It can be a little heart-wrenching when your child leaves your home for college. It’s a blend of emotions: thankful for them taking this important next step, but you know an major part of you is leaving your presence. Thankfully the Lord knows how you are feeling and he cares about those feelings (1 Peter 5:7). To aid us in our moments of pain or discouragement, our Heavenly Father has blessed us with the provision of prayer which works powerfully to accomplish His will.
I try to pray for my wife and sons everyday, and I like to follow daily guides to do that. You can see some of the prayer guides I have previously written for daily prayer:
Praying for your wife: Click here.
Praying for your husband: Click here.
Praying for your kids: Click here or here.
With a couple of sons in college right now, I want to pray specifically for certain things to be forming in these important years. Here is a daily prayer list to pray for your child in college.
Sunday: Personal Time in the Word
“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” — Psalm 119:105
- Pray that he develops the discipline of daily time in the Word
- Pray that he begins to crave God’s Word more and more.
- Pray that He will take what he is learning and apply it to everyday situations.
Monday: Wise use of their time
“Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.” — Ephesians 5:15-16
- Pray that he chooses and prioritizes his activities wisely
- Pray that he will be able to discern what is good, better and best.
- Pray that he will become self-disciplined in his schedule.
Tuesday: Focus in the classroom
“Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men.” — Colossians 3:23
- Pray that he will take his studies seriously.
- Ask for wisdom to know when he needs to reach out to get extra help.
- Pray that he will understand the importance of not just getting a degree, but getting an education.
Wednesday: Nurturing, encouraging relationships
“Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.” — 1 Thessalonians 5:11
- Pray that he will get into a primary friend group that loves the Lord.
- Ask that he will seek out people that need friends and encouragement.
- Pray that he will be selfless, not selfish, in his relationships.
Thursday: Heart of compassion for the lost
“The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.” — Matthew 9:37-38
- Pray that he will be burdened for people that need Jesus.
- Pray that he will courageously share his faith both on and off campus.
- Pray that his burden stays kindled throughout the year.
Friday: Spiritual growth and maturity
“But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.” — 2 Peter 3:18
- Pray that God would provide people and resources to help him take his next step with Jesus.
- Pray that as these steps are revealed, he would take them seriously and find time to cultivate them.
- Pray that as he discovers areas of needed growth he will humble his heart and submit to the Holy Spirit’s leading.
Saturday: Wisdom on next steps
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.” — Proverbs 3:5-6
- Pray that he would committ to prayer His future decisions, trusting God with what He wants.
- Pray that he would not become enamored with western culture’s drive for power and money. That he would be willing to do whatever the Lord wants.
- Pray that He trusts the Lord with His timing, knowing God will reveal His will at the exact right moment and time.
I hope these prayer points are helpful as you lift up your college student in prayer. Consider sending them a quick text afterward, sharing what you prayed for them that day—it could be a great source of encouragement.