A Prayer for My Children

3 John 1:4

3 John 1:4 is from a short letter written by “The elder” to a believer he loved named Gaius, after hearing from visiting brothers that Gaius was faithfully walking in the truth.

Father, thank You for my children. You know each one by name. Draw them to Your truth and help them walk in it, not only know it. When they wander, bring them back. When they are tired or confused, light the path ahead of them. Help me live what I teach them. And give me no greater joy than this: to hear that my children are walking in the truth. Amen.

3 John 1:4 is from a short letter written by “The elder” to a believer he loved named Gaius, after hearing from visiting brothers that Gaius was faithfully walking in the truth.

The Scripture

“I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.”
— 3 John 1:4

Prayer points from 3 John 1:4

Thank God for each of your children by name.
Ask God to draw each one to His truth, in a way that fits who they are.
Pray that they would walk in the truth, not only know it.
Pray for any child who is wandering, and ask God to bring them back.
Ask God to help you live what you teach.
Thank Him ahead of time for the joy of seeing them walk with Him.

About this verse

Third John is one of the shortest books in the Bible, a personal letter from “The elder” to a man he loved named Gaius. He prays that Gaius will prosper and enjoy good health, and he says he was overjoyed when some brothers came and told him about Gaius’s devotion to the truth. Then he writes this line: “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.” He may mean believers he had cared for in the faith rather than sons and daughters, but every parent knows the feeling. Notice the verb: not knowing the truth, but walking in it, day by day, in the ordinary choices of life. And notice where the joy comes from: hearing about it, often from far away, after the children have gone their own way. This prayer is for any mother, father or grandparent who wants nothing more than to see their children walk with God.

When to pray this prayer

In the morning, before the house wakes up
When one of your children is drifting from God
When they are leaving home or starting something new
When you hear good news about how they are living
When you feel you have failed as a parent
At night, going from room to room

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