Praying For Your Child's Safety (Emotional, Physical, and Spiritual)

Praying For Your Child's Safety (Emotional, Physical, and Spiritual)

by Anna Frye

www.ChosenAndCrowned.com

Thank you for your steadfastness in prayer, Mom Army 15! Be confident that God hears the fervent prayers of his daughters. He goes before us into battle as our Warrior King, fearless and unconquerable. This week, we are praying for our children’s physical, spiritual and emotional protection. I will focus today on their emotional protection.

God gave our children emotions to richly experience life and himself. Unfortunately we see children’s emotions driving them into self-harm and harm of others. Because our children directly connect their emotions to their perception of life, themselves and God, it is imperative that we do not dismiss their feelings. Instead, we should open up God’s Word with them and ask the Holy Spirit to help our children connect their God-given emotions with God-given truth. The health of our children’s emotions is critical to the health of their spiritual and physical life.

With three preteens living under my roof, emotions can quickly take over the air we breathe. I’ll never forget a recent family dinner we had when emotions became our main course. My daughter was hysterically recounting an event from her school day. Tears of laughter were streaming down her face. Her laughter was so infectious that the rest of us started laughing along with her.  In between laughs, we suddenly realized that she was not laughing anymore. Instead she was sobbing…uncontrollably. Like a flipped switch, a light had been turned on to the conflicting emotions in my daughter’s heart.

Since my daughter’s emotions guide her perceptions, it is my heart’s desire that her emotions be led not by her flesh which is so unreliable, but by the Spirit of Truth. Jesus said, “When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth” (John 16:12).

When our children accept Jesus as Lord and Savior, the Holy Spirit immediately comes to live in them and guide them in truth. What a gift!

The Holy Spirit will help our children live in and experience Jesus’ perfect love. It is a love that drives out all fear and says:

You are enough.

You are loved.

You are my masterpiece.

You have been created on purpose for a purpose.

You have been set apart not set aside.

As the Holy Spirit builds our children’s faith in truth and love, their faith becomes a shield around their heart. No longer will the enemy be able to hijack their emotions. Instead they will be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. They will stand firm against all strategies of the devil. And after the battle, they will still be standing firm (Ephesians 6:10, 13)! All praise be to Jesus, our conquering Lord and Savior!

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, I pray that you will empower ________ with inner strength through your Spirit. Make your home in ________ heart as she trusts in you. Let ________’s roots grow down into your perfect love and keep her strong. And may ________ have the power to understand how wide, how long, how high, and how deep your love is. May ________ experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then ________ will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God. (Ephesians 3:16-19)

Thank you, God, for setting _______ free! Don’t let her become enslaved once again to her emotions. (Galatians 5:1) Guide her, Holy Spirit, into all truth. (John 16:12)

Show ________ that she is wonderfully made, and that your works are wonderful. Teach her that she is precious in your sight, and that you love her. (Psalm 139:14; Isaiah 43:4)

In Jesus’ powerful name I pray. 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.