“If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” ~ 2 Chronicles 7:14 NKJV
As believers, we are called to intercede for our leaders, nations, and for peace, especially in Jerusalem. In times of uncertainty and need, communal prayer is a powerful way to ask God to bring change, guidance, and healing. Below is a structured prayer for anyone who wishes to lift up these petitions over a community, a nation, or even the entire world.
Heavenly Father,
We come before You with humble hearts, united as Your people. You are the Almighty God, Creator of Heaven and Earth, and we honor You, acknowledging Your sovereign power over all nations. We gather in Your holy presence, seeking Your guidance, love, and protection over all people and lands.
Lord, we worship You
For You are good, and Your mercy endures forever. You are the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords, worthy of all honor and glory. We lift Your name high above all the earth, praising You for Your greatness, Your compassion, and Your mighty works.
Thank You, Lord,
For the blessings You have poured out upon us and our nations. You have sustained us through every season, and Your provision and protection have been unwavering. We are grateful for Your faithfulness, for hearing our prayers, and for Your unending love that guides us.
Forgive us, Lord,
For any ways we have strayed from Your will. We confess any sins of our nations, communities, and ourselves. We ask for Your cleansing, renewing us and bringing us back into alignment with Your ways. As we turn to You, we seek Your mercy and forgiveness, knowing that You are a gracious and compassionate God.
Father, we intercede for the leaders of every nation,
Grant them wisdom, courage, and integrity as they make decisions that impact millions. May they lead with righteousness, justice, and compassion, promoting peace and unity. Let Your justice prevail in all nations, and let truth and fairness guide every action and law.
We pray for peace among all people, especially in Jerusalem.
You have asked us to pray for its peace, and we humbly lift this city and its people to You. Bring harmony and understanding to regions marked by conflict, and heal the divisions that have separated us. Surround every nation with Your protection, Lord, shielding the innocent and vulnerable from harm.
Lord, we ask for a spiritual awakening across the world.
Pour out Your Spirit on every land and community, that hearts may turn toward You. Bring about a revival in faith, hope, and love, so that we may see Your Kingdom come and Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
As Your Word declares,
“If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land” (2 Chronicles 7:14). We stand on this promise, believing that as we humble ourselves, You will hear and bring healing and restoration.
Lord, we also pray for specific needs among the nations:
For those suffering from poverty and hunger, may You provide. For those impacted by natural disasters, may You bring comfort and relief. For the sick, may You bring healing, and for those who mourn, may You bring peace.
We trust in You, Lord,
Believing that You can do exceedingly and abundantly more than we ask or imagine. We thank You for hearing our prayers and for the answers that are already on the way. May Your will be done, Lord, and may Your name be glorified in all nations.
In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen 🙏
May this prayer bring unity and strength, inviting God’s presence, protection, and guidance over all people and nations.
The “Armor of God” is a powerful metaphor that helps us Christians prepare for spiritual battles. Found in Ephesians 6:10-18, the apostle Paul describes this armor as a vital tool to withstand evil forces in our lives. This passage reminds us that our struggle is not merely against human opposition but against the unseen spiritual powers of darkness. In this article, we’ll break down each piece of the armor and explain how you can apply them in your daily life.
1. The Belt of Truth
“Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist.” (Eph 6:14)
The belt was essential for Roman soldiers because it held their armor together. In the same way, truth is foundational for Christians. To put on the belt of truth, we must live in honesty, integrity, and align ourselves with God’s truth found in Scripture. It means rejecting lies and deception, both from the world and from the enemy.
Application: Daily, remind yourself of God’s truth, whether it’s reading Scripture, speaking the truth to others, or being truthful in your actions. Know that standing firm in truth keeps your spiritual life intact.
Prayer: “Lord, wrap me in Your truth and help me to discern and speak the truth in every situation. Let Your truth be the foundation of my life, guiding me in all my decisions, in Jesus’s name I pray.”
2. The Breastplate of Righteousness
”…with the breastplate of righteousness in place.” (Eph 6:14)
The breastplate protects the heart and other vital organs. Righteousness—right standing with God through faith in Christ—guards our hearts from attacks like guilt and condemnation. It’s important to understand that this righteousness is not our own but is given to us through Christ.
Application: Live righteously by following God’s commands and trusting in His forgiveness. When you are attacked by guilt or shame, remember that your righteousness comes from Christ, not from your performance.
Prayer: “Heavenly Father, protect my heart with the breastplate of righteousness. Let my life reflect Your righteousness, and guard me from any attacks that seek to lead me into sin or despair, in Jesus’s name I pray.”
3. The Shoes of the Gospel of Peace
”…with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.” (Eph 6:15)
Roman soldiers wore sturdy shoes to keep their footing in battle. As Christians, the gospel gives us peace and readiness to face trials. The good news of Christ’s work on the cross enables us to stand firm in difficult situations and to share that peace with others.
Application: Reflect on the peace you have with God through Christ. Share this peace with those around you, knowing that it keeps you steady even when the world feels chaotic.
Prayer: “Lord, equip me with the shoes of the gospel of peace. Help me to walk in Your peace wherever I go, and use me to spread Your good news to those in need of Your saving grace, in Jesus’s name I pray.”
4. The Shield of Faith
“In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.” (Eph 6:16)
The shield is vital for deflecting attacks. Faith in God is our shield—it blocks and extinguishes the “flaming arrows” of doubt, fear, and temptation that the enemy launches at us. A strong faith will help us trust in God’s promises when life’s circumstances feel overwhelming.
Application: Strengthen your faith daily by trusting God’s promises. When you feel attacked by negative thoughts or fears, use Scripture and prayer to remind yourself of God’s faithfulness.
Prayer: “Father, strengthen my faith so that I can extinguish every fiery dart the enemy sends my way. Help me to trust in You completely, knowing that my faith in You is my greatest defence, in Jesus’s name I pray.”
5. The Helmet of Salvation
“Take the helmet of salvation…” (Eph 6:17)
The helmet protects the head, the center of our thoughts. Salvation through Jesus Christ guards our minds against doubt, confusion, and discouragement. Our assurance of salvation gives us confidence and hope in difficult times.
Application: Keep your thoughts focused on the assurance of your salvation. When your mind is filled with worries or negative thoughts, replace them with the truth of your eternal security in Christ.
Prayer: “Lord, protect my mind with the helmet of salvation. Keep my thoughts focused on You and remind me of the assurance of my salvation in Christ Jesus. Let Your saving grace guide my mind and decisions, in Jesus’s name I pray.”
6. The Sword of the Spirit
”…and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” (Eph 6:17)
The sword is the only offensive weapon mentioned in the armor of God. It represents the Word of God—Scripture—which is alive and powerful. Just as Jesus used Scripture to combat Satan’s temptations, we must rely on the Word of God in our battles.
Application: Memorize and meditate on Scripture regularly. When you face temptation, confusion, or spiritual attacks, use the truth of God’s Word to stand against the enemy.
Prayer: “Father, I take up the sword of the Spirit, which is Your Word. Teach me to wield it with wisdom and power against the enemy’s lies and attacks. Let Your Word be alive and active in my life, in Jesus’s name I pray.”
7. Prayer in the Spirit
“And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.” (Eph 6:18)
Prayer is not a piece of armor, but it is essential in spiritual warfare. By praying in the Spirit, we invite God’s strength and guidance into every situation we face. Continuous, Spirit-led prayer ensures that we stay connected to God and vigilant against the enemy’s schemes.
Application: Cultivate a habit of prayer throughout your day. Whether you’re thanking God, asking for guidance, or praying for others, keep communication with God open and ongoing.
Conclusion
To “put on the whole armor of God” is to intentionally live out our faith every day. This armor equips us for the spiritual battles we face and helps us stand firm in the face of opposition. Each piece of the armor—truth, righteousness, peace, faith, salvation, the Word of God, and prayer—is a powerful tool in God’s hands. By putting on this armor daily, we stand strong in His power and resist the attacks of the enemy.
May we always be vigilant, prepared, and clothed in God’s armor as we walk through life in His strength.
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*** Prayers by Vlad Savchuk / Photo by Timeline Photos
“He said to her, “Conjure up for me, please, and bring up [from the dead] for me [the spirit] whom I shall name to you.” But the woman said to him, “See here, you know what Saul has done, how he has cut off (eliminated) those who are mediums and spiritists from the land.” – “For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect” – “No wonder! For even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.” ~ 1 Samuel 28:7-10; Matthew 24:24; 2 Corinthians 11:13.
Praying to the dead is strictly forbidden in the Bible. Deuteronomy 18:11 tells us that anyone who “consults with the dead” is “detestable to the Lord.” The story of Saul consulting a medium to bring up the spirit of the dead Samuel resulted in his death “because he was unfaithful to the LORD; he did not keep the word of the LORD and even consulted a medium for guidance” (1 Samuel 28:1-25; 1 Chronicles 10:13-14). Clearly, God has declared that such things are not to be done.
Consider the characteristics of God. God is omnipresent—everywhere at once—and is capable of hearing every prayer in the world (Psalm 139:7-12). A human being, on the other hand, does not possess this attribute. Also, God is the only one with the power to answer prayer. God is omnipotent—all powerful (Revelation 19:6). Certainly, this is an attribute a human being—dead or alive—does not possess. Finally, God is omniscient—He knows everything (Psalm 147:4-5). Even before we pray, God knows our genuine needs and knows them better than we do. Not only does He know our needs, but He answers our prayers according to His perfect will.
So, in order for a dead person to receive prayers, the dead individual has to hear the prayer, possess the power to answer it, and know how to answer it in a way that is best for the individual praying. Only God hears and answers prayer because of His perfect essence and because of what some theologians call His “immanence.” Immanence is the quality of God that causes Him to be directly involved with the affairs of mankind (1 Timothy 6:14-15); this includes answering prayer.
Even after a person dies, God is still involved with that person and his destination. Hebrews 9:27 says so: “…Man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment.” If a person dies in Christ, he goes to heaven to be present with the Lord (2 Corinthians 5:1-9, especially verse 8); if a person dies in his sin, he goes to hell, and eventually everyone in hell will be thrown into the lake of fire (Revelation 20:14-15).
God has provided His Son, Jesus Christ, to be the mediator between man and God (1 Timothy 2:5). With Jesus Christ as our mediator, we can go through Jesus to God. Why would you want to risk the wrath of God?
7 Prayers You Must Stop Praying
Not all prayers are the same. In fact, some prayers are not only unpleasing to God, but they can even border on witchcraft. Praying the wrong type of prayer can introduce problems in life rather than blessings. Here are the seven prayers that you should stop saying today.
1. Praying to Saints or Angels
The first type of prayer to stop is praying to saints or angels. The Bible clearly instructs Christians to pray directly to God through Jesus by the power of the Holy Spirit (1 Timothy 2:5). Nowhere in Scripture are we told to pray through saints, angels, or Mary. These figures did not die for us, nor do they intercede for us at God’s right hand. We must use the direct access we have to God through Jesus.
2. Using Repetitive, Formulaic Prayers
Next, stop using repetitive, formulaic prayers. Jesus warned against babbling like pagans who think they will be heard because of their many words (Matthew 6:7). Genuine prayer must come from the heart, not from mindless repetition. It’s about the sincerity of your heart, not the repetition of your words.
3. Praying for Harm or Curses on Others
Another prayer to avoid is praying for harm or curses on others. Romans 12:14 tells us to bless those who persecute us, not curse them. Using prayer to curse others is a form of witchcraft and is not aligned with Christian principles. Even when Jesus was on the cross, He did not curse His enemies. Instead, He prayed for them.
4. Praying with Manipulative Intentions
Another important reminder is to stop praying with manipulative intentions. James 4:3 warns us that prayers asked with wrong motives will not be answered. Prayer should not be used to manipulate situations or people for selfish gains. Instead, align your desires with God’s will, testing them through your delight in Him.
5. Invoking Spirit Guides or Using Occult Practices
Another prayer to avoid is prayers invoking spirit guides or engaging in occult practices. Deuteronomy 18:10-12 strictly prohibits practices like divination, sorcery, and interpreting omens. Mixing occult practices with prayer is dangerous and unbiblical.
6. Seeking Signs Instead of Trusting God’s Word
Another mistake is seeking signs or omens instead of trusting God’s Word. Jesus warned that a wicked generation seeks after signs (Matthew 12:39). While God can confirm signs through His Word, our faith should be based on His promises, not on supernatural signs.
7. Using Objects as Sources of Power
Avoid using objects as sources of power in prayer. Using things like crystals, rosaries, or any other form of objects to help you connect with God or pray is not biblical and should be avoided. However, the Bible does tell us one thing that helps us to strengthen our prayer. That is fasting (Acts 19:19).
8. Praying for Material Wealth Without Seeking God’s Kingdom
Finally, stop praying for material wealth without seeking God’s Kingdom first. Matthew 6:33 reminds us to seek God’s Kingdom and righteousness before anything else. Prioritizing wealth or fame over spiritual growth leads to misguided prayers. In the Kingdom, the King cares for His citizens. He will provide for us when we prioritize Him first.
Five Short Prayers to Pray
In the Bible, we see that Jesus often prayed all night, Daniel prayed for three weeks, and Nehemiah and the Israelites prayed a lengthy confession and repentance prayer in Nehemiah chapter 9. Longer prayers are needed in our walk with the Lord and provide a lengthy set of benefits. They help us focus, deepen our relationship with God, allow us to pour out our hearts, develop persistence, and promote spiritual growth.
While I often encourage people to go further in their prayer time and to push to know the Lord more, I do want to acknowledge the power that a short and sincere prayer can have on your life.
Matthew 6:7 says, “And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words.” The heart of prayer lies in revelation, not repetition. While it’s not wrong to repeat the same prayer multiple times, because Jesus prayed the same prayer three times and so did Paul, the heart of prayer is not in repetition; it’s in revelation. In other words, a prayer’s impact lies in its heartfelt connection with God, not its length. A prayer’s value doesn’t depend on how long it is.
Here are 5 prayers that are powerful if you pray them with the sincerity of your heart
1. Lord, Help Me (Matthew 15:25)
This prayer is for the deliverance of others. A mother worshiped Jesus and then she prayed a sincere, humble, but very short prayer, “Lord, help me!” That prayer was so powerful that Jesus delivered her daughter.
2. Have Mercy on Me (Mark 10:47)
“Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” This is a prayer for a miracle. In God’s mercy, you will find your miracle. We must understand that when God extends His mercy, the miracle is on its way.
3. Lord, Save Me (Matthew 14:30)
This prayer is a plea for intervention and rescue. When you’re overwhelmed by fear or when your life feels like it’s spinning out of control, cry out to the Lord and He will intervene.
4. Show Me Your Ways, Lord (Psalm 25:4)
This prayer is for guidance. When we don’t know which way to go, this short, sincere prayer can help us lean on God’s understanding rather than our own. Prayers that align with God’s will and His purpose recognize and receive His power.
5. Not My Will Be Done But Yours (Luke 22:42)
“Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done.” This is a prayer of surrender, aligning your will with God’s will. The ultimate success of prayer is to surrender to God’s will, His plan, and His timing.
What Makes Short Prayers Powerful?
1. Faith Short prayers require faith. It’s not the shortness of the prayer that guarantees the answer, but the faith in that short prayer. The Bible emphasizes that prayers made in faith will be heard and answered by God.
2. Humility Short prayers require humility. They express the true condition of the heart without pretense. God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.
3. Urgency Short prayers often arise in moments of great need or urgency, reflecting a deep dependence on God.
4. According to God’s Will Powerful prayers align with God’s will and purpose, recognizing His sovereignty.
Remember that short prayers can be as dynamic and powerful as long ones because the heart of prayer is in its revelation, not in its repetition.
Final Thoughts
We need to be mindful of the prayers we offer to God. I encourage you to avoid prayers that are unbiblical, manipulative, or focused on material gain without spiritual growth. Instead, focus on prayers that align with God’s will, seek His Kingdom, and come from a sincere heart.
God blesses things that are in line with God’s Word.
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***By Got Questions + Vladimir Savchuk at HungryGen / Photo by Faizi Ali at Pexels
It’s through prayer we push back the powers of darkness – Pray until something happens
Every Christian must understand that we live on enemy occupied territory. Our very being is an act of rebellion against the one who is ruling the earth right now (Satan). As Christians, we are called to lead this rebellion not with a sword or with a grenade but rather, with our knees and with our words. This means that we unashamedly preach and proclaim the gospel, no matter the cost.
If you’re praying for a lost one to be saved, understanding these things can help make your prayers more effective as you push back the darkness.
Principles for Breakthrough
1. Stand Your Ground
In Ephesians 6:12, Paul is telling believers that because there is a war, we must stand our ground. Notice that the first thing that we’re called to do is not to fight. Instead, we’re called to stand firm and not retreat.
In other words, no matter what opposition is facing the person you are praying for, stand in what Jesus did on the cross. Stand on who you are in Christ and who you believe they will become. Stand in what He says about this world and the future of this world. Don’t let Satan’s attacks and lies cause you to retreat in doubt or in prayer.
2. Get Suited
As you read Ephesians 6:13-14, you’ll notice that Paul begins to describe the armor of God. Paul encourages believers not to pick up a grenade or to pick up physical weapons. Rather, he tells Christians to equip themselves with spiritual weapons.
Our spiritual armor is not something that we earn through our righteousness or our righteous acts. Instead, it is something God gives us and all we have to do is apply it. If you feel overwhelmed by the lack of change you see in who you’re praying for or are battling doubt and fear, make sure to get suited daily. Take time to put on the armor of God before you face the day.
3. Pray in the Spirit
In Ephesians 6:18-20, Paul tells us that we should be engaging in spiritual warfare by praying in the Spirit. One thing that he encourages believers to pray for is others and opportunities for the gospel to be preached.
This chapter is clear that we are warring against principalities of darkness, but that doesn’t mean we directly confront them. Instead, we become strategic in weakening its hold by praying in the Spirit for the people that are under the enemy’s influence. If you are praying for a loved one that is lost, keep praying that the scales on their eyes would come off. Ask for God to grant them repentance and extend His mercy on them and all the others who are in similar or worse situations. Pray and ask God to send and dispatch angels on behalf of His kingdom.
Remember that the Church didn’t conquer Rome by binding the spirit over Rome but by providing for the poor, loving its enemies, and by praying and fasting for people who didn’t know Jesus. We must remember that while there is no redemption and hope for the enemy, there is hope and redemption available for those that are under his sway as long as there is a praying church.
Keep praying for the lost. Stand your ground in God’s promises, in His saving power, and keep believing that sooner or later you will see them serving God alongside you.
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** By Vladimir Savchuk / Photo by Owen Barker at Pexels
There’s a reason why so many of us begin praying for our children while they’re still in the womb: We understand that we’re in a war.
God’s Word describes it this way in Ephesians 6:12: “For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.”
And while we’re all targets for the enemy’s schemes, Satan is smart enough to recognize that attacks on our kids are especially powerful.
He understands that if he can grab their hearts and establish false teachings in their mind from the earliest age, all he has to do is sit back and watch the dominos fall.
Yes, it’s a terrifying thought to know that our children have an enemy that actively plots to hurt them.
But here’s the great news: The Bible promises that nothing, nothing can thwart God’s good plans for our children. No plan from the enemy can snatch our kids out of God’s awesome covering. And speaking of that enemy, we read in Revelation 20 that he has already lost the war. Amen!
As Christians, our job now is to fight! And as Christian parents, these great battles for our kids’ hearts are fought in prayer as we use God’s Truth to claim victory, break down half-truths and ask for divine guidance (2 Corinthian 10:3-5).
However, as a parent, it’s incredibly easy to be overwhelmed by this task! We know that we’re supposed to be praying for our kids, but what specific areas are our kids most susceptible to satanic attack?
Truly, there’s no one answer to that question! Every child is unique.
Yet, I believe there are 5 general areas where our enemy tends to attack this generation of kids. Let’s take a look at each of them and discover how we can best pray against the enemy’s evil schemes.
Area #1: Self-Worth
We want our children’s inner thoughts and self-worth to reflect the thoughts that God has about them.
Instead of being filled with puffed up pride or mere “self-love,” we desire that they believe the truth: That they are beautifully handmade by a Creator who loves them so much that He gave His son’s life to have a relationship with them.
We want them to understand how much God values them, and that nothing or no one can change who they are in Christ.
How Satan Attacks:
He teaches them that life is all about them and their pleasure.
At the same time, he is quick to condemn them for their mistakes and to “rub their noses in it” and tell them they aren’t worthy.
How We Can Pray:
Dear Jesus, help our kids know that we are all born as sinners and separated from God because of our wicked hearts. However, at an early age, help our children grasp the life-transforming concept that they don’t have to live as a sinner under that condemnation.
Teach our children that they have the opportunity to accept a new, beautiful identity that is called “good,” not because of what they have done or what they look like, but because they are secure in who YOU say they are: treasured, delightful, known and protected. Let them not place their self-worth in accomplishments they may or may not achieve, but let them discover these deeper truths about who You believe they are and build every decision they make on that sure foundation.
Area #2: Body Image
We want our kids to have a deep reverence for the intricate way their unique body is formed, and because of this respect, we want our kids to grow up honoring their bodies as temples of the Holy Spirit.
We want our kids to treat their bodies with respect by honoring the boundaries God suggests, such as sexual exchange only between a man and a woman within the confines of a marital relationship.
While we want our kids to take care of their bodies through healthy food choices and regular exercise, we also want them to understand that they are not defined by their physical appearance.
How Satan Attacks:
The enemy is hard at work in this area today! First, he tells our kids that they’re not uniquely made, but that they’re simply a result of a random combination of genes that’s taken millions of years to create.
Then he convinces our kids that they are mere animals with physical desires that should be fulfilled at any cost. He wants them to believe that physical pleasure (such as sexuality outside of marriage) is normal and right and that anyone who tells them differently is being judgmental.
In terms of health, he uses television and the media to oh-so-subtly promote certain body shapes as ideal over others. Tweens and teens are especially weak in this area since their bodies are rapidly changing on the outside and they are asking pivotal questions about self-identity on the inside. He convinces them that every measure must be taken to achieve these ideal body images, including those that lead to eating disorders and drug abuse.
How We Can Pray:
Dear Jesus, we weep with you over the number of our kids who are buying into the lie that sexual pleasure is something to experiment with. We pray that our kids would treasure their sexuality as a true gift from You, and that they would honor that gift by saving it as a precious treasure to give their future spouse. We ask that you would help them to be strong in the face of their own desires and that they would choose purity in the face of temptation.
Lord we also ask that you’d protect our kids from the idea that they must do anything and everything (including abusing their bodies through eating disorders, drug abuse, or other harmful behaviors) in order to attaining a “preferred” shape or figure. We pray you’d protect our kids from that kind of destructive thinking, and that if they’re tempted to take these kind of drastic measures, that you’d send someone in their lives to stop them. Help them to remember over and over that their identity is not in how they look on the outside but what you see as their potential and worth on the inside.
We pray that our children would treasure their health as a gift from God and that they would have a passion to eat nutritious food and to stay active in order to do their part to take care of this treasure.
Area #3: Influences
We want our kids to be surrounded by those who can influence them toward God’s great purpose for their lives; and we also want our kids to grow to become those people who influence others in powerful ways for the greater good.
How Satan Attacks:
Satan’s easiest way to attack here would be, of course, to simply surround our kids with bad influences. But he’s a little trickier than that.
While he still does try to place negative influences in our children’s lives, he knows that we are good parents who do our best to protect our kids from the bad influences.
So he often attempts the opposite: He does everything in his power to (subtly) keep the good influences out.
He keeps our kids away from God’s word. He keeps our children’s parents (that’s us!) too busy and distracted to influence our kids the way that we need to. He strengthens our children’s natural tendency to laziness and complacency.
Using books, television, news reports and social media, he slowly simmers our kids in the false thinking that truth is relative and not absolute. Through this process, he affirms the falsehood that an individual’s godly influence is irrelevant and can even be considered offensive and judgmental against others’ beliefs.
Slowly, he convinces them that they can’t make a difference and that they really don’t have the power the change things anyway, so why even try?
How We Can Pray:
First, oh Lord, forgive us for the times when we have misplaced our priorities so that we haven’t been available to model a strong relationship with You in front of our kids. Help us to understand the power of our influence in our children’s lives and to reorder our schedule so that we can be available to both directly and indirectly offer the godly influence that our kids desperately need.
Second, while we do pray that our kids would be protected from negative influences, we also pray that you would surround them with friendships and mentor-type relationships that portray what it means to have an authentic relationship with Christ. In turn, we pray that you would raise our kids up to be the influencers of the next generation. We pray that you would allow godliness and righteousness to dwell in their hearts so richly that these evidences of your truth spill out of them and to every person they encounter.
Through it all, we pray that they would not be prone to laziness or complacency, but that they would believe that even a single candle burning in the dark makes a difference and would boldly stand up for truth, even when it’s unpopular.
Area #4: Passions
We want our kids to live purposefully and passionately, always seeking God’s direction. We want them to grow up with a willingness to persevere, a deep understanding of the cost (and joys) of commitment, and to be unwilling to settle for complacency and comfort.
How Satan Attacks:
He distracts and confuses them. He encourages them to use emotion to guide their decision-making instead of seeking to align their passions with what God is already doing.
In addition, he doesn’t want our kids to understand or appreciate their unique personality and talents that God has divinely given them.
Instead, he encourages them toward laziness. He convinces them to be content with seeking self-pleasure and the easy way out. Through mindless pursuits, he keeps them numb to the better life of magnificent beauty that comes from following God’s wild and wonderful best path.
How We Can Pray:
God, help us to know how to guide our kids in their passions by blessing us with the divine wisdom to know when to joyfully open up the gates toward new freedoms and desires, and when to curtail our children’s passions because they’re not able to accept the responsibilities yet in full. Help us model to our kids what it means to live passionately for You by boldly following the dreams you’ve placed in our heart, never settling for complacency.
Help us to direct our kids with both cautiousness and courage, not allowing our own fears about “what if…?” get in the way of how You want to use them in the world. We pray that our children would continuously seek your ways and your wisdom, regardless of what life brings. We pray that they would understand their importance in the world and that you’d make clear to them at a very early age how they can use their God-given talents to play a role in Your passion to show both truth and love to the nations.
Area #5: Money, Possessions and Work
We want our children to have a healthy relationship with money, understanding that possessions are not equated to a person’s worth nor do they bring ultimate happiness. We want them to understand that the things of this world can bring us enjoyment, but that lasting joy is found only in God.
How Satan Attacks:
Like Eve in the Garden, the enemy teases and tempts our kids with good looking “fruit” (worldly possessions) that he promises will solve their problems and bring fulfillment.
He convinces them that they need to do everything they can to get ahead (including compromising their values, if need be) because having lots of money and possessions is the ultimate goal.
Through a spirit of ingratitude, he keeps them insecure, empty and preoccupied with thoughts of what they do not have so that they’re always looking for more.
How We Can Pray:
Heavenly Father, help us to model a healthy example of how to handle possessions and money. Help us to work hard, but to not wear ourselves out in order to get rich so that our children can witness a positive, godly view of hard work and the pursuit of success.
We pray that our kids would persevere in whatever vocation you give them and that they would work with cheerful hearts as if they were serving you directly.
We pray that our kids would see at an early age that money and possessions are a gift from You and thus must be always held with an open hand so that You can use those gifts to bless others.
We ask that our kids would find their value in their true identity as a child of You, not in the possessions they do or do not have. We pray for contentment and gratefulness in whatever situation they’re given—rich or poor. We pray they would have a steadfast commitment to work hard with the talents you’ve given them so that they could support themselves, their families and use their money as a way to bless others in need.
Ultimately, we pray that they would discover that the greatest “wealth” they could possess would be in relationships, especially in a relationship with You.
Brothers and sisters, let’s commit anew today to begin regularly fighting against the enemy’s schemes by powerfully praying for our kids in these areas!
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*** By Alicia Michelle, author, speaker and blogger at YourVibrantFamily.com, is passionate about helping women discover their beautifully imperfect journey through parenting, marriage, homeschooling, faith and homemaking. She’s also happily married homeschool mom of four curious and amazing kids that keep her on her toes! / Repost from Crosswalk.com
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