Prayers for your teenage son

Have you ever laid awake at night wondering, where is my son? What is he up to? Who is he with? Is he safe? The worries of a parent over their rebellious teenage sons is never ending. Teenagers can be in the wrong place at the wrong time and before you know it they are faced with peer pressure, gangs, hanging around streets and areas that speak ‘danger’. It is for this reason, prayers for my teenage son and for improving his relationship with parents is a must currently.

This article aims to explain reasons why we should pray for our teenagers, why this age group is key and equally challenging. This article also aims to outline how our prayers can help and change the very atmosphere over the lives of our rebellious teenagers and improve relationship with parents.

What is prayer?

Prayer enables us to communicate directly with our heavenly Father. Prayer is indeed a heavenly language and is available to those who trust and believe in Jesus Christ. The word of God reminds us to “come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28). Prayer allows us to approach God, concerning those issues that burden us as parents; our teenage sons. Prayer releases an atmospheric change and causes the forces of darkness to submit to the power of the almighty God. It is for this reason that we should pray for our rebellious teenagers and against the strongholds that encompasses them. Our prayers are not like the weapons of the world, but they have the power to demolish strongholds and every false argument that Satan uses against us and our teenagers.

“The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:4-5).

Why we should pray for our teenagers and how our prayers help?

Prayers for my teenage son is a way to present my requests before God, with thanksgiving (Philippians 4:6). Prayers for my teenage son moves the heart of God as well as it teaches the fundamental principles of intercession. Intercessory prayer develops my relationship and communication with God and enables me to intervene on behalf of my rebellious son by standing in the gap and pleading with God through unrelenting prayer. We should also pray for our teenagers, because we are reminded that God is the hearer of prayer and to You people of all sorts will come (Psalm 65:2).

God is the source in whom we can rely on

Praying for my teenage son will demonstrate dependence on God.  As parents, we may never understand the challenges and the difficulties faced by teenagers.  However, offering prayers for my teenage son, gives strength and comfort, knowing that God is the source in whom we can rely on.

Prayers for my teenage son, invites God to act on his behalf. We must invite God to work through us here on earth.  Failure to do so, will result in evil forces to legally dominate mankind. Therefore, “By inviting God to act (through prayer), counteracts the god of this age blinding the minds of unbelievers (2 Corinthians 4:4). Therefore, the lives of others, such as my teenage son(s) can be saved, rather than lost, and relationships with parents can be improved.

Why this age range is specific and challenging?

According to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Family Database, in 2015, teenage suicide rates was perceived to be the highest in Canada, Estonia, Iceland, New Zealand. 10 or more suicide cases per 100 000 teenagers (15-19 years) were reported during this period. According to WebMd, suicide is suggested to be the third predicted causes of death of teenagers aged between 15 and 24. Teenage males account for 84% of all suicides from 5,000 lives lost every year. Equally, the suicide rate for teenage boys (15-19 years) has increased significantly by 30% from 2007-2015.

The cause of the increase in suicide cases among teenagers can be stress, depression, mental and mood disorders, history of physical or mental abuse, substance abuse, confusion and bad relationship with parents.

Some teenage sons may find it difficult in coping with hormonal developments encompassed with body changes, ‘identity crisis’ and having to develop a sense of self-independence. As such teenage boys can often become rebellious, confused, anxious and carry low self-esteem.

Therefore, as parents and guardians, we must remind our teenage sons that God knows the plans He has for them. “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future” (Jeremiah 29:11). We must pray and remind our teenage sons to stay on the path of purity and live according to His Word (Psalm 119:9).

Prayers for my teenage son – Rebellious Relationship with Parents

Our Father, who is in heaven, hallowed be Your Name. I thank you for your divine blessings in my life. I thank You Father for my teenage son. Your Word says, that before You formed my son in the womb, you knew him. Father, help my teenage son to understand the authority that you have place inside of him. Help him to not accept negative talk, negative actions, negative deeds over His life, but help him to recognize the ‘Christ-like identity’ that You have placed inside him.

Father, will you release my son from the strongholds that may plaque his life right now? Will you release him from emotional, physical and spiritual hurts, and grant Your emotional, physical and spiritual protection over my son? Please keep evil far away from him and help him to trust in Your Word, because you are his refuge and strength; a very present help in times of trouble. Guard his mind and every thought that is not of You. Help my son(s) to find rest in You, this I ask. Amen.

Being able to understand the purpose of praying for your teenage son, will enable you to pray fervently as a parent. Knowing why you should pray for teenagers and the specific challenges faced, will also enable you to pray strategically, purposefully and according to the will of God.

Sources used for statistical information:

Teenage SuicidePreventing Teen Suicide

Also read: PRAYER FOR FAMILY – bring the needs of your loved ones to God

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From the moment I met them, I knew that I loved them. Each of them penetrated my heart in their own little tiny way. And as they have grown older, my love for them has grown bigger. How so much love can fit into my heart and continue to grow is beyond me, but it does. I love them bigger than the biggest thing you could ever imagine, and then some more.

As my sons walk through their teenage years, there are some days that my heart is so overwhelmed with fear. It is so easy to fear the unknown, and some days I find myself very concerned for them and what may or may not happen in their lives. But it is those days that I am reminded of the One who holds all of their tomorrows in His hands. It is on those days that I must learn to lean on and trust in the God who entrusted them to my care. And so I pray. I pray for them with all that is within me. And my prayers do not fall on deaf ears…

“Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.” 1 John 5:14

Praying according to His will is easy if we know His will. And to know His will, we can simply refer to His word. Over the years, I have learned that there is something really special about speaking and praying the Word of God over my sons. So today, I want to share with you some of the scriptures that I have used to help guide me in my prayers.

Pray that he will have a heart that pursues God and His will, just as David did. Acts 13:22
Pray that he would seek to receive Godly wisdom. James 1:5
Pray that he will use his gifts to serve others. 1 Peter 4:10
Pray that he would place his trust in the Lord, and that he would follow His path. Proverbs 3:5-6
Pray that he would always be honest, and walk in integrity. Proverbs 19:1
Pray that he would be quick to forgive. Ephesians 4:32
Pray that he would have clean hands and a pure heart. Psalm 24:3-4
Pray that he would remain sexually pure. 1 Thessalonians 4:3-5
Pray that he would be filled with joy. Romans 15:13
Pray that he would not give in to temptation. Mark 14:38

There are so many more scriptures in God’s word that we can pray over our sons, but the main thing is to keep praying. Whether your son is in a good place in his life, or walking through a valley, God has a plan for him. And, believe it or not, your prayers make a difference! James 5:16 says that, “the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” So keep praying for your son, and have faith that God hears you and will answer the cry of your heart.

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Last week I wrote about prayers for your marriage. There was such a response, I decided this week to have my friend Brooke McGlothlin write a guest post on 10 prayers for your son. (On Friday I’ll be posting 10 prayers for your daughter.)

Here’s my friend, Brooke…

He looks at me with a “heels dug in” kind of glare. I know if I said, “the sky is blue on a sunny day” he would try to prove me wrong.

Sometimes, I don’t feel like we’re on the same team anymore, my son and I, and it breaks my heart.

On days like today, when he’s arguing with everything I say and trying his eight-year-old best to do things his way, it seems I’m fighting against him—like there’s a war going on in my house between me and my son, and a distance between us I want to bridge no matter the cost.

I know from my education that this process of differentiation is pretty normal. Boys ache for independence from mama, and feel ready to “boldly go where no man has gone before.” They want to be strong, assert their opinions, and explore their own ideas. Unfortunately, at the McGlothlin Home for Boys, we’re living in the in-between season— where ideas abound before they are mature enough to handle the responsibilities that go along with those ideas.

And so we butt heads.

Sometimes, I’m tempted to let our circumstances tell me my son is the enemy—he’s the one I’m fighting. But then I remember…

“For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.” Ephesians 6:12 ESV

When the days of mothering grow long, and make a girl weary, and when what you really want to do is lock your son up in his room and throw away the key, it’s good to remember this:

He’s not your enemy. But there is an enemy.

That’s right, our sons have a real enemy—one that wants to kill, steal and destroy them (John 10:10)—but that enemy, according to the Word of God, has an opponent himself that’s a force to be reckoned with.

You.

Me. Any mother who’s willing to get on her knees and cry out for the heart of her son.

James 5:16 says, “the prayer of a person living right with God is something powerful to be reckoned with” (The Message).

The best way a mom can enter the battle for the heart of her son is on her knees, so let’s start fighting for him right now.

10 Powerful Prayers to Help You Fight for the Heart of Your Son

1. Create in my son a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within him (Psalm 51:10).

2. May my son walk after You, God, and fear You and keep Your commandments and obey Your voice. May he serve You and hold fast to You (Deuteronomy 13:4).

3. May my son be strong and courageous and not fear or be in dread, for it is You, Lord, our God, who goes with him. You will never leave him or forsake him (Deuteronomy 31:6).

4. May my son walk before You, God, as King David walked, with integrity of heart and uprightness, doing according to all that You have commanded him and keeping Your statutes and rules (1 Kings 9:4).

5. Like Timothy, may my son be an example to believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, and in purity (1 Timothy 4:12).

6. May my son listen to the way of wisdom and be led in the paths of uprightness (Proverbs 
4:11).

7. Lord, be with my son in trouble; rescue him and honor him (Psalm 91:5).

8. May my son honor his father and mother… (Ephesians 6:2).

9. May my son have love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith (1 Timothy 1:5).

10. May my son think on whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is commendable; if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, may he think about these things (Philippians 4:8).

———————-

Thank you, Brooke, for this beautiful list of Scriptural prayers!

Brooke McGlothlin has a new book called Praying for Boys: Asking God for the Things They Need Most. It’s an insightful and much needed book for all moms of boys. Click here for more details.

And today, Brooke is giving away 5 copies of Praying for Boys! To win, leave a comment below telling us what prayer you are praying for your son(s).

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We love our sons so much and desire God’s greatest blessings and guidance on their lives. We spend endless hours caring for, teaching, helping, training, protecting and encouraging that we often miss out on one of the greatest resources God has given us to lead them – prayer. The below prayers for your son cover many topics such as self worth, protection, purity and wisdom. These will equip you for the battle against Satan’s attacks and give you discernment for handling situations that arise. You can cast your cares on Jesus and find peace in God’s favor and love for your son as you speak these prayers!

1. A prayer for your sons discernment

Lord, I pray that my son will develop an eternal perspective and purpose, not an earthly one.  Help him to see life–and every challenge–through Your eyes, eager and unafraid to share with others the good news of Jesus wherever he goes. I pray that they will set his minds on things above, not just what’s going on here, and that he will be rooted and grounded in Your love. I pray that he will come to understand the extent of Your own love for him–that it surpasses all the head knowledge they will acquire in school. I pray he will be filled up with You from morning ’til night.
~ Rebecca Barlow Jordan

2. A prayer for your own wisdom

Lord, Your Word says “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him” (James 1:5). Lord, I need that kind of wisdom to know when to speak to my son and when to be silent. “Do not let any unwholesome talk, lecturing, judging, or accusing come of my mouth, but only what is helpful for building my son up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen” (Eph. 4:29). Let me also be “quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for my anger doesn’t bring about the righteous life that God desires” (James 1:19).
~ Cindi McMenamin

3. A prayer for a son who has turned from God

Dear God,You know our hearts, you hear our prayers, and care about all that concerns us.  You understand the burden we carry and how we want, more than anything, to see our loved ones come to you.  Help us to remember that you love them more than we ever could.  And you desire to extend your great love and forgiveness, your mercy and hope. Thank you that nothing is too difficult for you.  Thank you that your power is unlimited and you came to set the captives free.  Thank you that you wait, arms open, for the prodigal to return, that you look for his arrival to lavishly celebrate that he’s come home. We praise you for you are Redeemer and Rescuer, Savior and Lord.  We know and believe that there’s no pit so deep that your love can’t reach us still.  We understand that your mercies are new every morning, and your faithfulness is great. 

Lord, we ask that you would halt the plans of the enemy over these we love as we bring them before you right now.  We pray that his schemes be demolished and that your plans for good, for a future and hope, would prevail. Would you open blind eyes that they might see your Truth. Would you rescue those walking in darkness and heal the deep wounds of those who’ve been hurt.

We pray for the miraculous intervention of your Spirit to draw them to yourself, to work strong on behalf of our loved ones who are lost and wandering. For you came with good news, to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for captives and release for the prisoners. Though we deserved penalty for our wrong, you stood in our place and took the blows on our behalf.  You choose to die, so that we can live. Forever and free.

Lord, forgive our unbelief.  Forgive the times we’ve doubted that you could ever change a distant heart.  Forgive our hard-heartedness, our weariness, or forgetfulness to “pray continually.” Thank you that you never give up on us. Remind us of how you’ve changed our own hearts. How your miracle of life and hope has sprung up deep within our souls. We love you Lord, we need you, and we thank you that you hear our prayers and are at work even now. Powerfully. Faithfully. Miraculously. Thank you for the gift of our Savior, God with us. Thank you for your goodness and love. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
~ Debbie McDaniel 

4. Scriptural prayers for your son

1. Create in my son a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within him (Psalm 51:10).
2. May my son walk after You, God, and fear You and keep Your commandments and obey Your voice. May he serve You and hold fast to You (Deuteronomy 13:4).
3. May my son be strong and courageous and not fear or be in dread, for it is You, Lord, our God, who goes with him. You will never leave him or forsake him (Deuteronomy 31:6).
4. May my son walk before You, God, as King David walked, with integrity of heart and uprightness, doing according to all that You have commanded him, and keeping Your statutes and rules (1 Kings 9:4).
5. Like Timothy, may my son be an example to believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, and in purity (1 Timothy 4:12).
~ Brooke McGlothlin, Proverbs 31 Ministries

5. A prayer for your sons relationships and influences

First, oh Lord, forgive us for the times when we have misplaced our priorities so that we haven’t been available to model a strong relationship with You in front of our kids. Help us to understand the power of our influence in our children’s lives and to reorder our schedule so that we can be available to both directly and indirectly offer the godly influence that our sons desperately need. 

Second, while we do pray that our sons would be protected from negative influences, we also pray that you would surround them with friendships and mentor-type relationships that portray what it means to have an authentic relationship with Christ. In turn, we pray that you would raise our sons up to be the influencers of the next generation. We pray that you would allow godliness and righteousness to dwell in their hearts so richly that these evidences of your truth spill out of them and to every person they encounter. 

Through it all, we pray that they would not be prone to laziness or complacency, but that they would believe that even a single candle burning in the dark makes a difference and would boldly stand up for truth, even when it’s unpopular.
~ Alicia Michelle

6. A birthday prayer for your son

Dear Lord, on this day that we celebrate ________’s birth, I pray for blessings and joy over ________. You knew everything about him before his birth and You have a plan of prosperity and hope for his life! Let him feel confident and ready for the year ahead knowing that You have an order to his steps and a purpose for his life. Help him to find joy in every circumstance in life, knowing that You work all things out for good. I thank You for ________, for loving him with unconditional love, and for the promises You have spoken over his life. In Jesus Name, Amen.

7. A prayer for your sons body image and purity

Dear Jesus, we weep with you over the number of our kids who are buying into the lie that sexual pleasure is something to experiment with. We pray that our sons would treasure their sexuality as a true gift from You, and that they would honor that gift by saving it as a precious treasure to give their future spouse. We ask that you would help them to be strong in the face of their own desires and that they would choose purity in the face of temptation. 

Lord we also ask that you’d protect our sons from the idea that they must do anything and everything (including abusing their bodies through eating disorders, drug abuse, or other harmful behaviors) in order to attaining a “preferred” shape or figure. We pray you’d protect our sons from that kind of destructive thinking, and that if they’re tempted to take these kind of drastic measures, that you’d send someone in their lives to stop them. Help them to remember over and over that their identity is not in how they look on the outside but what you see as their potential and worth on the inside.

We pray that our children would treasure their health as a gift from God and that they would have a passion to eat nutritious food and to stay active in order to do their part to take care of this treasure.
~ Alicia Michelle

8. A prayer for your sons self worth

Dear Jesus, help my son know that we are all born as sinners and separated from God because of our wicked hearts. However, at an early age, him grasp the life-transforming concept that he does not have to live as a sinner under that condemnation. 

Teach my son that he has the opportunity to accept a new, beautiful identity that is called “good,” not because of what he has done or what he looks like, but because he is secure in who YOU say they are: treasured, delightful, known and protected. Let him not place their self-worth in accomplishments he may or may not achieve, but let him discover these deeper truths about who You believe he is and build every decision he makes on that sure foundation. 
~ Alicia Michelle

9. Prayer for your sons purity

Lord, I pray that You will create in my son a clean heart and that You would constantly renew a right spirit within him, keeping his thoughts and actions pure and motivated by love. Guard him from temptation, and let him know You are always faithful to give him a way out and help to endure. May the words of his mouth and the meditations of his heart always please you and edify others.
~ Rebecca Barlow Jordan

10. A prayer for protection over your son

Lord, I pray Your emotional, physical, and spiritual protection over my son. Keep evil far from him, and help him to trust You as his refuge and strength. I pray You will guard his mind from harmful instruction, and grant him discernment to recognize truth. I pray You will make him strong and courageous in the presence of danger, recognizing that You have overcome and will set right all injustice and wrong one day. Help him to find rest in Your shadow, as he lives in the spiritual shelter You provide for him. Let him know that the only safe place is in Jesus,and that his home on earth is only temporary.
~ Rebecca Barlow Jordan

11. A prayer for your sons view of money and possessions

Heavenly Father, help us to model a healthy example of how to handle possessions and money. Help us to work hard, but to not wear ourselves out in order to get rich so that our children can witness a positive, godly view of hard work and the pursuit of success. 

We pray that our sons would persevere in whatever vocation you give them and that they would work with cheerful hearts as if they were serving you directly. 

We pray that our sons would see at an early age that money and possessions are a gift from You and thus must be always held with an open hand so that You can use those gifts to bless others. 

We ask that our sons would find their value in their true identity as a child of You, not in the possessions they do or do not have. We pray for contentment and gratefulness in whatever situation they’re given—rich or poor. We pray they would have a steadfast commitment to work hard with the talents you’ve given them so that they could support themselves, their families and use their money as a way to bless others in need. 

Ultimately, we pray that they would discover that the greatest “wealth” they could possess would be in relationships, especially in a relationship with You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

~ Alicia Michelle

We hope these prayers have been able to guide your thoughts and calm your soul as you seek God’s will for your son. Join other moms who are praying for their sons in the comments below and experience the power of a praying community. Gain support and encouragement for the work that God has called you to!

This article is part of our larger Prayers resource meant to inspire and encourage your prayer life when you face uncertain times. Visit our most popular prayers if you are wondering how to pray or what to pray. Remember, the Holy Spirit intercedes for us and God knows your heart even if you can’t find the words to pray.

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