Covered from Head to Toe

Covered from Head to Toe

by April Osteen Simons

 

I can remember like it was yesterday, getting up and getting ready for school. Just as I was about to walk out the door, my mom would stop me and pray over me. And believe me, it wasn’t just a short little prayer—she prayed until she covered it all! She believed in the power of prayer and absolutely would not let me out of the house until the Word of God was spoken over me.

Those prayers made a difference in my life. When I left my house, I knew God was with me. I knew He was watching over me and protecting me wherever I might go. In fact, I never wanted to leave the house without those prayers! I depended on them. They brought great comfort and security to my heart. Those prayers showed me, early on, that God was real.

That’s why before my five kids left the house for school, I would pray over them. I knew how important it was to have them covered in the Word of God. I don’t take it lightly. There are so many negative outside influences that our kids face every day. They need our prayers.  As a parent, it’s easy to worry about them. (Even when they are older!)  That’s why we as moms have to stand on…

 

 

Philippians 4:6, “Don’t worry-pray.”  We can’t possibly be everywhere they are twenty-four hours a day. But one thing we can do is pray over them.

The book of James tells us that the earnest prayer of a righteous man has great power and wonderful results. Prayer is powerful. It can transform a life. It can turn a hopeless situation around. It can make your family better—and who doesn’t want that? 

Let me encourage you with a few things. First of all, begin your day with prayer—for yourself and your children. Colossians 4:2 says, “Don’t be weary in prayer; keep at it.”  Don’t let a day go by that you don’t take time to pray. And don’t wait until things are bad until you begin praying. Pray now! Pray preventative. God has entrusted you with your family so make a point to cover them daily with prayer.

Secondly, pray the Word of God. Isaiah 55:11 tells us that the Word of God always produces fruit. When you speak out the Word, you are speaking out life. Get the Word of God in you so you know how to pray.  Find scripture to correspond with what you are believing God for. 

Thirdly, pray specifically. Think about what you want to see God do in your family. What do you want for your children? How would you like to see God move in your situation? Well, then pray and ask God for those things. Hebrews 6:16 tells us to fearlessly and confidently and boldly draw near to the throne of grace. In other words, talk to God like you know Him! It doesn’t need to be a religious conversation. Talk to Him out of your heart.  Speak to Him just as you would a close friend. Be specific in your prayers.

Once you pray, believe that God is moving on your behalf. Mark 11:24 says, “Whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.” I love this scripture because it reminds me to stop focusing on what it looks like in the natural and simply believe that God is moving behind the scenes. Have faith! Believe that God really is who He says He is and He really can do what His Word says He can do!

Now, I want to help you get started. How can you pray specifics over your children? Well, let me share with you a few things that I have prayed over my own family:

Father, I thank you that my children are a gift from above

Psalm 127:3(TLB)-Children are a gift from God; they are His reward

I thank You that there is greatness on the inside of them

1 John 4:4(KJV)-…greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

I thank you, Lord, that my children will serve you all the days of their lives and they will never stray from the call that You have on their life

Joshua 24:15(NKJ)-…But as for me and my family, we will serve the Lord.

I think You, Father, that You place a hedge of protection around them

Psalm 28:7(TLB)-He is my strength, my shield from every danger.

Father, I thank you that not one of their bones will be broken

Psalm 34:20(NKJ)-he guards all his bones; not one of them is broken.

I thank You, Lord, that my children walk in divine favor.

Psalm 5:12(NKJ)-…with favor you surround him as a shield.

Father, I thank You that my children will have godly friends

2 Timothy 2:22(TLB)-…enjoy the companionship of those who love the Lord and have pure hearts.

I thank You, Lord, that they will be a godly example to those around them—they will be leaders and not followers

1 Timothy 4:12(TLB)-…let them follow the way you teach and live; be a pattern for them in your love, your faith, and in your clean thoughts.

I thank You, Father, that my children will not allow any compromise in their lives

1 Thessalonians 5:22(TLB)-Keep away from every kind of evil…and may your spirit and soul and body be kept strong and blameless…

I thank You, Lord, that my children’s lives will be one of honesty and integrity

Romans 12:17(TLB)-…Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honest clear through.

I thank You, Lord, that my children will always apply themselves in school and they will excel in every subject

Daniel 1:4(KJV)-Children in whom was no blemish, but well-favored, and skillful in all wisdom, and cunning in knowledge, and understanding science…

I thank You that my children will always have a passion for You and Your Word

Psalm 63:8(AMP)-My whole being follows hard after You and clings closely to You…

I thank You, Lord, that my children are peaceful, content and well-behaved 

Isaiah 54:13(AMP)-…and great shall be the peace and undisturbed composure of your children.

I thank You that my children will choose a healthy lifestyle

3 John 2(NKJ)-…I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.

I thank You, Father, that my children are free from anxiety and fear

1 Peter 1:2(TLB)-…May God bless you richly and grant you increasing freedom from all anxiety and fear.

I thank You, Lord, that my children will never allow discouragement, hard times, or obstacles to cause them to quit or give up, but they will complete the things that You have called them to do.

Psalm 112:7&8(TLB)-…He does not fear bad news, nor live in dread of what may happen…

However, you choose to pray, pray with purpose. Pray with passion. Pray with unshakeable confidence in a God who can do anything but fail. Remember, God is for you. He’s on your side. He wants to see your family prosper and walk in unity. He wants you to enjoy life with your family. You do your part in prayer and watch God take care of the rest!

April xoxo