23 Bible Verses for Youth When You Need it the Most

Inside: 23 Bible verses for youth you can use to pray over your children or give to your child when they are going through tough times and need God’s unfailing love.

Guiding Kids with Scripture

Our kids go through the same emotions as us: anxiety, worry, comparison, insecurity, and on and on.

And although we want them to turn to God, spending time in the Bible searching for the verses we need at just the right moment takes time.

It’s also a skill and discipline that’s learned over the years. Not something we can throw a Bible at our children and expect the perfect verse to pop out at them.

Related: Questions to Use When Talking With Kids About Faith

These 23 Bible verses for youth are broken into major categories for you to either pray specifically over your child or teen during the season they’re struggling with the most or share a verse or two with them.

Your child can hang the verse up in their room or locker, or keep it in their pocket. Depending on if they’re going through a rough season, the pressure of memorizing scripture can feel daunting, so simply giving words of encouragement from our heavenly Father is sometimes more than enough.

teens sitting

These bible verses for youth are included inside the Faith Mini-Bundle along with questions you can use to talk to your kids about their faith.

Note on the versions listed

The majority of our youth today weren’t raised on the old King James Version of the Bible. for this reason, some of the older versions won’t make sense to them.

Related: 5 Reasons Why David Was A Man After God’s Own Heart

If the Bible doesn’t feel relevant or speak your child’s language, kids won’t listen to the Word of God.

Using Bible Gateway, all the verses below were translated into versions that youth will most likely relate to. If you or your child doesn’t like how a bible verse sounds, plug the verses into Bible Gateway and try another version.

Perhaps your child will find one they resonate the most with and request a Bible in that version.

Related: Teach Your Child to Pray With These Tips

Here are the versions used in the Bible verses for youth below.

  • Contemporary English Version (CEV)
  • New International Version (NIV)
  • New Living Translation (NLT)
  • Common English Bible (CEB)
  • The Message (MSG)
  • New Century Version (NCV)

23 bible verses for youth to pray over your child

verses of Courage

Joshua 1:9 (CEV)
I’ve commanded you to be strong and brave. Don’t ever be afraid or discouraged! I am the LORD your God, and I will be there to help you wherever you go.

Romans 12:2 (CEV)
Don’t be like the people of this world, but let God change the way you think. Then you will know how to do everything that is good and pleasing to him.

Related: Best Bibles, Devotionals, and Bible Studies for Youth

God’s amazing Love

John 3:16 (NIV)
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.

1 John 4:19 (NIV)
We love because he first loved us.

Romans 8:28 (NIV)
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who[a] have been called according to his purpose.

Psalm 71:6 (NLT)
Yes, you have been with me from birth; from my mother’s womb you have cared for me. No wonder I am always praising you!

Related: 10 bible verses to turn to when you feel rejected

Luke 12:7 (NIV)
Even the hairs on your head are all counted. Don’t be afraid. You are worth more than many sparrows.

Romans 8:16 (NIV)
The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.

Ephesians 1:5 (CEB)
God destined us to be his adopted children through Jesus Christ because of his love. This was according to his goodwill and plan

Mark 10:14 (NIV)
When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.

teens walking

Worried or anxious

Matthew 6:34 (NIV)
Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

1 Peter 5:7 (NLT)
Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.

Philippians 4:6-7 (MSG)
Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life.

uncertain of the Future

Psalm 23:4 (NLT)
Even when I walk
through the darkest valley,
I will not be afraid,
for you are close beside me.
Your rod and your staff
protect and comfort me.

Related: Need Lifted Up? 15 Most Powerful Bible Verses About Hope

1 Corinthians 16:14 (MSG)
Keep your eyes open, hold tight to your convictions, give it all you’ve got, be resolute, and love without stopping.

Jeremiah 29:11 (CEB)
I know the plans I have in mind for you, declares the LORD; they are plans for peace, not disaster, to give you a future filled with hope.

1 Timothy 4:12 (NIV)
Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.

Related: Good Tween Books Series You Probably Haven’t Heard Of

When You Need Guidance

Psalm 147:11 (NIV)
the LORD delights in those who fear him,
who put their hope in his unfailing love.

Luke 6:31 (CEB)
Treat people in the same way that you want them to treat you.

Matthew 19:19 (NLT)
Honor your father and mother. Love your neighbor as yourself.

Psalm 119:105 (NLT)
Your word is a lamp to guide my feet
and a light for my path.

Proverbs 4:23 (NIV)
Above all else, guard your heart,
for everything you do flows from it.

Proverbs 3:5-6 (NCV)
Trust the LORD with all your heart,
and don’t depend on your own understanding.
Remember the LORD in all you do,
and he will give you success.

Related: 3 Ways to Teach Your Child the Fruit of the Spirit

Download Your Verses

bible verses youth

Get the printable of these verses from inside the Faith Mini-Bundle. Then cut the verses out and use them in various ways:

  • Pray them over your child
  • Give one to your children when they need it the most
  • Use them as bookmarks
  • Hang them up in their room
  • Post them by their bed and use them to help your child pray if they struggle over a specific area.
23 Bible Verses for Youth When You Need it the Most

One Comment

  1. Anonymous says:

    very nice verses for me as a youth helped me a lot in my troubles and temptations

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