3 Prayers to Pray for Those You Love

I have a prayer journal that I keep for each of my grandkids. After all, I have 14 grandchildren and my prayers for each of them were too many to fit all in one journal! I often borrow prayers from the New Testament book of Ephesians when I am praying for both my kids and grandkids.

Ephesians is packed full of great theology to pray for those you love. I remember a time when I was gravely concerned for one of our daughters. I took a month and prayed through the entire book of Ephesians every morning for her. God used those prayers beyond anything I could have imagined. 

I’ve been meditating on 3 prayers found in Ephesians 1 this past week. I’ve echoed Paul’s words in my prayers for those I love. I would encourage you to use them as well. There is an extraordinary power that is unleashed when we pray scripture on behalf of others. God honors those prayers. 

3 prayers to pray for those you love:

Pray that they would be given gifts of wisdom and discernment to know Christ more intimately. “I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation so that you may know him better” (Ephesians 1:17).  Pray that those you love would be given gifts of wisdom and discernment from the Holy Spirit. In our world, there are many conflicting views and opinions. Pray that the people you love would be wise and discerning and that they would know beyond doubt that Jesus Christ is “the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6).  Pray that they would make wise life-giving choices as they navigate their daily world. Pray that as they read scripture the Holy Spirit would help them to understand what they are reading. 

Pray that the eyes of their hearts would be open to the fullness of hope they have in Christ. “I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you” (Ephesians 1:18). Ah, we sure need hope, don’t we? The people you love need hope as well. In the wake of the pandemic and recent racial tensions, many have been left with anxiety, depression, and overall feelings of hopelessness. But there is hope! His name is Jesus! Pray that the eyes of those you love would be opened to the hope that is theirs through Christ. Pray that they would know that they are chosen and called to be God’s precious children. Pray that they would experience the hope of belonging to Christ.

Pray that they would continually experience the immeasurable strength of Christ’s resurrection power. “And his incomparably great power for us who believe” (Ephesians 1:19). Here’s the thing: the same power that raised Christ from the dead is available to those who have received Him. It’s not power to be misused manipulating others. It’s the power to live a transformed life in accordance with the Holy Spirit. It’s the power to get up each morning and state emphatically, “I have been crucified with Christ yet I live!” (Galatians 2:20). It’s the power to live victoriously with joy over bad attitudes, broken bodies, and beat up relationships. It’s the power to apologize when you’re wrong and the power to forgive when you have been wronged. It’s the power to praise God even when life is falling apart. It’s the power that completely and radically changes our lives and it’s available to you and those you love.

This week, why don’t you take a few quiet moments and pray these 3 prayers for each of the people you love dearly. The time spent on your knees or in your prayer closet is one of the greatest gifts you can give those you love.