In my experience as a public speaker, I can testify that Satan doesn’t like Christian events or activities and he’ll disperse his minions to try to hinder them from running smoothly. So to ward off his disruptive attempts, a prayer team gathers before the event to pray for whatever the Holy Spirit lays on each of our hearts.
The term "hedge of protection" originates in Job 1:10: "Have you not put a hedge around him and his household and everything he has? You have blessed the work of his hands, so that his flocks and herds are spread throughout the land." Scripture is filled with promises of God's protection. Many turn to Psalm 91 as well as a hedge or protection prayer. I always pray: “Lord please put a hedge of your protection around this event. Protect the sound equipment, electronics, speakers, helpers, worship team, and attendees. We will give you all the glory and honor!”
In Ephesians 6:10-18, the apostle Paul penned a prayer of protection known as the armor of God. My husband and I pray these verses every morning because we know that as Christians, the enemy is going to put obstacles in our way. You’ve surely experienced some of those obstacles yourself, but Ephesians 6:10-11 encourages us to “Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil.” (NLT)
Ephesians 6:12 reminds us of something we often forget: “For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.” (NLT)
The good news for every believer is that we have access to a hedge of protection against Satan’s schemes, “Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” (Verse 17 NLT)
God assures us that we can trust him to fight the spiritual battle for us. So rather than trying to solve problems ourselves or find ways to combat what we might be experiencing in the earthly realm, our role is to call on him. “Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.” (Ephesians 6:18 NLT)
When we’re feeling fearful, worried, threatened, or stressed, we can prayerfully search the Scriptures to discover that God has already provided a safety hedge or shield of protection around those who trust and believe in him. It doesn’t mean the enemy won’t try to weasel into our life, but we know how to prevent his feeble attempts from penetrating our mind, heart, and soul.
Imagine yourself with a hedge of spiritual swords pointed up and surrounding you against any attempts of the enemy as you open your Bible to read God’s Word and pray each day.
Here are four hedge-of-protection prayers, along with sword-of-the-Spirit Scriptures, to fend off and shield us from Satan’s schemes.
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Lord, you know how my mind wanders with what-ifs and should-haves. These nagging thoughts keep me awake at night worrying and wondering about circumstances over which I have no control.
I’m often angry and frustrated with world events and find myself brooding or depressed.
Father, please help me to focus on things that are lovely and beautiful. Let me see the good in people and not corrupt my mind with the discourse and divisive voices on social or the news.
Guard me against spiraling into the abyss of sinful harmful thoughts.
In your name, Lord Jesus, I prayerfully secure over my mind the “helmet of salvation” from Ephesians 6:17 and claim a hedge of protection against any lies, thoughts, and/or emotions inserted in me by Satan or his followers.
Let me be exclusively open to your voice and available to do your will alone.
Guide me in seeking the mental hedge of protection from the Holy Spirit as he fills my mind with peace, joy, righteousness, compassion, and love. Amen.
When doubts filled my mind, your comfort gave me renewed hope and cheer. – Psalm 94:19 NLT
Surely, Lord, you bless the righteous; you surround them with your favor as with a shield. – Psalm 5:12
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Oh Lord, I want my actions to be pleasing to you. My desire is to reflect the Holy Spirit residing in my heart. But I regret to admit that I don’t always think clearly and rationally before I act. When I rethink what I’ve done rashly, impetuously, or selfishly, I want a redo, but it’s too late. I can’t rewind or erase my actions.
I admit that my wrong actions are actually a sin against you Lord. I pray you will have mercy on me as you did on King David and teach me to walk in your ways so that I can say of you as David did in Psalm 62:6 (NLT), “He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will not be shaken.”
Lord, I pray that I would consider how my actions appear to others, especially the ones who look to me for direction and wisdom. Do they see you in me or is my pride and self-absorption more evident?
I desperately want your light to shine through me. So, Lord, when I’m about to act in a way that is not loving or respectful, I beg you to give me a check in my spirit.
Protect me, Father, from temptation and falling into old patterns of behavior. Surround me with a hedge of caring people who will lovingly point out when I’m acting in a way unbecoming a Christian. Remind me that I am a new creation in Christ and place barriers to prohibit me from acting in a way that would grieve you. Amen.
Oh, that my actions would consistently reflect your decrees! – Psalm 119:5 NLT
The Lord himself watches over you! The Lord stands beside you as your protective shade. – Psalm 121:5 NLT
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Father, I want my words always to be pleasing to you, but I know when I speak impetuously or sharply you are not pleased. Oh, Lord, I need you to guard my tongue, even though James 3:8 (NLT) warns, “No one can tame the tongue. It is restless and evil, full of deadly poison.”
I know what James says is true, Father. I often seem to lack control over what comes out of my mouth. Only you can place a sentinel around my tongue to guard what I say and when I say it.
Lord, you gave me the gift of speech, which I watch brighten a face when I choose my words wisely, but I also see it bruise an unsuspecting victim when it cuts like a knife.
Your Word says that what comes out of my mouth, forms first in my heart so I need a hedge of protection to filter what’s allowed to take residence in my heart. Give me patience not to speak impetuously and wisdom to speak appropriately.
Weed out of my vocabulary ungodly words filled with poisonous vengeance, anger, meanness, harm, or pride. Fill me with grace, kindness, compassion, understanding, and love. Help me choose words and intonation worthy of being a Jesus-follower. Amen.
Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life. Avoid all perverse talk; stay away from corrupt speech. – Proverbs 4:23-24 NLT
But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you. – Psalm 5:11
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Father, our universe is changing rapidly. Everyday circumstances subject us to what feels like an unstable insecure environment. We deal with issues we could’ve never imagined even six months ago.
It seems like the world, and thus my life, is spiraling completely out of control. Each new morning presents new restrictions that separate us from each other and the stability we once knew.
Lord of Creation, I want to be brave and courageous, especially for those who depend on me to be strong and dependable, but I admit that I am fearful watching the norms I once took for granted crumble into chaos.
Help me find solace in turning each new day over to you. Remind me that nothing catches you by surprise. Just as your eye is on the sparrow, you watch over me.
I know that you might not remove me from uncomfortable circumstances, but you will go through them with me. You promise to always be holding onto me with your righteous right hand and shielding me. Even as I walk through the darkest valley, your rod and your staff will protect and comfort me.
How fortunate I am to have a God who loves me beyond my expectations and imagination. Open my eyes, Lord, to visualize your spiritual hedge of protection like a solid wall surrounding me that Satan cannot penetrate or destroy in any situation or circumstance.
With you at my side and on my side, what can man do to me? Why should I fear? Thank you Lord for being my Rock, my Shield, my Refuge, my Hiding Place, my Fortress, my Protector, my Savior! Amen.
The Lord himself watches over you! The Lord stands beside you as your protective shade. – Psalm 121:5 NLT
The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my savior; my God is my rock, in whom I find protection. He is my shield, the power that saves me, and my place of safety. – Psalm 18:2 NLT
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God stands ready to protect us against what the Bible calls the world: a culture, way of thinking, and world system controlled by Satan. Since we must live in this world, we continually ask God to protect us from the way the world thinks, speaks, acts, and the ensuing circumstances of an evil culture.
It’s a continual process of separating God’s ways from the world’s way. We can never let down our guard or spiritual hedge, but when we trust omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent, almighty God, he will lead, guide, and direct us. God stands ready with a spiritual hedge of protection to shield us from the world and to keep us from letting the world seep into our life.
How great is the goodness you have stored up for those who fear you. You lavish it on those who come to you for protection, blessing them before the watching world. – Psalm 31:19 NLT
“May the Lord bless you and protect you. May the Lord smile on you and be gracious to you. May the Lord show you his favor and give you his peace” – Numbers 6:24–26 NLT
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