Soon our kids are headed back to school. For the most part, they have new backpacks, cool new lunchboxes, pencils, pens, scissors and even some brightly colored file folders. You would think that they are all ready. But they are not!

They are missing their armor of God! Whether they are headed off to public school, a state university or a private Christian school, they need their armor.

Check out Ephesians chapter 6 and notice how God delineates the various pieces of armor. Regardless of their age, our kids need a belt of truth, a breastplate of righteousness, a shield of faith, a helmet of salvation, shoes to carry the gospel and the sword of the Spirit.

Now using those elements of protection, how can we pray effectively for each of them? Well, on Mondays, let’s pray that they can discern truth. Let’s ask the Spirit to teach each child to know God’s Word and be able to recognize when it is being applied or manipulated. Even a five-year-old can learn to discern the truth from a lie.

On Tuesdays, let’s ask the Lord to protect their heart from sin and unrighteousness. Ask Him to build into their character a willingness to say no to sin, even the easy ones.

On Wednesdays, let’s pray that they learn to wield their shield of faith. Let’s ask the Lord to give them the courage to exercise their faith (simple as it may be at their age) and take God at His Word.

On Thursdays, let’s focus on each child’s personal salvation. Do they have a real relationship with Jesus? Is He, their Lord? Pray that they listen to His Spirit and hear His Word. Ask Christ to bring them to a place of repentance and confession.

On Fridays, let’s ask the Lord to give each of our children a heart for those around the world who have not yet heard the gospel. Expose your children to missionary stories (new and old), help them connect with someone around the globe sharing Christ and teach them how to pray that the gospel would be translated into everyone’s heart language.

On Saturdays, let’s pray fervently that our children would come to know and love the Spirit of God. Share scripture with them that shows the work of the Trinity. Be an example and speak the Spirit’s name in your own prayers. Pray that He would fill them with knowledge and love.

And on Sundays, pray for their character in general. Ask the Father to fill them with grace and kindness. Don’t be so focused on grades, or success in school. Pray that they would learn to love and serve those around them (teachers and friends). Pray that they would become good listeners, true friends and faithful servants of the Lord.

Now isn’t that better than just praying, “Lord bless my kids at school today?”