Discernment
Memorising Scripture with your children helps God’s Spirit bring about lasting change. Choose a verse for your children to learn. Reading it over at least once every day helps.
See also some sample prayers that you can use with your children or for older children, encourage them to use these within their own prayers.
Memory verses
Blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the Lord! Blessed are those who keep His testimonies, who seek Him with their whole heart, who also do no wrong, but walk in His ways!
Psalm 119:1-3
How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to Your word.
Psalm 119:9
Teach me good judgment and knowledge, for I believe in Your commandments.
Psalm 119:66
Your hands have made and fashioned me; give me understanding that I may learn Your commandments.
Psalm 119:73
I am Your servant; give me understanding, that I may know Your testimonies!
Psalm 119:125
Keep steady my steps according to Your promise, and let no iniquity get dominion over me.
Psalm 119:133
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.
Proverbs 1:7
For the Lord gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding . . .
Proverbs 2:6
Blessed is the one who finds wisdom, and the one who gets understanding, for the gain from her is better than gain from silver and her profit better than gold.
Proverbs 3:13-14
The wise will inherit honor, but fools get disgrace.
Proverbs 3:35
The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom, and whatever you get, get insight.
Proverbs 4:7
Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser; teach a righteous man, and he will increase in learning.
Proverbs 9:9
The wise of heart will receive commandments, but a babbling fool will come to ruin.
Proverbs 10:8
On the lips of him who has understanding, wisdom is found, but a rod is for the back of him who lacks sense.
Proverbs 10:13
A scoffer seeks wisdom in vain, but knowledge is easy for a man of understanding.
Proverbs 14:6
The heart of him who has understanding seeks knowledge, but the mouths of fools feed on folly.
Proverbs 15:14
And those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the sky above; and those who turn many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever.
Daniel 12:3
If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.
James 1:5
Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom.
James 3:13
But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.
James 3:17
Prayers for kids
Dear God, I’m one of your children. Please help me to understand the Bible (Psalm 119:125). Amen.
Dear God, please teach me so I know what’s right and what’s wrong. Amen.
Dear God, You are my power source when it comes to choosing to do the right thing. Help me to say no to sin and to choose righteousness instead. Amen.
Dear God, just as David prayed, I also pray, “Teach me good judgment and knowledge, for I believe in Your commandments” (Psalm 119:66). Amen.
Dear God, I want to be like Daniel, who set his heart to understand and humbled himself before You (Daniel 10:12). Amen.
Dear God, please help me to honour You in the choices I make, rather than just doing whatever I please. Amen.