2952) Praying for the Fruit of the Spirit

Galatians 5:22-23a  —   The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. 

————————-

Christian pastor, author, and speaker Bob Hostetler put together this monthly prayer list in 2005.  He developed it as a way to pray for his children.  In addition to daily prayers for their guidance and protection, he would pray for a specific character trait, virtue, or fruit of the spirit to be planted and nurtured in his children.    He said this simple prayer program changed not only the way he prayed, but the way he lived.  All day, each day, he would keep in mind the specific virtue he prayed for that morning—for his children and for himself. 

There are 31 items on his list, along with a suggested prayer based on a specific Bible verse (reprinted here with minor editing).  The prayers as written are for one’s children (or grandchildren), but all can be adapted and prayed also for one’s self.  Growth in these ‘fruits of the spirit’ is a life-long process. 

(You many view more from Bob Hostetler at:  https://www.bobhostetler.com/ )

——————-

1. Salvation. “Lord, may my children be faithful, and obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory” (Is. 45:8, 2 Tim. 2:10).
2. Growth in grace. “I pray that my children may grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Pet. 3:18).
3. Love. “Grant, Lord, that my children may learn to live a life of love, through the Spirit who dwells in them” (Gal. 5:25, Eph. 5:2).
4. Honesty and integrity. “May integrity and honesty be their virtue and their protection” (Ps. 25:21).
5. Self-control. “Father, help my children not to be like many others around them, but let them be alert and self-controlled in all they do” (1 Thess. 5:6).
6. Love for God’s Word. “May my children grow to find Your Word more precious than much pure gold” (Ps. 19:10).
7. Justice. “God, help my children to love justice as You do and act justly in all they do” (Ps. 11:7, Mic. 6:8).
8. Mercy. “May my children always be merciful, just as their Father is merciful” (Lk. 6:36).
9. Respect (for self, others, authority). “Father, grant that my children may show proper respect to everyone, as your Word commands” (1 Pet. 2:17).
10. Biblical self-esteem. “Help my children develop a strong self-esteem that is rooted in the realization that they are a child of God, created in Christ Jesus” (Eph. 2:10).
11. Faithfulness. “Let love and faithfulness never leave my children, but bind these twin virtues around their necks and write them on the tablet of their hearts” (Prov. 3:3).
12. Courage. “May my children always be strong and courageous in their character and in their actions” (Dt. 31:6).
13. Purity. “Create in them a pure heart, O God, and let that purity of heart be shown in their actions” (Ps. 51:10).
14. Kindness. “Lord, may my children always be kind” (1 Thess. 5:15).
15. Generosity. “Grant that my children may be generous and willing to share” (1 Tim. 6:18-19).
16. Peace-loving. “Father, let my children make every effort to do what leads to peace” (Rom. 14:19).
17. Joy. “May my children be filled with the joy given by the Holy Spirit” (1 Thess. 1:6).
18. Perseverance. “Lord, teach my children perseverance in all they do, and help them especially to run with perseverance the race marked out for them” (Heb. 12:1).
19. Humility. “God, please cultivate in my children the ability to show true humility and be gentle to all” (Titus 3:2).
20. Compassion. “Lord, please clothe my children with the virtue of compassion” (Col. 3:12).
21. Responsibility. “Grant that my children may learn responsibility, for each one should carry his own load” (Gal. 6:5).
22. Contentment. “Father, teach my children the secret of being content in any and every situation, through Him who gives them strength” (Phil. 4:12-13).
23. Faith. “I pray that faith will find root and grow in my children’s hearts, that by faith they may gain what has been promised to them” (Lk. 17:5-6, Heb. 11:1-40).
24. A servant’s heart. “God, please help my children develop servants’ hearts, that they may serve wholeheartedly, as if they were serving the Lord,” (Eph. 6:7).
25. Hope. “May the God of hope grant that my children may overflow with hope and hopefulness by the power of the Holy Spirit” (Ro. 15:13).
26. Willingness and ability to work. “Teach my children, Lord, to value work and to work at it with all their heart, as working for the Lord” (Col. 3:23).
27. Passion for God. “Lord, please instill in my children a soul that ‘followeth hard after thee’ (Ps. 63:8, KJV), clinging passionately to you.”
28. Self-discipline. “Father, I pray that my children may acquire a disciplined and prudent life, doing what is right and just and fair” (Prov. 1:3).
29. Prayerfulness. “Grant, Lord, that my children’s lives may be marked by prayerfulness” (Eph. 6:18).
30. Gratitude. “Help my children to live lives that are always overflowing with thankfulness, giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Eph. 5:20, Col. 2:7).
31. A heart for missions. “Lord, please help my children to develop a desire to see your glory declared among the nations, your marvelous deeds among all peoples” (Ps. 96:3).