My good friend was distraught. Her daughter was starting middle school and every morning she threw up on the way to school. This daughter had never shown signs of anxiety before and always did very well in school. She was a “star student.” My friend was at a loss of how to help her daughter. There didn’t seem to be anything medically wrong with her.
I asked my friend if she prayed with her daughter before she left for school. She said yes they had tried that, but she was still throwing up.
I then suggested she pray the spiritual armor of God over her daughter. Clearly, this was a spiritual battle going on. Her daughter was shy and was probably apprehensive about the new format of middle school and meeting new people, and Satan was using that to cause her physical anxiety.
So, I showed my friend where the armor of God is in the Bible in Ephesians 6:10-17 and suggested she teach her daughter how to pray this passage every morning to protect herself spiritually.
They took my advice, studied the Scripture, and then the young girl and her mom started praying the armor of God every morning on the way to school. The throwing up ceased and never returned!
Do you have a child who is nervous about going back to school? Maybe the thought of a new school, or new teacher, or moving up a grade? Why don’t you try the prayer that helped my friend and her daughter? My husband and I prayerfully put on the armor of God every morning. We’ve taught it to our grandchildren, and even purchased a children’s armor of God costume and explained the role each piece of armor plays in our spiritual protection.
Here’s the Scripture passage:
10 A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. 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.
Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. 14 Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. 15 For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. 16 In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. 17 Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
Now here’s how to personalize and pray for and with your child:
10 I [child’s name] will be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 I will put on all of God’s armor so that I will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. 12 For I’m 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.
13 Therefore, I will put on every piece of God’s armor so I will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle, I will still be standing firm. 14 I will stand my ground by first putting on the belt of truth and then the body armor of God’s righteousness. 15 For shoes, I put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that I will be fully prepared. 16 In addition to all of these, I hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. 17 I put on salvation as my helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Thank you Lord, Amen—
This is a good prayer for the whole family to pray every morning.
I learned how to pray Scripture while praying for my prodigal daughter. I talk more about this in my book Praying for Your Prodigal Daughter.
For more about my About His Work Ministries and Woman to Woman Mentoring please visit my website.
What do you pray for your children each morning before school? We would love to hear your ideas!
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