Protection is the act of protecting or the state of being protected; preservation from loss, injury, or annoyance. It also means defense and shelter; as the weak need protection.
Are we thoroughly protected from annoyance, loss, injury (emotionally or physically)? – No!! The fact is everybody is attacked in some form or the other. Certain things are the consequences of one’s own act and some do happen without any reason. Psalmist says in 109: 3, “With words of hatred they surround me; they attack me WITHOUT CAUSE.” Psalm 35:19 “Let not those gloat over me who are my enemies WITHOUT CAUSE; let not those who hate me WITHOUT REASON maliciously wink the eye."
You and I are in this world full of pride, deception, dishonesty (with no integrity), ungodliness, wickedness, hatred, jealousy, envy, sarcasm, and all kinds of evil. We are in a ruthless dog-eat-dog society. People may become malicious and jealous about other's growth and opportunity and somehow want to pull others down, if not for any other reason than to just derive a kind of happiness (utterly sadistic!!).
Christians are called to be like “innocent children amidst the perverse generation.” Though we are innocent in conducting our matters, are we well-guarded from the harmful actions and attitudes of others in family, office, church, and in society? Are we protected, safeguarded, covered, sheltered, screened, and shielded from the evils against us. INNOCENCE IS NO PROTECTION FROM THE EVILS IN OUR SOCIETY. Are we always in the victim mode from the attacks that harm us? Do we have to get hit at all times even for doing the right thing? Are we to just keep running like King David away from the pursuing people?
Over the years, I have understood that we can be attacked in all spheres of life and no area of life can be excluded from harmful attacks.
I was looking for some prayer format for protection that could be offered for protection against outside jealousy, envy, malice, etc. I came across the following one of Patrick, the missionary of Ireland.
Prayer for God's Protection and Christ's Presence:
“As I arise today, may the strength of God pilot me, the power of God uphold me, the wisdom of God guide me. May the eye of God look before me, the ear of God hear me, the word of God speak for me. May the hand of God protect me, the way of God lie before me, the shield of God defend me, the host of God save me. May Christ shield me today...Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me, Christ in me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me, Christ on my right, Christ on my left, Christ when I lie down, Christ when I sit, Christ when I stand, Christ in the heart of everyone who thinks of me, Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me, Christ in every eye that sees me, Christ in every ear that hears me. Amen. “
According to history, Patrick is a missionary who led multitude of pagans in Ireland to Christianity. History also adds that he almost changed Ireland to a Christian Nation.
Though the in-depth meaning of this prayer is impressive, I was not quite satisfied until I GOT the RHEMA WORD OF PROMISE from – Psalms 121: 4 through 7.
“Behold, He who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord is your keeper; the Lord is your shade on your right hand [the side not carrying a shield]. The sun shall not smite you by day, nor the moon by night. THE LORD WILL KEEP YOU FROM ALL EVIL”
“Behold, He who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord is your keeper; the Lord is your shade on your right hand [the side not carrying a shield]. The sun shall not smite you by day, nor the moon by night. THE LORD WILL KEEP YOU FROM ALL EVIL”
The latter part of the verse is sooo convincing and I am thoroughly satisfied in mind and spirit. This is the confidence we have in the ONE who protects us. He is a constant guardian, faithful keeper, completely shielding us from all evils. We can sleep and rest without worry, knowing that ONE who keeps us will neither slumber nor sleep. THE LORD PROTECTS US FROM ALL EVIL.
PROTECTION IS GUARANTEED IN THE SHELTER OF THE MOST HIGH. WE ARE SAFE IN THE SHADOW OF THE ALMIGHTY. HE COVERS US WITH HIS FEATHERS AND UNDER HIS WINGS WE FIND REFUGE. HIS FAITHFULNESS IS OUR SHIELD AND RAMPART!!! Psalm 91: 1,4
If anything tries to hurt you, it has got to penetrate through the hedge of God around you. Surely and certainly it turns out for your GOOD and not for EVIL, because as it gets through HIS hedge the effect of the attack is altered from EVIL to GOOD by the MIGHTY GOD.
The Lord says, “Because ______ (put your name) loves me, I will rescue her/him. I will protect her/him, for she/he acknowledges my name. She/he will call upon me and I will answer her/him. I will be with her/him in trouble, I will deliver her/him and honor her/him. Psalm 91: 14, 15
So, we have the blessed assurance that we are well-protected by the Almighty God and let us claim and declare the promise of God for protection in our lives.
Be Blessed!!
“And He never sleeps, He never slumbers, He never tires of hearing our prayer. When we are weak He becomes stronger. So rest in His love and cast all of your cares on Him”
So, we have the blessed assurance that we are well-protected by the Almighty God and let us claim and declare the promise of God for protection in our lives.
Be Blessed!!
“And He never sleeps, He never slumbers, He never tires of hearing our prayer. When we are weak He becomes stronger. So rest in His love and cast all of your cares on Him”
Written By: Shanta Daniel
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