Julie Gillies

I love praying God’s word over my family. It’s powerful, living and active (see Hebrews 4:12). Not only that, but God actually watches over His Word to perform it (see Jeremiah 1:12).

I don’t know about you, but the idea of praying words that are alive with power, words that God Himself watches over and tends to, is irresistible.

So at the beginning of this year, when I read a couple of verses that described exactly what I desperately want for my family, poof! a family prayer was born. I printed these scriptures out on a 3x5 card and turned it into a prayer.

These scriptures focus on knowing God’s will, spiritual wisdom and understanding, and living lives that honor and please God. They speak of knowing God better and better and being strengthened with His glorious power so we’ll have all the endurance and patience we need.

Doesn’t that sound like a perfect family prayer?

Here are the verses:

We ask God to give you complete knowledge of His will and to give you spiritual wisdom and understanding. Then the way you live will always honor and please the Lord, and your lives will produce every kind of good fruit. All the while, you will grow as you learn to know God better and better. We also pray that you will be strengthened with all His glorious power so you will have all the endurance and patience you need. May you be filled with joy, always thanking the Father. (Colossians 1:9b-12a)

And here is how I personalized it and turned it into the perfect prayer for my family:

{You can click on this and print it out, if you'd like!}

I am convinced that praying God’s word is one of the wisest, most strategic prayer choices we can ever make. If our prayers were darts, praying scripture would cause us to hit the bullseye every time.

I hope you print out this prayer (or write it out on your own 3x5 card) and pray it often over your family, like I do.

Lord, thank you for Your amazing Word. It’s life-giving and life-changing, and I pray You will help us to know Your Word well and pray it often. Help us to regularly pray this over our families this year. Please bring authentic change in the hearts and lives of our family members that only You can. In the name of Jesus, Amen.