The children in our lives are a true blessing from the Lord. Their smiles and laughs can brighten up a room, and we want what’s best for them each and every day. In this post, we will take a closer look at how to say a Catholic prayer for children. Then we will review words from Scripture about children to better understand what the Lord has to say about our prayers for children and examine which saints can help guide your prayers.
Why Should Catholics Pray for Children?
Catholics have faith that God can intervene in the lives of children. Here are some of the reasons to pray for the kids in your life:
- For strength and hope: Just like adults, children need strength to persevere during difficult times. But with that strength, they also need hope. Having something to cling to and look forward to is essential for overcoming life’s trials. Pray that God will give strength and hope to the beloved children He has placed in your life.
- For protection from hunger: Children throughout the world are hungry or even starving, including children in your own neighborhood. A 2020 survey shows that over 10% of U.S. households face food insecurity. Many children are left to fend for themselves and go about their days with empty bellies. We must pray that these children will find secure sustenance and that the number of food-insecure households will decrease.
- For protection from sickness: Everyone wants their loved ones to be healthy, especially the children in your life. They have so much life to live that it’s natural to feel that childhood illnesses carry extra weight. In these instances, you can say Catholic prayers for healing a child and have faith that God will intervene.
- For good health: Besides saying Catholic prayers for a sick child, you can also pray for God to maintain the condition of children who are already healthy. Praise God for the measure of health He has given them.
- For protection from worry: Children deserve to live in peace, knowing everything will be all right when they lay their heads down at night. However, some children are overwhelmed with worry and anxiety over their life circumstances. We must pray for God to protect children from worry.
- For protection from being lost: If you ever found yourself lost as a child, you know how scary it can be to be separated from a parent or guardian. When children are lost, they are unsure how to navigate the world and who they can trust. Pray that God will place a hedge of protection around the children in your life.
- For guidance: Children rely on the adults in their lives, especially their parents, to guide them as they grow up and make more decisions for themselves. Say a protection prayer for a son or a protection prayer for a daughter to ask that they will walk the right path toward God’s will.
- For opportunities and education: As a parent, guardian or parental figure in a child’s life, you want the best for them, including new life and educational opportunities. You can pray for God to open doors to opportunities for the children in your life.
Bible Verses About Children
The Bible has a lot to say about children. Here are some passages to meditate on as you pray for children today, whatever the situation.
Matthew 19:14
“… but Jesus said, ‘Let the children come to me, and do not prevent them; for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.’” — Matthew 19:14.
In this passage, the disciples have made the mistake of trying to turn away children from Jesus, thinking that they would annoy Him. Instead, Jesus makes the specific request that they allow the children to come to Him.
Jesus shows in this passage that He loves the children of the world. They have as much of a place in heaven as any adult and deserve the same love and respect from adults that they received from Jesus.
Proverbs 22:6
“Train the young in the way they should go; even when old, they will not swerve from it.” — Proverbs 22:6.
Adults have a responsibility to raise young people properly, whether they’re parents, guardians, caretakers or simply respected adults in a child’s life. You must share your knowledge of Scripture and God’s will with the young people He has placed in your sphere of influence. People remember what they learn during their childhood — teaching them the truth at a young age can help them for the rest of their lives.
1 Timothy 5:8
“And whoever does not provide for relatives and especially family members has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.” — 1 Timothy 5:8.
This passage is an essential piece of Scripture for the safety of children. It warns believers that they must also provide for the people in their families, including children. Parents must take Paul’s command here especially seriously and ensure they’re meeting the basic needs of the children in their family at every opportunity. Pray for God to help you succeed as you strive to meet this calling.
Ephesians 6:4
“Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up with the training and instruction of the Lord.” — Ephesians 6:4.
Though Paul directs his instructions to fathers in this verse, it can also apply to mothers. Parents have a huge responsibility to raise their children in the instruction of God. However, they must take special care along the way to do so in a way that avoids provoking children to anger and other sinful reactions. Pray for God to give you wisdom and discernment as you raise your child according to the Bible’s teachings.
John 16:21
“When a woman is in labor, she is in anguish because her hour has arrived; but when she has given birth to a child, she no longer remembers the pain because of her joy that a child has been born into the world.” — John 16:21.
Childbirth is an incredible act and responsibility that God has given to women. Despite the tremendous pain and difficulties associated with bearing and delivering a child, this verse reveals that all those pains disappear the moment a woman sees the child she has brought into the world. Children are a truly amazing gift and well worth the long road of pregnancy and childbirth.
Jeremiah 1:5
“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I dedicated you, a prophet to the nations I appointed you.” — Jeremiah 1:5.
It’s incredible to think about God knowing about you before He formed you in your mother’s womb. It’s even more amazing to think that God had a purpose for your life before you were born that you are to live out every day. It’s a blessing and a comfort to know that God feels the same way toward your children. He has a plan and an intimate love for your child.
Proverbs 1:8
“Hear, my son, your father’s instruction, and reject not your mother’s teaching.” — Proverbs 1:8.
The book of Proverbs is full of wisdom for people of all ages. This verse encourages children to heed the instruction of their parents and obey their teachings. It’s a simple piece of wisdom, but it can be challenging for children to apply it to their lives. Pray for God to help your children follow your instruction and to give you wisdom as you offer that instruction.
Matthew 18:10
“See that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that their angels in heaven always look upon the face of my heavenly Father.” — Matthew 18:10.
Like Matthew 19:14, this passage shows Jesus defending the integrity of children in hearing and believing in His teachings. The reason He gives is powerful and mysterious — that the children’s angels look upon the face of God the Father. Let the wonder of these words inspire you as you practice patience with your children and raise them in the love of Christ.
Psalm 127:3
“Certainly sons are a gift from the Lord, the fruit of the womb, a reward.” — Psalm 127:3.
Throughout these verses, you have seen how the Bible portrays children as a blessing worthy of God’s eternal love, and this verse makes this fact clear. Children are a gift from God. More than any other gift you could receive, you should cherish your children and help them as they grow up and experience their lives. Be sure, as well, to express your thankfulness to God for the children He has blessed you with.
Saints to Pray to for Children
Catholics pray to saints to intercede before God on their behalf. Each saint represents a specific situation in life where only God can reach down and help the person in need. These situations can be complicated and are often beyond the reach of human striving, but with God, all things are possible.
Of all the saints that Catholics recognize, many specifically focus on the needs of children. Here are three Catholic saints to remember when you pray for the needs of children.
St. Monica
St. Monica is the patron saint of lost children and of patience — which you’ll certainly need when praying for a wayward child. St. Monica knew the need for patience better than anyone, as she prayed to God for 17 years before her son converted to the faith. Along the way, she encountered frustrations, disappointments and hardships, but God rewarded her by answering her prayer for the deliverance of her spiritually lost child.
If you need a patron saint of child protection, St. Monica can be the one to remember in your prayers for the safety and security of your young ones. You can invoke St. Monica in your own Catholic prayers for the loss of a child who has drifted away from the faith. Let her inspire you to remain patient with God’s workings, knowing that God will test and grow your faith.
God can always intervene in your child’s life, wherever they are on their path. No soul is too far gone, so pray for God to draw your child back to Him.
St. Philomena
St. Philomena was a Greek princess who vowed to remain a virgin at the age of 13. When she traveled to Rome with her father, Emperor Diocletian fell in love with her and wanted to marry her. St. Philomena refused, choosing instead to honor her vow of virginity to the Lord.
St. Philomena’s decision enraged the emperor, who forced her to undergo various tortures. Tradition holds that every time she was drowned, shot and scourged, angels would descend and heal her of her wounds until Emperor Diocletian finally decapitated her.
Today, Catholics venerate St. Philomena as the patron saint of babies, infants and youth.
St. Nicholas of Myra
St. Nicholas of Myra is one of the most well-known Catholic saints. Many Catholics know him as the patron saint of children because of his reputation for giving secret gifts to children during his lifetime. As many people know, this inspired the story and character of Santa Claus, a figure many children associate with happy times and the joy of opening gifts.
St. Nicholas cared for children and wanted to see them light up with joy. He wanted to help lighten people’s burdens, young and old, and he knew people could only experience this through the love of Christ.
Remember St. Nicholas in your prayers for children, whatever those needs may be and remember that God loves all the children of the world. Let this truth strengthen your faith today.
Send Your Prayer Intentions to Catholic World Mission
At Catholic World Mission, we rely on the generosity of our donors to help make the world a better place, one community at a time. Through dignified living, evangelization and education opportunities, we can help change the lives of children and pave the way to a better future. We ask that you donate to our cause today. Even a small donation goes a long way toward impacting the world for Christ.
If you are in a situation where you need Catholic prayers for the protection of children, then send us your prayer intentions online. We would love to say a deliverance prayer for a child on your behalf.