BOOK SUMMARY | THE POWER OF A PRAYING PARENT | STORMIE OMARTIAN – SECURING PROTECTION FROM HARM

Often our most urgent and fervent prayers regarding our children are for their protection.

I started interceding for my children’s safety even before they were born, praying for protection from such things as crib death and infant diseases. As they grew, I prayed for protection from violence, molestation, and accidents. I prayed alone, I prayed with my husband, and I prayed with my prayer partners: “Hide (them) under the shadow of Your wings, from the wicked who oppress (them), from (their) deadly enemies who surround (them)” (Psalm 17:8-9).

When Christopher was in an accident, I remembered the times we had laid our hands on him and prayed for him to be protected from car accidents. We had often quoted over him: “For He shall give His angels charge over you, to keep you in all your ways. In their hands they shall bear you up, lest you dash your foot against a stone” (Psalm 91:11-12). God answers prayer and His promises are true.

I also remembered what the Bible says about the righteous person who fears God — “He will not be afraid of evil tidings; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord” (Psalm 112:7) — I began to feel the peace of God which passes all understanding.

Being a praying parent doesn’t mean that nothing bad will ever happen to your children or that they will never experience pain. They will, because pain is a part of life in this fallen world. But the Bible assures us that our prayers play a vital part in keeping trouble from them. And when a painful thing does happen, they will be protected in the midst of it so it will be to their betterment and not their destruction.

The Word of God plays a vital part in your prayers and your peace. Every time I asked God to protect us from the random violence that seemed to be everywhere, I quoted these Scriptures: “He delivers me from my enemies. You also lift me up above those who rise against me; You have delivered me from the violent man” (Psalm 18:48). “Blessed be the Lord, for He has shown me His marvelous kindness in a strong city!” (Psalm 31:21).

Disasters can occur anywhere. The point is to pray and trust God to answer.

Things happen when we pray that will not happen when we don’t. What might happen, or might not happen, to our children if we don’t pray today? Let’s not wait to find out. Let’s get on our knees now.

WEAPONS OF WARFARE
Psalm 91:1-2
Isaiah 43:2
Isaiah 54:17
Psalm 91:9-10
Psalm 4:8