Five Bible Verses to Pray Over Adult Children
“You’re a parent of an 18-year-old!” my friend said.
Her excitement was contagious as others joined in, and for a split second, I regretted mentioning my son’s birthday.
As I held back the tears, I wasn’t offended by what my friend said. My older son turned 18; that was a fact. I was tearful because, in the blink of an eye, I no longer had a child but an adult—an adult who would find his way in this broken, sin-filled world and make his own decisions.
Celebrating Big One Last Time (at least for a while!)
I decided early on that this birthday needed to stand out from the other celebrations. We celebrated in our usual way with a steak dinner and an ice cream cake from DQ. We sang Happy Birthday and lit candles. He opened his gifts, and I photographed them all.
Since his birth and every birthday, we have had our photos taken together. I always insisted on doing this with both boys on their birthdays. It’s something to look back on and remember those special times.
This year was different. This would be the last photo we would take together on his birthday for a few years.
My son will be at a college 14 hours away from home for the next four years. Unless we travel to Texas or his birthday falls on a weekend, we will not be together to celebrate.
And that, my friends, is why I was tearful.
Life as a family of four is changing.
Stuck Between Responsibility and Still Depending on Your Parents
Having an 18-year-old is a little odd. In society, they are viewed as adults who can make their own choices, but when it comes to signing school permission slips, parents still need to sign them. Even more confusing is that, as parents, we no longer have access to their medical records, yet we can keep them on our health insurance until they turn 26.
Pray! Pray! Pray!
As our children become more independent and plan their lives for living outside our home, the one thing we can do as parents is pray!
Sometimes, I must keep my mouth closed and let my son figure it out. Other times, I need to hound him a bit to get things done (hint, hint—submit that housing application, son!). So, let us “Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.” Roman 12:12
A Free Resource for You
I have five Bible verses I pray over my two young adult sons daily, and I would love to share them with you!
As a free resource, here are Five Verses to Pray Over our Adult Children, delivered straight to your inbox. I encourage you to print out these verses and stick them in your Bible or somewhere visible. (I love putting Bible verses on the bathroom mirror!)
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An Update as a Parent of Adult Children
This blog post was originally written in March 2020. We are now parents of two adult sons. Our oldest graduated from college and has a wonderful job back here in Illinois. Our 22-year-old is a college senior with a job lined up after graduation.
Being a parent of two young men in their 20s has been challenging, but I cling to the Lord’s help in getting us through it. Seeing our young adult children make mistakes or not take our advice is hard. It’s even more complicated when our children walk away from their faith.
I’ve said repeatedly, “I’d rather parent seven teething toddlers than parent young adults!”
Our sons still have a relationship with Jesus, and I’m so thankful for that, but I worry about the world trying to conform them. I see the worldview sneaking into our oldest son. I’m praising God for his wonderful girlfriend, who is strong in her faith and has impacted his life. However, his friend group is less than desirable. They all attended and graduated from a Christian school and have walked away from their faith.
I know many parents dealing with a prodigal child. If that is you, DO NOT STOP PRAYING FOR YOUR SON OR DAUGHTER! You are not alone, and I am praying for you!
To all parents, remember you are not alone! You have a community you can lean into, and the Word of God will guide you!
How Can I Pray for You?
I’m up early to pray over my family, and I would love to pray for you! Let me know in the comments or text me at 309-270-6179.
Encouraging Words for Challenging Times
Do you want to know how to live a bold faith in this challenging world? I encourage you to listen to my podcast, Bold Faith Now. It is available on your favorite podcast app (Apple, Spotify, etc.) and my website at https://missyeversole.com/podcast/
Are You a Soon-to-Be Parent of An Adult Child?
I’ve interviewed some incredible parenting experts for my podcast, Bold Faith Now. I encourage you to listen and order the recommended books on Amazon.
30 – Nurturing Faith: Raising Kids to Follow Christ with Lee Ann Mancini
35 – Building a Strong Spiritual Foundation with Cheryl Schuermann
51 – Staying Grounded in Faith Through College Challenges with Dr. Katherine Pasour
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Welcome Friends!
My name is Missy, and I love Jesus!
I am a Christ-follower, wife, mom, author, and speaker. I am dedicated to empowering women to live audaciously for Jesus. Now is the time, friends, to step out of the shadows and tell everyone about Him!
I am the host of the "Bold Faith Now" podcast. The podcast that empowers you to embrace a fearless faith journey. If you want to live out your love and faith for Jesus with unwavering courage and conviction, this podcast is for you! Click here to listen!
These verses are some of my favorites to share over my kids. Thank you for putting them all in one place!
You are so welcome, sweet friend!
Thank you Missy I will take and read and pray these beautiful verses that you have put together and pray over All my children and grandchildren. It is a blessing reading through your blog. May our dear LORD bless you and your family.❤️🙏🙏
Mema
Thank you, Mema! Blessings to you and your family!
My husband and I have adult children and I mean hitting 50 really hard everyday.
We pray for each individual child and their spouses and their children and their grandchildren by name that gives us such a sense of giving them to the Lord every single morning and to know that God loves them and so do we
I love this, Joanne! Thank you for your comment!
Thank you for this. It is exactly what I needed and learn how to pray for my children and grandchildren.
In Jesus Name, Amen
I love our Lord God so much ,I need God’s help so much everyday in Jesus Name Amen…
I have two adult children and a 16 year old. I’ve been challenged by the Lord to be more diligent in praying for them! One is a 23 year old who is working and living at home to pay in student loans. The other is a junior music major in college navigating her way through a serious relationship which seems to be at a crossroads. They care deeply for each other but need the Lords guidance. My youngest is a junior in high school. The youngest and oldest are like warm when it comes to their relationship with Christ. I have so much to pray for!
Thank you for sharing, Sara! Prayer is so powerful and our children (no matter what age) need them!
please can you pray for my 23 yr old he is struggling with addiction and it is a very difficult time for us all. He is choosing wrong relationship and wrong choices . He has battled with psychosis for three years and refuses to to medication because of side effects.
we really need your prayers 🙏
Thank you for this article. I can relate with my 18yo son and yours and I am encouraged by what you have shared. I have written down Romans 12:12 in different translations and will use it to remind myself to have confidence in the Lord, to be patient, and to be devoted to prayer for my children. I will look up your podcast. Thanks again from Australia
Hi Angela, thank you so much for your comment. Being a parent of a young adult is hard and I’m so thankful that I am not alone in this! God is with us every step of the way!
I have 4 kids. Oldest is 33. Youngest will turn 18 July 13. She now has a boyfriend and I do like him. My heart hurts as she has been pushing me out of her life for a few years since a friend who has not been a real friend since the beginning has been in her life. God has become not a part of her life and using Jesus name in vain isn’t a problem now. She graduates next year but when she is 18 I will not have that rights as a parent anymore so helping her will be limited and knowing things even less.
She has given up on her dream of cheering in college .
I feel I haven’t prayed enough for my kids or I haven’t prayed deep enough. I don’t know.
As much as I long for more in relationships with adult kids I long even more for their relationships with God to be real and the center of their lives
Hi Julie, Thank you so much for your comment. Be a parent to young adults is tough, but know this, you are not alone. Also, do no let the enemy tell you you haven’t prayed deep enough or not enough over your children. That is a bold face lie. God hears your prayers!
Hello
I am seeking prayer for my adult son who has so many issues going on for years and has several children with a few moms. There is so much going on. Praying that he seeks God that his heart and ears are opened and he is redeemed.
Thank you.
Please help me and my husband pray for our adult daughter. She has three beautiful children. We love dearly. Please pray for the children as well. My daughter rushed into a relationship and got married without letting anyone know. We were told after the deed was done. At first it seemed okay and her new husband seemed great. As time went on we have began to see some pretty significant changes in our daughter. First he would want her right by his side at any family function. He seemed irritated if she would mingle. Her husband is pretty quiet. Her children were affected negatively by the rushed relationship. As time goes on she has become rude and distant with us and all family. She comes around but she is not the same. She has become very disrespectful at times. This is not our daughter. She has always be a. Carefree, fun, kind , loving, and respectful her whole life. Her dad tried to speak with her about those concerns and maybe control issues from her husband.That didn’t go well and turned into an argument. Her husband has stopped talking to my husband at family functions. and I barely talk to my daughter. This is extremely hard and sad for us. In some weird way we feel
Like he is trying isolate and manipulate her . We are praying for this hard situation. We are feeling the change in her is revealing his character. This just breaks are hearts. All we can do is keep praying for her and him. Please help us pray for her and the children. We are in a battle. Spiritual Warfare…sometimes Iam not sure what to pray. I ask the Lord to help us with patience, wisdom, and discernment.
Our daughter is 31 yr. Her new husband is not the father of her children. Thank you.
I’m so sorry you’re walking through this, and my heart goes out to you. I will absolutely be praying for your daughter, her husband, and those precious grandchildren—for protection, wisdom, and for God’s truth and peace to fill your family. May the Lord give you and your husband strength, discernment, and a steadfast hope as you continue to love her through this season. God sees every tear and is working, even when it’s hard to see right now.