I’ve been thinking about the word protection recently and what that means. According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, the word protection means “the supervision or support of one that is smaller and weaker.”
In the Bible, protection is talked about in many ways. We are called to put on the armor of God to protect against the enemy, we are cared for and protected from ever being separated from God, God protects us as His chosen people (His children), and God guides us to protect us from the enemy’s plans. God is the supervisor and the support of the weak. We can’t fight the enemy alone, but through Gods protection, we are able to remain safe and prosper.
God spoke this powerful word to me the day I got diagnosed with epilepsy. I was walking from the hospital, and through my teary eyes I noticed a white business card lying on the ground and it read “PRAY” in big bold letters. I walked on and then doubled back. “That couldn’t be right,” I thought. I glanced again and this time the word “PROTECTION” was written in the same bold black font. I walked on and then once again doubled back and bent down to pick the card up off the ground. It was a normal business card. To be honest, in the moment, I didn’t think much about it. But the picture of pray and protection were burned into my brain. I can still picture it; over four years later.
In the coming months, I was constantly reminded of those words and was finally able to combine them. “Pray for Protection.” Was God sending me a sign to pray for protection over myself? To pray over my mind and body? I definitely needed this prayer as the next couple of years would bring me to my lowest mental and physical capacity. I pray for protection over myself to this day. Should you?
Here are some verses that showcase the way in which God promises protection:
Psalm 23:4
“Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”
Psalm 91:4
“He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.”
Psalm 121:7-8
“The Lord will keep you from all harm— he will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.”
Isaiah 41:10
“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
Proverbs 18:10
“The name of the Lord is a fortified tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.”
2 Thessalonians 3:3
“But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one.”
Isaiah 54:17
“No weapon forged against you will prevail, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and this is their vindication from me,” declares the Lord.”
Matthew 28:20
“And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
The amazing part is that two of the verses on this list have been my life verse at one point. Isaiah 41:10 when I was growing up, and Psalm 23:4 currently. I’ve been praying for protection without even realizing it.
If there’s one thing I’ve been learning, it’s that adults don’t exist. The word ‘adult’ is defined as “fully developed” and “mature.” In my view of the word, I used to think adults had everything figured out, that they were strong, motivated individuals for the most part. And as the definition suggests, I assumed adults were all fully developed humans capable of being anything and everything all at once. What I once thought was a trait of an adult, is actually a trait of our God. He is the protector. The one who can do it all and be anything and everything all at once. Adults are weak, people are weak. Even in our fully developed and mature state, we still fall short of being perfect every day. But God is our supervisor. He keeps us from the enemies grasp when we let Him protect us. He strengthens us in our weakness and bids us to wear the full armor of what He’s equipped us with so that we can face the world.
We can pray continually for this type of protection. We can wage against the inner and outer darkness that surrounds us. We can fight the fight with God watching over us.
What do you think: Should you, too, start praying for protection? Or have you already been doing so without even realizing it?
EMILY DICKINSON 