The Serenity Prayer is a prayer written in the 1930s by Reinhold Niebuhr based on the Christian tradition of the Lord’s Prayer.
The serenity prayer says “God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, Courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference.”
This printable serenity prayer is a great one to have on hand. Print it out for those times when you need a quick and easy way to remind yourself to take a few deep breaths and relax.
Keeping an organized prayer journal is a great way to track what God is doing in your prayer life. It’s a place where you can journal your prayers, write your prayer requests and record how and when God answers them.
These Binder Covers are a beautiful way to personalize and decorate your prayer journals and folders.
There are 12 lovely designs available. Choose one or choose them all, it’s up to you.
If you would like to know more about prayer, click here.
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.
Galatians 5:22-23
Just as a healthy tree produces good fruit, so, we as spirit filled Christians, can produce good spiritual fruit.
These verses in Galatians speak of the kind of fruit a follower of Jesus should be displaying in their life.
Matthew 7:15-20 says, “every good tree produces good fruit, but the corrupt tree produces evil fruit”, and “by their fruits you will know them”.
We are known by our actions and our lives reflect our values.
Praying through scripture is a powerful way to claim God’s Word and absorb it into our lives.
As we pray through the Fruit of the Spirit we are inviting God to be at work in our lives, inviting the Holy Spirit to be actively working in us, and allowing God to make us more like Himself.
For those of us who are parents we can pray through these scriptures not just for ourselves, but also for our children, asking God to be at work in their lives as well.
LOVE
John 13:34-35
A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also love one another.By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
1 John 3:18
My little children, let’s not love in word only, or with the tongue only, but in deed and truth.
Lord, thank You that You love us and gave Your life for us. Help us to reflect Your love in our lives, to our family, and to everyone around us. Help us to be an example of Your lovingkindness in our actions as well as our words.
JOY
Psalm 16:11
You will show me the path of life. In your presence is fullness of joy. In your right hand there are pleasures forever more.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Always rejoice. Pray without ceasing. In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus toward you.
Thank You Lord that we can find fullness of joy in Your presence. Help us to walk Your path for our lives, knowing Your presence with us, even through the tough times. May we be people of prayer, giving thanks to You in all things. We ask You Lord to be our joy and our strength.
PEACE
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.
Philippians 4:7
And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus.
Thank You Lord that Your peace is so great that it is beyond our understanding. We ask Lord that You would guard our hearts and protect our thoughts with Your peace. Thank You that we do not need to be afraid, help us to trust You in all circumstances of our lives.
PATIENCE
James 5:7-8
Be patient therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. Behold, the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient over it, until it receives the early and late rain. You also be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.
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.
Thank You Lord for Your patience towards us. Help us Lord to demonstrate Your patience toward others. Help us to trust You with Your perfect plan for our lives, and to know that Your timing is perfect.
KINDNESS
Ephesians 4:32
And be kind to one another, tender hearted, forgiving each other, just as God also in Christ forgave you.
Colossians 3:12
Put on therefore, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, a heart of compassion, kindness, lowliness, humility, and perseverance.
Lord, we thank You for the kindness You have shown to us. Thank You for Your love and forgiveness demonstrated to us by Jesus’ death on the cross and resurrection from the dead. Help us to be kind to one another with our words and our actions, and to forgive others as You have forgiven us.
GOODNESS
Psalm 107:1
Give thanks to Yahweh, for he is good, for his loving kindness endures forever.
Galatians 6:10
So then, as we have opportunity, let’s do what is good toward all men, and especially toward those who are of the household of the faith.
Thank You Lord that You are good and that Your loving kindness endures forever! Teach us how to show Your goodness to others through our words and deeds. Help us to make good choices and to choose to do the right thing and bring glory to Your Name.
FAITHFULNESS
Psalm 100:5
For Yahweh is good. His loving kindness endures forever, his faithfulness to all generations.
Matthew 25:23
His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a few things. I will set you over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’
Thank You Lord that You are faithful, and that we can count on You and trust in You. Help us to be faithful to You in our walk with You, and help us also to be faithful with what You have entrusted to us, our families, our relationships, our finances, our time, our jobs, our lives. May we be found steadfast and faithful in You and a good example to others of what it means to be a follower of Jesus.
GENTLENESS
Philippians 4:5
Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand.
Proverbs 15:1
A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
Lord, help me to be gentle in my interactions with others. Thank You that You are gentle with me, and that despite my failures, You forgive me and accept me.
SELF-CONTROL
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.
1 Corinthians 9:25-27
Every man who strives in the games exercises self-control in all things. Now they do it to receive a corruptible crown, but we an incorruptible. I therefore run like that, not aimlessly. I fight like that, not beating the air, but I beat my body and bring it into submission, lest by any means, after I have preached to others, I myself should be rejected.
Lord, help us to be strong and self-disciplined in all areas of life. Thank You that You are with us always, to strengthen and support us. Help us to turn to You during times of temptation and thank You that You have made a way of escape for us. May we run the race of life in a way that brings honor and glory to You and You holy Name.
As we reflect on the Fruit of the Spirit, and pray through each one, may the Holy Spirit be at work in us, molding us and making us more like Jesus, whom we love and serve. May our lives reflect to all around us the love and power of Jesus, and what it means to be a follower and a disciple of His.
God’s Word tells us that we are involved in a spiritual battle and we are under constant attack from an unseen enemy.
Ephesians 6:10-18 says,
“Finally, be strong in the Lord, and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world’s rulers of the darkness of this age, and against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having the utility belt of truth buckled around your waist, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having fitted your feet with the preparation of the Good News of peace, above all, taking up the shield of faith, with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the evil one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; with all prayer and requests, praying at all times in the Spirit, and being watchful to this end in all perseverance and requests for all the saints.”
But we are not alone in this battle, and we do not need to be afraid (Isaiah 41:10). God has promised to be with us, and He has provided us with our own spiritual armor for our protection.
Just as a soldier would not consider going into battle without their armor, neither should we consider stepping into the day without our spiritual protection.
We are called to put on the armor of God each day so we can stand against the devil. Here is a breakdown of each part of the armor and how to use it.
The Helmet of Salvation
A helmet is designed to protect the head during combat. As Christians we have the Helmet of Salvation, given to us as part of our protective armor to fight the battle against the unseen enemy. We are instructed to put on this Helmet to protect our minds and our thoughts from the enemy’s attacks. Our thoughts and attitudes can affect our behaviour and our emotions, causing us to doubt God and taking us away from His plans and perspective. By putting on the Helmet of Salvation we are thanking God for His salvation and asking Him to protect our minds and our thoughts.
Lord, thank You for Your gift of salvation. I declare on my Helmet of Salvation and I ask Lord that You would protect my mind and my thoughts, and that they will be honoring to You. I ask that you would bring my thoughts in line with Your thoughts and Your perspective.
The Breastplate of Righteousness
In battle the breastplate is designed to cover and protect the heart and other vital organs. The heart is associated with love and the Breastplate of Righteousness is designed to protect our hearts and our emotions from the enemy. The greatest commandment is to love the Lord your God with all your heart (Deuteronomy 6:5, Mark 12:28-31). God desires, and deserves, first place in our hearts and lives.
Lord, I ask You to take Your rightful place on the throne of my heart. I declare on my Breastplate of Righteousness and I ask You to protect my heart and my emotions with Your righteousness.
The Belt of Truth
The belt warn in battle is designed to give quick and easy access to critical fighting essentials such as small weapons and first aid gear. The Belt of Truth equips us in our spiritual battle against the enemy’s lies and deceptions. John 8:44 says that the enemy is a liar and deceiver and there is no truth in him. In contrast to this John 14:6 tells us that Jesus is the Truth. John 8:31-32 says that if we remain in Jesus we will know the truth, and the truth will set us free. The Belt of Truth equips us with truth to counter the enemy’s lies and deceptions.
Lord, thank You that You are Truth, and that You desire to set me free. I declare on my Belt of Truth and I ask that You would fill me with Your truth and that You would help me to discern truth from deception through this day.
The Shoes of the Gospel of Peace
Combat boots are designed to enable a soldier to travel distances over all types of terrain offering stability and protection to their feet as they deliver help and protection to others. The Shoes of the Gospel of Peace are designed to protect us on our journey through this world as we walk in peace with God and others, and as we bring the good news of salvation to others (Isaiah 52:7).
Lord, thank You for Your peace which passes all understanding. I declare on the Shoes of the Gospel of Peace and I ask Lord that You would go with me and before me and protect my path with Your peace. I ask that You would guide, lead, and anoint me with your peace as I carry the good news of Your salvation to others.
The Sword of the Spirit
The sword is used in battle as a weapon. It can be used defensively to protect, or offensively to attack. The Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God, is the only piece of weaponry we are given with our armor. The Word of God is powerful, and quoting scripture, claiming the promises of scripture, and praying through scripture is a powerful weapon against the enemy. Jesus used the Word of God against the devil when He was tempted in the wilderness (Matthew 4:1-11). God promises that His Word will accomplish His purposes and we can use the Sword of the Spirit in our battle against the enemy.
Lord, thank You that Your Word is alive and powerful. I take up my sword and ask that You would anoint it as I use Your Word in my fight against the enemy. I ask that You would strengthen me in the battle and I claim Your promises given to me in Your Word.
The Shield of Faith
Shields are used in battle to intercept attacks. Our Shield of Faith is our protection from the fiery darts of the enemy (Ephesians 6:16). Attacks can come at us from all directions, from the enemy, and from others. By faith we can stand against the enemy and use our Shield of Faith to protect us from attack, declaring that if God is for us who can be against us (Romans 8:31). With our Shield activated by faith God promises that no weapon formed against us will prosper (Isaiah 54:17).
Lord, I take up my Shield of Faith and I declare, as it is written, that ‘God is for me’ (Romans 8:31). I claim Your promise in Your Word that ‘no weapon formed against me will prosper’ (Isaiah 54:17) and I declare that I do not sit under any words or curses of any person. I claim Your protection in and throughout my day.
Finally, we are encouraged to pray at all times in the Spirit, being watchful, and to persevere. 1 Peter 5:8 tells us that the enemy is on the prowl, like a roaring lion, waiting to devour us. We need to be aware of the enemy’s subtleties and attacks, and we can be well prepared for these if we put on our armor daily.
Watch and pray, that you don’t enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.
Raising a family can be challenging. There are the physical struggles of providing for them, and protecting them, and there are the spiritual struggles, as we raise them in a world that challenges the faith that we want to nurture in them.
As Christians we don’t have to do it alone.
When you invite Jesus into your family you have access to all 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 15 scriptures you can pray for your family.
Give Thanks
Psalm 127:3
Behold, children are a heritage of Yahweh. The fruit of the womb is his reward.
Thank You Lord for our family and for the precious gift You have given us in our children. May we each grow in our love for You and bring honor to You in our lives.
Declare Who You Will Serve
Joshua 24:1
If it seems evil to you to serve Yahweh, choose today whom you will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell; but as for me and my house, we will serve Yahweh.
Lord, we come before You today and we declare that we belong to You, and that we, as a family, choose to serve You this day.
Be an Example
Deuteronomy 6:6-9
These words, which I command you today, shall be on your heart; and you shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise up. You shall bind them for a sign on your hand, and they shall be for frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the door posts of your house and on your gates.
Help us Lord, as parents, to teach our children about who You are and about all that You have done for us, help us to be good examples to our children as followers of You.
Protection
Psalm 121
I will lift up my eyes to the hills. Where does my help come from? My help comes from Yahweh, who made heaven and earth. He will not allow your foot to be moved. He who keeps you will not slumber. Behold, he who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. Yahweh is your keeper. Yahweh is your shade on your right hand. The sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night. Yahweh will keep you from all evil. He will keep your soul. Yahweh will keep your going out and your coming in, from this time forward, and forever more.
Thank You Lord that You are our protector and that You are always watching over us. Watch over our home and protect us today as a family as we go about our day, protect us from the evil one and keep us from harm.
Wisdom
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.
Lord, You have promised Your wisdom to all who ask for it. We ask for Your wisdom today in all decisions that we make today for our family, and for the individual choices we each have to make today. Help us to not make hasty decisions and choices without first asking You for wisdom and guidance.
Guidance
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.
Lord, we thank You that You have promised to guide, instruct, counsel and teach us. We ask for Your guidance today in all areas of our family, our decisions, and our relationships. Show us the way to take, help us to walk in Your ways and may our decisions bring honor to You.
Strength
Isaiah 40:31
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.
Thank You Lord that You promise to strengthen us, especially when we are feeling weak and tired. We ask for Your strength today for the tasks ahead that we will run and not be weary, and walk and not faint, and bring honor to You in all that we do.
Discipline
1 Corinthians 9:25-27
Every man who strives in the games exercises self-control in all things. Now they do it to receive a corruptible crown, but we an incorruptible. I therefore run like that, not aimlessly. I fight like that, not beating the air, but I beat my body and bring it into submission, lest by any means, after I have preached to others, I myself should be rejected.
Lord, help us each to be people of discipline, in our work, in our studies, with our health, in our spiritual lives, and to exercise self-control where it is needed.
Courage
2 Timothy 1:7
For God didn’t give us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-control.
Thank You Lord that You have not given us a spirit of fear, help us each to walk in Your courage, to not be afraid, and to know Your power, Your love, and Your self-control in every part of our lives.
Empowerment
1 John 4:4
You are of God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is he who is in you than he who is in the world.
Thank You Lord that You live in us, and that Your power is greater than anything we see in the world. We ask Holy Spirit that You would empower us, both individually, and as a family, to live our lives in a way that honors You. Give us strength to overcome temptation and to remember that You have already won the victory, and that You are greater than any struggle, any problem, or any temptation.
Peace
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.
Lord, we ask that You would bless each member of our family with Your peace, soak and saturate us in that peace which passes all understanding, and keep our hearts and our minds centred on You (Philippians 4:7).
Unity
1 Peter 3:8-9
Finally, all of you be like-minded, compassionate, loving as brothers, tenderhearted, courteous,not rendering evil for evil, or insult for insult; but instead blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing.
Unite us as a family Lord, help us to be like-minded, compassionate, loving and forgiving toward each other, help us to be a blessing to each other and bring glory to Your name.
Forgiveness
Ephesians 4:32
And be kind to one another, tender hearted, forgiving each other, just as God also in Christ forgave you.
Help us Lord to be kind and forgiving of each other, remembering the forgiveness that You have shown to us.
Encouragement
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.
We ask Lord that You would help us to guard our tongues, help us Lord to be encouragers of each other and to use our words to build each other up and to encourage each other.
Fruit of the Spirit
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.
Thank You that the Holy Spirit lives within us. Help us Lord to allow the fruit of the Spirit to grow stronger in our lives and in our family.
As we pray for our families we can come boldly before God, knowing that, as we pray through Scripture, we are praying in line with His Will, and we can have the assurance that God is not just listening, but He will answer us.
This is the boldness which we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will, he listens to us. And if we know that he listens to us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions which we have asked of him.
Praying out loud can be an intimidating thing, regardless of whether you’re a kid or an adult. Even the most outgoing child can feel self-conscious about it.
Kids need a space where they can feel safe and loved, and not vulnerable, as we encourage them to open up to God in prayer.
So how can we encourage our kids to pray, and to pray out loud with us, and with others?
As we nurture them in their growing walk with God, we want them to know they can talk to God anywhere, anytime, about anything they want to, and that with God they are safe, loved and protected.
Which leads us to prayer prompts for kids.
WHAT ARE THEY
Prayer prompts are, as they sound, prompts for prayer.
Sometimes not knowing what to pray for can be the thing that holds them back.
Prayer prompts are visual queues to help children with ideas of what to pray for.
It could be a list of prayer points, a calendar with different prayer points for each day, older kids may like to start a prayer journal, or it could be a collection of prayer ideas printed on paper or discs that they can choose from a box.
Whichever form you want to use, depending on the children’s ages, get them involved in making the prayer prompts and choosing the topics, that way they will feel more ownership of the project and more likely to pray for the things they have nominated.
HOW DO THEY WORK
Prayer prompts will encourage children to pray and to know what they can pray for, without feeling any pressure to think of something on the spot.
If you are using a calendar idea, you may have one or two suggested prayer topics on any given day. It could be that you have a different category to pray for depending on the day, or the week of the month. For example, Monday could be for missionaries, Tuesday could be for family, Wednesday could be for worship, Thursday could be things to thank God for, and so on.
If you are using printed squares, or discs which they can choose from a box you may have categories mixed together, or you may choose to separate out the categories. Each child will get to choose one or two things to pray for.
You can write them as a single word, such as ‘thanksgiving’ and the children can make up their own prayer, or, a phrase such as ‘thank you God for…my comfy bed’, or, especially for younger children, you may want to write out a prayer in full for them.
You can also use scripture verses as prayers, especially for thanksgiving and worship. The Psalms are full of wonderful verses of praise.
WHAT CATEGORIES
You can also break the prompts into categories using the 5 Types of Prayer.
This is a great way to teach them that prayer isn’t just about asking God for things for themselves (petition) but prayer is also about confession, adoration, thanksgiving and intercession for other people. You could have five boxes with a different category in each box and the children can pray a prompt from each one, developing a more comprehensive approach to prayer.
HOW TO MAKE PRAYER PROMPTS FOR KIDS
You can design and make your prayer prompts using paper, cardboard, tokens, or, using a calendar. Write out your prayers and prompts and decorate them using, pencils, highlighters and stickers, and anything else you can use to make them look attractive and fun.
Or, you can download these free printable prayer prompts.
SOME SUGGESTED PRAYER PROMPTS
Thanksgiving
Food
Friends
Family
Salvation
Health
Confession
I’m sorry for…
Help me to…
I confess…
Petition (Yourself)
Obedience
Self-control
Courage
Strength
Faith
Adoration
Loving me
Saving me
Helping me
Intercession
The World (or a specific country)
My Country
Friends
Family
Praying together will not only strengthen you as a family but it will grow your faith and spiritual relationship with each other and create deeper bonds of trust and intimacy amongst you.
For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there I am in the middle of them.” Matthew 18:20
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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