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Tag Archives: Pray for Your Family

How to Fight Spiritual Battles for the People You Love

12 / 28 / 2012 / 28 / 20
It sometimes feels like the enemy is attacking the people we love more than ever but praise God, He has given us a spiritual battle plan so we can fight back. #spiritualbattle #prayer #God'sWord #BibleStudy #CountingMyBlessings #WWGGG

I recently reread Priscilla Shirer’s book – Fervent.

This time I added a journal . . . taking notes and writing prayers.

I have felt the need to go to battle in my war room more often lately because everywhere I look it seems like the enemy is ramping up his attacks on the people I love.

But rather than getting anxious and discouraged over his efforts to…

  • deceive and distract us with lies and distortions
  • make us doubt and forget who we are in Christ
  • make us selfish and destroy our unity
  • keep us focused on past failures with guilt and shame
  • magnify our problems and make them seem insurmountable
  • taunt and tempt us with our weaknesses
  • keep us overwhelmed and busy with no time to rest
  • keep us from forgiving those who have hurt and betrayed us
  • destroy relationships and break apart families

I want to pray “fervent” prayers and give it all to God . . . asking Him to give us, and the people we love, everything we need to stand with strength and courage and to fight our spiritual battles.

In the prayer Jesus taught, He told us to pray…

Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.

Don’t let us yield to temptation, but rescue us from the evil one.

Matthew 6:13 (NIV and NLT)

You see…

Our struggle is not against flesh and blood [what we can see] but against spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places [what we can’t see]. (Personal Paraphrase of Ephesians 6:12)

Jesus knew we would need the Holy Spirit’s help daily to fight the temptation of the evil one. So much so, that the night before His crucifixion, He asked the disciples to…

Keep watch and pray, so that you will not give in to temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak!”

Matthew 26:41 and Mark 14:38

The way to fight the enemy and his temptations is to “stay alert and pray.” (LAB Notes) STAY ALERT by remaining aware of our areas of weakness and wise to satan’s techniques. And PRAY for the Holy Spirit to give us all we need to stand strong on God’s Word of Truth.

We fight spiritual battles through prayer for ourselves and for the people we love.

This has been a really hard year for most of us. And many of us are feeling anxious about the year ahead. What will it mean for our nation, our communities, our churches, our families? But rather than giving in to worry . . . it’s time to fight back. It’s time to stay alert and pray!

Because my friend, remember this is just a battle . . . Jesus has already won the victory. What ultimately lies ahead for His followers is glorious!

I know, sometimes the battle feels overwhelming but God has given us everything we need to fight spiritual battles both for ourselves and for the people we love.

Be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil.

Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.

Ephesians 5:10–11, 18
It sometimes feels like the enemy is attacking the people we love more than ever but praise God, He has given us a spiritual battle plan so we can fight back. #spiritualbattle #prayer #God'sWord #BibleStudy #CountingMyBlessings #WWGGG

Are you ready? Let’s Pray!

Fight Spiritual Battles
for the People You Love

I pray that from His glorious, unlimited resources He will empower you with inner strength through His Spirit. Then Christ will make His home in your hearts as you trust in Him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep His love is.

Ephesians 3:16–18

Father, I pray that you will pour out your strength on __________. I love that Your Word says You have glorious, unlimited resources of strength to give Your children. It’s so easy for us to focus on the world’s problems to feel like the enemy is at times—winning. But Your Word says, “Don’t be afraid. Those who are with us are greater than those who are with them.” (2 Kings 6:16)

I pray that Jesus will make His home in __________’s heart. May __________ trust You completely. May Your love keep him (her) strong and to KNOW that Your love is wider, longer, higher, and deeper than anyone can fully grasp or imagine. By Your grace, please give __________ all that is needed to live full of faith and hope he (she) might be filled overflowing with Your love.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart;
    do not depend on your own understanding.
Seek His will in all you do,
    and He will show you which path to take.

Proverbs 3:5–6

Father, I pray __________ will SEEK You above all else. Please make the desire of her (his) heart a longing to know Your will. Please guide and direct her (him), showing her (him) the path You want her (him) to take. And by Your grace, please help __________ to KNOW with confidence that she (he) can trust You and depend on You to bless her (him) with all that is needed moment by moment.

Your ways are perfect! Please place a hedge of protection around __________ and keep her (him) safe and strong as she (he) faces any or all temptations and attacks from the enemy. Bless her (him) and fill her (him) with faith and Your perfect love.

[Jesus prayed] Holy Father, You have given me Your name; now protect them by the power of Your name so that they will be united just as we are.

I’m not asking You to take them out of the world, but to keep them safe from the evil one. 

Make them holy by Your truth; teach them Your word, which is truth. 

John 17:11, 15, 17

Father, I love this prayer Jesus lifted to You for His disciples of all generations. It’s so easy for us to focus on the world and its temporary problems but Jesus prayed about eternal things that last. He prayed about the things that are most important. So, Father, I am joining Jesus and praying for ________, asking You to protect him (her), to give him (her) all that is needed to be united to Your family and theirs.

Please keep him (her) safe from the evil one. Give him (her) a hunger and thirst for Your Word and teach him (her) the TRUTH by the power of Your Holy Spirit. Your Word points out our sin, moves this to repent, assures us of Your love and forgiveness, renews our relationship to You through Jesus, and helps us trust and obey You in the future. (LAB notes) With all my heart, I pray _________ will live those truths with the help and power of Your Spirit. And I pray that will all be true in my life as well.

I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”

John 16:31

Lord, I know trials and sorrows are inevitable because we live in a world plagued by sin but I pray for __________ that she (he) might live each surrounded by Your peace that goes beyond all understanding. (Philippians 4:7) Please help her (him) remember that You are always with her (him) and that You have overcome the world. The enemy has been defeated and our future is secure in You.

Although, he attacks Your followers with trials and temptations . . . You, Lord, are with us and promise that when our hearts and mind are focused on You we will have all we need to have victory over his tactics. So, I pray that __________ will come to You that You might give her (him) patience and peace.

‘May the Lord bless you
    and protect you.
May the Lord smile on you
    and be gracious to you.
May the Lord show you His favor
    and give you His peace.’

Numbers 6:24–26

Father, I pray this blessing will cover ________.

I ask that You will protect __________.
Please smile on and be gracious,
merciful, and compassionate toward. __________.
May You show __________ Your favor
and grant __________ Your perfect peace.

Father, Your Word is full of hope and I pray that this hope will fill __________.
Please surround him (her) with love and encouragement and give everything needed that they might live each day for Your glory.
In Jesus holy name, I pray. Amen.

It sometimes feels like the enemy is attacking the people we love more than ever but praise God, He has given us a spiritual battle plan so we can fight back. #spiritualbattle #prayer #God'sWord #BibleStudy #CountingMyBlessings #WWGGG

I am so thankful God has given us all we need to fight our spiritual battles.

He’s given us a battle plan and the tools we need in His Word and He has given us His Spirit to guide and help us fight. May you and I boldly and faithfully fight for our loved ones. And may we most of all praise God for Jesus who fought and won the victory for our souls.

God bless you!

Thank you so much for joining me today.

And a thank you to BibleGateway.com for sources.

Take a moment to subscribe to Counting My Blessings and join more than 7500 of us as we read the New Testament together. We will share short posts every Monday through Friday that you can read each day or save for the weekend. Let’s study God’s Word together!

Subscribe to Blog via Email

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

You can also…

Leave your prayer requests…

and stop to pray one or two of the requests listed.

I’m so excited to tell you about my new book!

No matter what a busy week may throw your way, God is with you in every moment. Take a breath and find peace in Him with the 52-Week Devotional Journal for Women, a weekly devotional full of Scripture passages, unique insights, and journal prompts. Strengthen and deepen your relationship with God as you focus on faith over the course of the year.
Get your copy here!

Check out our new Facebook Page/Group – #WWGGG – What Would Give God Glory. We’d love for you to join the movement!

And always remember – I LOVE hearing from you! So, please take a minute to say ‘hi’ by leaving a comment. 

If this article blessed or helped you today — would you share it with someone? Send it to a friend, family member, coworker, or share it through the links below…

I’m asking God to bless you today!

17 Comments

Simple Prayers That will Help You be a Better Parent

5 / 29 / 205 / 29 / 20
Parenting is an adventure that needs to be covered by prayer. If you want to be a better parent you need to pray a lot. These prayers will get you started. #Parenting #PrayerforFamily #WWGGG #CountingMyBlessings

I wish I’d read this quote years ago…

“Parents can only give good advice or put them on the right paths, but the final forming of a person’s character lies in their own hands.”

Anne Frank

She certainly shared a lot of wisdom for her young age … and for someone who never lived long enough to have children of her own.

When I was a young parent and my children were young I believed that good parents had good successful children … that great input always resulted in great outcomes.

I’ve grown up and so have my children.

I’m both older and wiser now than I was then.

And today, as I look around at our peers and their grown children … I can honestly say, “that ain’t necessarily so.”

I’ve known many great parents whose children decided to ignore their parent’s helpful advice and example as they chose to live a more challenging path. Ones that were difficult and sometimes painful for them and for their parents. I now fully believe the truth of Anne’s words.

And I’m sorry. I know that if you are the young parent with young children that’s not very encouraging. But…

I’m not saying you should throw your hands in the air and give up. I still believe parents should give the important job of parenting everything they’ve got.

But I also believe…

That you shouldn’t be too hard on yourself. There is no such thing as a perfect parent and there are no perfect children. But you probably knew that already!

We celebrated Mother’s Day a couple of weeks ago and for many it’s a day full of emotions and one of them that rises up often is guilt.

Mom guilt is something that goes with the job. But they’re not completely alone, I believe dads suffer from feelings of guilt, too.

Today I want to encourage you and give you a little of what I believe is helpful advice for being a better parent.

The two most important things to remember as you live out the parenting adventure are:

  1. Always remember you are covered by God’s grace.
  2. Pray more than you believe is necessary and then pray again.

And because I believe prayer is the most important part of parenting … I’m sharing a few prayers to help you get started.

Simple Prayers That will Help You be a Better Parent

Parenting is an adventure that needs to be covered by prayer. If you want to be a better parent you need to pray a lot. These prayers will get you started. #Parenting #PrayerforFamily #WWGGG #CountingMyBlessings

1. Lord, Thank You for My Children.

Children are a gift from the Lord. How joyful is the man whose quiver is full of them!

Psalm 127:3,5

Father, Thank you so much for my children. Help me to celebrate this awesome blessing every day, even the hard days. Help me celebrate each of my children’s unique personality and abilities.

I believe You made them exactly the way You wanted and that You will use them for Your plans and purposes. Thank you. I am humbled that you would entrust these precious children to me. Give me a grateful heart and help me show them and You how thankful I am for them … even when I’m exhausted and having to repeat myself for the millionth time. Thank you for the grace and mercy You show me. Please help me love as You love me.

2. Lord, I want to be a better parent. Please forgive me. 

Remember there are no perfect parents or children. Everyone needs forgiveness parents and children. Praise God…

He does not punish us for all our sins; He does not deal harshly with us, as we deserve. For His unfailing love toward those who fear Him is as great as the height of the heavens above the earth.

Psalm 103:10–11

Father, please forgive me. I want to guide my children according to Your perfect will but I know I fall short every day.

I lose patience, I get angry, and I miss opportunities to show them Your love. Please help me, Father, I want to honor this awesome responsibility You’ve given me. Help me to be the parent You want me to be … the parent my children need. Help me raise them by Your grace and for Your glory.

Help me ask my children for forgiveness when I hurt them and help me quickly forgive them when they misbehave. We all sin. We all need forgiveness. You say you have removed our sins as far as the east is from the west (Psalm 103:12) Thank you for Your merciful forgiveness. Help me forgive as I have been forgiven.

 3. Lord, Give me the courage I need today. 

Almost every day comes with at least one difficult parenting decision. Ask God for wisdom and courage to obey His will and to encourage your children to do the same.

“This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord, your God is with you wherever you go.”

Joshua 1:9

Father, yesterday was hard and today’s not starting out well. It would so much easier if I could just pull the covers over my head and ignore this problem. But my children need me to stand strong on Your truth. They need to be strong and courageous. They don’t always see the potential consequences of their choices. It’s hard to let them try new things. It’s hard to think about the possibility of my children having to live out the consequences of their foolish choices. Please give me the courage I need to remain strong when I’m worn out and hard days continue.

4. Lord, Please help me guide my children with wisdom according to your will.

If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and He will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. But when you ask Him, be sure that your faith is in God

James 1:5º6

Father, Please give me the wisdom I need to guide my children according to Your will. I so wish I had an individualized set of parenting instructions. It seems like some things work with one child and they don’t with another. I need Your help. I need to know the wise thing to say and do with each of my children. I want to parent these wonderfully made gifts You’ve given me well, not for me but for their good and Your glory. Amen.

5. Lord, Please help me parent my child with patience. 

Parents and children need patience and goodness, it’s easy to run short of it in the moments when we need it most.

May God, who gives this patience and encouragement, help you live in complete harmony with each other, as is fitting for followers of Christ Jesus.

Romans 15:5

Father, I need patience and I need it right now!

I’ll admit that I sometimes pause before asking for patience because I really don’t want any more challenging learning opportunities to put it into practice. I just want You to magically give me all that I need today and again tomorrow … the next day would be good too.

Please help me remember that You are always with me and that You are willing to give me all I need. You say You are willing to help me carry my burdens … even impatience. You even say that the Spirit is able to give me the patience I need to love my child well. Please help me. Make me slow to anger and remind me pause and laugh as often as possible.

Parenting is an adventure that needs to be covered by prayer. If you want to be a better parent you need to pray a lot. These prayers will get you started. #Parenting #PrayerforFamily #WWGGG #CountingMyBlessings

6. Lord, Fill our home with respect and kindness. 

We all want peace-filled homes and need God’s help to make speaking with kindness and respect a priority.

Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.

Colossians 3:!2

Father, forgive me for the times I’ve allowed snarkiness in my home. Especially my own. Please help me measure my words and speak with respect to my spouse and my children. Please help us remember how we honor and glorify You when we show kindness, humility, mercy, and patience.

By Your grace, please help me model this for my children and lovingly remind them when they forget. May we faithfully love each other as You have loved us with Your help and for Your glory.

7. Lord, Fill our home with peace, joy, and love. 

A happy loving family. Everyone wants one … we need God’s help to fill our homes with His peace, joy, and love.

 Be joyful. Grow to maturity. Encourage each other. Live in harmony and peace. Then the God of love and peace will be with you.

2 Corinthians 13:11

Father, Fill our home with joy. Help us remember and celebrate Your many blessings … big and small. You have been so good to us.

We surrender ourselves to You and ask You to give us all we need. Please bless us with the gift of contentment. Please help us to keep our focus on You … to SEEK You and Your Kingdom above everything and anything else. May we faithfully study Your Word, join together in prayer, and worship and praise You for who You are and all You’ve done. Your grace is sufficient for our every need. May Your love be the foundation of our home. In Jesus name, I pray. Amen.

If you want to be a better parent – PRAY!

Friend – parenting is an adventure. Anyone who has been a parent for more than 30 seconds, knows it can feel like you’re traveling an unknown journey with a surprise around every corner.

And from someone who has traveled the unexpected and emotional highs and lows of parenting, I’d like to tell you the one thing I wish I’d done more along the way…

While I prayed a lot … I wish I had prayed more!

You just can’t possibly pray too much for those precious gifts God has entrusted to your care.

I’m praying for you today and asking God to bless your family … to fill Your home with His love, to cover you with His grace and help you live each day for His glory.

For additional prayers – Check out:

Prayers for Your Spouse, Prayers for Your Son, Prayers for Your Daughter, Pray for Your Family.

Thank you so much for joining me today.

And a thank you to BibleGateway.com for sources.

Take a moment to subscribe to Counting My Blessings and join more than 7500 of us as we read the New Testament together. We will share short posts every Monday through Friday that you can read each day or save for the weekend. Let’s study God’s Word together!

Subscribe to Blog via Email

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

You can also…

Leave your prayer requests…

and stop to pray one or two of the requests listed.

I’m so excited to tell you about my new book!

No matter what a busy week may throw your way, God is with you in every moment. Take a breath and find peace in Him with the 52-Week Devotional Journal for Women, a weekly devotional full of Scripture passages, unique insights, and journal prompts. Strengthen and deepen your relationship with God as you focus on faith over the course of the year.
Get your copy here!

Check out our new Facebook Page/Group – #WWGGG – What Would Give God Glory. We’d love for you to join the movement!

And always remember – I LOVE hearing from you! So, please take a minute to say ‘hi’ by leaving a comment. 

If this article blessed or helped you today — would you share it with someone? Send it to a friend, family member, coworker, or share it through the links below…

I’m asking God to bless you today!

6 Comments

Day 24 – God, Bless My Family with Peace, Safety, and Love

12 / 15 / 18

There is a quote that says…

Having somewhere to go is a home. Having someone to love is a family. Having both is a blessing.

Although, I believe most would agree that having a home and a family is a huge blessing, based on prayer requests I receive … many families need God’s blessings of peace, safety, and love.

So, I’d love for you to pray with me…

Having somewhere to go is a home. Having someone to love is a family. Having both is a blessing.  I'm praying and asking God to bless my family. #Prayer #Faith #Family #MountainMovingPrayer #BlessingCounter

God, Bless My Family with Peace, Safety, and Love

Father, thank you so much for giving me this place I call home and for the family with whom I share the space.

We need You! Please forgive us for falling short of Your will for us individually and as a whole. We want to do better and we need Your help.

Please, Father…

Bless My Family with the Firm Foundation of Faith 

Jesus said…

“Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock.” Matthew 7:24

May faith in Jesus be the foundation on which we build our lives. May we know and follow His teachings that we might have the strength to stand against temptation and weather life’s storms.

Bless My Family with Your Peace

Jesus told His followers…

 “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.”  John 14:27

Forgive us for the times we’ve tried to find peace in worldly promises or possessions. You offer us perfect peace. Please help us surrender every concern to You that we might experience that “peace that goes beyond understanding.” (Philippians 4:7) 

Bless My Family with Your Protection

Your Word promises…

He will cover you with His feathers. He will shelter you with His wings. His faithful promises are your armor and protection. Psalm 91:4

Father, I ask that You place a hedge of protection around my family and keep us safe as we come and go.

Bless My  Family with Your Forgiveness

Father, may we make allowances for each other’s faults, and quickly forgive anyone who offends us. Thank you for Your grace and mercy … for forgiving me. May we refuse to let any offense or fault come between us. Please clothe and unite us with Your perfect love.  (Based on Colossians 3:13–14)

Bless My Family as We Serve You

“As for me and my family, we will serve the Lord.” Joshua 24:15

Father, by the power of Your Spirit, may we obey Your commands, follow Your will, and serve others as if we are serving You.

Bless My Family and Help Us Live for Your Glory

Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to your name goes all the glory for Your unfailing love and faithfulness. Psalm 115:1

Father, may my family live each moment for Your glory. Help us share Your unfailing love and faithfulness with each other …. and with every person You allow to cross our paths.

Please bless my family! 

In Jesus name, I pray. Amen.

Having somewhere to go is a home. Having someone to love is a family. Having both is a blessing.  I'm praying and asking God to bless my family. #Prayer #Faith #Family #MountainMovingPrayer #BlessingCounter

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Send it to a friend, family member, coworker, or share it through the links below…

Just imagine what God will do as His people come to Him in faith and prayer!

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Hi! I'm so glad you're here! I'm Deb Wolf, a recovering “good little church girl” who has been transformed by grace into a joy-filled blessing counter crazy in love with Jesus. I can't wait to tell you about it...

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