When my kids were young I developed the practice of praying
on the armor of God as I drove them to school. I made sure that they were
dressed appropriately before we went out the door. Long sleeves in cool
weather. Short sleeves in warm weather. Boots in snow. Shoes that didn’t make
their toes curl. You know. I covered the basics for their body to be dressed
appropriately, so why not their soul?
It was a good practice not only for them but for me. It made
me think about what it meant to be strong in the mighty power of the Lord and put
on the armor of Christ as described in Ephesians 6…
10 Finally, let the Lord make you strong. Depend on his mighty power.11 Put on all of God’s armor. Then you can remain strong against the
devil’s evil plans. 12 Our fight is not against human beings. It is against the rulers,
the authorities and the powers of this dark world. It is against the spiritual
forces of evil in the heavenly world.
We are not raising our kids in easy times. I am fairly
certain that all generations would say the same. The devil truly does have evil
plans for our kids and when we back down, we make his job easy. I was not
willing to hand the souls of my kids over to the enemy, so I did what the next
verses describe…
13 So put on all of God’s armor. Evil days will come. But you will be
able to stand up to anything. And after you have done everything you can, you
will still be standing.14 So remain strong in the faith.
That’s
what I wanted for my kids… but how?
Put the belt of
truth around your waist.
I
prayed… Lord, wrap your truth around my
kids so that all the lies they hear about who you are, who they are, what it
right and what is wrong will not sway them because they are surrounded in YOUR
TRUTH. And help me, Lord, to stay true to what I profess and live honestly and
consistently before them.
Put the armor
of godliness on your chest
I
prayed… Lord, as a breastplate guards the
heart, may their hearts be protected because they are reflecting Your goodness.
Place godly people along their path today, to show them the right steps and
help me to be one of those people.
15 Wear on your feet what will prepare you to tell the good news of
peace.
I
prayed… Lord, it is so much a part of our
nature to rush to spread gossip or complaints or negative thoughts. Open their
little eyes to the tragedy those words bring and give them words of comfort and
affirmation to share with those who need to experience Your peace.
16 Also, pick up the shield of faith. With it you can put out all the
flaming arrows of the evil one.
I
prayed…Father, the world is full of
challenges to our faith. Surround my children with armor bearers who will help
them hold up the shield that will protect them from the attack of Satan that
could cause them to take their eyes off of You and the plan you have laid out
for them.
17 Put on the helmet of salvation.
I
prayed… Father, we cannot be who You made
us to be if we forget who You are and the gift of salvation You provide. Keep
their thoughts according to your will and remind them constantly of your
goodness and grace.
And take the
sword of the Holy Spirit. The sword is God’s word.
I
prayed… God, help me be faithful to the
reading of Your Word so that I can know You better. You have provided a
testimony to who you are in your Word. Help me to know you better so that I can
be a better reflection of you for the sake of my children.
18 At all times, pray by the power of the Spirit. Pray all kinds of
prayers. Be watchful, so that you can pray. Always keep on praying for all the
Lord’s people.
And this was my practice almost daily for the years I drove
them to school. I wanted them to know that I had prayed the armor of God on
them and that there was nothing they could not do with that armor on.
http://momsinprayer.org/prayerforchildren?gclid=Cj0KEQiArou2BRDcoN_c6NDI3oMBEiQANeix5gg6TQ8P70EOzN2iRuUd2gKwapGffTQxvRYEXb2KRDAaAhnE8P8HAQ
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