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:

1. 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)
2. Pray that “they hate all sin.” (Psalm 97:10)
3. “Lead them not into temptation but deliver them from evil.”  (Matthew 6:13)
4. “May they not go along with people enticing them to sin.  Help them to stay from their paths.”  (Proverbs 1:10, 15)
5. “Give them courage in their convictions and strength to be able to withstand peer pressure.” (Ephesians 4:14)
6. “May they display proper respect for all authority.  May they have favor with their teachers and their teachers with them.” (Romans 13:1)
7. “Bless them with good, solid, healthy friendships.  Friends that fear and love You.”  (Proverbs 27:9)
8. “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.

1. “Lord, spread Your protection over the school.  Surround it with Your favor as with a shield.” (Psalm 5:11-12)
2. “May no harm overtake them, nor any disaster come near that school.” (Psalm 91:11-12)
3. “Lord, keep them from all harm.  Watch over their lives and their coming and going.” (Psalm 121:5, 7-8)
4. “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

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