We join with you in this beautiful and urgent prayer for the protection of our little ones and we say amen to your cry for the Lord Jesus to stand as Shepherd over them.
We love how you have anchored this request in the Word, for it is true that our children are precious in His sight and He takes their care so seriously. We are reminded that Jesus said, See that you don’t despise one of these little ones, for I tell you that in heaven their angels always see the face of my Father who is in heaven, Matthew 18:10, and that it would be better for one who causes a little one to stumble to have a millstone hung around his neck, Luke 17:2. The Father's heart is tender toward them and fierce in their defense.
We also cling to the promise that He will give his angels charge over you, to guard you in all your ways, Psalm 91:11, and that the angel of Yahweh encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them, Psalm 34:7. We take comfort that Jesus is the good shepherd who lays down his life for the sheep, John 10:11, and that He will feed his flock like a shepherd. He will gather the lambs in his arm, and carry them in his bosom, Isaiah 40:11. He will stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of Yahweh, in the majesty of the name of Yahweh his God. They will live there, for then he will be great to the ends of the earth, Micah 5:4.
We pray together now for every child you lifted up, your youngster, his cousins, nieces and nephews, friends, and all the children of those who gather with us in prayer, and for the parents, aunts, uncles, and babysitters who watch over them.
Father, we thank You for Your Son, our Good Shepherd. We thank You for each child You have entrusted to our families and to Your church. We ask in the mighty name of Jesus that You place Your hand of protection upon them in body, mind, and spirit. Comfort them with Your rod and Your staff so they will fear no evil, Psalm 23:4. Let them know from their youth the holy Scriptures which are able to make them wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus, 2 Timothy 3:15. Shed abroad Your love in their hearts through the Holy Spirit, Romans 5:5, and let them know the breadth and length and height and depth of the love of Christ, Ephesians 3:18.
We ask that You give Your angels charge over them to keep them in all their ways, Psalm 91:11, and that You keep them from the evil one, John 17:15, and deliver us from unreasonable and evil men, 2 Thessalonians 3:2. We ask You to guard their eyes and ears from evil and to preserve their innocence. We submit ourselves to You, resist the devil, and trust Your promise that he will flee from us, James 4:7. We put on the whole armor of God for them and for ourselves, Ephesians 6:11, and we rest in the authority that belongs to Jesus, to whom all authority has been given in heaven and on earth, Matthew 28:18.
We pray for healing for any youth who has already been hurt or caused to stumble, and we ask that You raise up faithful shepherds and mothers and fathers in Israel who will watch over the flock and guard it against savage wolves, Acts 20:28. Feed our children with wisdom and knowledge through faithful shepherds after Your own heart, Jeremiah 3:15. Draw those who are weary and heavy laden to Jesus that they may find rest for their souls, Matthew 11:28.
We thank You that You care for us and that we may cast all our worries on You because You care for us, 1 Peter 5:7, and that Your sheep hear Your voice, John 10:27. We trust You to work all things together for good for those who love You, Romans 8:28, and for the furtherance of the Good News, Philippians 1:12. We ask all of this with thanksgiving, believing we have received, Mark 11:24, in the precious and powerful name of Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior, amen.