IFA Contributing Writer Gloria Robles interviewed Joel Penton, a believer seeking to teach children the Bible who has been forced to contend with and stand against The Satanic Temple. Read on to find out how you can support this brave warrior in prayer.

If we could pinpoint an area of attack in this nation, we could say there is a war for the younger generations. In October, IFA published an article about LifeWise Academy and the positive impact of Bible education during school hours. You can read about it here. Joel Penton, the CEO and founder of LifeWise, was aware of the opposition it could bring, yet pressed forward because of his dream to see the Word of God impact the next generation. If you have that same desire for our children, keep reading to see how to pray.

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Satan has no originality. Since He is not the Creator, all he can do is replicate or offer a counterfeit of what is God’s. LifeWise produces excellent fruit through children learning the Bible and children and parents coming to know Christ. The Satanic Temple started the Hellion Academy of Independent Learning or HAIL. Once a month, children now have an alternative to learning the Bible. They can spend part of the day learning the teachings of the Satanic Temple.

I contacted Joel Penton to ask how intercessors could pray for LifeWise Academy amidst the various reports, and here is how he responded. 

• Right now, the story of this alternative being offered is abuzz. Joel asked that we pray for him and the team to have wisdom despite many opportunities and challenges.

But the wisdom from above is first of all pure (undefiled); then it is peace-loving, courteous (considerate, gentle). [It is willing to] yield to reason, full of compassion and good fruits; it is wholehearted and straightforward, impartial and unfeigned (free from doubts, wavering, and insincerity) (James 3:17 AMPC).

• Pray they would display boldness in the face of opposition.

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go (Joshua 1:9 ESV). 

•  Pray for financial provision to sustain exponential growth and continue reaching and teaching children.

And God is able to make all grace (every favor and earthly blessing) come to you in abundance, so that you may always and under all circumstances and whatever the need be self-sufficient [possessing enough to require no aid or support and furnished in abundance for every good work and charitable donation] (2 Corinthians 9:8 AMPC). 

• LifeWise Academy has many members, including families. Joel asked for prayer for our families, who sometimes make sacrifices for the mission.

For God is not unjust. He will not forget how hard you have worked for him and how you have shown your love to him by caring for other believers, as you still do. Our great desire is that you will keep on loving others as long as life lasts in order to make certain that what you hope for will come true (Hebrews 6:10–11 NLT).

• God is always faithful. Pray that our hearts be faithful to our King amidst all the excitement and noise.

Understand, therefore, that the Lord your God is indeed God. He is the faithful God who keeps his covenant for a thousand generations and lavishes his unfailing love on those who love him and obey his commands (Deuteronomy 7:9 NLT).

I have been keeping up with this and articles alike. It is essential to add a few things to remember in your prayers. An ordained minister from the Church of Satan claims it was the parents who went to them requesting the alternative to the Bible Release program. Intercede for children regularly as the Lord leads you but remember their parents. Instruction doesn’t begin in school or even in church. Instruction begins in the home. It all starts with one. 

• Pray for entire families to be saved.

And they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.” And they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house. And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their wounds, and he was baptized at once, and he and all his family (Acts 16:31-33 ESV). 

In a recent statement to WOSU, Joel Penton stated, “LifeWise isn’t fearful of other organizations offering [released time religious instruction].” When we hear things about Satan, believers can either go into panic mode or be ready to call down fire. But should we be afraid of someone who is already defeated? Intercessors don’t pray for victory; we pray from victory. God’s Word is living and active. It produces life. His Word has been planted through LifeWise across the nation. 

• Pray for a harvest of souls in Ohio and all the states in which LifeWise operates. If you go to LifeWise you can look up a zip code and see if there’s an academy near you. 

For as the rain and snow come down from the heavens, and return not there again, but water the earth and make it bring forth and sprout, that it may give seed to the sower and bread to the eater, So shall My word be that goes forth out of My mouth: it shall not return to Me void [without producing any effect, useless], but it shall accomplish that which I please and purpose, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it (Isaiah 55:10-11 AMPC). 

Father, 

We thank you for Joel Penton and his heart to teach and reach the next generation. We plead Your blood over Joel and his family as a hedge of protection. We pray the same for LifeWise family members and volunteers who have faithfully said yes to the call to reach the next generation. Bless them and keep them. We pray that all slander, malicious rumors, and false reports of the enemy be exposed as false. 

We pray about all the media coverage and ask that You take what the enemy means for evil and use it for Your good. Let the good news of LifeWise increase. We ask that you enlarge LifeWise and bless them abundantly. We pray for increased volunteers, giving, and donations, and favor with God and man. 

We pray for blessings from the Word planted in children and parents. Father, we believe that Your Word is living, active, and powerful; it never returns void. Bring a revival throughout Ohio and every state where LifeWise has been planted. Pour out Your Spirit on our sons and daughters. We believe we will see whole families being saved and baptized. 

We want to see all mankind saved because that is Your heart. Every opposer, every accuser, isn’t fighting against LifeWise and Joel; they are fighting against you. We aren’t afraid of The Satanic Temple. He has blinded the minds of the people. We pray for scales to fall off their eyes so they may see a revelation of Jesus Christ, believe the gospel, and be saved. We pray that all this wisdom they seek will lead them to Jesus Christ, who embodies all wisdom. There is nothing too hard for you, Lord. We ask in faith, believing that Your word never fails and always produces. We thank You in advance for how You will work through this. In Jesus name, amen.

If you are interested in learning more, you can visit LifeWise Academy. There, you will see different ways to get involved. You can enter your zip code and find out if there is an academy near you. You can look up any school district in the country.

The Satanic Temple is not just combatting LifeWise Academy in Ohio. They are hard at work around the country, seeking to combat Christianity wherever and whenever possible. For more information on their plans, click here.

Share your prayer for LifeWise Academy in the comments.

IFA contributing writer Gloria Robles is a passionate intercessor with a prophetic voice for today. For more from Gloria, go to Spotify or Anchor and listen to her podcast. Photo Credit: JOSEPH PREZIOSO/AFP via Getty Images.