The day before my grandson, Ben, was starting 1st grade, I pulled my car into the parking lot of his school, turned it off, and took a few moments to pray. Over the summer I collected different verses I wanted to use as I petitioned the Lord on behalf of Ben. Here is the list of Bible verses I used to pray for my grandson, Benjamin Grant.

Gracious God, I ask that you keep my children’s and grandchildren’s steps fast to your paths and their feet do not slip (Psalm 17:5).

Heavenly Father, please protect them from the evil one in each area of their lives: spiritual, mental, emotional, physical (Jn. 17:15; Eph. 6:10-17).

Father, hedge them in so they cannot find their way to wrong people or wrong places and that wrong people cannot find their way to them (Hos. 2:6; Job 1:10).

I pray that they will desire the right kinds of friends and be protected from the wrong kinds of friends (Prov. 1:10-11; 1 Cor. 15:33-34).

Lord, I pray that my children and grandchildren will be caught when guilty (Ps. 119:71).

Help my children and grandchildren to respect those in authority over them (Rom. 13:1; Titus 3:1-2; Eph. 6:1-3).

I pray that they will have a responsible attitude in all their interpersonal relationships (Dan. 6:3).

God, I pray they will walk in wisdom and make the most of their time and life (Col. 4:5; Eph. 5:15).

I pray they will call out for insight and understanding and find the knowledge of God (Prov. 2:3-5).

May the words of their mouths and the meditations of their hearts please You, Lord (Ps. 19:14).

I pray they will apply their hearts to instruction and their ears to words of knowledge (Prov. 23:12).

I pray they will look to You, Father, for the knowledge they need (Proverbs 1:7).

Lord, please give them understanding in all things (2 Timothy 2:7).

I pray that God who began a good work in my children and my grandchildren will bring it to completion (Phil. 1:6).

The Lord bless my children and grandchildren and keep them; the Lord make his face shine on them and be gracious to them; the Lord turn his face toward them and give them peace (Numbers 6:24-26).

Whether you do a prayer walk around the school building, park and pray in the parking lot, or pray in the privacy of your home for your children and grandchildren, remember God hears your prayers.

Thank You, caring and compassionate Father, for hearing our prayers. Amen.