Praying Scripture Over Women: Mothers, Sisters, and Friends

Recently, we have been exploring ways to pray scripture over the men and children in our lives. Now it's time to focus on the women around us and find ways to start praying scripture over women. Sometimes I think this gets overlooked because we do tend to petition God for our husbands and children first, as we should, and stop there. Being a man of God is not easy after all and we all see (and remember) how much prayer children, teens and young adults need. But what about the women in our lives? Are you blessed to still have your mother on this side of Heaven? Do you have a sister, sister-in-law or cousin? What about a grandmother, teacher or friend? I dare to say that we all rub shoulders with other women on a regular basis. They need our prayers. Just as the prayers of others would bless us.

Introduction

Women need prayer.  You need prayer.  I need prayer.  And praying scripture over women God has blessed us with is a beautiful habit.  So, why am I so lacking in this discipline?  Why is this difficult to do?  Let's be honest about it for a minute and break down some of the reasons we may not be as consistent in praying for one another as we should be.

First of all, there are only so many hours in the day.  Am I right?  And I get pretty self-righteous when I take the time to pray for the “basics”.  Husband.  Check.  Kids.  Check.  ummm… time's up.  This is one of the reasons I keep a Prayer Journal and set intentional topics for each day.  I'd be dishonest if I told you I was perfect in my consistency, but I am frequently convicted and working on this discipline regularly.

I tend to fill every.single.minute. of every.single.day. with noise.  I feel like I can't even fold a load of clothes without a podcast, audiobook or even the occasional Netflix binge-worthy show playing in the background.  If I'm honest, I almost feel like it's a waste of my time if I'm not multi-tasking.  These are times I could be praying.  It doesn't take sitting in a special place to talk to God.  I squander opportunities all the time and need to work on that.

Another excuse is that perhaps we don't know or see the needs of other women around us.  After all, they all lead very Facebook-worthy lives with Instagram-worthy kids and Pinterest-worthy homes.  Poo.  Yep, I said it.  Poo.  We are all big messes.  Even those of us who only share with the world our most put-together moments.  And regardless of whether you have spoken with your sister-in-law or co-worker about anything substantial or not, she is going through things.  And she needs your prayer.

Finally, and I've saved the best for last, we just don't think about it.  Our lives are so busy that others fail to register with us.  Lord, I pray right now that you will bring to our minds women who we can speak your precious Word over.  Write their names down, return often to the page and pray for them.

10 Prayers to Pray over Women

1. Pray that she is desperate to learn the ways of God and walk in them.

Make me to know your ways, O Lord;
teach me your paths.
Lead me in your truth and teach me,
for you are the God of my salvation;
for you I wait all the day long. Psalm 25:4-5

2. Pray that she turns to God when she feels anxious.

do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7

3.  Pray that she loves her husband well and practices beautiful Biblical submission.

Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord.  For the husband is the head of the wife even as dChrist is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit fin everything to their husbands. Ephesians 5:22

4.  Pray that she exhibits patience and grace to her children, family, and others around her, even on the difficult days.

Whoever is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who has a hasty temper exalts folly.  Proverbs 14:29

I, therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called,  with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love,  eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. Ephesians 4:1-3

5. Pray for her health and that she will often be reminded of the fact that she was created in the image of God and is loved by Him more than she can fathom.

For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.
My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth.
Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them. Psalm 139:13-16

6.  Pray that she never fails to show hospitality to all who come her way.

Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. Hebrews 13:2

Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all.  If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.  Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.”  To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. Romans 12:17-21

7.  Pray that her speech is a sweet ointment that brings peace and reflects Christ.

Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person. Colossians 4:5-6

Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips! Psalm 141:3

8.  Pray for strength when she faces trials or temptation and grace when she stumbles.

Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:14-16

9.  Pray that she walks in joy as she remembers her salvation and the giver of all good gifts.

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.  Philippians 4:4

Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.  Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me.  Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit. Psalm 51:10-12

10.  Pray that her faith is increased and that she is reminded that she can be confident in God because He is working all things for her good and His glory.

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.  For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.  Romans 8:28-30

Creative Ways to Document Your Prayers

Check out these FREE downloads that can be filled in with your prayers or Scripture and added to your Prayer Journal or Bible.

You can also find scripture to pray over children and men on the blog and in the challenge classroom as well.