Prayers Of Protection Part I: Power In Prayer

Often we falsely believe that since God is in control of everything we are absolved from guilt for the bad things which happen in the world and amongst our family, friends and communities. While it is true that we are not necessarily directly responsible for others, it is equally true that we as individuals are more responsible than is often thought.

Much of the sin and maladies in the world whould not be if those claiming to be Christians took the Christian calling seriously and allowed it to permeate all aspects of their lives. By both failure in right action and failure in right thoughts, many perish and suffer needlessly. The priorities of professed Christians appear to be shuffled rather than placed in order.

We must take the time to insure right relationships with and godly growth in those whom we influence in all areas of our lives. There come times when those we know are making decisions and we are in a place to lead them either to Christ and his Word...or to the devil and his world. There are times when they are open to our influence and in need of our words and of our prayers. We must not wait till we think they need us, but we must provide the example or teaching at the opportune time, because it may be too late later. Later they may be closed to our influence. Later we may not be able to do anything. We must discern when is the right time and when the time has past. But if we see someone grow through their whole life and never do anything then woe unto us if we say we are leaving it in "God's hands." We are God's hands. At least we are called to be.

Death and life are wrought by the very words of our mouth. (Proverbs18:21) Thus we posses a power which is best not neglected. This is why also our prayers and prayer life are so important. This is why we must spend time alone with God, and time apart from this worldly society which loves pleasure more than God and entertainment more than wisdom and fantasy more than reality.

Never should our thoughts and prayers be so high elevated that our actions are considered irrelevant. No, rather our thoughts and prayers become our actions and our future. This is why we must spend time in prayer and have our thoughts rightly directed toward the word and will of our Lord Jesus Christ. This is why those who love the world, pleasures, entertainment, and fantasy more than God and his teachings do not merely have their priorities disorganized. They actually hate God, and toss him and righteousness aside because it is impossible for them to commune with the King of Glory when they love what he hates.

I came across some real gems (to me personally) when moving boxes of stuff from my basement to my shed. Some things I had written back in 2005-2006. I found a prayer I had written and marveled as I reflected on how God has answered it in the times that have elapsed since then.

Below is the prayer I penned in late 2005 or early 2006.

Almighty God thank you for all that you have done for me in my life. Help me to go and do throughout my life what you want me too. Help me to not limit myself or you by the expectations and false limits of the world, but God that only you would set limits and expectations in my life. Be with me as and when I study and take my finals, and when I start my new classes for the last half of 12th grade and when I go to college next fall. Help me to live as a true Christian and thank you that this is possible because of Jesus Christ. Lord let him be the way, the truth and the life for me. Help my car to run well until I have more money not too worry about it. But even then help me to remember what is important and not waste money on worldly possessions. Be with me and guide me always Lord,  if I stray bring me gently but surely back to you. Amen.

I had not seen nor remembered this prayer over the past years, but I am able to see now how the Lord heard me. Everything in this prayer was answered by the Lord as far as I can ascertain. I believe this is an example of how the Lord hears, answers and blesses us as we ask him in faith.

"Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning." - James 1:17