5 Prayers to Reach the Heart of Your Wayward Child
One of life’s most exciting surprises is watching who our kids become as they grow. Who knew our oldest son would launch a successful remodeling business when he comes from a line of not-so-handymen? Or that our daughters’ passion to explore would send them on solo trips to faraway countries? Or that our youngest would find his bliss with a pair of drumsticks in his hands? Each of our five kids carries unique passions, personalities, and dreams, and it’s a privilege to witness it all unfold.
Yet as our kids and yours walk the journey of growing and self-discovery, their feet can wander far from the faith of their childhood. They might reject the Bible as their source of absolute truth. They might see the church as a place of hypocrisy and even hate. They may struggle to reconcile the goodness of God with the pain and evil they see in this world. Confused, angry, or disillusioned, our kids can turn their backs on Jesus and strike out on their own.
Today, is your prodigal child pulling up their roots of faith? Are they challenging the values you taught them? Do they hold suspicion, hurt, or bitterness toward believers? Have they gone distant, unable to make peace with your different perspectives? Have they made self-destructive choices that threaten their future? You know the deep grief and worry that parenting a wayward child can bring.
It’s in those heavy emotions that we find hope and comfort in God. His promises are true. His strength and wisdom are there for the asking. Instead of fighting with our kids to argue our point of view, we can fight for the souls of our children in prayer. May these 5 prayers for your wayward child kindle a joyful expectancy that God is working in the hearts and lives of our kids, even today.
1. A Prayer for Fresh Voices
How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? (Romans 10:14)
Lord,
So many voices are competing for my child’s attention. They are flooded with images and messages every day that deny the reality of your truth and your love. I see the influence of others on their attitude, outlook, and the goals they pursue. It has been a long time since my child was able to hear a clear, credible reason to put their trust in you.
Surround my child with loving and confident believers who can share your good news of salvation in a fresh way. Open doors to conversations with those who can talk through tough questions with wisdom and grace. Speak your Word from unexpected places, and move through what’s spoken to reach my child right where they are. May they hear, believe, and call on your name forever.
Amen.
2. A Prayer for Understanding
The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit. (1 Corinthians 2:14)
Lord,
My child is struggling to believe in a God they cannot see with their eyes. Their exposure to the scriptures has brought more questions than answers to their mind. They feel their prayers have landed on deaf ears. Instead of a map to find freedom, they see the Word as a book of rigid rules that will steal their happiness. They cannot find their way to you without your helping hand to lead the way.
By your Spirit, enable my child to understand who you are. Open their eyes to the condition of their soul and their need for Jesus. Give them insight to comprehend what your Word really says and means. Allow them to perceive your voice calling them close to yourself. Break down every barrier that is keeping them from seeing, hearing, and believing in you today.
Amen.
3. A Prayer for Humility
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:3)
Lord,
My child is confident they know what’s best for their life. They decided what they want and how they intend to get it. They created their own definition of what’s right and what is unacceptable. Their hope is set on programs and human systems to repair what is broken in this world. In the face of problems or questions, they believe they can sort out the answers for themselves. Yet apart from you—your wisdom, truth, and love—they will never find peace or joy that lasts.
Give my child a humble spirit that can see their need for you. Set them free from the exhausting trap of self-sufficiency. Be the author of their hopes and goals so they place their destiny in your hands. Help them to surrender their will to yours, obeying you gladly in every part of their life. May my child find rest in your mercy, allowing your love to satisfy every desire of their heart.
Amen.
4. A Prayer for Protection
Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. (1 Peter 5:8)
Lord,
The farther my child runs away from you, the more vulnerable they become. They have little defense against false teaching that distorts what good and right. Anxiety and depression can take firm hold of their emotions. Addiction, self-destructive behavior, and damaging relationships can wreak havoc in their life. The enemy will tell them they are worthless. Hopeless. Alone. He wants them to believe they are out of the reach of your love.
Protect my child from the enemy’s schemes to deceive and destroy, steal and scar their life. Be a shield against those who would exploit my child for selfish gain. Break any addictive habits that promise comfort but will only bring pain. By your Spirit, give discernment to sift out lies from truth and good from evil. Claim my child for your own and keep them safe under your wing.
Amen.
5. A Prayer for Trust
[Love] does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. (1 Corinthians 13:5, 7)
Lord,
My child can perceive my rejection of their beliefs and values as a rejection of them as a person. The trust between us feels fragile. I grow anxious, afraid I’ll cause hurt, offense, or misunderstanding between us. All I know is that I want to express my love for my child and for you with all my heart.
Show us, Lord, the common ground we share between us. Keep us openhearted as we navigate our relationship. Make me a parent whose kindness and grace are never in doubt. Let my faith be authentic as my words align with wise and loving actions. Let my home be a place of safety and peace where they can experience your presence. As trust flourishes in our family, may my child discover they can trust you with all that they are.
Amen.
While our prayers for our children are the greatest gift we can offer, we need prayer too as a mom and dad. May this bonus prayer encourage your spirit and allow you to draw near to God as you wait for his power to change your child’s life:
Lord,
My child is a gift from you. You know them in every detail. There is no place too dark in the shadows of their life where your light cannot shine. Thank you for loving them fully. Tenderly. Relentlessly. Your love is the best thing they will ever know.
Yet Father, my heart aches for them to love you too. To recognize the goodness you pour into their life. To depend on you to guide their way. To join me in joyful worship and praise of all that you are to us both now and forever.
Help me to keep believing you see them right where they are. Wash away the shame that says it’s all my fault they turned from you. Give me confident faith that you know exactly how to touch their heart and mind with the truth of your Son. Deepen my trust in your perfect timing and your power to save. May I release my child into your hands and receive your peace as I wait for all you have in store. Be my comfort and help who breathes fresh hope into my soul.
Amen.
We wait in hope for the Lord;
he is our help and our shield.
In him our hearts rejoice,
for we trust in his holy name.
May your unfailing love be with us, Lord,
even as we put our hope in you.
(Psalm 33:20-22)
We know the heavy weight it can place on your heart when, despite your best efforts to nurture their relationship with God, you find your child drifting from their faith.
Know that you’re not alone in this feeling. So many parents are walking this same road, carrying the same questions, the same heartache, and the same hope.
We receive messages about wayward children often. Every time, we come back to what we know to be true: prayer matters. Prayer invites God into the places we cannot reach. It covers our children in His presence—even in seasons when they are not seeking Him for themselves. What a powerful gift to offer.
If the wound of a wayward child is feeling tender today and you’re seeking support as you fight for your child’s faith, we would be honored to pray for you and your child by name. Just send us a prayer request using the button below and share as much (or as little) detail as you’d like.
If you’re having trouble putting words to the concerns you have for your child, you may find our prayer resources for parents and grandparents helpful:
