How to Pray for Your Teens: 7 Prayers You Can Use Right Now

Parenting teenagers can be challenging, whether you are a parent or stepparent. From their hormone fluctuations to their desire to be independent, teens undergo radical change in a short amount of time. As parents and stepparents, we may not know how to pray for them, and we may be overwhelmed by how much they need our prayers. 

If you’ve been stumbling over what to pray or how to pray for your teen, that’s okay. A lot of parents feel that way. To help you put your thoughts and feelings into words, we’ve created written prayers for both teen boys and teen girls. Keep in mind that even when your prayers may seem inadequate, the “Holy Spirit intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words” (Romans 8:26). 

The Power of Prayer

Prayer is one of the most important aspects of our relationship with God. In His presence, we grow closer to Him, and He aligns our heart with His. As a result, His desires become our desires. First John 5:14-15 says, “And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him.” In other words, when we want God’s will for our teenagers, we can know He hears us when we pray. His answers may not come in the way we expect or in the timing we’d like, but we can trust His heart for our teens. 

Seven Prayers for Your Teen Sons & Stepsons

A prayer for my (step)son’s relationship with God (Based on Mark 12:30 and Psalm 63:3).

God of love, I pray that my (step)son would love You with all of his heart, all of his soul, all of his mind, and all of his strength. Give him a passion for You, and help him discover and experience the depths of Your love for him. May he grow to understand that Your love is better than life, better than anything that this world could ever offer. I pray that he would always seek You as his first love. Amen. 

A prayer for my (step)son’s character (Based on Galatians 5:22-23).

Lord, I pray for my (step)son’s character, that he would live by the Spirit instead of the flesh. May his life produce the fruit that comes from walking in step with the Spirit. May he show love, kindness, patience, and gentleness toward others, including his siblings and stepsiblings. May he do good to those around him. May he experience peace and joy despite his circumstances, and allow him to demonstrate self-control when things go wrong. Above all else, let him remain faithful to You. Amen.

A prayer for my (step)son’s identity (Based on Psalm 139:13-14).

Lord, before the creation of the world, You knew my (step)son inside and out. You created him–his personality, gifts, and quirks. As he navigates becoming a man, I pray that he would not base his worth on his achievements, looks, accomplishments, or talents. I pray that he would find his identity in You. May my (step)son believe that he has been fearfully and wonderfully made, and let him walk in confidence because he knows You created him. Amen.

A prayer for my (step)son’s spiritual protection (Based on Ephesians 6:10-13).

Lord of Hosts, I pray that my (step)son would find his strength in Your power and might. I pray that he would put on the whole armor of God every day so that he can stand against the schemes of the devil. Help him understand that he is ultimately battling against the rulers, authorities, powers, and forces of evil in the spiritual realm. In Your might and power, may my (step)son withstand the enemy and stand firm in You. Amen.

A prayer for my son’s purity (Based on Romans 12:2 and Psalm 101:3).

God, I pray that my (step)son would not conform to this world, but instead be transformed by the renewing of his mind. Help him develop the mind of Christ and be able to discern spiritual attacks and temptations. Protect his mind from impure thoughts and images. May he not set his eyes on anything that is worthless, vile, or vulgar. I pray that he would listen to the Spirit’s promptings and pursue what is good, honest, and pure. Amen.

A prayer my (step)son’s relationships within our blended family (Based on Romans 12:9-21).

God, I pray for my (step)son as he lives as a part of our blended family. Let his love toward us be genuine, and may he act honorably in his interactions with us. May he seek to live at peace with his parents, stepparents, siblings, and stepsiblings. When he is hurt or hurts others, I pray that he would not harbor anger or vengeance in his heart. Instead, give him compassion, patience, grace, and mercy toward others. Amen.  

A prayer for my (step)son’s future wife (Based on Proverbs 31:10-31).

God, I pray for my (step)son’s future wife. I ask that she would love You above all else and continually seek You. May she honor and respect my (step)son and may she be generous toward him and toward others. I pray that she would be a person of strong, godly character. May she strive to glorify You in everything she does. I pray that she would embrace our blended family, and may we embrace her family. Amen.

Seven Prayers for Your Teen Daughters and Stepdaughters

A prayer for my (step)daughter’s relationship with God (Based on Luke 10:27).

Gracious God, I pray that my (step)daughter would love You with all of her heart, all of her soul, all of her mind, and all of her strength. Give her a deep, unquenchable longing for You. Help her discover the depths of Your love and your forgiveness. May she truly understand and experience Your love that is better than anything the enemy would tempt her with. I pray that she would always desire to seek first Your kingdom. Amen. 

A prayer for my (step)daughter’s identity (Based on Ephesians 2:10).

God, this world bombards my (step)daughter every day with so many negative and conflicting messages about her value and her worth. I pray that she would be able to discern the enemy’s lies from the truth about who she is. Give her a positive body image and guard her against comparison traps, and give her the security that comes from knowing that she is Your workmanship. Remind her again and again that You created uniquely and wonderfully. Amen.  

A prayer for my (step)daughter’s heart (Based on Proverbs 4:23).

Father, I pray that You would guard my daughter’s heart from deception, unhealthy attachments, lies, and inner vows. I pray that You would teach her how to recognize people who try to manipulate, tear down, or control her. Let her be open and honest with peers and adults who want the best for her. I pray that You would heal her heart from any wounds from my divorce or remarriage, and allow her to walk in forgiveness and freedom. Amen.

A prayer for my (step)daughter’s speech (Based on Luke 6:45 and Proverbs 16:28).

Lord, I pray that You would put a guard over my (step)daughter’s mouth, that she would be wise in what she says to others, whether at school, on the field, or in our blended family. I pray You would help her resist the temptation to create drama, be untruthful, or spread gossip. I pray that You would make her heart more like Yours, so that what comes out of her mouth would reflect Your love and kindness. Amen.

A prayer for my (step)daughter’s blended family relationships (Based on 1 Corinthians 13:4-7).

Prince of Peace, I pray for my (step)daughter’s relationships within our blended family. May she be patient and kind toward her siblings and stepsiblings. If she feels resentment, anger, or bitterness toward anyone in our blended family, I pray that she would work through those feelings and move toward healing and wholeness. Give her flexibility and graciousness so that she does not demand her own way. Allow her to love our blended family and embrace our love for her. Amen.

A prayer for my (step)daughter’s spiritual protection (Based on Ephesians 6:10-13).

Lord of Hosts, I pray that my (step)daughter would find strength in You. I pray that she would put on the whole armor of God each day, and give her courage to stand against the ongoing attacks of the enemy. Help her understand that she is in a battle against the rulers, authorities, powers, and forces of evil in the spiritual realm. Empower my daughter with Your Spirit to withstand the enemy’s accusations and to stand firm in her faith. Amen.

A prayer for my (step)daughter’s future husband (Based on Matthew 7:24 and 1 Timothy 6:11–12).

Heavenly Father, I pray for my daughter’s future husband. May he become a man who is after Your own heart. Give him a strong faith foundation upon which he and my (step)daughter can build their marriage and family. Keep his heart and mind pure. May he be a man of integrity and trustworthiness, and may he love my (step)daughter as Christ loves the church.  I pray that he would embrace our blended family, and may we embrace his family. Amen.