Revelation Chapter 12

“And there was war in heaven, Michael and his angels waging war with the dragon. The dragon and his angels waged war, and they did not prevail, and there was no longer a place found for them in heaven. And the great dragon was thrown down, the serpent of old who is called the devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him. Then I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, ‘Now the salvation, and the power, and the kingdom of our God and the authority of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brothers and sisters has been thrown down, the one who accuses them before our God day and night. And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and because of the word of their testimony, and they did not love their life even when faced with death. For this reason, rejoice, you heavens and you who dwell in them…’”
Revelations 12:7-12 (NASB)
 
A Prayer Over Our Children
     Watch over my child, oh God and take care of her every need. Prepare a place for her and grant her refuge in the wilderness. Oh Lord, shield and protect her from the serpent of old, Satan, who seeks to devour and destroy. Help her, I plead, defeat her enemies and triumph in the battle. May Your heavenly hosts guard and aid her in the fight. We claim victory for her to overcome through the blood of the Lamb and the word of her testimony. And may Your salvation, power, and authority cause her to rejoice with the heavens for You have come.
     Oh God, give my little one wings to evade the evil one while You prepare for her a refuge. Minister to her, oh Lord, and help her find rest. When enemies pursue, rescue her and grant her aid. Let Your commandments be her treasure as she obeys them and holds fast to Your testimony. Oh God, place Your living seal upon her and her children, I pray, that You may extend Your favor to her from generation to generation.
 
Joy
 
     Tonight, my spirits lay heavy. Doubts and discouragement assailed me. I stared unseeing at my laptop, listening with half an ear. A conversation had just transpired over the phone which left me vulnerable and exposed. Humble pie was on the menu. A good diet to consume but one which often leaves a door open for the Enemy to exploit.

     Compounding the discussion were the battles that had been already waged. Weary and downtrodden from the spiritual forces which beat against the goad, I already struggled to stay afloat. My normal sunny disposition felt raw. My nerves were on edge. I felt like crying. Failure and disappointment clung like monkeys on my back.
     My laptop played its contents, blaring the noise through the house. Sweet Pea rushed across the living room. She stared at the screen.
     “OH Mommy!” she enthused. The apples of her cheeks lifted and bobbed. Joy oozed out of every pore. Her eyes sparkled with uncontained excitement. Then, to my surprise, a flurry of little limbs latched onto my torso in a bear hug.
     “I’m so proud of you!” Sweet Pea squealed. Her pitch climbed with every syllable. The biggest smile split her face.
     “Mommy, you are so wonderful!” Again and again her little arms squeezed tight. Sweet Pea’s little body wiggled with pure delight. Her joy was so contagious that my dark clouds began to part. Tiny pockets of light bubbled up from the deep, popping bursts of fresh air. Sunshine poured in golden beam from the little figure which clasped me close. Sweet Pea pressed a soft cheek against my own, her grin big and broad.
     “Oh Mommy!” Out tumbled her words in childlike abandon. “You’re a rock star!” Sweet Pea’s joy could not be contained. Sunbeams spilled into the grey. So vivid was her light, it could not be denied nor tamped down. It rolled like glorious waves onto the shore. The gift she brought was more precious than gold, more treasured than the rarest of gems. The gift she brought was joy.
     The dark bands which suffocated my life breath now crumbled. The infectious light of joy offered by this humble vessel in the form of a little girl shattered and broke the chains. Her simple offering brought a smile to my heart. It spread from the inside out.
     I kissed Sweet Pea’s soft cheek. With a grin now matching her own, I hugged the little girl close. No longer did the gray overshadow. Instead, treasured storehouses of joy lay in plenty. For the innocent childlike joy of our little ones are precious riches. The raw and unbridled nature of our children’s exuberant expressions touch us with their genuine authenticity and stir us with their uninhibited zeal. It lifts and encourages our waning spirits, generating unexploited reserves to strengthen us against the chaos of the day.
     So it likewise is with the joy of the Lord. Yet, the joy of the Lord is more than a life preserver which buoys our spirits and emotions against the storms. It is our strength and our refuge. More importantly, it is also a weapon we wield against Satan who seeks to discourage and destroy. How? Joy penetrates the darkness. Its light cuts through the gray, causing the Enemy to cower and flee. It also covers us as a shield. For remember, it was the joy set before Jesus that He endured the cross for the forgiveness of our sins. His shed blood washes us clean and covers us with His love.
     As we hold up the horn of praise and thanksgiving, may God give us victory with the rising breath His joy ignites within us. May we seek out joy throughout the day and capture it within our hearts that it might illuminate our footsteps. Live out joy this day by giving thanks for the everyday blessings. Accept each offering of joy whether from the sweet happiness our children inspire or those snatches of sunlight we glean from those whom we find ourselves surrounded. Praise God for the big and little things.
May this day, the joy of the Lord be our strength.
 
A Parent’s Prayer
Oh God, let Your joy be my strength today. Help me to rise above that which weighs me down to rejoice in Your goodness and walk in Your light. Anoint my head with Your oil of joy that I may praise and give thanks to You. Amen.
​