# How To Pray For Your Family: A Simple Weekly Rhythm And Scriptures To Pray - Canonical: https://www.iamreborn.net/blog/how-to-pray-for-your-family - Author: Daniel Ziedins (https://www.iamreborn.net/about-daniel-ziedins) - Published: 2026-10-18 - Reading time: 4 minutes ## Short answer To pray for your family, bring each person to God by name, as Job did for his children (Job 1:5). Pray Scripture over them — Paul's prayers in Ephesians 3:16–19, Philippians 1:9–11 and Colossians 1:9–12 work well with a name inserted — and use a simple weekly rhythm so no one is forgotten: spouse, children, parents, wider family, family who don't know Jesus, hard relationships, and thanksgiving. Pray with your family as well as for them, speak the blessing of Numbers 6:24–26, and keep praying without losing heart (Luke 18:1). 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](https://www.iamreborn.net/blog/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. **Praying for your family, in short** - **Pray by name**, like Job did for each child (Job 1:5). - **Pray Scripture** — Ephesians 3:16–19, Philippians 1:9–11, Colossians 1:9–12. - **Use a weekly rhythm** so no one is forgotten. - **Keep praying for family who don't know Jesus** — and be ready when the door opens. - **Pray with them**, not only for them; speak blessing (Numbers 6:24–26). - **Don't lose heart** (Luke 18:1). [Learn to pray when words won't come](https://www.iamreborn.net/blog/how-to-pray-when-you-dont-know-what-to-say) — Simple ways to pray on the hardest days. ## Frequently asked questions ### What should I pray for my family? Their walk with God first, then their character, relationships, health, protection and needs. Praying Paul's prayers (Ephesians 3:16–19; Philippians 1:9–11) with their names keeps the focus on what matters most. ### How do I pray for family members who aren't saved? Ask God to open their eyes and soften their hearts (2 Corinthians 4:4–6), to bring other believers into their lives, and to make your own life a gentle invitation. Keep praying patiently, and be ready to share when they're open. ### What is a good blessing to pray over my family? Numbers 6:24–26: “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.” ### What if I've prayed for years and nothing has changed? Jesus told the parable of the persistent widow so that we would always pray and not lose heart (Luke 18:1). Some prayers take years or are answered in unexpected ways; keep praying, keep loving, and trust God with the timing. --- From the Reborn Journal at I AM REBORN — https://www.iamreborn.net/blog/how-to-pray-for-your-family