Praying the fruits of the spirit over your kids

Galatians 5:22-23

As a new school year begins, there is a longing in the hearts of parents that our children will make an impact as they walk into their classroom, be the one who will always show kindness, and be confident in all they do! As parents, we pray that our children walk into their schools purposefully! We know that our children were created for such a time as this, and why shouldn’t we believe that includes the people they interact with on a daily basis?

Red Rocks Kids believes that parents and guardians are the most influential people in the spiritual lives of their children. It may not always feel like that, but it’s true! As a new school year begins, we want to equip you, parents and guardians, with tools to pray over your children this school year!

In Galatians 5:22-23, we are given the Fruit of the Spirit. We see that love, joy, peace, forbearance (or patience), kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control are the nine characteristics of the Spirit that will reflect in our lives as we live a Christ-centered lives. Of course, we are not perfect and will fall short, but John 15 encourages us to always remain in Jesus, and we will see the fruit of that.

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” -John 15:4

As we step into this school year, we want to equip you with a prayer for each Fruit of the Spirit to pray over your children when you feel prompted to do so!

LOVE

Dear God, today I pray over (child’s name). I specifically pray the Fruit of the Spirit of Love over (him/her). Lord, You know (him/her) so deeply, and I pray that today (he/she) feels Your love throughout the day no matter what comes. I pray (he/she) may also, in turn, share Your love with (his/her) classmates. I pray that (child’s name) can have one encounter today that allows (him/her) to share who You are and the love You have given with someone at school who needs to hear about You. I thank you for the love that You first showed us so that we can show others. I love You, God. In Jesus’ Name. Amen!

JOY

Dear God, today I thank you for (child’s name). I thank you that today is a day we can walk in the overwhelming joy you have given us. As (child’s name) goes to school today, I pray that (he/she) is able to walk in that joy as well. I know it can be hard when things might not go the way we want them to, but God, it is You who brings ultimate joy. As (child’s name) is at school today, I pray that as (he/she) walks into (his/her) classroom, you mark (him/her) with a joy that radiates! I pray that You are the one that provides that joy all day long! I love You, God. In Jesus’ Name. Amen!

PEACE

Dear God, thank you for today! As (child’s name) walks through the doors at school today, I pray that you give (him/her) peace like no other. There are so many things that we can allow ourselves to be nervous or anxious about, but I am speaking against any anxiety in Jesus’ Name! I pray that (child’s name) feels Your peace in a way (he/she) has never experienced before. Even if (he/she) doesn’t know how to explain the peace that overcomes (him/her), I pray that they know it’s from You. I am believing today is a day where (child’s name) will remember exactly who (he/she) belongs to, and (he/she) will be able to walk in confidence knowing (he/she) belongs to You. I’m believing and praying for an amazing day over (child’s name). I love You, God. In Jesus’ Name. Amen!

PATIENCE

Dear God, today will be a great day for (child’s name). I am praying that over (him/her) right now! Lord, I may not know what comes (child’s name)’s way today, but I do know through You, (he/she) can conquer anything. While today may be a chaotic or stressful day for (child’s name), it is Your Spirit that gives (him/her) an extra dose of patience today. No matter the frustration or annoyance that (child’s name) may have a school today, I pray supernatural patience over (his/her) heart and mind today! Thank you, Lord, for another day of getting to live in the Fruit of Your Spirit. I love You, God. In Jesus’ Name. Amen!

KINDNESS & GOODNESS

Dear God, thank you for another day of getting to be (child’s name)’s parent. Thank you for the joy that (he/she) brings to my life. Today as (child’s name) goes to school, I want to pray the Fruit of the Spirit – Kindness and Goodness over (him/her). School can be hard, and we never know what is happening in the lives of those around us. I pray that You place (child’s name) in another child’s path at school today where (he/she) gets to show that other child a kindness they have never experienced before. I pray that (child’s name) is able to see the needs of another child at school and be someone who steps up and helps them today. Thank you for allowing me to teach (child’s name) about the Fruit of the Spirit, You give us and how we can walk in them daily. I love you, God. In Jesus’ name. Amen!

FAITHFULNESS

Dear God, today as I pray for (child’s name), I want to pray over the trust that (he/she) has in You. I pray that (he/she) is confident in who You have created (him/her) to be and know that You will always be there. Lord, I ask that today, as (child’s name) walks into (his/her) classroom, You would gently remind (him/her) of the plans that You have for (him/her). I also pray that as (he/she) puts (his/her) faith in You, (he/she) is able to show others that (he/she) is trustworthy too. Whether it’s showing up for a classmate when they need help or being a friend others can come to when they are struggling. I pray that You go before (him/her) every step of the way. I love You, God. In Jesus’ Name. Amen!

GENTLENESS

Dear God, today is another day I get to thank you for (child’s name). It is an honor to be (his/her) parent and to be able to stand in the gap for (him/her). As I send (child’s name) off to school today, I pray gentleness over (him/her). I pray that whatever today brings for (him/her) at school, that (he/she) will be slow to speak and quick to listen. I pray for a heart of gentleness towards (his/her) classmates and teachers. Lord, thank you for making (child’s name) with a heart of compassion and gentleness. I love You, God. In Jesus’ Name. Amen!

SELF-CONTROL

Dear God, thank you for (child’s name) and (his/her) heart for you! Today as I pray self-control over (child’s name), I ask that you give (him/her) the strength to lean on you in times of temptation. Whether it is choosing to listen rather than react out of impulse, treating others kindly, or choosing not to do something wrong, I ask that You be with (him/her). Temptation is a slippery slope, and I pray that (child’s name) turns to you in those moments when (he/she) has to decide to walk away from temptation. Thank you for being a safe space for (child’s name) and loving (him/her) even more than I do! I surrender (child’s name) to You, Lord. I love You, God. In Jesus’ Name. Amen!

As a Red Rocks Kids Team, we pray that these prayers help you feel equipped as your family steps into a new school year! We believe this will be a year full of the Fruit of the Spirit for your children, and that God will use them in their schools to start impacting the lives of those around them!

Check out our other parent articles!