“We invite you to pause, listen, and shift your gaze toward the Father…”

At the beginning of each lesson in Wonder Ink curriculum, this invitation is extended to kids’ ministry leaders, giving us space to pause and remember how God is present and active in our lives.

This isn’t meant to be one more thing on the checklist of our busy day. Rather, it’s an open opportunity to come, to draw near to the One who knows all things. He knows us personally, loves us immensely, and wants us to be close to Him. He longs to lead and teach us, even as we prepare to lead and teach others and point them to Him.

As we invite the Holy Spirit to minister to us and others who lead in our ministries, here are a few prayers that may be helpful. We can also take comfort in knowing that when we have no words, or can’t seem to find the right ones, the Holy Spirit is still interceding for us (see Romans 8:26).

God, help us remember that we are Your children. We don’t have to do anything more, or earn anything, or prove anything. You, Lord, have already done all that needs to be done. You have loved us beyond measure. You have brought us near by Your grace. You have saved us from sin and death. You have given Your Spirit to guide, comfort, and bring us peace. May we remember that no striving is necessary, because You have done it all. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

boy looking up to the sky with hands folded
Credit: Getty Images/Moment/sarahwolfephotopgraphy

Prayers for Children’s Ministry Volunteers

1. Prayer of Thanks and Praise.

God, You are so good! We praise You for how powerful and great You are! Thank You for Your faithfulness and goodness to us, Your never-ending love for us, and the many blessings You have given us. We are amazed at all You have made, and we stand in awe of all You have done. You made us, and we are Yours. May we praise You with all that we are! In Jesus’ name, Amen.

2. Prayer of Lament.

God, we look around at this world, and it’s easy to see that things are not the way You intended. There is suffering, hurt, and injustice. There are things in our lives that are painful, difficult, and confusing. There are things we don’t understand. Thank You that You are with us in the hard things, that You feel our pain and see our need, and that You never leave us. Help us know the ways You have called and gifted us to make this world a better place. And we look forward to the day when You will make all things new and right. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

3. Prayer for Remembering We Have Nothing to Prove.

God, help us remember that we are Your children. We don’t have to do anything more, or earn anything, or prove anything. You, Lord, have already done all that needs to be done. You have loved us beyond measure. You have brought us near by Your grace. You have saved us from sin and death. You have given Your Spirit to guide, comfort, and bring us peace. May we remember that no striving is necessary, because You have done it all. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

4. Prayer to Know God’s Purpose and Love.

God, You created each one of us, personally and uniquely, with great love and care. You see us, know us, and have given each of us gifts for building up the body of Christ, the church, and for blessing the world in Your name. Help us to remember that You have created us with a purpose, and You have good plans in mind for each of us and for each of the kids we serve. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

5. Prayer to Remember What Christ Has Done for Us.

God, You have never stopped loving us. Even when we’ve sinned and walked away from You, You’ve never given up on us. Lord Jesus, You came and showed us how to live. You willingly chose to die on the cross, knowing how horrible it would be, and deciding it was worth it to save us. You conquered sin and death, and You set us free. You rose again to bring us life, to be with You forever. How amazing is Your love for us! We give You thanks, and we give ourselves to You. In Your name, Amen.

6. Prayer to Know the Holy Spirit’s Leading.

Holy Spirit, thank You that You live in us. You lead us and guide us. You bring us comfort and peace. You teach us, reveal things to us, and help us know what to do. You empower us to walk in step with You. Help us learn to listen to Your voice, to recognize Your leading nudge, and to rest in the peace You bring. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

7. Prayer With the Lord’s Prayer.

Our Father in heaven, You are holy. May Your name be honored and glorified. We pray that You will have Your way in all things, that everything in the world would be the way You want it to be. Please give us everything we need. Forgive us for the things we’ve done that have not been pleasing to You, and help us to forgive others who’ve wronged us, remembering that You’ve forgiven us for much more. Rescue us from evil and from temptations to do wrong, and help us to walk in Your ways, according to Your plans. In Jesus’ name, Amen. (A Paraphrase from Matthew 6:9–15.)

8. Prayer When Things are on Our Minds.

God, thank You that You see and know all things. You know our circumstances and our concerns, and You already know how things will turn out. Nothing surprises You. Thank You that You walk with us through difficult times, bringing us Your support, Your wisdom, Your comfort, and Your guidance. Help us to turn our worries over to You, to trust that You work all things out for good, and to remember that You are always faithful. In Jesus’ name, Amen. (See also Psalm 94:18-19; Romans 8:28-39.)

9. Prayer Without Words.

Find a quiet, comfortable space to stand, sit, or kneel. If you wish, you can play quiet music in the background, or just enjoy the silence and notice the other sounds around you. Hold out your hands in surrender to God, and just be with Him. Allow His Spirit to bring you an awareness of His presence and peace. If He brings certain people or prayer needs to mind, lift those up to Him. Even if there are no words, trust that God knows every need, and that He is with you as you take this time to seek Him.

10. Prayer When a Child is Ready to Follow Jesus.

These words can be prayed with a child and are taken from Wonder Ink’s Salvation Path resource, which serves as a guide for talking with kids about salvation.

God, thank You for creating the world, and creating me. Thank You for wanting to have a relationship with me. I admit that I have sinned and I’m sorry for my sins. Thank You for loving me so much that You sent Jesus to earth for me so that I can be close with You and live with You forever. Thank You for forgiving my sins. Thank You that Jesus defeated the power of sin and death once and for all! I want to follow Jesus and be more like Him. Send the Holy Spirit to help me know that I am part of Your family and a child of God. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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Wonder Ink’s 3-year, 52-week children’s ministry curriculum offers kids space to fully find their place in God’s Big Story. Children discover they are Known by God, Loved by Jesus, and Led by the Holy Spirit.