A Prayer for Protection

Do you pray for protection? I know many Christians who ask for protection over themselves, maybe a spouse, the new driver under their roof, their family, and even the car in a hailstorm? We are often enthusiastic about asking for divine intervention for health, wealth, success, and against all calamity. What about protection from the enemy?

The Lord will keep you from all evil; he will keep your life. Psalm 121:7

Amid prayers like you and I often ask, we find the Psalmist offering a prayer of protection. He fills his poetic language with the assurance that God will keep you from all evil, and your life, which harkens back to a promise made by God, to the people of Israel in Genesis.

Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land. For I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised to you. Genesis 28:15

What does it mean that God Keeps us?

Scholars find that this keeping is a guarding against whatever might threaten to harm you. God is covering all the bases. He is protecting His people wherever they go, and assures them He will not leave them until He fulfills His promises. The Psalmist wants the reader to know that He is also working at the individual level as our protector and provider. God alone gives us what we need to experience victory over sin and death.

Jesus prays using a similar language just before his death.

I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one. John 17:15

What does Jesus mean by Asking God to keep you and me from the evil one?

The death and resurrection of Jesus conquered the ultimate power of Satan. He no longer holds the keys of death. He lost that battle with the perfect sacrifice of Jesus, our Savior. So, what does Jesus mean by praying from God to keep his followers from the evil one?

Scholars understand what it’s not. Jesus is not asking that God shield from all sin, sundry evils, or calamity that might come. That’s our idea of protection. We are hoping for no problems, injustices, or brutality. Please let us sidestep the hurricanes, fires, drug addictions, car accidents, and miscarriages, become our cry. No, Jesus does not remove us from the brokenness which defines life on this planet. Bad things, even gross atrocities, happen to godly people, as well as the ungodly, every day.

Becoming More than a Conqueror

Instead, Jesus asks that the power of sin not have a death grip on us, literally. Oh, we will sin. Sometimes you and I will blow it so big, that we will want to die. This prayer of protection from Jesus is asking, by the grace of God, that wrong will not carry a damning quality with it. Jesus prays, not that we will cease to be tempted by the lusts that attract us to the world with all of its allures, but that we will not sink under these, and perish in them.

His is a prayer against Satan having any power over you and me. His is a request for victory in your life, now, and for eternity. Jesus is asking for God to step in and give you the protection you need to be that person who is more than a conqueror. Frankly, such pray over each one of us is necessary and for our greater good.

Honestly, such praying is not only necessary but encouraged in Scripture. If you have not been praying for protection from evil or from the enemy, today is a perfect day to begin. I like to use 2 Thessalonians 3:3 as my guide. Today, I want to pray this simple, yet powerful word for you.

But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one. 2 Thessalonians 3:3

A Prayer for Protection

Dear Lord,

Your word declares that You are all powerful, yet intimately in tune with the lives of Your children. I praise You for who You are and thank You for how much You love Your own. You are a faithful God. It is You who provides for our every need. You are familiar with all our affairs and know intimately our comings and goings. I ask that You keep my friend, that You protect her until Your plan for her life is perfected in heaven.

Protect her from evil. Do not allow her foot to slip. Shield her from following the things that are worthless, and give her only eyes to see Your goodness, Your delight in her, and Your ability to meet every single need. Draw her close to You so that the surrounding evils have no allure. And always make a way of escape from the sin that entangles, preserving her life for all eternity. Strengthen her as You lavish Your protection over her.

In the glorious and unmatched name of Jesus.

Amen

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