Prayer for Strength : Praying the Armor of God for Students Returning to School

With the state of our world over the last few months, our students and children need prayers now more than ever. Our lives have gone from somewhat predictable to completely unpredictable. Each day we turn on the news, we are faced with more challenges and unknowns. Students returning to school at college, grade school, or home all have a unique set of anxieties as they encounter a different set of guidelines. Not only are they having to focus on making the best decisions in their academic lives but making wise choices to remain physically safe as well.

In the book of Ephesians, the Apostle Paul writes to the church from prison. He ends the book encouraging the believers to pursue strength in the Lord. Our battles are not physical but spiritual. To be strong in God we must pray for protection from head to feet with His divine armor. As our children enter new and challenging circumstances, our prayers are vital to protect them from the spiritual battles they will be facing in this new school year. In Ephesians 6:10-17, Paul tells the church to put on a different piece of spiritual armor to protect each part of the body from spiritual attack. Let us pray for our students and children as they enter this new battle.

“Finally, be strengthened by the Lord and by his vast strength. Put on the full armor of God so that you can stand against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this darkness, against evil, spiritual forces in the heavens. For this reason take up the full armor of God, so that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having prepared everything, to take your stand. Stand, therefore, with truth like a belt around your waist, righteousness like armor on your chest, and your feet sandaled with readiness for the gospel of peace. In every situation 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.” (Ephesians 6:10-17)