365 Day Prayer Shield Over South Africa

PRAYER WEEK FOR FAMILY

Family is the foundation of everything God has established and built. When marriages are healthy and families are strong, communities flourish—and ultimately, so does the nation.

That is why the family is target number one for the enemy to destroy.
The values surrounding family have shifted from strong Judeo-Christian principles to worldly norms.

This week, we will focus entirely on family and all that it includes: marriage, parenting, children, family unity, legacy, protection, peace, and declaring opportunities and blessings over families in South Africa

Scriptural Anchors:

• Joshua 24:15 (nKJV) “And if it seems evil to you to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”
• Colossians 3:13-14 (nKJV) “13 bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. 14 But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection.“

DAY 3 (4 May 2026) – THE CHILDREN OUR FUTURE

The enemy seeks to discourage and deceive our children. Therefore, we must stand in the gap and intercede on their behalf in prayer. We are living in challenging and uncertain times. We watch the news and ask, “Lord, how do we protect our children from the dangers of this world?”

At times, we wonder if it is even safe to send our children out the front door. We may feel as though the world is falling apart, and one of the hardest realities we face is knowing that we cannot protect them from everything in life. Yet, while we cannot completely shield our children from the world, we can be intentional and proactive in covering them. There is a greater protection than trying to control every environment or circumstance—we can pray. We can intercede for our children, lifting them up for wisdom, protection, peace, and strength. Through prayer, we place them in the safest hands—the hands of God.

This week, we will focus on praying for their salvation, their protection, their relationship with the Lord, and their God-given purpose. We will use Scripture to intercede for their emotional, physical, and mental well-being. Our prayers will center on key themes such as wisdom, truth, a heart devoted to God, and protection from harmful and ungodly influences.

ACTION ITEM 1: PRAYING FOR SALVATION

• Isaiah 44:3 (nKJV) “For I will pour water on him who is thirsty, And floods on the dry ground; I will pour My Spirit on your descendants, And My blessing on your offspring”
• Matthew 18:3-5 (nKJV) “and said, “Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. 4 Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 5 Whoever receives one little child like this in My name receives Me.”
• Psalm 127:4 (nKJV) “Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, So are the children of one’s youth.

Prayer for the Salvation of Children: Father, in the Name of Jesus, we lift up every child in our nation before You. We pray that they will come to know You at a young age and walk in a personal relationship with You all the days of their lives.

Let their hearts be soft and receptive to Your Word. Remove all spiritual blindness that would try to stop them from the truth of the Gospel. Surround them with godly influences and people who will point them toward You.

Lord, we declare that our children will not be lost but will be saved, set apart, and called according to Your purpose. We pray to the Lord of the harvest to send workers into the field. Send those workers to meet our children in all areas of their lives, to challenge them to serve the Lord. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

ACTION ITEM 2: PRAYING FOR IDENTITY AND PURPOSE

• Psalm 139:13-15 (nKJV) 13 For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother’s womb.14 I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, And that my soul knows very well. 15 My frame was not hidden from You, When I was made in secret, And skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.
• Ephesians 2:10 (nKJV) “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.”
• 2 Corinthians 5:17 (nKJV) “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.”

Prayer for Identity in Christ: Lord, we pray that every child would grow up knowing who they are in You. Let them find their identity not in the world, but in Christ alone. We speak peace over their lives and we ask you Lord to guide them into all truth. We come against every voice of confusion, rejection, and insecurity. Replace it with truth, confidence, and a deep sense of belonging. We declare that our children are chosen, loved, and set apart. They will walk boldly in their God-given purpose and fulfil the plans You have for their lives.

Let them understand that they are children of the Lord and their identity is found not in the culture of this world but is found in Christ alone. In Jesus Name, Amen.

Prayer for Emotion Strength: Lord, we lift up the emotional and mental health of our children. In a world filled with pressure, anxiety, and confusion, we ask that You would give them peace. Heal every wound, every hurt, and every hidden struggle. Replace anxiety with peace, fear with faith, and heaviness with joy.

Father, we ask that You would fill our children with wisdom beyond their years. Teach them to make good decisions and to walk in truth.

Give them discernment to recognise right from wrong and the courage to choose what is right—even when it is difficult.

Let Your Word be a lamp to their feet and a light to their path. We declare that our children will not be led astray but will walk in wisdom and truth all the days of their lives. We declare that our children will have sound minds, strong hearts, and a deep sense of peace that comes from You alone. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

ACTION ITEM 3: PRAYER FOR PROTECTION OVER CHILDREN

• Joshua 1:9 (nKJV) “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
• Psalm 84:11 (nKJV) “For the Lord God is a sun and shield; The Lord will give grace and glory; No good thing will He withhold, from those who walk uprightly.”
• Psalm 140:1-5 (nKJV) “Deliver me, O Lord, from evil men; Preserve me from violent men, 2 Who plan evil things in their hearts; They continually gather together for war. 3 They sharpen their tongues like a serpent; The poison of asps is under their lips. Selah 4 Keep me, O Lord, from the hands of the wicked; Preserve me from violent men, who have purposed to make my steps stumble. 5 The proud have hidden a snare for me, and cords; They have spread a net by the wayside; They have set traps for me. Selah

Prayer of Protection: Father, we ask for Your divine protection over every child. Guard them physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Protect them from harm, danger, and every scheme of the enemy. We declare that our children will serve the Lord all the days of their lives. They will grow in wisdom, stature, and favour with God and man.

They will be leaders, not followers—set apart and grounded in truth. No plan of the enemy will succeed against them.

They are protected, they are called, and they are chosen. Their future is secure in Christ, and their lives will bring glory to God.

Place a hedge of protection around them wherever they go—at school, at home, and in their communities. Shield them from negative influences, harmful relationships, and destructive environments.

We declare that no weapon formed against them shall prosper. Cover them with Your presence and keep them safe under the shadow of Your wings. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.