“Mom, when I leave for college, I probably won’t be home until December,” Joel offered. Tears filled my eyes and began spilling south.

With head bowed, my oldest son commented, “Gary says you’ll probably cry when I leave.” He looked up and spotted my teary-eyed self across the room, and with softened eyes, he asked, “Are you crying, Mom?”

I was about to release my little eaglet into this big, bad world. Joel was about to fly. As a parent, it was my duty to release and let him go. But no commandment instructed, “Thou shalt not cry.” And so I cried – right there in the living room.

Suddenly, all the years of preparation seemed slim pickings, lacking in sufficiency. Worry hit the threshing floor. Anxiety stood alongside as partner in crime, insulting my parenting skills and assuring I hadn’t prepared him well.

But worry and anxiety don’t solve spiritual battles. God’s Word assures. And our kids heading off to college are bound to face a foe dismissing the name of Jesus. To assist in this war, we’re wise to grab our faithful gear. One of those tools is prayer.

Maybe you’re a parent like me, watching your eaglet soar for the first time. Or, perhaps you’re an aunt, uncle, friend, or neighbor. Why not bathe the college student in your life with prayer?

Here are 3 scriptures and prayers to boldly grab and use.

1. Thought Life

Our thought life is a master switch of sorts for our actions. Where it parks proves vital.

New classes, professors, and subject matter await our student. Add on top of that a hearty welcome from dorm life, new faces, new spaces, and roommates. Some of our students compete in athletics, marching band, or are involved with extra curricular activities. Those add weight as well. Oh, and then there’s homesickness.

Thought life is vital.

Father,

Thank you for my student. This life you’ve woven in them is wonderful. During this school year, whether it’s in the dorm adjusting to their roommates, standing on the marching band or athletic field, sitting in a classroom, or staring at their homework, may my student park their thoughts on you. Protect my child against self-harm, failure, depression, and laziness. Surround them with your truth concerning drugs, alcohol, sex, and faith. Close the door on blame, bad-mouthing, judgment, and condemnation. May they consider and cherish, instead, what is true, allowing your perfect love to cast out all fear. May they dwell on all that’s honorable, just, pure, and lovely. May he/she toss aside the bad, clinging to the good – especially when it comes to relationships and their future with you. May virtue and praise echo in their mind and be reflected in their words and actions. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Finally, brothers, whatever things are true, whatever things are honorable, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report; if there is any virtue, and if there is any praise, think about these things. Phil. 4:8 WEB

2. Communication

Communication is key. We often hear those words, don’t we? It’s true, even on campus. Roommates, classmates, teachers, and friends – they all join in the circle of our student’s communication. And don’t forget family back home, band or teammates if applicable, and daily conversations with God.

Lord,

You’ve given my student the ability to communicate, and it is good. May their words be acceptable in your sight. When they attempt to muffle or stuff words out of fear or uncertainty, may they be brave and allow godly communication its opportunity. When they face a tough conversation, I pray they persevere, continuing to trust you. Most importantly, Lord, may my young woman/man communicate with you on a regular basis. I pray they seek you and nourish a desire to hear your voice daily. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, Yahweh, my rock, and my redeemer. Psalm 19:14 WEB

3. Eyes

Consider the views we absorb with our eyes. There are grey skies and colorful rainbows, people, places, and things. Our college students will soak in situations, scenarios, and scenes with their eyes – at times new and more involved than they ever expected. Prayer for their eyes is protection indeed.

Lord,

You have made the eye for your purposes. With wisdom you beautifully knit each one.  May my child guard their eyes well. I pray they’ll grab wisdom, allowing it to filter what they choose to see and not see. May understanding lead their focus, causing them to turn from situations formatted by darkness. May they, instead, allow the light of your Word to filter their sight concerning friends, dates, movies, educational content, and any situation in which their eyes are involved. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Wisdom is before the face of one who has understanding, but the eyes of a fool wander to the ends of the earth. Prov. 17:24 WEB

Pray These 3 Bold Prayers to Help Protect Your College Student published first on iBelieve.com, August 15, 2017.

Ever Feel Like a Parenting Fraud?

Sometimes I feel like a fraud. It happened again the other day.

My child found trouble at school. His wrestle with a heart issue surfaced and accountability was deemed necessary.

In the midst of his struggle, I also struggled. I wrestled with feeling like a Christian fraud: I thought you were supposed to be a good Christian mom. If you raised him right, he wouldn’t have these problems. What will others think?

Read more of this piece at CBN.com. 

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Linking with other Jesus lovers and writers here: #heartencouragementThursday, #faithonfire