John 6:63,
The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life.
A few years ago, I was standing in the lobby of my kids’ school when suddenly I was struck with an awareness of the spiritual battle they face each day. They experience:
- Pressure from girls who can be mean
- Pressure from boys who can be brutal
- Pressure to compromise
- Fear of being mocked and ridiculed
- Fear of not fitting in
- Pressure from teachers, assignments, and unrealistic expectations
In that moment, I was impressed with the need to really cover them in prayer – and for a greater commitment, intentionality, and focus in those prayers. “Help them to have a good day…” was no longer enough. My prayers needed the power of Scripture behind them.
If I’ve learned anything about prayer, it is this Truth: when we pray God’s Word, we are praying with greater power. Heaven stands and the enemy flees.
Below are eight ways I have found effective in praying for my children:
- Pray the armor of God upon them. Just as we put clothes on each day, it’s important for us to put on our spiritual clothes. “Lord help __ to be strong in You and in your mighty power. Enable them to stand their ground against any evil with the…” (Ephesians 6:10, 13-18)
- Pray that “they hate all sin.” (Psalm 97:10)
- “Lead them not into temptation but deliver them from evil.” (Matthew 6:13)
- “May they not go along with people enticing them to sin. Help them to stay from their paths.” (Proverbs 1:10, 15)
- “Give them courage in their convictions and strength to be able to withstand peer pressure.” (Ephesians 4:14)
- “May they display proper respect for all authority. May they have favor with their teachers and their teachers with them.” (Romans 13:1)
- “Bless them with good, solid, healthy friendships. Friends that fear and love You.” (Proverbs 27:9)
- “Bless them and keep them. May Your face shine upon them and be gracious to them; turn Your face to them, Lord and give them peace.” (Numbers 6:23-27)
Sadly, I believe we also need to pray for their physical protection at school. I will be adding these prayers to my list this year.
- “Lord, spread Your protection over the school. Surround it with Your favor as with a shield.” (Psalm 5:11-12)
- “May no harm overtake them, nor any disaster come near that school.” (Psalm 91:11-12)
- “Lord, keep them from all harm. Watch over their lives and their coming and going.” (Psalm 121:5, 7-8)
- “May no weapon formed against them prevail.” (Isaiah 54:17)
Pray for your kids each day. If you drive them to school, pray with them before drop-off. Prayer makes a difference. And praying the Scriptures calls down the power of heaven, unleashing it into the lives of those we love.
This summer,
I’ve been developing a prayer tool for women. Prayer Made Simple; A Woman’s Guide to Praying with Power is coming this fall!
Mother/Daughter Retreat
Registration is OPEN! Early Registration Rates end August 31st.
