Praying the Scriptures for Your Children

by Jodie Berndt

Jodie Berndt shows you how to make the Bible a book of prayers that can powerfully influence your children’s lives. You’ll discover how to pray specifically and expectantly for their faith, character, safety, relationships, and future. You’ll gain new, biblical perspectives on God’s purposes for your children. And through the encouragement of the Scriptures and true-life stories, you’ll find out what a huge difference your prayers really make in the lives of those you love most.Discover How to Pray God’s Will for Your Children’s LivesThere’s no place like God’s Word to turn to when you want to pray confidently and effectively for your kids.“Prayers permeated with the Word of God bring about changes in our children and keep us in touch with God’s priorities. This is a wonderful resource that you will want to refer to over and over.”Fern Nichols, founder and president of Moms in Touch International“If I could choose only one book to help me pray for my children, this is it! Not only has Jodie given us a rich treasure of true stories, practical prayers, and relevant Scriptures for our children, but a surprise awaits! In reading this I found my own confidence if God growing. RUN and get this book for moms and grandmoms.”Susan Alexander Yates, author of How to Like the Ones You Love“I know of no one who can speak more authoritatively than Jodie Berndt on praying for your children. Every parent who wants their children to grow into godly men and women should read this book.

Genres: Parenting, Christian, Prayer, Faith, Christian Living, Nonfiction, Spirituality

272 pages, Hardcover

First published April 1, 2001

About the author

Jodie Berndt is an author and speaker. She has written or co-written seven books, including Praying the Scriptures for Your Children and Praying the Scriptures for Your Teenagers. She holds a B.A. in English from the University of Virginia and is a former television writer and producer for CBN’s 700 Club. Jodie and her husband, Robbie, have four adult children.

Reviews

[Teresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall this book was very good and helpful for shaping my prayer life for my children. My one caveat, however, is that I take issue with the chapter on praying for your children's future spouses to come from Christian homes with godly, Christian parents. Obviously that is not a bad thing to hope for your children, but it is so limiting to God to believe that God can't use people who were raised in non-believing or broken homes, or that their testimonies are not worthy enough to build a future life with your child. This is definitely a touchy subject for me having myself not grown up in a house that was built on a foundation of spiritual holiness or guided by biblical principles, but the Lord used many people in my life to draw me to him. There were some very traumatic experiences from my childhood that I had to deal with in the early years of our marriage, but my husband was right there with me every step of the way. My husband didn't get to marry a girl from a "godly, Christian family", but he got me and I think we've been pretty good for one another over the last 14 years and have built a family together that is solid in our faith. The thought of my mother-in-law and father-in-law thinking less of me because my parents have not chosen to follow Christ breaks my heart. I am glad they were not so small-minded. My two cents.

[Hilary · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very inspirational book written by a real mother (she shares some great prayer stories), ideal if you want to get started praying Scripturally for your children.

It took me some time to read this because it's not a reading book, it's a reading, thinking, praying, re-reading, re-thinking, musing book. Some chapters I read over before moving on to the next, some I mentally postponed for "when he's older", and many had me adding references and prayers to my existing list.

Next time round I'll use the Scriptures provided as a jumping-off point to search out and add my own.

[Catherine Clark · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such an excellent tool & will be a blessing to have around to reference through the years. Each chapter ends with Scripture & prompts to pray through regarding the topic of the chapter. It’s super well done & helpful & sweet 🥲

“Remember, there’s not a need our children will face that God has not already thought of and provided for in his Word. And he gave us this Word as a launching pad for conversation. When we pray the Scriptures, all we are really doing is taking words first breathed by our heavenly Father and saying them back to him in prayer form. Let’s teach our children that the Bible is where they can discover who God is, what he thinks about, and how much he adores them. Let’s teach them that it is where they can anchor their hope.” 246

[Emily Short · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this little book! For someone like me, who struggles with when, what, and how to pray, this is a great guide. But honestly, no matter where you’re at in your praying life, this is a great book and resource! I plan to come back to this book time and time again as new prayer needs arise for my children. I highly recommend it to all parents!!

[Lynne Brecker · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book you never really finish, it has endless ideas, tools and tricks to working scripture in to your kids lives more each day. The back of the book has specific topics that kids need prayer for and gives lists of applicable Bible verses and prayers to focus on individually or as a family. It was really a great book and so well put together, the work of digging for the right scripture or right thing to say is all done for you.

[Caroline Ellis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredibly practical, convicting at times, and I appreciated how she shared real life examples without sounding like she was bragging. Will be going back to this one again and again

[Cynthia · Rating 3 out of 5]

A book showing how to pray specifically for your children using the Holy Scriptures. She divides the topical areas into: faith, character, safety, relationships, and future purpose. There are a number of interesting stories about how prayer works, and added sections including on praying using Bible characters for your child.

Lovely book but written more for a two-parent, believing family who is probably already praying for their children and just wants to access more dynamic tools (the Scriptures are that). The target readers would likely be married, middle-class, white, Evangelical Christian Americans who believe in headship theology. Praying the Scriptures is a great tool, however, and you can really choose which scriptures from each section that you feel are meaningful to what/who you are praying/for.

REREAD: October, 2023 I reread this book in prayer for our granddaughters. I will have it on my bedside table as a guide to scripture related to their particular issues. I strongly believe that Jesus will make a very positive impact on their lives. I want to be part of that. I really should break down and buy the volume Jodie Berndt has written for Adult Children since they have rather too quickly entered that realm.

[Michelle Haggard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very thankful for a great friend who bought me this book. What a great resource! Full of verses to pray for our children. And a great reminder of the power of prayer, and the privilege and joy to be able to do it. 💞

[Cassandra Hungerford · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book!

[Kayleigh Taber · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really wanted to 100% like this book! I truly loved the ends of each chapter where the author listed "Prayers You Can Use."

However...the book would have gotten more like four stars were it not for the multiple references to Bill Gothard. When you include a quote from someone in your book you're basically giving someone your "stamp of approval" (unless you explicitly state otherwise, which the author did not) and I think that is irresponsible in this case. Do your own research, but the quotes and references did not sit well with me.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great book, especially for new moms (really moms of any stage of life, but great to get in the habit at the beginning!). I was given so many different ways that I could be praying for my children. I loved the Scripture that she provides at the end of each chapter so that I can start praying them right away. The stories that she shared about prayer were very encouraging, too. Highly recommend this book for all parents.

[Heidi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I marked this book as read, but to be honest I don't think I'll ever STOP reading this! This book has earned a permanent space on my nightstand as it is one I will constantly refer to. Parenting is no joke and Berndt gives us Scriptures to pray over our kids throughout their lives and in various situations. I cannot recommend this book enough and will start including it in baby shower gifts

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

The end of each chapter has prayers formed from Scripture with blanks for your child's name.

Here is an example: "Don't let us exasperate ____; instead, help us bring her up in the training and instruction of the Lord. (Ephesians 6:4)

I have started using it every day. Very helpful. I love it!

[Erica · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was Full of scripture and practical wisdom. Each chapter had a prayer principle,a real life example, and different references for scripture to pray for that stage or situation. I want to purchase my own copy to have as a reference.

[Kirsten · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quite simply the best parenting book I have read. Honest, inspiring, godly, helpful, practical and easy to read. I suspect I will turn around shortly and read it again!

[Irina Trancă · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading the 2020 edition in 2025

[Chantel Stadler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jodi Berndt’s book is a prayer guide that I would recommend to all parents (and her other book Praying the Scriptures for your Adult Children for empty nesters). It is filled with hope, encouragement, scripture and story telling. She uses humor, hard truths and real examples on how difficult parenting can be, yet how vital prayer is in the hope of our children’s future. It is a relief to feel it’s not all on us!This book encourages you to trust and puts faith in action. I’ve slowly read it over the year and it will continue to sit on my nightstand for years to come, dog-eared corners and well worn pages. My favorite piece of this book is how each chapter is divided into real concerns we have for our children; friendships, academics, their gifts and talents, technology, marriage and their future and more. Even better, the end of these chapters have short prayer prompts taken from scripture to prayer over, to and with your child. I pray for my children (and yours) “God, you have plans for my children, plans to prosper them and not to harm them, plans to give them hope and a future. Listen to my children when they pray. Cause my children to seek you- and find you- with their whole heart.” (Jeremiah 29:11-13). Truly this book is filled with hundreds of purposeful and specific prayers, I look forward to learning and using them more over the years.

[Kate Frisch · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read a chapter a day along with my daily Bible reading (which wasn't difficult because each chapter is only a handful of pages). I didn't want to "power" through it; I wanted to focus and soak in the wisdom that Berndt does such a good job in bringing to her readers.

As a mother (in the 21st century especially), I have many fears concerning my daughter and the world in which she will grow up. This book allowed me to see that I could give those fears to the One who can actually do something about it!

HIGHLY recommended this book for mothers AND fathers. Let's become parents who shower our children with powerful prayers.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of those books that I will need to revisit often, but also so helpful in praying for myself and my child and the children I know (friend's kids/God kids). I don't have to reinvent the wheel, but simple pray the Scriptures - God has so many promises for us that I can simply turn into prayers. I also liked how the author outlines some at the end of each chapter. At the end, there is also an appendix for praying for children (and really myself too lol) to have and emulate characteristics of "famous" biblical characters. So good, so helpful. Highly recommended.

[Leah Plumlee Reed · Rating 3 out of 5]

Haven't really read it through. But I find it helpful and comforting when I want to sow into the kids with fresh prayer. Each chapter has a list of scriptures that are adapted into prayers by category.

[Emily K · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful and easy read that is so encouraging. This book is filled with answered prayers from parents as they navigate parenthood. It is an encouraging reminder of how faithful God is when we come to His throne in prayer.

[Marisa Gegg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can’t even express how incredible this book is. Such a transformational way to improve prayer life and lift your babies up to the Lord. I name drop this book to all my mama friends. This one will sit on my nightstand for the next 20 years of child rearing.

[valerie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this very helpful and will be returning to it. At the end of each chapter was a list of verses on a specific topic such as technology, friends or life purpose with blanks to insert your children’s names.

[Marina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved the encouragement and admonition to pray for my son, loved the suggested prayers based on scripture, but was distracted by the stories and examples.

[Kara Bryant · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite books! I will be re-reading and referring back for a long time.

[Sami Reinke · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a new mom, this was an incredibly moving and helpful book. It gave me encouragement, brought me deeper into my prayer life, and helped me to be more thoughtful in how I pray over my baby. I will be referencing this book for prayers for years to come, and have already recommended and gifted this to other parents. Highly recommend!

[Anna Moore · Rating 4 out of 5]

The writing is 3 stars or so, but unlimited stars for the structure that it provides for praying for your children in specific ways. A wonderful resource I am thankful to have!

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was useful to me mainly for the lists of Scriptures that can be used to form specific prayers for our children. I could have also come up with with similar lists, but this book saved me some time as I can continue expanding on this in the years to come. This book is a great platform for starting your own prayer circle with others for your children or for the children in your church and your sphere of influence. Aside from that, I don't think there was anything particularly new or unique that the author contributed. There were many anecdotes throughout the book that illustrate the power of prayer, but I believe the power is in God's word and In His response to our obedience to His call to pray; to God be the glory!

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've frequently used this book as a reference resource, but I just finished reading straight through it. Berndt teaches parents how to use the Bible to pray more specifically for their children, while sharing real-life examples of how God has answered prayers in the lives of her family and friends. The book is FULL of wisdom and encouragement for parents. It is practical, insightful and Biblically faithful. I would encourage any Christian parent who wants to earnestly pray for the Lord's will in their children's lives to borrow or pick up a copy! It's a book I plan to use for years to come.

[Sabra · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. It's a great book that you can read and re-read. She's a normal mom that you can relate to. Sends her kids to public schools, prays for God to have the perfect teacher for her child, etc. She has scripture that you can prayer for your child after each chapter where she tells a personal example from her family. Highly recommend!