Today’s events can cause us to feel troubled and concerned, especially regarding how the worldly, often satanic, culture will affect our families. Christian actor, Antonio Sabato Jr. warns, “You can see the devil today.” He’s right. Satan prowls around boldly because his time is short.
Anyone who knows hubby Dave and me have heard about the Armor of God, which we pray daily and share with others. It’s God’s Scriptural protection for Christians. Maybe you’ve heard about it or prayed it in the past, but God put on my heart to provide a refresher in this month’s newsletter.
Praying the Armor of God
In Ephesians 6:10-18, the apostle Paul penned a prayer of protection, the armor of God. The enemy puts obstacles for unprepared Christians to stumble over. You’ve surely experienced those, but verses ten to eleven encourage us to 10“Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 "Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil.” (NLT)
Ephesians 6:12 reminds us: 12“For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.” (NLT)
The good news for every believer is that we have access to a hedge of protection against Satan’s schemes. 14 "Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. 15 For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared.[b] 16 In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil.17Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” (Vs. 14-17 NLT)
God assures we can trust Him to fight spiritual battles for us. Rather than trying to solve problems or find ways to combat what we experience in the earthly realm, our role is to call on Him. 18 “Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.” (Verse 18 NLT)
When we’re feeling fearful, worried, threatened, or stressed, we can prayerfully search the Scriptures to discover that God has already provided a safety hedge or shield of protection around those who trust and believe in Him. It doesn’t mean the enemy won’t try to weasel into our life, but we can prevent his feeble attempts from penetrating our mind, heart, and soul.
Imagine yourself with a hedge of spiritual swords pointed up and surrounding you against any attempts of the enemy as you open your Bible to read God’s Word and pray each day.
Here are hedge-of-protection prayers and sword-of-the-Spirit Scriptures to fend off and shield us from Satan’s schemes.
1. A Prayer for a Hedge of Protection around Thoughts
Lord, you know my mind wanders with what-ifs and should-ofs. Nagging thoughts keep me awake at night worrying and wondering about circumstances over which I have no control. I’m often angry and frustrated with world events and find myself brooding or depressed.
Father, please help me focus on things lovely and beautiful. Let me see good in people and not corrupt my mind with the discourse and divisive voices on social media or the news. Guard me against spiraling into the abyss of sinful harmful thoughts.
Lord Jesus, I prayerfully secure over my mind the “helmet of salvation” from Ephesians 6:17 and claim a hedge of protection against any of Satan’s lies, thoughts, and/or emotions. Help me listen exclusively to your voice and be available to do your will alone. Guide me in seeking the mental hedge of protection from the Holy Spirit as He fills my mind with peace, joy, righteousness, compassion, and love. Amen
When doubts filled my mind, your comfort gave me renewed hope and cheer. Psalm 94:19 NLT
Surely, Lord, you bless the righteous; you surround them with your favor as with a shield. Psalm 5:12
2. A Prayer for a Hedge of Protection around Actions
Oh Lord, I want my actions to please you. My desire is to reflect the Holy Spirit residing in my heart. But regretfully I don’t always think clearly and rationally before I act. Rethinking what I’ve done rashly, impetuously, or selfishly, I want a do-over; but it’s too late. I can’t rewind or erase my actions.
Admittedly, my wrong actions are a sin against you Lord. I pray for mercy on me as you did on King David and teach me to walk in your ways so I can say of you as David did in Psalm 62:6 (NLT), “He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will not be shaken.”
Lord, I pray I would consider how my actions appear to others, especially those who look to me for direction and wisdom. Do they see you in me or is my pride and self-absorption more evident? I desperately want your light to shine through me. Lord, when I’m about to act in an unloving or disrespectful way, please give me a check in my spirit.
Protect me Father from temptation and falling into old patterns of behavior. Surround me with a hedge of caring people who will lovingly point out when I’m acting in a way unbecoming a Christian. Remind me I'm a new creation in Christ and place barriers to prohibit me from acting in ways that grieve you. Amen
Oh, that my actions would consistently reflect your decrees! Psalm 119:5 NLT
The Lord himself watches over you! The Lord stands beside you as your protective shade. Psalm 121:5 NLT
3. A Prayer for a Hedge of Protection around Speech
Father, I want my words to be pleasing to you, but I know when I speak impetuously or sharply you’re not pleased. Oh, Lord, I need you to guard my tongue, even though James 3:8 (NLT) warns, “No one can tame the tongue. It is restless and evil, full of deadly poison.”
What James says is true Father. I often lack control over what comes out of my mouth. Only you can place a sentinel around my tongue to guard what I say and when I say it.
Lord, you gave me the gift of speech, which I watch brighten a face when I choose my words wisely, but I also see it bruise an unsuspecting victim when it cuts like a knife.
Your Word says that what comes out of my mouth, forms first in my heart. I need a hedge of protection to filter what takes residence in my heart. Give me patience not to speak impetuously and wisdom to speak appropriately.
Weed out of my vocabulary ungodly words filled with poisonous vengeance, anger, meanness, harm, or pride. Fill me with grace, kindness, compassion, understanding, and love. Help me choose words and intonation worthy of being a Jesus-follower. Amen
Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life. Avoid all perverse talk; stay away from corrupt speech. Proverbs 4:23-24 NLT
But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you. Psalm 5:11
4. A Prayer for a Hedge of Protection around Circumstances
Father, our universe is changing rapidly. Everyday circumstances subject us to an unstable insecure environment. We deal with issues we could’ve never imagined. It seems the world, and thus my life, is spiraling out of control. Each new morning shatters stability we once knew.
Lord of Creation, I want to be brave and courageous, especially for those who depend on me to be strong and dependable, but I’m fearful watching norms I once took for granted crumble into chaos.
Help me find solace in turning each new day over to you. Remind me nothing catches you by surprise. Just as your eye is on the sparrow, you watch over me. You might not remove me from uncomfortable circumstances, but you go through them with me. You promise to always hold onto me with your righteous right hand and shield me. Even as I walk through the darkest valley, your rod and staff will protect and comfort me.
How fortunate I am to have a God who loves me beyond my expectations and imagination. Open my eyes Lord to visualize your spiritual hedge of protection like a solid wall surrounding me that Satan cannot penetrate or destroy in any situation or circumstance.
With you at my side and on my side, what can man do to me? Why should I fear?
Thank you, Lord, for being my Rock, Shield, Refuge, Hiding Place, Fortress, Protector, Savior! Amen
The Lord himself watches over you! The Lord stands beside you as your protective shade. Psalm 121:5 NLT
The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my savior; my God is my rock, in whom I
find protection. He is my shield, the power that saves me, and my place of safety. Psalm 18:2 NLT
Be Not Afraid
God stands ready to protect us against what the Bible calls the world: a cultural way of thinking, and world system controlled by Satan. Since we live in this world, we must continually ask God to protect us from the way the world thinks, speaks, acts, and the ensuing circumstances of an evil culture.
It’s a continual process of separating God’s ways from the world’s way. We can never let down our guard or spiritual hedge, but when we trust omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent almighty God, He will lead, guide, and direct us. God stands ready with a spiritual hedge of protection to shield us from the world and to keep us from letting the world seep into our life. Whatever the devil throws at us can become an opportunity to witness for Christ.
How great is the goodness you have stored up for those who fear you. You lavish it on those who come to you for protection, blessing them before the watching world. Psalm 31:19 NLT
“May the Lord bless you and protect you. May the Lord smile on you and be gracious to you. May the Lord show you his favor and give you his peace.” Numbers 6:24–26 NLT
About His Work with You,
Janet
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