It’s happened. The sunflowers in the park where I walk bloomed and the back-to-school photos showed up on social media—two sure signs another school year is off and running.
Each year the timing of this event catches me and others of my generation off guard. How fondly we remember three long and lazy months of summer, with not a thought toward putting on those stiff new jeans or plaid dresses until after Labor Day. Yes, things change, but we can’t help thinking our grandkids are being robbed of a few more precious weeks of summer–more time to just be before they are asked to perform.
What hasn’t changed is how parents and grandparents hope the new school year will be kind to their offspring. We want their minds to be as sharp as those number two pencils in their backpacks and their hopes and dreams to be as bright as the neon colors in that new box of crayons. So we admire the photos, tell 
them we love them, and pray:
Lord, You know how hard it is for us to send the children we love out in to this ever worsening world unprotected. You see more evil than we do, and You weep when we weep over every school shooting or bullying incident.
Go with them, Lord. They need the armor You provide, for our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms (Ephesians 6:12). Equip them, we pray, with your belt of truth (v.14), breastplate of righteousness (v.14) and shield of faith (v.16).
You may have provided new school shoes, but we pray you will also fit their feet with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace (v.15). Give them the helmet of salvation (v.17) to protect them and the sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God (v.17). And Lord, in your mercy, please help each child to have at least one good friend, for as You know, that can make all the difference.
They are yours, Lord. You love them even more than we do. Go with them we pray.
Thank you Nancy for your prayer. As a grandfather of 9 precious grandkids I will be using your prayer here in MN next week. So thankful that we have the armor of God and that each one of our grandchildren are under the protection and the Love of the Lord.
Blessings to you!
Amen, Kurt. I’m glad it might be useful to you. God bless.
Thank you Nancy for those words of protection over our children!!!
I know you’ll keep the prayers going as will I! Glad 3 of your grandkids are models. 🙂
Oh how poignant and precious…tears threaten! You are masterful at capturing the ethos and the pathos pf our paths on planet earth, Nancy!
You must have rubbed off on me then! Thanks, Alice.
Beautiful prayer, Nancy. Thank you for remembering our special grands. Have a beautiful fall. 🍂🍁🙏
You too, Kay, and it was sweet of Julia to let me use her photo. They are getting so big!
Best one ever! My favorite verses are the armor of God and it’s so important especially now thank you so much for the beautiful what you said it. See you soon.!
Thanks, Jimmie. Yes, we all need to remember to put on the armor of God each day even as oldsters! I know you love Ephesians 6. Me too.
Beautiful words!
STRONG! 🙏🏻 Glory to God!
Thanks, Rolle. Amen. All glory to God!
Thanks, Sue! I hope you had a happy August birthday.
Such a good reminder to pray for our kids & grandkids! Thanks Nancy!❤️