Have you ever wondered what to pray for children in Guatemala? Maybe especially for your sponsor child or the children in the class you support? I came across a prayer, based on the words from the Psalms and Proverbs, and I knew I wanted to share it with you! The words struck me as being exactly what we need to be praying for kids in Guatemala. Whether you pray it all at once, or whether you pray a verse a day, I hope you’ll find it as helpful as I did:
Lord, I pray that children in Guatemala will love learning; that their hearts would seek to understand the world you have created. The heart of him who has understanding seeks knowledge, but the mouths of fools feed on folly (Proverbs 15:14).
I pray that as they learn about your world, they would behold the majesty of your glory. The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork. Day to day pours out speech, and night to night reveals knowledge. (Psalm 19:1)
Lord, I pray that you would surround them with friends who make wise choices and encourage their faith. Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm (Proverbs 13:20).
I pray that their teachers would be wise and gentle. The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouths of fools pour out folly. A gentle tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it breaks the spirit (Proverbs 15:2,4).
Lord, I pray that they would work with diligence and put forth their best efforts. The soul of the sluggard craves and gets nothing, while the soul of the diligent is richly supplied (Proverbs 13:4).
I pray that they would be thoughtful with their words and respectful in their replies. The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer, but the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things (Proverbs 15:28).
I pray that you would free them from the pressure of trying to be like everyone else by instilling in them the confidence to know that they are uniquely made by you. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well (Psalms 139:14).
I pray that they would receive correction well. The ear that listens to life-giving reproof will dwell among the wise. Whoever ignores instruction despises himself, but he who listens to reproof gains intelligence (Proverbs 15:31-32).
I pray that they would share their faith with others. They shall speak of the glory of your kingdom and tell of your power, to make known to the children of man your mighty deeds, and the glorious splendor of your kingdom (Psalm 145: 11-12).
I pray that when they do what is wrong, they would bear consequences that lead them to repentance. I pray that when they do what is right, you would bless their obedience that they may learn to love your ways. The backslider in heart will be filled with the fruit of his ways, and a good man will be filled with the fruit of his way (Proverbs 14:14).
I pray that your Word would be on their hearts and in their minds as they learn. Whoever gives thought to the word will discover good, and blessed is he who trusts in the LORD (Proverbs 16:20).
I pray that they would be kind to others. Whoever pursues righteousness and kindness will find life, righteousness, and honor. (Proverbs 21:21)
I pray that you would give them the grace of self-control. A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls (Proverbs 25:28).
Lord, I pray that your grace would rest upon these children. Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us, and establish the work of our hands upon us; yes, establish the work of our hands! (Psalms 90:17)
I pray that you would protect the children in Guatemala from all evil. I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth. The LORD will keep you from all evil; he will keep your life (Psalm 121:1-2,7).
More than anything else, may their lives glorify you. I give thanks to you, O Lord my God, with my whole heart, and I will glorify your name forever (Psalm 86:12).
Thanks to TGC for allowing us to share this prayer! It was revised with permission from Melissa Kruger’s original post at The Gospel Coalition
And thank you to all of you, for loving kids in Guatemala, sponsoring kids in Guatemala, and praying for kids in Guatemala 💙
(We’re almost at the end of sponsorship month, and we’ve almost met our goal of a sponsor a day for the month of May! If you don’t already sponsor a child or class, and you’ve been thinking about it, now’s your chance! You can see who’s still waiting for a sponsor – and who needs someone praying for them – here)