Prayers for Family
A prayer for family asks God to bless, protect and draw together the people closest to you, and to fill your home with love, patience and faith. A simple one is: "Lord, thank you for my family. Keep us close to you and to each other, heal what is hurting and guide us in love. Amen."
... for this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I ask that out of the riches of His glory He may strengthen you with power through His Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. Then you, being rooted and grounded in love, will have power, together with all the saints, to comprehend the length and width and height and depth of the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
Ephesians 3:14-19 (BSB)
Every family is a mix of joy and difficulty, closeness and distance. Praying for your family is a way of holding each person before God, the easy ones and the hard ones, and asking him to do what you cannot. These prayers cover the ordinary seasons of family life as well as the painful ones, from a family that is thriving to one that is quietly struggling.
A prayer for my family
Father, thank you for my family, for every person you have placed in it, with all our quirks and differences. I hold each of them before you now. Bless them, protect them and draw them closer to you. Fill our home with patience, kindness and honest conversation. Where we take each other for granted, open our eyes. Help us love one another the way you love us. Amen.
A prayer for family unity
Lord, we are different people with different personalities, opinions and needs, and sometimes that pulls us apart. Bind us together with your love. Teach us to listen well, to disagree without wounding and to forgive quickly. Help us celebrate each other's wins and carry each other's burdens. Let our family be held together by something stronger than our moods: your steady love for every one of us. Amen.
A prayer for a family going through a hard time
God, our family is going through something hard right now. Some of us are scared, some are angry and some are simply worn out. Be our shelter. Give us what we need for each day, whether that is money, health, wisdom or rest. Help us lean on each other instead of turning away. Hold us together, and bring us through this season closer than before. Amen.
A prayer for my children and my parents
Lord, I stand between two generations, and I bring both to you. For my children, give them faith, good friends and the confidence that they are loved. For my parents, give them health, peace and joy in the years ahead. Give me wisdom to care for both without losing myself. Thank you for the love that passes down through families, and let it lead each of us to you. Amen.
A prayer for family far away
Father, some of the people I love are far from me, across the country or across the world. I miss them. Watch over them where I cannot. Keep them safe and well, and surround them with good people. Help us stay connected even when it is hard. Until we are together again, let your love be the thread that holds us close. Amen.
A prayer for healing family conflict
God, there is hurt in our family that has gone unspoken for too long. You see every side of it. Soften hearts that have grown hard, including mine. Give us the courage to have honest conversations and the grace to listen. Where forgiveness is needed, help it begin. Where trust has been broken, rebuild it slowly. Bring peace where there is division, in your time and your way. Amen.
Scripture to pray with
But if it is unpleasing in your sight to serve the Lord, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living. As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord!”
Joshua 24:15 (BSB)
Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with hearts of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Bear with one another and forgive any complaint you may have against someone else. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which is the bond of perfect unity.
Colossians 3:12-14 (BSB)
Unless the Lord builds the house, its builders labor in vain; unless the Lord protects the city, its watchmen stand guard in vain.
Psalm 127:1 (BSB)
These words I am commanding you today are to be upon your hearts. And you shall teach them diligently to your children and speak of them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.
Deuteronomy 6:6-7 (BSB)
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no account of wrongs. Love takes no pleasure in evil, but rejoices in the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
1 Corinthians 13:4-7 (BSB)
But from everlasting to everlasting the loving devotion of the Lord extends to those who fear Him, and His righteousness to their children’s children - to those who keep His covenant and remember to obey His precepts.
Psalm 103:17-18 (BSB)
Questions people ask
What is a good short prayer for family?
A good short prayer for family is: "Lord, thank you for my family. Keep us close to you and to each other, protect us, heal what is hurting and guide us in love. Amen." You can pray it each morning, or name each family member as you go.
What does the Bible say about family?
The Bible treats family as a gift and a place to live out faith. Deuteronomy 6:6-7 encourages parents to talk about God with their children in daily life, Colossians 3:12-14 describes the patience, forgiveness and love that hold people together, and Joshua 24:15 speaks of a household choosing to serve the Lord.
How do I pray for a family member who is struggling?
Pray for them by name and be specific about what they are facing. Ask God to be near them, to give them strength and to bring good people into their life. Pray for wisdom to know how to support them, and keep praying even when you do not see change straight away.
How can my family pray together?
Keep it short and regular. Many families pray together at meals or before bed. Let each person share one thing they are thankful for and one thing they need help with, then take turns praying. Simple, consistent prayer often means more to children than long or formal prayers.
Keep reading
A verse for how you feel, every morning
FaithGuide gives you a verse and a prayer for how you feel each morning, and a gentle prayer at bedtime. Free to start on iPhone and Android.
Scripture quotations are from the Berean Standard Bible (BSB), which is in the public domain.