Prayer Challenge
28 Days of Prayer
- Asking for God’s protection
God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in times of trouble. (Psalm 46:1)
So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall! (1 Corinthians 10:12)
Devotional
I remember the first time I flew on an airplane. I was probably about four or five years old. And as the plane took off and we ascended into the clouds, I was convinced we were flying into heaven. With an excited hope, I turned to my father and asked, “Daddy, are we going to see Jesus today?” The gentleman seated next to me said, “I certainly hope not!” He wasn’t ready to meet his maker that day.
Every time I have flown on an airplane since, I always pray during the takeoff and landing. Flying makes me a little nervous, even though I know it’s essential to visit our family in California, or go on a mission trip overseas. I always pray for God’s protection when we fly.
God wants us to pray for protection in our lives, no matter how small or large the situation, so He can calm our fears. As we read in Psalm 46:1, “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in times of trouble.”
God wants to be a refuge for us, a place of safety and security in our lives. And when trouble arises, we can know that He is always present with us, seeking to protect and guard us. Because we know that God is protecting us, we can allow our fears to be replaced by faith!
He also wants us to pray for protection against the enemy. That’s why Jesus prayed in the Lord’s Prayer, “And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.” We pray that God will protect our lives against the “schemes of the evil one,” and lead us to victory over sin. (Ephesians 6)
Is there something in your life causing you to fear? Or maybe you need God’s help against a temptation, or someone you know needs protection too. Be reminded that God is your refuge and strength, and allow this promise to replace fear with faith, or and replace temptation with trusting in Him.
Heavenly Father, I don’t want fear to paralyze me, or steal my joy and peace. I give you my fears right now. I want to replace my fears with faith. Lord, you are my refuge and strength, and I ask for your protection in my life. Protect me from the enemy’s temptations, protect me from those who wish to do evil against me, and protect my mind from worry and anxiety. I thank you that I can trust in You, and know You are always with me. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.
Parent Prompt
Ask what the phrase “ever present” means. Is it a “maybe” or “always” type of phrase?
Make a list of protection items and what they protect us from (umbrella from rain, sunglasses & sunscreen from the sun, helmet on a bike etc…). But what happens if it’s raining and we forget our umbrella? How helpful are our sunglasses if we forget and don’t wear them when we go outside? But God isn’t a “sometimes” protector. Psalm 46:1 says that God is “ever-present” which means He is always with us. No matter where we are or what we need protected from or what has us scared, God is always there!
Praise God for His faithfulness during the good and scary moments we go through. We can’t “forget” Him. We always have access to God, and his help, through prayer.