I enjoy following the teaching of Andrew Wommack (Bible teacher/ministry out of CO) who recently aired a series of programs on reasons why he believes that it’s actually better to have the presence of the Holy Spirit helping us day-to-day than having Jesus (physically) here on earth. One of the reasons was obvious—because Jesus’ death enabled the Holy Spirt to come live in all of us, equipping us with his supernatural gifts.

One of those gifts is the power of healing in Luke 6:19–by faith, by His authority, by speaking the word, and laying on hands. Many people in the Bible received this healing through Christ. The woman who touched his garment. Peter’s mother-in-law who was sick and touched Jesus’ hand. The centurion’s servant who got healed because of the centurion’s faith (and speaking the word). The leper. The paralytic. All of them had faith that Jesus could heal. Some had the faith to know that while Jesus’ personal touch was divine, it also wasn’t necessary.

Your faith in His power alone can heal/help you and your loved ones. How many of us are actually walking out this faith and applying it to our everyday lives? We are quick to pop a pill, google mystery diagnosis symptoms until the wee hours of the night, medicate with the wrong things, run to a doctor, complain to a friend, and worry, but sometimes we aren’t quick to take our concerns to our ultimate healer. I’m not knocking doing some of the above (I have done some), because they can be helpful to our wellness, but I am saying that if we’re not taking our concerns to Jesus first (for guidance and healing), we are going about it the wrong way.

I have written about the supernatural healing power He gives us in past articles (peruse this page or click on my website link for more), but the Holy Spirit wants to remind us to use His power and authority on our children as they begin a new school year. We should remember to pray for them when they set foot on school grounds and when we pick them up. We should pray for the school and its faculty. We should remind them to pray throughout the day as they feel led. Just because the public school system is devoid of God doesn’t mean that our children can’t find ways to stay close to Jesus throughout the day.

Most importantly, we should lay hands over them and speak His word. When they come home exhausted, give them hugs and refresh their souls by speaking the Psalms out loud. When they wake at night from nightmares and terrors, take spiritual authority over their bedrooms and command the evil spirits to go in the name of Jesus. Put your hands on them and cast out whatever is bothering them with the authority that Christ died to give you.

Sometimes there are physical explanations for why our children struggle, but there is always a spiritual foundation. You may not believe in demons (negative spirits) or know anything about them (because many churches don’t recognize or teach on them), but that doesn’t change the fact that they’re out there. Many times, friends have talked about their kids’ night terrors. The first thing that the Holy Spirit brings to my attention is that they are being bothered by demonic spirits in the night. Sometimes I want to speak up and tell them, but because I’m sometimes perceived as a “Jesus freak” (don’t want to overstep or come on too strong), I stay quiet and just pray for the child.

The Lord doesn’t want me to stay quiet anymore. We need to be on high alert because the devil capitalizes on the fact that children are easy targets. The suicide rate among teens is sky high. A family member recently buried his teenage godson who committed suicide. No one saw it coming. This is unacceptable! We have to put the enemy in his place. We must war for our kids.

If your child is acting out in school, having nightmares, too many meltdowns, or struggling in some other way, hold them close, love on them, remind them that Jesus loves them, take some deep (diaphragmatic) breaths together, and tell the demon(s) where to go (out loud when you can).

Example:

“I cast out the spirit of _______ (whatever is bothering your child) in the name of Jesus Christ. I command it to go to the foot of the cross. Jesus, please fill (name of child) with (whatever they need). Thank you.”

My husband and I have prayed over our daughter during times of spiritual resistance, and Jesus always comes to our rescue. I think His angels keep watch over Lily at night. They keep watch over your kids, too.

Please do not send your kids out in this cruel world without their spiritual armor (Ephesians). Dress them in more than their new clothes and backpacks. Clean out the clutter in their rooms and remove anything that is not glorifying to God (and adorn with what is). Play more praise music in the house and car. Mind what they’re watching on screens and listening to (the enemy’s easiest way into their lives is through easily accessible foul material). I cringe when I hear that young children watch R-rated movies. To a certain extent, we are what we consume–demonic entities are attached to certain kinds of entertainment and media. Make sure you know you child’s friends and their families (be cautious about sleepovers). Spend quality time with them and the Lord. Always pray about how the Lord wants you to raise and protect them.

I know all of this direct, but please know that I’m not telling you how to raise your children. I’m showing you how to protect them in the supernatural realm. Parenting is hard work, especially in this day and age with all of the warfare. Remember, our children belong to the Lord. We are their stewards. We are expected to care for them in godly ways.

“Father God, we thank you for keeping watch over our most precious souls, your young children. Guide them safely through this school year. Surround them with your glory. Let them shine so bright that the demons are immediately disarmed. Jesus, with you, no weapon formed against them shall prosper!”