Principles of Prayer - Part 9

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Are you praying for God's protection over your life and for your loved ones?

This is the last message in our 9-part series.

I think it’s crucial that you ask God to protect your family, and for those of you who are married, to pray for your wife and your marriage. Marriage and family are truly under great attack.

I really do think that one of the greatest ways that the Enemy can undermine the church and God’s people is to break up the family.

Where do you start? I start with Psalm 27:1, it says that “God is the defense of my life.” I just say, "Lord, You’re the defense of my life, and there are only a certain number of things that I can do."

Then there's Psalm 127:1 “Unless the Lord guards the city, the watchman keeps awake in vain.” I pray, "Lord I can do all these things, but ultimately, You are the defense of my life."

Here are more verses that I use in my daily prayer time:

• Psalm 4:8 “I will lie down and sleep in peace, for You alone, O Lord, made me dwell in safety.”
• Psalm 18:1-3 “I love You, O LORD, my strength. The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, My God, my rock, in Whom I take refuge; My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. I call upon the LORD, Who is worthy to be praised, And I am saved from my enemies.”
• Psalm 32:7 “You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance.”
• Psalm 40:11 “Do not withhold Your mercy from me, may Your love and faithfulness always protect me.”
• II Thessalonians 3:3 “But the Lord is faithful and He will strengthen and protect you from the evil one.”

That’s pretty cut and dry. But you have to claim the Lord's protection. You have to pray it, and you have to ask Him for it. My prayer is, "Lord I stand on Your promise. Because You are faithful, I pray that You will protect us and strengthen us against the forces of darkness. I thank You for doing that."

Listen to what Jesus tells His disciples in Matthew 26:41: “Keep watching and keep praying that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”