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Japanese “Keep [name] safe, Lord, at home, at school and on the road. Keep him well, give him good friends, and let him grow up knowing you and knowing he is loved. Amen.” Psalm 121 suits a nephew too: it asks the Lord to “preserve thy going out and thy coming in.”
Psalm 121, a psalm for a nephew’s protection
Psalm 121 is a short psalm about God as the keeper who never sleeps. An aunt or uncle can read it aloud as a prayer, or say it with the nephew’s name in place of “thee.” This is the King James Version.
I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth. He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber. Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep. The LORD is thy keeper: the LORD is thy shade upon thy right hand. The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night. The LORD shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul. The LORD shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.
Psalm 121:1–8
Another verse often prayed for a child’s safety is Psalm 91:11: “For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.”
Prayers for your nephew
Say his name where [name] appears. For a niece, change “him” and “his” to “her.”
For his protection
Father, I cannot be with [name] everywhere he goes, but you can. Keep him from accidents and illness, from people who would harm him, and from the choices that would harm himself. When he is afraid, let him remember that you are near. Amen.
When he is sick
Lord, [name] is ill. Ease his pain, give his doctors and his parents wisdom, and bring him back to health, if it is your will. Keep his mother and father from wearing themselves out. Amen.
Prayer goes alongside the doctor’s care and never replaces it.
For school and exams
God of all wisdom, [name] has lessons to learn and tests to pass. Open his mind to understand, help him remember what he has studied, and give him patience with the subjects that come hard. Your word says that if anyone lacks wisdom, “let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally” (James 1:5). Give it to him. Amen.
For his friends
Lord, bring [name] friends who are kind and honest, and give him the sense to walk away from the ones who are not. “He that walketh with wise men shall be wise” (Proverbs 13:20). Let him be that kind of friend to others. Amen.
For his faith
Jesus, you blessed the children who were brought to you. Draw [name] to yourself. Let the faith he sees in his family become his own, and keep it alive in him when he has doubts and questions. Amen.
Paul traced Timothy’s faith back through two generations of his family: it “dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice” (2 Timothy 1:5).
For courage
Lord, when [name] faces something that frightens him, a new school, a bully, a hard decision, give him courage to do what is right. Remind him of your word to Joshua: “Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest” (Joshua 1:9). Amen.
For a newborn nephew
Thank you, Father, for [name], born into our family. Bless his mother’s recovery and his parents’ tired nights. Keep him healthy as he grows, and help me to be an aunt (or uncle) he can trust all his life. Amen.
For a nephew who has gone astray
Lord, [name] has lost his way, and we do not know how to reach him. Keep him alive and safe while he is far from you. Put people in his path who will tell him the truth with kindness, and when he is ready to come home, let him find the door open. Amen.
If he talks about ending his life, is using drugs, or is in danger, get help as well as praying. In the US, call or text 988. In the UK and Ireland, call Samaritans on 116 123. In Russia, the national helpline for children, teenagers and parents is 8 800 2000 122. There are also more Christian and crisis lines.
For his future
God, you know what [name] is good at better than he does. As he grows, show him the work you made him for, and give him the patience to learn it. Let him grow as Jesus did, “in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man” (Luke 2:52). Amen.
For his parents
Lord, bless my brother (or sister) and their spouse as they raise [name]. Give them patience, money enough, and time together as a family. Help me to support them without getting in their way. Amen.
As his godparent
Father, at [name]’s baptism I promised to help him grow in the faith. Keep me faithful to that promise: to pray for him, to remember him, and to show him by my own life what following Christ looks like. Amen.
Traditional prayers to say for a nephew
The old prayer books have no prayer written only for nephews, but their prayers for children and for loved ones fit a nephew well.
On his birthday
Watch over thy child, O Lord, as his days increase; bless and guide him wherever he may be, keeping him unspotted from the world. Strengthen him when he stands; comfort him when discouraged or sorrowful; raise him up if he fall; and in his heart may thy peace which passeth understanding abide all the days of his life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Book of Common Prayer (1928), Family Prayer, “For a Birthday,” pp. 597–598
For all who are dear to us
Almighty God, we entrust all who are dear to us to thy never-failing care and love, for this life and the life to come; knowing that thou art doing for them better things than we can desire or pray for; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Book of Common Prayer (1928), Family Prayer, “For Those We Love,” p. 597
An Orthodox prayer for a child beginning school
The Orthodox Church has a service of prayer when children begin their instruction. Its main prayer, in Isabel Hapgood’s 1906 English translation, speaks of several children; for one nephew, say “this thy servant.”
O Lord our God and Creator, who hast honoured us men with thine own image; who hast taught thine elect, so that wonderful are they who give heed to thy teaching; who revealest wisdom unto babes; who hast imparted thy teaching unto Solomon and unto all who have sought thy wisdom: Open thou the hearts, the minds, and the lips of these thy servants, that they may receive the power of thy law, and successfully apprehend the useful precepts which shall be taught them, to the glory of thine all-holy Name, to the profit and building up of thy holy Church, and that they may understand thy good and perfect will. Deliver them from every hostile oppression; preserve them in Orthodoxy and the faith, and in all uprightness and purity all the days of their life, that they may advance in wisdom, and in the fulfilling of thy commandments: that, being thus prepared, they may glorify thine all-holy Name, and become heirs of thy kingdom. For thou art God mighty in mercy, and gracious in strength; and unto thee do we ascribe glory, to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Hapgood, Service Book of the Holy Orthodox-Catholic Apostolic (Greco-Russian) Church (1906), A Service of Prayer When Children Begin Their Instruction, p. 522
A blessing to say over him
The LORD bless thee, and keep thee: The LORD make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.
Numbers 6:24–26
An uncle who prayed for his nephew: Abraham and Lot
Lot was Abraham’s nephew. Genesis calls him “Lot his brother’s son” when Abraham leaves Haran and takes him along (Genesis 12:5). When Lot was carried off as a captive, Abraham armed 318 men of his household and went after him (Genesis 14:14). Later Lot was living in Sodom when Abraham pleaded with the Lord to spare the city for the sake of the righteous in it (Genesis 18:23–32). The city was destroyed, but Genesis says that “God remembered Abraham, and sent Lot out of the midst of the overthrow” (Genesis 19:29).
The New Testament has a nephew who repaid the care. When more than forty men swore not to eat or drink until they had killed Paul, “Paul’s sister’s son heard of their lying in wait,” went into the castle where Paul was held and told him (Acts 23:12–16). That night the Roman commander sent Paul under guard to the governor at Caesarea (Acts 23:23–24).
Praying for a niece
Every prayer here can be said for a niece by changing “him” to “her,” and the birthday prayer from the Book of Common Prayer reads naturally either way. There are also separate prayers for a niece, and prayers for several nephews and nieces together can use “them” and each child’s name.
Prayer for His Protection
In a world with many dangers, we ask God to be a shield around our nephew, guarding his heart, mind, and body. This prayer is a plea for His divine protection over every part of his life.
Heavenly Father, I lift my nephew up to You today and ask for Your mighty hand of protection to be upon him. Be a fortress around him, Lord, and guard him from all harm, both seen and unseen. Protect his body from accident or illness, and keep him safe as he goes about his day at school, with friends, or at home.
More than just physical safety, I pray for his spiritual protection. Guard his mind from negative thoughts, anxiety, and the lies of the enemy. Protect his heart from bitterness and his innocence from the harshness of the world. Place Your angels around him to watch over him in all his ways.
Help him to be aware of Your presence, so when he feels unsafe or afraid, he will immediately turn to You, his ultimate Protector. Give him the wisdom to avoid dangerous situations and the courage to walk away from anything that does not honor You. Thank you for being his constant guardian and his safe place. Keep him secure in Your loving arms, In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Trusting God as his protector brings peace to our own hearts. We rest in the promise of Psalm 91:4, which says, “He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge.”
Prayer for His Wisdom and Discernment
Life is full of choices, big and small. This prayer asks God to grant your nephew wisdom beyond his years, helping him to discern right from wrong and to choose the path that honors Him.
Lord of all Wisdom, I come to You asking for a special blessing for my nephew. Please pour out Your spirit of wisdom and discernment upon him. In a world that is so confusing, grant him clarity. Help him to see the difference between right and wrong, between a good choice and a bad one.
Guide his decisions in friendships, helping him choose friends who will build him up and encourage his faith. Give him discernment as he uses technology and social media, to know what is helpful and what is harmful. In his schoolwork and in his free time, let his choices reflect a heart that wants to please You.
When he is faced with a difficult decision, quiet his mind and let him hear Your still, small voice guiding him. Protect him from making foolish mistakes with lasting consequences. Let his life be built on the solid rock of Your truth, and may he always seek Your counsel in all that he does, In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
We pray that he will always seek God first in his decisions. We are encouraged by James 1:5, “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault.”
Prayer for His Character and Integrity
We pray for our nephew to become a young man of strong moral character. This is a prayer for him to develop virtues like honesty, kindness, responsibility, and a deep-seated sense of integrity.
Father God, I pray for the shaping of my nephew’s character. I ask that You would build in him a foundation of integrity that cannot be shaken. Create in him a heart that loves truth and hates dishonesty. May he be known as a young man whose word can be trusted completely.
Instill in him a spirit of kindness and compassion. Help him to notice the needs of others and to act with empathy. Teach him to be respectful to his elders, patient with his peers, and gentle with those who are weaker than him. Give him a strong sense of responsibility for his actions, his words, and his commitments.
When he is tempted to cut corners, to tell a small lie, or to go along with the crowd, give him the moral strength to stand firm for what is right, even if he has to stand alone. May his life be a reflection of Your goodness and Your unwavering character, In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
A person’s character is their true legacy. We pray our nephew lives a life that reflects Proverbs 20:7, “The righteous lead blameless lives; blessed are their children after them.” His integrity will bless generations.
Prayer for His Faith to Grow Strong
This prayer is a heartfelt plea for your nephew’s personal relationship with God to deepen. It’s for his faith to become his own, not just something he inherited, but a real and active part of his life.
Lord Jesus, I pray for my nephew’s faith. I ask that You would draw him close to Yourself and that he would come to know You not just in his head, but in his heart. Let his faith be more than just a family tradition; make it a living, breathing relationship with You.
Help him to understand the depth of Your love and the greatness of Your sacrifice for him. May he build his life on the truth of Your Word. When doubts and questions arise, as they do for everyone, lead him to find solid answers and a deeper trust in You. Let him experience Your presence in his life in real ways.
Protect his faith from the cynicism and unbelief of the world. Surround him with friends and mentors who will encourage him on his spiritual journey. May he become rooted and built up in You, growing stronger in his faith every single day so he can be a light for others, In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Our greatest hope is for his faith to be strong and unshakeable. We pray he lives out Colossians 2:7, “rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.”
Prayer for His Future and Purpose
God has a unique and wonderful plan for every life. This prayer is to ask God to guide your nephew toward his divine purpose, helping him to discover the gifts He has given him for his future.
Creator God, You knew my nephew before he was even born, and You have a specific purpose for his life. I pray that You would begin to reveal that purpose to him. Guide his steps and direct his path toward the future You have planned for him.
Open his eyes to the special gifts, talents, and passions You have placed within him. Help him to develop these gifts not for his own glory, but for Yours. Give him a sense of direction as he thinks about his future, whether it’s school, a career, or his calling in life. Protect him from feelings of aimlessness or pressure to follow a path that isn’t meant for him.
Above all, I pray that his greatest purpose would be to love and serve You. Whatever he does in life, may it bring You honor. Fill his heart with hope and excitement for the good plans You have in store for him, In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
We trust that God’s plan for him is good. This prayer rests on the beautiful promise found in Jeremiah 29:11, “‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’”
Prayer for Godly Friendships
The friends a young person chooses can have a massive impact on their life. This prayer asks God to surround your nephew with positive, uplifting friends and to help him be a good friend in return.
Heavenly Father, You created us for community, and I pray today for the friendships in my nephew’s life. Lord, please surround him with godly friends who will be a positive influence on him. Bring friends into his life who are kind, loyal, and honest, and who will encourage him to be the best version of himself.
Give him the discernment to recognize unhealthy friendships and the courage to walk away from them. Protect his heart from peer pressure that would lead him to compromise his values. Teach him what it means to be a true friend to others—to be supportive, a good listener, and someone who points others toward You.
May his friendships be a source of joy and strength in his life. Let him and his friends build each other up, share laughter, and help each other through difficult times. May he be the kind of friend that You would want him to be, reflecting Your love to everyone he meets, In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
We know that friendships shape a person’s path. That is why we pray he takes to heart the wisdom of Proverbs 13:20: “Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm.”
Prayer for His Health and Strength
This is a prayer for your nephew’s total well-being. We ask God to grant him physical health, mental clarity, and emotional strength to navigate the challenges of growing up.
Lord, our Healer and Provider, I place my nephew’s health in Your hands. I pray for physical strength and vitality. Protect him from sickness and injury, and grant his body the energy it needs to grow strong and healthy. May he learn to honor You by taking care of the body You have given him.
I also pray for his mental and emotional health. In a world with so much pressure, guard his mind from anxiety, depression, and overwhelming stress. Fill him with Your peace that surpasses all understanding. Give him emotional resilience so that when he faces disappointments or setbacks, he can bounce back with a hopeful spirit.
Strengthen his spirit, Lord. Remind him that his true strength does not come from himself, but from You. When he feels weak, be his power. When he feels overwhelmed, be his calm. May he be healthy in body, mind, and soul, all for Your glory, In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Our prayer is for his complete well-being, reflecting the heart of 3 John 1:2: “Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well.”
Prayer for Courage in Times of Fear
Life brings moments of fear and anxiety for everyone. This prayer is for your nephew to be filled with God-given courage to face his fears, overcome challenges, and stand up for what is right.
Almighty God, You are our refuge and strength. I pray for my nephew, asking that You would fill him with a spirit of courage. When he faces situations that make him feel afraid—whether it’s a test at school, trying something new, or standing up to a bully—remind him that You are with him.
Replace his fear with faith. Give him the courage to do what is right, even when it’s hard or unpopular. Give him the boldness to be a leader and not just a follower. Protect him from being paralyzed by anxiety or worry about the future. Let him feel Your powerful presence, which drives out all fear.
May his confidence not be in his own abilities, but in Your unending power. Teach him to be brave and strong, knowing that the King of Kings is on his side. Let him walk through life with his head held high, not in pride, but in the quiet confidence of a child of God, In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
We pray he never forgets the source of true courage. May he carry the command of Joshua 1:9 with him always: “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
Prayer for a Heart Full of Joy and Peace
True joy and peace are not based on circumstances but are gifts from God. This prayer asks that your nephew would experience this deep, unshakable joy and peace that can only be found in a relationship with Christ.
Lord of Joy, I pray that You would fill my nephew’s heart to overflowing with Your joy and peace. In a world that offers temporary happiness, I pray he would discover the lasting, deep-seated joy that comes only from knowing You. Let his heart be light and his spirit cheerful.
Guard him from the things that steal joy, like comparison, discontentment, and worry. Help him to develop a grateful heart, one that notices the countless blessings You pour out on him every day. Even when he walks through difficult or disappointing seasons, may he hold onto the joy of his salvation.
I also pray for Your peace to rule in his heart. When his mind is troubled or his emotions are in turmoil, calm the storm inside him. Let him rest in the knowledge that You are in control and that You love him dearly. May he be a person who carries and shares Your joy and peace with everyone he meets, In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
This divine peace is a guard for his heart and mind. We pray he experiences the promise of Philippians 4:7, “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Prayer for a Pure Heart and Mind
In a world filled with temptations, this is a prayer for your nephew’s purity. We ask God to guard his heart and mind, helping him to focus on things that are honorable, true, and good.
Holy Father, I bring my nephew before You and pray for a pure heart and a pure mind. You know the challenges and temptations that young people face today, especially through media and the internet. I ask that You would place a hedge of protection around his eyes and his thoughts.
Create in him a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within him. Give him a desire for purity and a deep dislike for anything that is sinful or dishonors You. Help him to understand that what he fills his mind with will eventually shape his character and his actions.
Give him the strength to turn away from temptation and the wisdom to flee from it. Help him to set his mind on things that are true, noble, right, pure, and lovely. May his thoughts and the meditations of his heart be pleasing to You, his Lord and his Redeemer, In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Our hope is for him to desire a clean heart above all else. This prayer is a reflection of the psalmist’s cry in Psalm 51:10, “Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.”
Prayer for a Servant’s Heart
This prayer is for your nephew to develop a heart of humility and service. We ask God to help him look beyond his own needs and to find joy in serving and helping the people around him.
Lord Jesus, You came not to be served, but to serve. I pray that You would develop that same servant’s heart in my nephew. Help him to see the world not through the lens of “what can I get?” but “what can I give?”
Instill in him a spirit of humility and empathy. Open his eyes to see the needs of his family, his friends, and his community. Give him a willing spirit to lend a helping hand without being asked and to do it with a cheerful attitude. Whether it’s helping with chores at home, encouraging a friend, or standing up for someone in need, may he find joy in putting others first.
Protect him from a spirit of selfishness or entitlement. Teach him that true greatness in Your kingdom is found in serving others. May he follow Your ultimate example of love and sacrifice, becoming a young man who makes the world a better place through his selfless actions, In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
We pray he learns the powerful truth of humility and service. May he live by the words of Philippians 2:3-4, “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.”
Prayer for His Role Within the Family
A strong family is a blessing from God. This prayer is for your nephew to be a source of love, respect, and unity within his family, honoring his parents and being a positive presence in his home.
Father God, thank You for the gift of family. I pray specifically for my nephew and his role within his home. I ask that You would fill him with a spirit of love and respect for his parents. Help him to listen to their guidance and to honor them with his words and actions.
I pray for his relationships with his siblings, if he has them. May they be filled with kindness, patience, and forgiveness. Let him be a peacemaker in the home, a source of encouragement and not of conflict. Help him to appreciate his family and to contribute to a home environment that is full of love and support.
Teach him to be responsible and helpful, understanding that he is an important part of the family unit. May he grow into a man who cherishes family and knows how to love and be loved in return. Bless his home and everyone in it, In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
A loving family is a strong foundation for life. We pray he takes to heart the simple and powerful command in Ephesians 6:1-2, “Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. ‘Honor your father and mother’—which is the first commandment with a promise.”
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