Everyone, young or old, has a birthday. The following birthday prayers — Birthday Blessing, Thanksgiving for a Birthday, Child's Birthday Prayer, and Birthday Wish Prayer — invite God into a believer's birthday celebration.
Birthday Blessing Prayer
A birthday can be the perfect opportunity to celebrate new life and seek God's blessing for the year to come. The following prayer offers a simple birthday blessing for a person of any age:
"Loving God, we celebrate that [insert birthday person's name] has made it [insert age, if desired] as your beloved child. Please continue to bless and keep [insert birthday girl or boy's name,] this day and always. Amen."
This prayer may be said at a family dinner or gathering in honor of a birthday or by an individual seeking renewal on his/her birthday.
Thanksgiving for a Birthday
A birthday is a beginning, a new year of life with self, others, and God. The following prayer thanks God and reflects on the gifts of the last year:
"Thank you, God, for [insert birthday boy or girl] on his/her birthday. By Your goodness, You have blessed and kept him/her. Thank you for the special blessings you've given to him/her [insert specific talents, qualities, or gifts of birthday person that make him/her unique.] May [insert birthday girl or boy's name] continue to walk in the light of Your love, this birthday and always. Amen."
This prayer might also be said by an individual as a personal devotion to reflect on the gifts of the previous year and discern what God may have planned for the coming year.
Child's Birthday Prayer
Nothing is more exciting than a child's birthday party. The following prayer may be shared during a party, family dinner, church event, or any gathering of believers honoring a child's birthday:
"God, thank you for [insert child's name] and this day, his/her birthday. Thank you for the cake, the presents, the party, and for everyone who loves and cares for [insert child's name.] Thank you especially for [invite child to share his/her favorite memories from the last year, if desired.] Bless [insert child's name] and grant him/her many, many more memories in the years to come, in Your loving and precious name. Amen."
Birthday Wish Prayer
Blowing out the candles and making a wish is a birthday tradition. Often, wishes can be rooted in desires and whims, rather than in faith. The following prayer invites the believer to make a birthday wish in God:
"God, You know the deepest desires of my heart. Let Your will be done in my life this year and help me to be open to the best present of all, You. Amen."
This prayer may be shared silently, when one is making a birthday wish, or aloud, if one desires others to know of his/her wish for God's guidance in the coming year and support him/her in this journey.
A birthday is a time to rejoice in new life and be open to the gifts of the future. With a few simple prayers, God is invited to any party and present to guide and bless the birthday boy or girl and his/her guests, now and always.
For other prayers for a special occasion, one might enjoy Wedding Anniversary Prayers: Blessing an Anniversary Reception and More. For other prayer ideas, one may also try enjoy Prayers of Intercession: How to Pray for Others.
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