The other day, our sons excitedly asked us to watch Inside Out with them. As parents, we obliged—it was a family moment we didn't want to pass up. But as we watched, something about the movie struck a chord. The depiction of emotions felt so relatable, and it reminded my husband and me of how real and valid these feelings are, especially for kids. In that theater, as we held hands, we began praying quietly over our boys, asking God to replace every negative emotion with the Fruit of the Spirit.
Emotions like joy, sadness, and even anger are normal. But what happens when those emotions turn negative or spiral out of control? For growing children, those moments can quickly lead to destructive behaviors or patterns. It’s in those moments that we, as parents, have a responsibility not to brush things off with, “Oh, they’re just acting their age.” Instead, we’re called to actively step in—with love, guidance, and most importantly, prayer.
Recently, a mom reached out to us about praying for her kids, who had started showing violent tendencies toward one another. Sibling rivalry had escalated into something far more concerning, affecting the peace in their home. Another mom shared her heartbreak over her son, who was constantly getting into trouble at school and at home, struggling with anger and impulsiveness. These are real struggles, and they serve as reminders of why prayer is so powerful and necessary. When parents consistently pray for the Fruit of the Spirit to take root in their children, they create a foundation that replaces anger with peace, impatience with self-control, and division with love.
Here’s how you can make this a regular practice in your home:
Pray intentionally: Place your hand on your child’s head or shoulders, speak their name, and declare the Fruit of the Spirit over them. For example: “[Child’s Name], I pray for love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control to fill your heart and guide your life.” [Galatians 5:22-23]
Be specific: If your child struggles with a particular emotion, such as anger or rivalry with their siblings, focus your prayers on peace, gentleness, and kindness. For a child who frequently gets into trouble, pray for self-control, patience, and wisdom.
Encourage daily confessions: Help your children develop personalized daily confessions based on the Fruit of the Spirit. For example: “I am filled with love and kindness toward my siblings. I choose peace and self-control in all I do.” These positive declarations help them internalize these values and live them out.
Make it regular: Don’t wait until there’s a problem. Incorporate these prayers into your daily or weekly routine to build a foundation of faith and positivity.
When you commit to praying this way, you’re not just addressing the present struggles—they’re seeds you’re planting for their future. You’ll witness your children walking in love, self-control, and kindness, transforming not just their lives but your entire family dynamic.
To help make this practice easier, we’ve created tools like our Fruit of the Spirit Prayer Board that can help with daily confessions for both parents and children, equipping us to bring the Word into our homes in a practical and impactful way.
Let’s raise children who reflect the beauty of God’s Spirit and inspire change in the world around them. The work starts today—right in our homes, with our prayers...God help us!
Hugs,
Kemi Samuel
You couldn't have said it any better! The need for prayers over our child can never be over emphasized because the enemy wants our kids so bad. Thank you for always providing this platform as well as the Prayers for Children Chanel on youtube so that we never stop praying. I live there. ☺️
I love the idea of praying for the fruit of the spirit for the children. They need it and the value is inestimable. Thanks and God bless you!