Praying Against Your Child's Fears

Praying Against Your Child's Fears

by Anna Frye

ChosenAndCrowned.com

To live in fear is to live in torment; but to live in the perfect love of Christ is to live in freedom. This week we will concentrate our prayer efforts on praying against our children’s fears. Our kids do not have to live in torment. They have been created to live in freedom because Jesus conquered fear once and for all on the cross. It’s hard for me to write these words because I’d much rather be shouting them from the rooftops. So picture me setting up a ladder at your house, climbing onto your roof and shouting this truth from God’s Word as you and your children head to the bus stop, “God did not give you a spirit of timidity! He has given you a spirit of POWER AND OF LOVE AND OF A CALM AND WELL-BALANCED MIND (1 Timothy 1:7, Amplified).”

A holy anger against Satan rises up within me when I see my children cowering in fear, worry, anxiety, and insecurity.  Satan prowls around our kids like a roaring lion looking to steal, kill, and destroy the abundant life Jesus died to give them (1 Peter 5:8, John 10:10). As warrior moms, it’s time to rise up! Let’s pull out the Sword of the Spirit, which is God’s Word, and destroy the enemy of our children’s souls. We have been empowered by God to fight for our children. And we fight with bold confidence knowing that the victory is already ours. Our victory was established at the cross. The apostle Paul tells us that when Jesus died on the cross and was resurrected, “[God] disarmed the principalities and powers that were ranged against us and made a bold display and public example of them, in triumphing over them in Him and in it [the cross]” (Colossians 2:15, Amplified). The victory is ours!

Our kids need to know how to boldly and confidently wield the Sword of the Spirit as well. So let’s teach them! Teach your kids to recognize fear, worry, anxiety and insecurity as lies from Satan. Then remind them that they can combat those lies with their Sword, which is God’s Word. Here is the battle strategy I teach my kids:

Pray Truth. Speak Truth. Live Truth. Here’s how it works:

Pray Truth: We choose a scripture about fear, like 1 Timothy 1:7 and we turn it into a prayer. “God, you did not give me a spirit of timidity! The spirit you have given me is one of power, of love, and of a calm and well-balanced mind. Thank you, Jesus!”

Speak Truth: After praying that truth, we speak it out loud all throughout the day. Sometimes I tuck the verse in their lunch box or text it when they’re out with friends.

Live Truth: Then, whether we feel brave or not, we boldly choose to go out and live the truth that is ours!

When we follow this strategy, our faith grows and we get to experience God in a personal, practical and powerful way. Mom Friend, I challenge you today to pray truth, speak truth and live truth! Then comment below and tell me about the victory!

Now #MomArmy15, let’s pray like our kid’s lives depend on it! You may use the scripture prayer below and insert your child’s name when you see a blank. Or feel free to use other scriptures God has placed on your heart. We would love it if you typed at least one sentence of your prayer in the comments section or left a comment that shares your heart with us. We love you!

God, thank you for giving us the Sword of the Spirit, which is your true and powerful Word (Ephesians 6:17)! In Jesus name, I wield my Sword and destroy Satan’s attacks on ________. Lord Jesus, you have come to give ________ abundant life and I will not allow Satan to steal, kill and destroy that precious life (John 10:10)! Thank you that the victory is already ours because we are your children and you disarmed the principalities and powers that were ranged against ________ through Jesus’ work on the cross (Colossians 2:15).

Speak your truth to ________’s heart today, letting him know that you have not given him a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power and love and of a calm and well-balanced mind (1 Timothy 1:7). Give ________ bold confidence in you, Lord! Remind ________ to cast all his anxiety on you because you care for him (1 Peter 5:7). Draw _______ near to you and let him grow in your perfect love because perfect love casts out all fear (1 John 4:18).

Remind ________ not to worry about anything, but instead, pray about everything. Let him tell you what he needs and thank you for all that you have done. Then ________ will experience your peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. Your peace, God, will guard his heart and mind as he lives in Christ Jesus. Teach ________ to fix his thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Let him think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Then your peace, God, will be with ________ (Philippians 4:6-9).

We thank you, Almighty God, that you are with us; therefore, we do not have to be afraid. You promise to strengthen us and help us as you uphold us with your righteous right hand (Isaiah 41:10). We praise you today! We pray all this in Jesus’ name. Amen!

This post is part of a blog series hosted by Anna Frye, founder of Chosen And Crowned Ministries. Anna's heart, along with the 12 other mom writers in this series, is to raise up a growing army of moms (#MomArmy15) who Pray Like Their Kids Lives Depend On It. This series runs from Sept. 7-Oct. 2. Join the Mom Army and invite your friends at www.ChosenAndCrowned.com/blog.