As a grandmother, one of the greatest gifts God has given me is the privilege of prayer. I cannot always be with my kids. And I’ve lived long enough to know that I cannot always protect them, guide them, or shield them. Trials will come. Poor decisions may bring forth bad outcomes. And suffering can lead to endurance if they’re hearts in the right place. One of the greatest roles in supporting them is prayer. Prayer is an active demonstration in my trust and faith in God. And over time, I have found that the most powerful way to pray is to pray God’s Word back to Him.
How It Started
A couple of years ago, it seemed like I was always praying the same things for my family. So, to expand my intercession, I turned to the Bible. I looked at prayers, and commands, and the life of Jesus to get a better understanding of how I could lift my family before God.
I started writing various Scriptures in my prayer journal so I could pray those words over my kids. I gathered the list of passages on a variety topics over time as situations and circumstances arose in their lives, calling for what I called a “targeted” approach. In time, I collected the handwritten verses into a document that I could fold and keep in my Bible. That way the list was with me even when I didn’t have my journal in hand. When I open the list of verses I turn them into prayers. I know I am not speaking empty words. I am speaking the very words of God over my family. That brings peace to my heart and power to my prayers.
Praying Scripture Means Praying God’s Will
There is great comfort in knowing that when I pray Scripture, I am praying in line with God’s will. I don’t have to worry that I may be asking for something that isn’t best. God has already revealed His will in His Word, and when I pray those promises and truths, I can be confident He hears me.
For example, when I pray Ephesians 3:16–17 over my grandchildren—asking that God would strengthen them through His Spirit so that Christ may dwell in their hearts through faith—I know I’m not just praying for what I think they need. I am praying exactly what God desires for them.
Praying Scripture Guards My Heart from Selfishness
As mothers and grandmothers, we naturally want the best for our families. But sometimes, if we’re honest, our prayers can lean toward what we want for them rather than what God wants.
Praying Scripture helps me surrender my desires and embrace His. When I pray Colossians 1:9–10—that my children and grandchildren would be filled with the knowledge of God’s will and live lives worthy of Him—I’m reminded that God’s plans for them are far better than my own dreams. His will is perfect, even when it doesn’t look like mine.
Praying Scripture Plants God’s Word in Our Hearts
There’s another benefit that comes from praying Scripture. When I pray it out loud, I’m doing more than asking God to move—I’m planting His Word in my own heart. It fills my mind, strengthens my faith, and gives me words of truth when fear tries to creep in.
Psalm 119:11 says, ‘I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.’ Praying Scripture is one of the most practical ways I know to hide God’s Word in my heart. And as I repeat those prayers, the verses begin to take root not only in me, but in my family as well.
Praying Scripture Leaves a Legacy
One of the most beautiful parts of praying the Bible over my family is knowing that it creates a legacy. My prayers may outlive me. The words I pray today may bless not only my children and grandchildren, but generations I may never meet.
When I whisper a prayer like Psalm 121:7–8—that the Lord will keep them from all harm and watch over their lives—I imagine that prayer echoing forward, covering them long after I am gone, reaching generations I may not see. What a gift it is to leave behind a legacy of faith through prayer!
A Call to Women of Prayer
Sisters, if you long to bless your families in a way that will never fade, commit to praying Scripture over them daily. Don’t let fear, busyness, or uncertainty keep you silent. You don’t have to come up with fancy words—just open your Bible, read a verse, and speak it back to God with your loved ones’ names in mind.
As grandmothers, mothers, aunts, and sisters in Christ, we have the joy of being prayer warriors for our families. And when we pray the Scriptures, we can be certain that our prayers are anchored in God’s truth, His will, and His promises.
So today, let’s begin—or continue—the holy habit of praying God’s Word over our families. Our prayers may shape generations, and that is a legacy worth leaving.
In closing, I will leave you with a sample prayer and a list of Scriptures that you can download, print, and keep in your Bible to help you pray for your family daily.
A Sample Prayer of Scripture
Heavenly Father, I thank You for the precious gift of my family—my spouse, my children, my grandchildren, and the generations to come. Today, I lift them before You in prayer. Lord, strengthen them with power through Your Spirit in their inner being, so that Christ may dwell in their hearts through faith (Ephesians 3:16–17). Let them be filled with the knowledge of Your will in all wisdom and understanding, so that they may live lives worthy of You, pleasing You in every way (Colossians 1:9–10).
Father, keep them from harm and watch over their lives, they’re coming, and they’re going, both now and forever (Psalm 121:7–8). May they learn to rejoice always, to pray continually, and to give thanks in all circumstances (1 Thessalonians 5:16–18). May they shine as lights in this world, bringing glory to Your name (Matthew 5:16).
Lord, let Your Word take root in their hearts, guide their steps, and shape their future. May my prayers today be part of the legacy of faith that carries them closer to You and into eternal life in Christ. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Baker Heights Member