Your child is graduating high school. How does it feel? Are you full of excitement and anticipation for this next chapter of their life? Are you feeling nostalgic and an intense desire to look at their baby pictures? Are you sad that they’ll be moving away from you soon? Are you worried about them and how they will adjust and change as they move on to take their next steps? You are probably feeling each of these emotions and more, all at the same time. This is a big deal. Parents of graduating seniors ought to have ceremonies and parties thrown for them too.

In this season, you are likely reflecting on your child’s life thus far—their accomplishments, the struggles they’ve overcome, the growth they’ve experienced, and the personality and strengths that they’ve developed. But you are also probably thinking about their future—how they will handle the next phase of their lives and the kind of adult they will turn into. Navigating these emotions, reflections, and thoughts of the future might be overwhelming. But Jesus tells us to bring ourselves—with all our concerns, cares, and thoughts—to Him in prayer. Here are some specific things you can pray over your child as they walk through this first major life transition. Passages of Scripture for you to meditate on and use as further guidance for your prayers accompany each prayer request.

Pray over their exploration.

Ephesians 3:17–19

Throughout your child’s life, they have been exploring the world. Remember when you’d take them to the park when they were two years old—you’d hold their hand as they climbed the stairs and wait at the bottom of the slide to catch them. Then at three years old, they’d do these things by themselves but still needed help using the monkey bars. By age six, they were practically independent. They could explore the whole park on their own with nothing but your eyes occasionally checking on them to make sure they were still on the playground and that they were being nice to the other kids.

They have continued exploring, and that isn’t going to stop now that they are going to college or entering the workforce. But now, they’re leaving the park, and you aren’t leaving with them. Pray that as they continue to explore the world around them, they would do so with confidence—that they would approach their new independence with the necessary precautions but also with a willingness to take necessary risks. Pray that they would see more of God’s power, beauty, and goodness as they learn more about their world.

Pray that as they challenge their own thoughts and the thoughts of others, that they would do so through God’s guidance. Ultimately, pray for their growth. They will not magically be mature adults after graduation, but they will grow—and grow fast. Pray that God would guide that growth and that even as they make mistakes, they will learn and be made stronger and better through them. You can pray in the words of the Apostle Paul that, as they explore, they would “know this love that surpasses knowledge” and “be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God” (Ephesians 3:19, NIV).

Pray over their relationships.

1 Peter 4:8–10

Your child is going to meet new people in this next phase of life. These may become the most important relationships in their lives. You won’t be able to vet every person —every friend, teacher, or significant other— your child forms a relationship with, but you can pray over them. Pray that they would meet people who love God and point your child to the goodness, grace, and hope of Jesus. Pray for them to find older people who can support and mentor them and that they would find companions who can sympathize with them and have fun with them. Pray that they would meet people who care for them well. And pray that they would care for their friends well—walking in love and hospitality as it says in 1 Peter 4:8–10.

Pray that they would be grounded in truth.

Romans 12:2

You’ve done your best to teach them and point them to truth —great job! As they move out from under your roof, you can trust that you did your best; but more importantly, you can trust that God will continue to lead them to His truth and keep them grounded in it. Pray specifically that they would remain rooted in Scripture and remember the truth that they have been taught. You can pray Romans 12:2 over them: “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect” (ESV).

Pray that God would make His presence known to them.

Isaiah 41:10

The most overwhelming part of your child leaving high school is that the level of involvement you have in their life will drastically decrease. You won’t have to register them for school or for activities, you won’t have to plan their meals, and you won’t be asked to sign permission slips. Yet even as you process and mourn that fact, you can take heart knowing that God has promised to always be with them. His presence goes with them wherever they may go—even when yours cannot. Pray, therefore, that they would be made aware of His presence, feeling comfort and encouragement from Him. Pray that they would know and believe the words from Isaiah 41:10,

fear not, for I am with you;

be not dismayed, for I am your God;

I will strengthen you, I will help you,

I will uphold you with my righteous right hand (ESV).

This transition is overwhelming, exciting, and scary all at the same time. But you can trust that God is not only with your child as they enter this next chapter, but He also loves them deeply—even more than you do. Bring your worries, excitement, and questions to Him. Your prayers will not be made in vain.

Author Bio:

Beth White is a Staff Writer for The Daily Grace Co. She is passionate about studying and teaching God’s Word. When she is not writing about the Bible, you can find her reading classics, drinking coffee with friends, or spending time with her family.

Additional Resources:

Pray Bible Study		Flourishing in Motherhood Bible Study		Prayers for My Children
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