Praying Against Evil

When we pray, we ask God for many things. God is ready and willing to answer the honest prayer of faith. Unfortunately, most of our requests are material driven, when most of what is really wrong in our life is spiritual in nature. There is absolutely nothing wrong with asking God for help procuring a new car, or to help you do well on an upcoming test. He is a Father who is very active in our lives. So those prayers are legit. But I think we should probably spend more time talking about the larger needs in our lives. The spiritual realm dwarfs the natural in both its content and its impact.

The Psalms are a collection of songs, including prayers and praises. The writers really knew how to honestly get ahold of God. They asked God for various kinds of help. But one common thread was the desire for protection from their enemies… but physical and spiritual. Here is an example of one of David’s Psalms…

“Lord, I call on You; hurry to help me.
Listen to my voice when I call on You.
May my prayer be set before You as incense, the raising of my hands as the evening offering.

Lord, set up a guard for my mouth; keep watch at the door of my lips.
Do not let my heart turn to any evil thing or perform wicked acts with men who commit sin.
Do not let me feast on their delicacies.
Let the righteous one strike me— it is an act of faithful love; let him rebuke me— it is oil for my head; let me not refuse it.
Even now my prayer is against the evil acts of the wicked.
When their rulers will be thrown off the sides of a cliff, the people will listen to my words, for they are pleasing.

As when one plows and breaks up the soil, turning up rocks, so our bones have been scattered at the mouth of Sheol (the grave).

But my eyes look to You, Lord God. I seek refuge in You; do not let me die.
Protect me from the trap they have set for me, and from the snares of evildoers.
Let the wicked fall into their own nets, while I pass by safely.”

(Psalm 141)

Perhaps you have need of God’s protection from sin and the enemy today. This is a holistic approach to protection. God, protect us from ourselves, and those who would do us harm.

[Bible quotes are from the Holman Christian Standard Bible, unless otherwise noted.]

Find more of David’s work at Heart Of Ministry.

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