How To Pray For Your Family: A Simple Weekly Rhythm And Scriptures To Pray

Few things weigh on us like our families: a marriage under strain, a child who's drifting, a parent who's sick, a brother who wants nothing to do with God. We can't control them, fix them or save them. But we can pray for them — and that's not the least we can do. It may be the most.

Job used to rise early and pray for each of his children (Job 1:5). Paul told the churches he never stopped praying for them (Colossians 1:9). Here's a practical way to pray for the people closest to you — even when you don't know what to say.

Why praying for family matters

• It hands them to Someone who can actually help. You can't change a heart. God can.
• It changes you. It's hard to stay bitter at someone you pray for every day.
• It's how God often works. Scripture is full of prayers for family — Hannah pleading for a son (1 Samuel 1), Jairus begging Jesus to heal his dying daughter (Mark 5:22–23).
• It's love that keeps going when there's nothing else you can do.

Pray the prayers already in the Bible

When you don't know what to pray, borrow Paul's words. His prayers for the churches are some of the best prayers you can pray for anyone you love. Put a name in them:

That according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith.

Ephesians 3:16–17

And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment.

Philippians 1:9

“Father, strengthen Jordan with power through Your Spirit. Let Christ dwell in his heart. Let his love grow with wisdom.” Praying Scripture keeps your prayers aimed at what matters most — not just their comfort, but their walk with God.

A simple weekly rhythm

Trying to pray for everyone, every day, often turns into praying for no one. A rhythm helps. Adjust it for your family:

• Monday — your spouse (or, if you're single, your future and your closest friends): their walk with God, their work, your marriage.
• Tuesday — your children, one by one, by name: their faith, friendships, choices and protection.
• Wednesday — your parents and grandparents: their health, their faith, and grace for you to honour them.
• Thursday — siblings and extended family: name them and their situations.
• Friday — family who don't know Jesus: that God would open their hearts and send people into their lives.
• Saturday — hard relationships: the ones where there's hurt, distance or unforgiveness — including your own part.
• Sunday — thanks: for every answered prayer, and for each person by name.

Praying for family who don't know Jesus

This is often the longest and most painful prayer. Keep praying. Ask God to soften their heart, to bring other believers into their path, to open their eyes (2 Corinthians 4:4–6), and to give you wisdom and gentleness when the door opens. Pray for your own life to be a living invitation. The promise in Acts 16:31 — “you will be saved, you and your household” — was spoken over a family that came to faith together. Keep hoping for yours. (When the moment comes, read How To Lead Someone To Christ.)

Pray together, not only for

If you can, pray with your family, not just about them. It doesn't need to be long or polished. A one-line prayer at a meal, at bedtime or in the car teaches children that God is part of ordinary life. Couples who pray together, even briefly, often find it does more for their unity than they expected.

The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.

Numbers 6:24–26

Try speaking this blessing over your kids at bedtime, or over your spouse before a hard day. It's a prayer God Himself gave His people to say over one another.

When it seems nothing is changing

Jesus told a parable about a widow who kept knocking until she was heard, so that His followers would “always pray and not lose heart” (Luke 18:1). Some prayers are answered quickly. Some take years. Some are answered in ways you didn't expect. Keep praying, keep loving, and leave the timing with God.

You can't save your family. But you can bring them, by name, every week, to the One who can.