Daily Dose

One of the most wonderful ways we as parents can encourage our children is by praying with and for them. We cannot go everywhere with our children but God can! By blessing them as they head out the door to school or other activities, we encourage them and cover them in the protection of the Most High.

My husband, Scott, and I have two boys. Each day when they leave the house, either my husband or I pray with them. The prayers include thankfulness for the day and special requests; calm mind for the chemistry exam, good listening skills, safety in the high school parking lot. (High school parking lots can be dangerous places!) Whatever need is most pressing is included in the prayer. The boys are encouraged when we remind them of God’s endless provision, our thankfulness for each of them as our children, and when we verbalize our requests for the Lord to meet their needs throughout the day.

Here are a few prayers you can use as models with your children to bless their day whether it’s a play date, school day, or sports activity. Add to the prayers, making each one specific to the child.

Aaronic Blessing The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.

The Armor of God  Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.  In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. Ephesians 6:10, 14-18

Body Prayer Touch parts of the body and pray. Hands-to be gentle and helpful. Ears- to be a good listener. Lips- to speak kind words. Eyes- to see those in need. Head- to use God-given intelligence well. Heart- to love others like Jesus. And so on.

May the Lord encourage you as a parent as you pray over your children, entrusting every part of their day to Him.