About three years ago I did a book study with a group of ladies all wanting to grow stronger in prayer. The book was Fervent: A Woman’s Battle Plan for Serious, Specific, and Strategic Prayer, by Priscilla Shirer. This was the most powerful book, next to the Bible itself, I have ever read. What I loved about it was that it gave me concise step-by-step instructions on how to pray for specific areas of my life and how to use scriptures in those prayers to speak God’s word over myself and my family. I have always prayed for my family, friends and all situations God laid on my heart. Little did I know, in the process God was equipping me and preparing me to stand on the frontlines in spiritual battle for those I love. Scales were removed from my eyes that kept me from being able to see what the enemy was using to keep myself and those I love bound in all forms of demonic strong holds. Once those scales were removed, it was no holds barred! I went to war for me and my family!
I have watched God answer those fervent prayers one after another over the past three years, and it humbles me to know end. To know that God loves us so much that He hears our cries and commands His angels to take charge over us so that we are guarded in all our ways, gives me the confidence I need to fight for my family. Many times, it is not only what we do in the natural but what we call down in the supernatural through prayer that makes the difference. God can ‘do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us’ (Ephesians 3:20).
My current season of life as a grandmother and mother of
adult children, I see battles my children’s generation face as parents that I
did not even fathom when I was their age. They are on a whole other battle
ground for their children. I hear from other grandmothers their concerns over
their grandchildren and what they are going through, and my heart feels for our
youth. They are struggling with depression, anxiety, anger, drug addictions,
rebellion and so much more, but GOD is GREATER than ALL of
these! We as grandparents, parents, aunts, uncles, and leaders of our youth
must equip ourselves with the full Armor of God! We must stand firm with the
belt of truth buckled around our waist, with the breastplate of righteousness
in place, and our feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of
peace. Take up the shield of faith, with which we 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 (Ephesians 6:14-18).
I encourage my children over and over, pray for your
kids, cover them under the blood of Jesus, anoint the doors and windows of
their rooms, where they sleep, anything they touch. I encourage them to pray
for wisdom and discernment so that they know from the Holy Spirit what to say
and how to say it and what to do and how to do it. I encourage anyone readying
this today to speak the word of God over your children, in the book of Isaiah God
said His word does not return empty, “so is my word that goes out from my mouth:
It will not return to me empty but will accomplish what I desire and achieve
the purpose for which I sent it.” (Isaiah 55:11). If you do not know where to
start, purchase Fervent, the book I mentioned in the first paragraph. I have also
provided a prayer below if you need one now.
Father God,
Sons/daughters are a heritage from the Lord, children a
reward from Him. Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are sons/daughters born
in one’s youth. Lord, I thank You for (insert child’s name) and the blessing he/she
have been to our family. Father God, I ask you to forgive me for not always
being the parent (child’s name) needed. Guide me with Your wisdom so that I may
be a good steward over the life you have entrusted to me. I cover (child’s
name) under the blood of Jesus, because I know that he/she who dwells in the
shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. (child’s
name) will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I
trust.”
Surely, You will save him/her from the fowlers snare and
from the deadly pestilence. You will cover him/her with your feathers, and
under Your wings he/she will find refuge; Your faithfulness will be his/her shield
and rampart. (child’s name) will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow
that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague
that destroys at midday.
A thousand may fall at his/her side, ten thousand at his/her
right hand, but it will not come near him/her. (child’s name) will only observe
with his/her eyes and see the punishment of the wicked. (child’s name) will
make the Most High his/her dwelling, the Lord his/her refuge, no disaster will
come near them. For God will command His angels concerning (child’s name) to
guard him/her in all their ways; they will lift him/her up in their hands, so
that he/she will not strike their foot against a stone. He/She will tread upon
the lion and the cobra; he/she will trample the great lion and the serpent. “Because
(child’s name) loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him/her; I will protect
him/her, for he/she acknowledge my name. He/She will call upon me, and I will
answer him/her; I will be with him/her in trouble, I will deliver him/her and
honor him/her. With long life I will satisfy him/her and show him/her my
salvation. (child’s name) will be taught by the Lord and great will be his/her
peace. No weapon forged against him/her shall prevail. (child’s name), you have
been called to this place for such a time as this to be a light to this generation
and many more to come! In Jesus name! Amen!
Scriptures referenced in prayer: Psalm 127: 3-4, Psalm
91, Isaiah 54:13, 17, Esther 4:14
