Last Updated on October 19, 2023 by Emma
God the Father is our perfect parent. He is good, faithful, loving, and merciful. He is slow to anger and rich in kindness. Unfortunately, some days, my parenting style seems to be rich in anger and slow in kindness. Because we are sinful beings parents aren’t perfect. In fact, some are so broken that they abuse their children.
Physical, verbal, emotional, and sexual abuse can happen to any child. Concrete actions need to take place to end this and praying for abused children and their abusers is the best place to start.
When your parent is abusive it can make you feel inferior and unloved. Take refuge in these words from Scripture, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16, NIV).
I have given you 8 prayers for an abused child, and 8 prayers that an abused child can voice to God. If you or someone you love is being abused by a parent or any other person in your life please pray fervently, but most importantly seek professional help!
While I hope that these prayers will give help you draw strength from Him, feel free to customize them to your specific situation. Please leave special intentions in the comments so we can pray with you!
8 Prayers for Abused Children From an Adult Perspective
We’ll start by sharing prayers that are relevant to those who want to pray for abused children.
Short Prayer for Abused Children
Lord, I come to you with a broken heart for all abused children. Give them Your strength and guidance. Put someone in their path to help them get out of the abusive situation. Please wrap them in your loving arms and give them the courage and protection they need each day. In Your Name, I pray. Amen.
Prayer for Abandoned Children
God, there are so many abandoned children in this world. Some are homeless and some are fighting their way through foster care. I know the workers are doing the best they can, but the system is so broken and I worry endlessly for those kids.
Thank you for the social workers who have chosen to work with these difficult children. Give them the words to get through to the kids and families they are working with. Help them to be a source of love and stability.
Please protect them from harm as they go through an ever-changing environment. Give them the strength and perseverance that they need. These children feel so hopeless and unloved. Show them that there is nothing they have done wrong for this to happen to them.
Show them how much they are loved by you. Help them to know that they are worthy. They were chosen by You, our good good Father. In Your Name, I pray. Amen.
Prayer for Hope for Abused Children
My God, please be a beacon of hope for the abused children of this world. I imagine a life of abuse, whether it be verbal, emotional, or physical, is filled with pain, negativity, and hopelessness. Show these children that no matter their circumstances You are their hope.
You are there to bring them everlasting joy. I fear these abused children will be abandoned and be lost for a future. However, You know each of our journeys. There is no need to worry when we recall Your words from Scripture, “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” (Jeremiah 29:11, NIV).
May all the abused children of the world know that the Lord has plans for them. May all the abused children be exposed to God so that they may have hope in what seems like a hopeless situation. In Your Name, I pray. Amen.
Prayer for Orphans
Good and gracious God, You have a heart for us all, but especially the poor and abandoned. When the world tells people they are unwanted You tell them “I love you.” I can’t imagine what orphanages and adoption centers look or feel like. I imagine it’s a place of pain and loneliness.
Children have no parents and are awaiting a new family, because theirs have died. It’s a cross no child should have to be burdened with. Thank you for being their anchor and providing food, shelter, and clothing for all of these needy children.
If these orphans do not know who You are please give them the opportunity to hear the truth of the Gospel. Show all orphans how loved they are by you. Your Son died on the cross to save them from sin and He would do it again even if it was for just one person. He loves us all that much.
If it is your will, provide all orphans with a safe home with families who can show them the love of Christ. May all who encounter them be Your face, hands, and feet. In Your Name, I pray. Amen.
Prayer for Emotionally Abused Children
O, God, my Savior. Please protect all those children who are emotionally abused. These abusers are controlling, try to frighten children, and isolate them from everyone they love. These children’s feelings are being dismissed over and over again.
Help these children to remember that they are a (son/daughter) of the King. No matter what other people are telling them, they are beloved by You. They are worthy. They are chosen and completely loved by You.
They most likely feel the opposite of all of these things. They probably feel useless, worthless, and stupid. When they feel this way help them to remember, “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine” (Isaiah 43:1b, NIV).
Please put someone in their life to help them to overcome this emotional abuse. A child cannot do this alone. Please give these children the strength and protection they need to persevere through this abuse.
Please change the abuser’s heart. Help (him/her) to see You in their child so that they will have a change of heart. Help the abuser to love the child the way they deserve to be loved. Help the abuser to stop this emotional abuse. You are a miracle worker. Only You can change (his/her) heart. Please soften it and mold it to look more like Yours. In Your Name, I pray. Amen.
Prayer for Verbally Abused Children
As the phrase goes, sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me. Lord, whoever said this has never been verbally abused. Please put an end to children being verbally abused. The words these children hear each day break them down so easily. A child should never have to feel so emotionally drained by someone they love.
In their darkest hours help them to remember that they are a (son/daughter) of the King. They are beloved by You. They are worthy. They are chosen. Their verbal abuser probably makes them feel the opposite of all of these things. They probably feel useless, worthless, and stupid.
When they feel this way help them to remember, “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do” (Ephesians 2:10, NIV).
These children have a beautiful mission to live given only by You. Don’t make them give up on it at such a young age because they have an adult in their life who beats them down verbally each day. Please protect these children and get them out of the verbally abusive situation. Be the shield they need because they might have no one else.
Finally, Lord, I beg you to change the abuser’s heart from a heart of steel to a heart for God. Please intervene and stop this physical abuse. You are a miracle worker. Please soften the abuser’s heart and mold it to look more like Yours. In Your Name, I pray. Amen.
Prayer for Physically Abused Children
Dear God, please end the physical abuse of children. Children should never be hurt by someone they know and love. My heart breaks for those who live in fear of getting hit. I hate to think that there are children who are scared for their life. No one deserves that, Lord.
Give these children a safe place to go so their bodies and souls can be healed. Please help these children to feel safe enough to tell someone about what is going on in their home. There are so many complicated layers so I know it isn’t a simple decision. You are the light in the darkness and You will lead these children to the correct path.
My heart aches as I think of those kids who are scared at home. Be their shield. Help them to remember these words from Scripture, “Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you. Surely, Lord, you bless the righteous; you surround them with your favor as with a shield” (Psalm 5:11-12, NIV).
Finally, Lord, I beg you to change the abuser’s heart from a heart of steel to a heart for God. Please intervene and stop this physical abuse. You are a miracle worker. Please soften the abuser’s heart and mold it to look more like Yours. In Your Name, I pray. Amen.
Prayer for Healing After Abuse
O, God. (Verbal/emotional/physical/sexual) abuse is a traumatic experience. I know you are a God of healing so please heal the wounds of those who have been abused. Heal their hearts and help them to be open to your love.
Help anyone who has suffered abuse to know that they have nothing to hide from you. You will always be there ready to embrace them when they are ready to begin the healing process. May these words from Scripture, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28, NIV) be in the hearts of those who are seeking healing after abuse. May they bring everything to You.
Help them to live a life of joy and not of fear. Help them to find the right resources to assist in their healing process whether it be counseling, family and friend support, and, most of all You. Help them to stay close to Your Sacred Heart through all of this. In Your Name, I pray. Amen.
8 Prayers for an Abused Child to Pray
These prayers are for you to pray to God, but we hope that they will give you the strength to voice your hurt to a person you feel safe around. The shame is not yours to carry, the abuser is the sinful one.
Don’t carry the hurt alone, instead talk about it with grownups you trust, it might be a relative, a teacher, your pastor, a policeman, or a social worker.
Short Prayer by an Abused Child
Lord, I come to you broken. I’m being abused by my (dad/mom) and need your strength and guidance. I’m only a kid. I don’t know how to protect myself or overcome this. Who should I turn to?
Please wrap me in your loving arms and give me the courage and protection I need each day. In Your Name, I pray. Amen.
Prayer by a Verbally Abused Child
As the phrase goes, sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me. Lord, whoever said this never had a verbally abusive parent. The words (dad/mom) spits at me each day is breaking me down. I am mentally drained and feel like I am nothing.
Help me to remember that I am a (son/daughter) of the King. I am beloved by You. I am worthy. I am chosen. (Dad/Mom) makes me feel the opposite of all of these things. I feel useless, worthless, and stupid.
When I feel these this way help me to remember, “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do” (Ephesians 2:10, NIV).
Give me the wisdom to know who I can talk to about this to make it better. I don’t know how much longer I can sustain this painful existence. I feel alone and kind of angry. What kind of parent talks like that to their child? What did I do to be so unloved?
Please change (dad/mom)’s heart. Help (him/her) to see You in me. Help (dad/mom) to stop (his/her) verbal abuse. Only You can change (his/her) heart. Please soften it and mold it to look more like Yours. In Your Name, I pray. Amen.
Prayer by an Emotionally Abused Child
O, God, my Savior. Somehow I ended up with an emotionally abusive parent. (Dad/mom) is controlling, tries to frighten me, and is isolating me from everyone I love. I’m dismissed and feel gaslighted at everything I say. I’m so embarrassed to be around people with (dad/mom) because everything just ends so terribly
Help me to remember that I am a daughter of the King. I am beloved by You. I am worthy. I am chosen. (Dad/Mom) makes me feel the opposite of all of these things. I feel useless, worthless, and stupid. When I feel this way help me to remember, “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine” (Isaiah 43:1b, NIV).
Give me the wisdom to know how to overcome this emotional abuse. Who can help me with this? I can’t do it alone. I don’t know how much longer I can sustain this painful existence. You, O, God are my light in the darkness.
Please change (dad/mom)’s heart. Help (him/her) to see You in me. Help (dad/mom) to love me the way I deserve to be loved. Help (dad/mom) to stop this emotional abuse. You are a miracle worker. Only You can change (his/her) heart. Please soften it and mold it to look more like Yours. In Your Name, I pray. Amen.
Prayer by a Physically Abused Child
Dear God, somehow I ended up with a physically abusive parent. I am so scared for my life. It’s a horrible and painful existence. Give me the wisdom and strength to know what to do. I don’t want to go into foster care, but I don’t want to get severely injured either.
It’s embarrassing to go to school with bruises. I’m tired of lying. I’m tired of being scared at home. I’m tired of being scared of saying the wrong thing to set (dad/mom) off. I know I can talk to the school counselor, but I don’t know if it’s the right thing.
I have so much fear for what would happen if I were to tell someone about what (dad/mom) is doing to me. There are so many complicated layers and it is just overwhelming to think about it. You are my light in the darkness and You will lead me to the correct path. Help me to see the light.
I feel unloved. I don’t know what I did to deserve this. Why me?
Protect my body and heart. I know you are my shield. Help me to remember these words from Scripture, “Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you. Surely, Lord, you bless the righteous; you surround them with your favor as with a shield” (Psalm 5:11-12, NIV).
Finally, Lord, I beg you to change (dad/mom)’s heart of God. Help (dad/mom) to stop this physical abuse. You are a miracle worker. Please soften (his/her) heart and mold it to look more like Yours. In Your Name, I pray. Amen.
Prayer by a Friend with an Abusive Parent
Lord, (name) has confided in me that (he/she) is being (verbally/emotionally/physically) abused. My heart is broken for (him/her). I am distraught that (he/she) has to endure this day after day. Please protect (name).
I want (name) to get out of that house immediately, but of course, it’s not that easy. I don’t know the ins and outs of their family and can’t begin to imagine the consequences and complications it would cause. I just worry for (his/her) mental and physical health. I don’t know how much longer (name) can sustain this trauma.
What I do know is that you are a God of healing and protection. Please change (name of abuser’s) heart. Help (him/her) to desire to live a Christian life. Help (name) to stop the abusive behavior. Only You can change (his/her) heart. Please soften it and mold it to look more like Yours. In Your Name, I pray. Amen.
Prayer by an Abandoned Child
God, my parents have hurt me so badly that I’m now abandoned. I’m left to the doom and gloom of foster care. Sometimes it’s hard for me to believe that you are real since you’ve left me alone without a mom or a dad. It’s going to take some time for me to learn that you are always there for me.
Please protect me from harm as I walk into the unknown. Give me strength and perseverance as I go through a lot of change. I feel so hopeless and unloved. I know none of this is my fault, but I feel like I had to have done something wrong to turn out like this.
Help me to know how loved I am by you. Help me to know that I am worthy. I am chosen by You, my good Father. In Your Name, I pray. Amen.
Prayer by Abuse Survivors
Praise God from whom all blessings flow! I am so grateful that You provided for me, Lord. I’m so relieved to not be abused by my (dad/mom) anymore. I was alone in the darkness. I felt like there was no way out, but “You are the God who sees me” (Genesis 16:13).
You saw me in my darkest hour and saved me from an abusive (man/woman). Thank you for your everlasting love and faithfulness. In Your Name, I pray. Amen
Prayer for Healing After Abuse
O, God. (Verbal/emotional/physical/sexual) abuse is a traumatic experience. I know you are a God of healing so please heal me from my wounds. Heal my heart. Help me to be open and loving again. I am so guarded and scared.
I don’t want to live this way. I want to live a normal life again. Please help me to live like that again. I bring my baggage to you. I offer you the words from Scripture, “ “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28, NIV).
I want to live a life of joy for you. I know I can get back there with the help of counseling, family and friend support, and you. I will try to stay close to Your Sacred Heart through all of this. In Your Name I pray. Amen.
Concluding Thoughts
Child abuse is dangerous for mental and physical health. Even though it may not seem like it, the Lord is walking with you. Even though your earthly parent(s) may have failed you, or you see other grown-ups fail their children, your good Heavenly Father loves all children fiercely and faithfully.
If you or someone you love has an abusive parent/guardian and needs professional help, the domestic violence hotline is a great place to start! May the Lord be your strength and your shield as you navigate through the dangers and complications child abuse brings.
We are here to advocate and pray for you!