Nighttime Prayers

“And you must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands that I am giving you today. Repeat them again and again to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up. Tie them to your hands and wear them on your forehead as reminders. Write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.” (Deuteronomy 6:6-9, NLT)

“He will cover you with his feathers. He will shelter you with his wings. His faithful promises are your armor and protection.” (Psalm 91:4, NLT)

“Direct your children onto the right path, and when they are older, they will not leave it.” (Proverbs 22:6, NLT)

Many parents pray diligently each night for protection around their children. Yes, protection is important, but a few years ago, I had an experience while visiting a friend that changed how I pray for my kids.

My friend greeted me warmly at her front door with a big smile, and her precious toddler perched on her hip. This little guy was energetic and just learning how to walk. As I entered the house, I was shocked at what I saw: big white pillows covered the entire space from my knees down, and little alleys had been created for a toddler to walk through. Pillows were propped up against every wall, every stick of furniture, every doorframe, and every appliance. As I carefully found my way to her sofa, I marveled at the giant padded toddler maze before me.

I asked her, “Why all the pillows?” “They’re to protect my child as he learns to walk,” she replied.

It’s natural to want to protect our children in their spiritual walk. It feels scary for us to let them take steps out into the world. While we would love to protect them from every potential harmful ideology, we can’t. In fact, it would be impossible. There aren’t enough pillows in the world. Cushioning their path from all harm isn’t God’s plan for our kids, and it can’t be our plan either. It won’t help our kids learn to walk confidently, physically, or spiritually.

A shift in the paradigm is needed. Instead of praying solely for protection of our children, we need to also pray for solid PREPARATION for our children - because preparation IS protection; and we prepare our kids with the Word of God. God wants us to raise our children according to His wisdom, not fear.

Preparing kids for the path ahead involves equipping them with a deep understanding of God and His love for them. Reading scriptures with our kids, praying with them, and regularly attending church introduces God’s wisdom and how to walk God’s way. Deepening your own walk with God models to your kids the joy of cultivating godly habits and relationships. This preparation is protection.

When you are ready for your nighttime prayers this evening, pray for protection for your children, but don’t forget to pray for preparation, so your children can develop a solid faith foundation based on His Word. God promises to protect them wherever they are - even during their school day!

Lord, I pray for godly protection and preparation for my child in their school day. Teach me to intentionally prepare my child with Your Word. Thank you for your promise that under your wings we find refuge. May your faithfulness be my child’s shield always. Amen.