As a special needs parent we learn to advocate for our children–with insurance companies, with doctors and specialists, with schools, within churches, and within the community. But one of the best ways to advocate for your child is on your knees before the throne of God.

We know we should pray, and I’ve experienced how painful it can be to pray for God to move mountains for our children in ways that are not in His will or timing, and then we grow discouraged by prayer, and begin to question God’s love and care for us and our children. I have found the practice of praying Scripture is one of the best ways to combat this discouragement, because we are aligning our prayers and desires with God’s own Word and His desires.

There is power in God’s Word, and there’s also power in our prayers. When you combine those two powers together, wow, get ready to see God move in mighty ways in your children’s lives, but also in your heart.

Today I want to share with you 15 Scriptures I pray for both of my boys who have special needs.

15 Scriptures to Pray For Your Special Needs Child written by Jenn Soehnlin

Pray for your child’s salvation. You may worry about if your child can be saved because of their cognitive or speech delays, but God does not require our children to do something they are unable to do to gain access to salvation. We are commanded to teach our children about God and salvation, but because of His infinite love and mercy and grace, He meets our children at their level of ability and welcomes them into His family and eternity. That’s what grace is all about. “But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive in Christ even when we were dead in transgressions–it is by grace you have been saved.” Ephesians 2:3-5
Surrender your child into God’s capable hands. Thank God that He loves your child and He holds your child close to His heart. Pray that He will provide you the wisdom and guidance you need as a parent. "He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young.” Isaiah 40:11
Pray for your child’s growth and development in four areas: wisdom/skills, physical health, spiritual growth, and social skills. Pray that they would always “grow in wisdom and stature and in favor with God and with man.” Luke 2:52
Pray for your child’s speech. Your child may be nonverbal, have delayed speech and language, or have no issues with speech whatsoever. Pray that each of their words (spoken and unspoken means of communication) would be a sweet apple of gold that others could treasure. “A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.” Proverbs 25:11
Pray for your child’s future. It may be scary, wondering what their future will hold, but daily entrust their future to God. “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11
Pray for your child to grow in wisdom and skills. Pray that their minds would focus and they would grow in the areas they struggle as well as in the areas they are gifted and in life skills. Pray also for you, their teachers, and their therapists-that all who teach your child would have wisdom to know how to best teach and encourage your child. “…God gave knowledge and skill in both books and life.” Daniel 1:17
Pray that your child would experience health. Lift up any medical concerns you have regarding your child in prayer. Pray also for wisdom for their doctors and specialists to know how to help your child. “I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well.” 3 John 1:2
Pray for your child to grow in love for God and others. Pray that your child would continually grow in their social skills and learn how to make friends and how to love others. And that they would grasp what it means to love God and experience God’s love for them. "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: 'Love your neighbor as yourself. ’ There is no commandment greater than these.” Mark 12:30-31
Pray for your child’s perseverance. Our children have to work extra hard to learn to do things that come naturally to so many others. Pray that they continue in strength to learn and grow and experience victories and that they would “…never tire of doing what is good.” 2 Thessalonians 3:13
Pray for your child’s protection. Whether medically fragile, a wanderer, impulsive, or just like any human being who could get hurt or sick, we must cover our children in prayer for their protection, and trust that they are safe in God’s hands. “He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.” Psalm 91:4
Pray your child would have peace in their heart. So many of our children struggle with anxiety. Pray that they would have peace from all their anxieties and have peaceful sleep. “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you. I do not give as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” John 14:27
Pray that God would provide your child a friend/friends who accept, love, and support them. “One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.” Proverbs 18:24
Pray that your child would grow in obedience. The more our children learn to obey their parents, teachers and therapists, the safer they are and more likely they are to thrive in all environments. “Children, obey your parents, for this is right. Honor your father and mother, the first commandment with a promise, so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on earth.” Ephesians 6:1-3
Pray for your child’s courage. There are so many new, challenging things for our children to accomplish each day. Pray that they would have boldness to try new things and overcome any unhealthy fears they may have. “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid, do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9
Pray for your child’s purpose. Pray that your child would be used for God’s glory. Pray that your eyes would be opened to what God is doing in your child’s life. Pray that your child would grow into the man/woman God has created them to be. “For we are God’s masterpiece, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” Ephesians 2:10
Pray for God’s blessing upon your child, upon their physical and mental well-being, that they would flourish in new skills and development, and other areas where you want to see your child thrive. “The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace.” Numbers 6:24-25

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Feel free to join our Embracing This Special Life online community on Facebook for Christian special needs mothers. We have fun getting to know each other, sharing our journeys and hope and encouragement and fun memes. Because no one should go this journey alone.

Here’s to praying for our children and seeing God do mighty things in their lives!

-Jenn