A new school year is about to start (or already has, depending on where you live) and that often means a shopping trip for some new school clothes for our daughters.
A few years ago, my daughter and I made a list of what she needed, discussed our budget, and found common ground between her styles and my “mom clothes rules” and were ready to go.
We got jeans, shirts, socks, shoes, and undergarments, and by the night before school she had washed all her clothes, planned some outfits, and was ready and excited to start a new school year.
Her first few days of school went great, but by the end of the first week she was coming home feeling weary and depleted. It occurred to me that though she was getting spiritually nourished at home, the spiritual atmosphere at school was weighing her down. The effects of the overall brokenness and wounds many people carry with them, and the absence of God, permeated the air.
I realized that while I had prepared her for school physically, I neglected something far more important-her spiritual needs. I developed a prayer strategy for her, which included praying the Armor of God and other essential virtues over her.
I have always prayed for my children, but this experience was the eye opener I needed to show me just how important an intentional prayer strategy is, and it didn’t take long for me to see the difference my prayers were making. Below is a list of 9 essential virtues I began praying over my daughter:
9 Back to School Essentials for Teen Girls
1. Belt of Truth (Ephesians 6:14)
2. Breastplate of Righteousness (Ephesians 6:14)
3. Footgear; Readiness to Spread the Good News (Ephesians 6:15)
4. Shield of Faith (Ephesians 6:16)
5. Helmet of Salvation (Ephesians 6:17)
6. Sword of the Spirit (Ephesians 6:17)
7. Strength and Dignity (Proverbs 31:25)
8. Humility (1 Peter 5:5)
9. Righteousness (Isaiah 61:10)
Have you ever wondered what it would look like to put on the full armor of God? I came across this illustration a number of years ago on Pinterest (artist unknown) and was instantly captivated by it.
Though it was hard to see my daughter struggle, and I felt guilty for not doing a better job praying for her, something good did come out of this-our #WhenMomsPray annual school year prayer movement. From September 1-June 15 we create monthly prayer calendars with virtues, truth, declarations and Scripture we can intentionally pray over our daughters. We send this free prayer calendar out via email once a month to hundreds of moms around the world, and also have an online community called “MOM Connect” that you can join. Click HERE for more information and to sign up for the #WhenMomsPray prayer challenge, and click HERE to join MOM Connect.
Though it was hard to see my daughter struggle, and I felt guilty for not doing a better job praying for her, something good did come out of this-our #WhenMomsPray annual school year prayer movement. From September 1-June 15 we create monthly prayer calendars with virtues, truth, declarations and Scripture we can intentionally pray over our daughters. We send this free prayer calendar out via email once a month to hundreds of moms around the world, and also have an online community called “MOM Connect” that you can join. Click HERE for more information and to sign up for the #WhenMomsPray prayer challenge, and click HERE to join MOM Connect.
Want to give your girl a great start to the new school year? Start a Whatever Girls Group! Click HERE for more information.
Erin Bishop is the Founder and President of Whatever Girls. Whatever Girls exist to empower girls, support moms, and inspire dads through resources, products, and community. Erin is also contributing writer for MomLife Today. She and her husband live in Washington State, have a grown daughter and son in law, and a teenage son.
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