I recently reread The Power of a Praying Parent by Stormie Omartian. It has 30 chapters, each discussing a particular aspect of concern to a parent, and containing a prayer and a collection of applicable scripture verses. I prayed through that book on a regular basis during my five kids’ childhoods.

One criticism that I have of the book is that the writing is full of Christian jargon. I don’t think terminology is needed in a prayer. God hears us when we speak from the heart.

On rereading it now that my youngest is nearly 33, the focus is not what I would choose for my needs today. But I’m happy I had it when they were young, and I would recommend it to parents of children and teens.

I made a list of the things I want to continue praying about for my adult children. Maybe you would find these elements useful as you pray for yours.

• Long ago I learned to pray that God would make my children into the people He created them to be. (In fact, I pray that for myself and my husband as well.) It’s hard to see your children make choices that you disagree with. But at some point, you have to let them own their own decisions. I don’t dare to think that I know better than God what’s best for my children. He may let them go down a path I wouldn’t want them to take in order for them to learn an important lesson. He will provide them with exactly the experiences that will shape them according to His purposes.
• Pray that they trust in God. Their faith may go dormant; pray that God will rekindle it.
• Pray that they experience love—first and foremost the love God has for them. Also the love and acceptance of family, friends, and community. Pray that God willing, He will prepare a life partner for them, and that they will love each other deeply.
• Pray for their physical health, that God would heal any disease within them. Pray that they would do all the things that preserve their health, such as eating nutritious food and exercising. Pray they will avoid any activity that would harm their health, such as smoking or abusing alcohol.
• Pray for their mental health, that God would bless them with a positive and hopeful attitude about life. Pray that if they experience depression or hopelessness or lack of worth, they would seek help, and that God would nudge them in that direction and open doors so that they can get the help they need.
• Pray for your children’s homes. Pray that they can obtain suitable living quarters at a sustainable price. Pray that the right housing would open up in a convenient location. Pray that God would bless their dwellings and that their homes would be an island of peace and security and joy and love.
• Pray for their safety. Pray that natural disasters would not occur around them. Pray that they would live in such a way that they don’t affect the environment negatively. Pray that they will not be attacked by evil people and that they will be alert and not take part in risky behaviors.
• Pray for their jobs. Pray that they can earn a living with meaningful work at appropriate compensation. Pray that they will sense the special talents God has given them and use them to serve the community. Pray that they will devote their best efforts, grow in their jobs, be successful, be promoted, and that their work will give them satisfaction.
• Pray that God would build their character. Pray that they will act with integrity, obeying God’s laws and our country’s laws. Pray that they will be honest and compassionate, generous with their time and their resources, willing to pitch in and help those in need.
• Pray that your children would have a sense of God’s purpose for their lives, and they would embrace it as their mission. Pray that God would equip them for their life’s journey. Pray that they would not give their attention or energy to anything that would contradict their purpose.
• Pray that they will be lifelong learners, that they will have a spirit of curiosity, and that they will seek information and truth and understanding all the days of their lives. Pray that they will be willing to share what they know with other seekers of wisdom. Pray that they will develop their talents and use them for their own enjoyment and the joy of others.
• Pray that God would give them discernment. Pray that His holy Spirit would guide them in their dealings and help them avoid placing their trust in the wrong people and places. Pray that they will be able to recognize when an opportunity is good and when something is not right.
• Pray that they maintain balance in their lives. May they work hard, but make time to rest and refresh their spirits. May they have fun in their lives, but their own pleasure be secondary to their responsibilities and to the needs of those around them. May they have everything they need, but not accumulate possessions for the sake of acquisition.
• Pray that God will connect your children with people who will be good friends, who will encourage them to be the best versions of themselves, and who will call them out when they’re on the wrong track. Pray that they will have a few people whom they can depend on to tell the truth, be with them when needed, and have fun with.
• Pray that God will not allow them to be lured into addiction of any sort, whether drugs, gambling, sex, pornography, alcohol, tobacco, or uncontrolled spending. If they have an addiction, pray that God will take away its allure and their desire, and will lead them to get help.
• Pray that your children will not be hindered by fear. Fear can keep them from taking next steps and can lead to despair. Pray that they can face their fears. Pray that if they experience failure, they will find the strength to recover and continue on. Pray that when they struggle, they will trust that they can endure until they reach the other side.
• Pray that they have joy, which is different than happiness. Happiness depends on circumstances; joy transcends circumstances. Pray that they will have the confidence that comes from God’s peace.

In my list, I have included much of what appears in Omartian’s book, but adjusted for grown children. Our kids never outgrow their need for our prayers on their behalf.