The world can be an evil place; a scary place; a dangerous place. When it comes to thinking about the safety of our children in this world, our minds often instantly turn to senseless tragedies in recent years like the Columbine or the massacre in Sandy Hook, CT, where so many innocent children lost their lives in school, a place where we assume our children are going to be safe from all harm. How many of us heard the news that day, filled with such anguish and empathy towards those hurting parents, and immediately sought out our own kids– to hold, maybe just a little tighter than usual?
While the weeks that followed the Sandy Hook shooting become heated politically, we parents were still left with the responsibility to see to it that our children are protected whenever they are not in our sight. We have made sure all the necessary precautions are in place at school (or church or whatever club that takes them out of our care for periods of time). The safety specialists have been brought in, and procedures have been changed to ensure tighter safety measures are being followed to protect our kids. But can we do more?
Each morning as I drop off my children at their schools, I sit in my car and pray for God’s blessing of protection on them throughout the day. In Jesus’ name I cover them both with supernatural, angelic protection, and in His name I also bind Satan and all his evil from touching them. Lately, I’ve also prayed that huge angels stand at the corners of the school buildings, guarding all the children from any harm that may try to enter. Someone who doesn’t believe in angels much less in the power of prayer may think me a little cuckoo, I guess. But I know how big my God is, and that He is faithful to all He has promised.
I recently found out that Jehovah-Nissi, God’s name in Hebrew, literally means “One who delivers, preserves, shelters, covers and watches over us”! God really is the Great Protector! Parents, we must call on God for His protection over our children.
The question you may have is, does God protect us in EVERY situation? If so, then why did Sandy Hook happen? Why does tragedy happen at all? That’s a fair question. While I’m far from a Bible scholar, my best answer would be, living in a world where God has given us free will, we end up making choices that can contribute to personal hardships, pain, and loss. Remember, Jesus said this would happen in our lives. Life on Earth is not perfect. Even though we do have free will to make our own choices, we must remember that God’s will for us does remain perfect.
Pray often. Take your thoughts and actions captive. Stay in God’s Word. Remember God is faithful, even when are not.
Here are some Scriptural references that will help you in covering your children in prayers of protection:
Genesis 28:15 Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land. For I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.
Psalm 18: 2,3 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.
Psalm 91: 1,2, 10 -12 He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” no evil shall be allowed to befall you, no plague come near your tent. For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways.On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone.
Psalm 138:7 Though I walk in the midst of trouble,you preserve my life; you stretch out your hand against the wrath of my enemies, and your right hand delivers me.
Isaiah 43:1-3 But now thus says the Lord, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.
Lisa Strnad is a homeschooling mom of two, who works independently in Christian media in the areas of writing, promotions and marketing. She lives with her husband and children in Nashville,TN.
