Fighting spiritual battles for your children
Is it uncomfortable for you to talk about this? Not for me, not since I became a mom. Before kids, finding my public identity as a Christian was challenging because I didn’t want to sound naive, or talk about taboo subjects. Now as a mom I take it head-on! I fight spiritual battles for these kids with words and tears.
It’s real
Let me tell you why, as a mom, I’m bolder about the subject. There are things we have some control over. We can teach them to say no, stand strong, don’t bully, stick up for those around them. But spiritual warfare is a whole different game, that’s a fight I have to do on my knees. I have no physical control over it, so tiptoeing around the subject like it doesn’t exist doesn’t make it go away, it just gives Satan the edge. It makes it a one way fight, and I refuse to let that happen.
If we believe in the Bible, and we can believe in saints and angels, then we must believe in this (fallen angels) too. It would be foolish not to. The enemy wants for you to treat him casually or better yet, dismiss him entirely. He wants you to believe that it’s all radical fiction made up by Christians who just want excuse away bad to behavior. Not so! Think of the radio waves in the air. Regardless if we’re tuning in or not, it’s still there.
What can we do about it?
STAND
You can’t outrun this, you’ve gotta face it. The Word of God makes it pretty clear that first, yup-spiritual warfare is really a thing. Second, that this is a fight you’ve gotta deal with head on. Remember, you’re fighting for your children, who are not yet equipped to go into battle for themselves. (Although this is something I suggest teaching to them at an early age)
Here’s what the Word says about spiritual battles:
- Ephesians 6:11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 12For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.
- 1Peter 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.
PRAY
Our prayer matters to God. They’re not just empty words that we’re shouting into the sky. Prayers break down walls. In Matthew 4:1 Jesus was tempted in the wilderness by Satan. Each time Satan tried to convince Jesus to perform a miracle or rely on anything other than God, Jesus simply responded with “it is written”. I love that, Jesus had no need to argue or convince, He simply stood on the Word of truth. So that means you’ve gotta know your Bible.
Here are some verses for you to pray, without ceasing (I Thessalonians 5:17) over your children:
- That generational addictions & diseases would be bound up
Matthew 18:18-19 Assuredly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.
- That they would defeat mental strongholds of the enemy using the Word
2 Corinthians 10:5 (NIV) We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
- They would submit to God and continuously resist the enemy of their souls
James 4:7 Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.
- That they would know God’s plan for their lives
Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.
- That they would know they are victorious
Romans 8:37 Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.
Fight Mama’s
I see the things they internalize. I know the world they’re going to walk into, and the fight for their attention that’s already begin. I’m aware of the images that flash in front of their eyes every day, no matter how quickly I try to avert their attention; Images that send subtle hints of what’s ok, what’s cool, and what’s acceptable. Friends, you have to realize there are spiritual influences that are already at war, fighting to take your children down before they’re even able to stand for themselves. So stand for them, fight the good fight for them, and teach them how to do it too. I pray you would take these verses into your prayer room, or whatever space you have and just start praying them over your children, your spouse & your home
There are times when Satan will try to convince us with slick words & enticing images but if we stand boldly on the Word, we can shut him down. Remember we are already conquerors. We fight from victory, not for it!
A final note of encouragement-after Jesus was tempted and resisted Satan with the word:
Matthew 4:11 Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him.
24 Comments
LOVE this post! It is so important to be aware of Satan’s working and actively take a stand. Thanks for sharing 🙂
Thanks Nicole. Actively taking a stance is right where we need to be. We have the ability to pray for the things our kids don’t yet know they’re going to face, It’s up to us to pray for that.
Great post!!! And so very true! We have to be aware of spiritual battles ignoring them isn’t an option.
Bobbi, this is everything. These babies need us to stand strong.
Wonderful post, and so SO true! We must keep our eyes, ears, and hearts open, and remain steadfast in the fight for our children!
Amanda, YES!! The battle is on and if we’re not engaging, then it’s one sided. I refuse!
LOVE this post! I pinned it for future reference! My boys are still little but I still pray many of these things over them , especially breaking generational curses! Thanks for sharing this!
Kate, I’m so happy! Yes, we need to pray at every opportunity we get. I prayed even before I knew my children. Those generational curses are deeply rooted which is why we to stay constantly rooted in Christ, who can break chains! Pray hard Mama!
Love. This makes me want to stand and shout and pump my arms in the air! It actually reminds me of the movie War Room, even though it’s motherhood and not marriage. Same idea of standing strong and fighting. I really appreciate the verses you gave, thank you!
Terryn, that movie makes you feel like a warrior, ready for battle!! That’s how I want to fight for them, that’s what they deserve.
Great post! We have to fight for our kids in so many ways!
It’s true! Not just in the physical, but in the spiritual, in the mind, and in the heart.
This is wonderful. Prayer does such amazing thing.
It really does, Bailey. Prayer it vital.
This is very timely for me! This past week I have been having anxiety/fear about things that I can’t control as it relates to my kids. The word God (and my husband lol) has been giving me is “trust”. So often I feel like I have to DO so much to protect my kids. And of course, as you said there are some things that we can do. But the action taken most by me should be on my knees. That is how I can actively trust God for my kids’ futures. Thanks for this post! It really ministered to me!
Karissa, honestly, it’s a bit hard sometimes to say “this is an on my knees battle”. We want to actively be involved and to our fleshly understanding, that means “who do I have to go up against?”. The enemy wants us to stay in that place of understanding so we discount how important prayer and fighting with the Word of God is. We have to shake off that old way of thinking. I’ll be the first to admit, that’s hard to just shake off. But if we drop to our knees in faith, and just start praying fervent prayers, we’ll start to feel much more bold in doing so. Keep praying for those babies (& hubby), you’re striving and that’s what God has called you to do.
Yes, yes, yes!!! Loving this. Right on sister.. time to fight for our children on our knees. I also liked what you said about teaching them at a young age. Maybe that can be a future post. Pinned and posted on my Facebook fan page. Tania from TheodoraLove.com.
Tania! thank you for the inspiration! That’s what I love about this community of sisters encouraging each other. And yes, I teach my kids very bold concepts at an early age. I guess I feel like there’s no reason to hold back when talking about standing on God Word, after all the unbelieving world don’t hold back, why should I?
So many battles are won through prayer! Good post, and useful verses. I am going to pin this!
Amen! It’s the battle of the unseen that we also have to stay aware of.
Jen this is right up my alley!! I can’t tell you how many times I’ve had to war on behalf of my kids. I start each day with strategic prayers to cover my family and every attack that would come against us. I love these verses you’ve listed! I’ll be featuring this on Salt & Light this week! Thanks for an amazing post!
Oh Alisa, thank you so much, what an honor. I’ve been praying that God use my words and this space of mine. Fighting for my kids is something that I’ve realized is vital! When I read that God could break chains of bondage and generational curses, I knew I had to dig in deep. I’m so excited to share this post.
Pinned!
Great, thanks for sharing Sue.