Though they are red like crimson, they shall be as wool.
2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old things have passed away. Behold, all things have become new.
Ephesians 1:7 In whom we have our redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace.
Psalm 103:12 As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.
Micah 7:18-19 Who is a God like you, who pardons iniquity, and passes over the disobedience of the remnant of his heritage? He doesn’t retain his anger forever, because he delights in loving kindness. He will again have compassion on us. He will tread our iniquities under foot; and you will cast all their sins into the depths of the sea.
Matthew 6:12 Forgive us our debts, as we also forgive our debtors.
2 Chronicles 7:14 If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves, pray, seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
Isaiah 43:25 I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions for my own sake; and I will not remember your sins.
Jeremiah 31:34 For I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.
Mark 11:25 Whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone; so that your Father, who is in heaven, may also forgive you your transgressions.
We work hard in the physical and emotional realm to give them the best that we can, of our love, our time and to provide for them to the best of our ability.
As Christians we have access to a spiritual realm and power to pray for and nurture the love of God in their lives.
A mother who prays for her children is both a beautiful thing and a powerful thing as you partner with God in your prayers for your children, committing them to Him, praying through Scripture and allowing God to work in their lives.
Ephesians 6:17-18 tells us that God’s Word is our sword, our weapon against the enemy and in Isaiah 55:11 God promises that His Word will accomplish and prosper in His purposes.
We can have confidence in God that He hears our prayers and answers them and that as we pray through God’s Word we are praying according to His will (1 John 5:14-15).
The following verses can be used as a starting point for praying for your children.
Thank God for the blessing of children
Psalm 127:3 Behold, children are a heritage of Yahweh. The fruit of the womb is his reward.
Psalm 127:3 Behold, children are a heritage of Yahweh. The fruit of the womb is his reward.
Give your anxieties to Him
Philippians 4:6 In nothing be anxious, but in everything, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.
Pray for their safety
Psalm 91:11 For he will put his angels in charge of you, to guard you in all your ways.
Psalm 34:7 Yahweh’s angel encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them.
Pray they will be kept from temptation
Matthew 6:13 Bring us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. For yours is the Kingdom, the power, and the glory forever. Amen.
Proverbs 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.
1 Corinthians 10:13 No temptation has taken you except what is common to man. God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted above what you are able, but will with the temptation also make the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.
Pray God’s peace for them
Isaiah 54:13 All your children will be taught by Yahweh; and your children’s peace will be great.
John 14:27 Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you; not as the world gives, I give to you. Don’t let your heart be troubled, neither let it be fearful.
Psalm 4:8 In peace I will both lay myself down and sleep, for you, Yahweh alone, make me live in safety.
Pray they will be strong
Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me.
Ephesians 6:10 Finally, be strong in the Lord, and in the strength of his might.
Isaiah 40:31 But those who wait for Yahweh will renew their strength. They will mount up with wings like eagles. They will run, and not be weary. They will walk, and not faint.
Pray for the fruit of the Spirit in their lives
Galatians 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
Pray for wisdom for them, and for you – to make wise decisions
James 1:5 But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.
Proverbs 1:5 That the wise man may hear, and increase in learning; that the man of understanding may attain to sound counsel:
Pray for God’s guidance in their lives
Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in Yahweh with all your heart, and don’t lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.
Psalm 32:8 I will instruct you and teach you in the way which you shall go. I will counsel you with my eye on you.
Proverbs 3:13 Happy is the man who finds wisdom, the man who gets understanding.
Proverbs 2:6 For Yahweh gives wisdom. Out of his mouth comes knowledge and understanding.
Pray for them to have courage
Deuteronomy 31:6 Be strong and courageous. Don’t be afraid or scared of them; for Yahweh your God himself is who goes with you. He will not fail you nor forsake you.
Joshua 1:9 Haven’t I commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Don’t be afraid. Don’t be dismayed, for Yahweh your God is with you wherever you go.
Pray their lives will be guided by Truth
2 Timothy 2:15 Give diligence to present yourself approved by God, a workman who doesn’t need to be ashamed, properly handling the Word of Truth.
John 17:17 Sanctify them in your truth. Your word is truth.
John 8:31-32 Jesus therefore said to those Jews who had believed him, “If you remain in my word, then you are truly my disciples. You will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.”
Pray for hope in their lives
Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you,” says Yahweh, “thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you hope and a future.
Ephesians 1:18 Having the eyes of your hearts[a] enlightened, that you may know what is the hope of his calling, and what are the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints.
Pray they will know God’s love and forgiveness in their lives
Romans 8:38-39 For I am persuaded that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing will be able to separate us from God’s love which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Micah 7:18 Who is a God like you, who pardons iniquity, and passes over the disobedience of the remnant of his heritage. He doesn’t retain his anger forever, because he delights in loving kindness.
Psalm 103:8-12 Yahweh is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abundant in loving kindness. He will not always accuse; neither will he stay angry forever. He has not dealt with us according to our sins, nor repaid us for our iniquities. For as the heavens are high above the earth, so great is his loving kindness toward those who fear him. As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.
Pray for their salvation
Luke 19:10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save that which was lost
John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life.
2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slow concerning his promise, as some count slowness; but he is patient with us, not wishing that anyone should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, that no one would boast.
Romans 10:9-10 That if you will confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart, one believes resulting in righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made resulting in salvation.
2 Corinthians 3:16 But whenever someone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away.
Pray that God’s Word will fall on ‘good soil’
Mark 4:20 Those which were sown on the good ground are those who hear the word, and accept it, and bear fruit, some thirty times, some sixty times, and some one hundred times.
Remember, God loves you, He loves your children, and He wants the very best for them and for you.
Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them. Mark 11:24
Hi, I'm Steph! I want to equip you with faith resources to encourage a love of Gods word in your life.
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