Praying For Protection
2 Thessalonians 3:3 - “But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil.”
2 Samuel 22:3-4 - “The God of my rock; in him will I trust: he is my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my high tower, and my refuge, my saviour; thou savest me from violence. 4I will call on the LORD, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies.”
As God’s children we find ourselves under attack from time to time. Every day and especially during these times we need God’s Hand of Protection actively at work on our behalf. Over the years that I have studied God’s Word on this subject I have found that God protects His people in various ways and different areas especially these six areas of life: Spiritually, Emotionally, Mentally, Physically, Sexually, and Financially. All of these aspects of a person’s life are vitally important to their living a full and happy life, free of regrets and sorrow as much as possible. These areas of protection are discovered throughout the stories and verses of Scripture and they can very much impact our daily lives.
Spiritually
Spiritually, believers come under attack from the world, their flesh, and the devil. 2 Corinthians 10:3-4 states, “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: 4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)” Believers are in a war. The war is spiritual. Our enemies are spiritual. The only offensive weapon we have according to Ephesians 6 is the Word of God. All of the other armor is defensive. The enemy will attack believers. The battles are fierce. If an angel in the book of Daniel told Daniel that an evil spirit was fighting a spirit sent from God who needed backup to help him overcome the evil spirit, then who are we to believe that the spiritual attacks we face will not be as difficult to face or even overcome. Even in the Lord’s prayer, Jesus taught us to ask for deliverance from evil. Daily, ask God for spiritual protection for yourself and those you pray for. Prayer is a legal binding statement in the spiritual realm. When we ask God for spiritual protection we are putting Satan on notice that the only way he can get to us is if God lets down His hedge of protection about us, we are God’s and Satan cannot harm us. Psalm 91:15 reads, “He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him.”
Emotionally
The heart is the center or core of our emotions for us humans. God tells us that we are to guard, keep or protect our heart with all diligence for out of it are the issues of life. Then Paul goes on to write in the new testament, in Philippians 4:6-7, “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. 7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” God’s peace will keep (protect) our hearts (emotions) and minds. Protect us from what? Attacks from the enemy. As humans, we need God’s protection for our emotions daily.
Mentally
Ephesians 6:16 states, “Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.” The fiery darts from the enemy are thoughts of all types: tempting thoughts, evil thoughts, deceitful thoughts, undermining thoughts, misguiding thoughts, judgmental thoughts, negative thoughts, critical thoughts, lying thoughts, etc. Our minds are meant to be in submission to Christ. The thoughts that pass through our mind are to be brought in submission to Christ. When we allow Christ to be in control of our thoughts and reasonings, then we cancel out the misleading from the enemy and free our minds to hear the guidance of God’s Holy Spirit. Satan will attack, accuse, and abuse us mentally to keep us from obeying Christ and fulfilling His plan for us. We need God’s protection mentally!
Physically
Job, while under assault from Satan, not only had his children taken as well as his wealth, but he also had his physical body attacked by the enemy. God told Satan that he could not take Job’s life. Job 2:7 reads, “So went Satan forth from the presence of the LORD, and smote Job with sore boils from the sole of his foot unto his crown.” God’s people need protection from the enemy physically. Asking God to protect us and those we love with daily physical protection is an important aspect of prayer.
Sexually
Humans are sexual creatures. In order for humans to reproduce we must procreate, which takes place as a result of sexual interactivity. The writer of Hebrews states, “Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.” Sex within Biblical guidelines is healthy and proper. However, Satan twists God’s truth and takes sex out of its proper, Biblical context simply through temptation. Whether it is fornication or adultery, temptations towards sexual improprieties for both men and women abound in the world, to the flesh, or directly from Satan. In 1 Corinthians 7:5 Paul wrote, “Defraud ye not one the other, except it be with consent for a time, that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again, that Satan tempt you not for your incontinency.” Praying for sexual protection from God for yourself and for each person you pray for regularly is important. Children, both boys and girls, need to be protected from rape, incest, and other perversions, as well as adults. The enemy continually perverts God’s creation and His procreative acts. Asking God to sexually protect your loved ones regularly can save them from many varied attacks because there are very evil people in this world who do not care who they harm or what lasting damage they impose on others sexually.
Financially
Seeking God’s protection on our finances is Biblical. In Malachi 3:11 we read, ““And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the LORD of hosts.” The enemy is the devourer. God says that He will rebuke the devourer for our sakes. He is saying that He will protect us financially. Finances are beneficial to everyday life. Protecting and guarding your finances can not only benefit you but also many generations to follow.
Conclusion
Asking God to protect you and your loved ones daily in these six areas may hold back a tide of evil that the enemy would unleash against you that is unimaginable. I am certain that Job was not anticipating just all the varied ways that Satan would attack and devour his family, their wealth, their lives, and their health, but he had already been sacrificing on their behalf and praying daily for each of his children. He put them in God’s hand of protection daily. As his life played out, Job was blessed with twice as much as he had before and was even blessed with more children. Prayer makes a world of difference. We may not know or see all of the impacts or answers but don’t let that keep you from staying on your knees before God seeking His protection for yourself and your loved ones.
