While home for Thanksgiving a few years ago, I took my family’s miniature Schnauzer, Scout, for a walk. During the route, I spied the neighbors’ tiny foreign exchange student walking a huge German Shepherd. I heard him barking from down the block as he pulled away from her grip. My heart raced as they approached. I couldn’t dodge into oncoming traffic. There was no way to escape. The German Shepherd snarled and lunged toward us. I pivoted to protect Scout, and the big dog bit me through my shoe. Five stitches and two months of wearing a boot later, I healed physically. The journey to mental healing is taking much longer. I thought time would erase my fear of being attacked by dogs, but instead it grew. Kindhearted people told me not to feed my fear, and it would go away. It didn’t. I’ve sought therapy to heal from my fear of big dogs. My counselor helped me understand that the attack not only damaged my foot, but ruined my sense of safety. No wonder I’m terrified of large dogs! In addition to the Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) trauma therapy, I’m ordering my thoughts to align to truth. I remind myself that God is the ultimate healer of my hurt, not my counselor. The Holy Spirit led me to Psalm 18 where David said a prayer for protection. God revealed key insights to show how He defends me. Remember Who God Is “’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.” - Psalm 18:1-2 (NASB1995) Part of rewiring my brain involves feeding my mind on the truth that God is my Protector. I don’t need to seek trouble, but when I follow the Lord, He defends me. David opened his prayer for protection in Psalm 18 packed with truths about God’s character:
David’s prayer for protection resonates with me as I shift my focus to what God can do instead of my own inadequacies. Call Upon God with Confidence “I will call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies…. In my distress I called upon the Lord, and cried unto my God: he heard my voice out of his temple, and my cry came before him, even into his ears.” - Psalm 18:3, 6 KJV When David offered his prayer for protection, he trusted God to save him. David didn’t wonder if God would listen, but knew the Lord hears His children. We can pray for protection with the same confidence knowing that God will hear us and save us from our enemies. When we feel surrounded on all sides, the Lord is greater than all we can see. God Delivers His Children “He sent from on high, He took me; He drew me out of many waters. He delivered me from my strong enemy, And from those who hated me, for they were too mighty for me. They confronted me in the day of my calamity, But the Lord was my stay. He brought me forth also into a broad place; He rescued me, because He delighted in me.” - Psalm 18:16-19 NASB1995 God did not leave David drowning in deep waters that threatened to sink his soul. The Lord knows we cannot overcome those who hate us on our own. When we humbly call on Him for help, He honors our cries. Even when our enemies are mightier than we are, they are not stronger than our God. He can overcome every obstacle we face and make a way through the distress. God leads us into broad places where we don’t feel like we’re about to fall off a ledge, but can breathe in the peace of the Lord. The Lord rescues us because He delights in us when we give our times of trials to Him. He transforms our tests into testimonies that glorify His Holy Name. Praise God for His Protection “The Lord liveth; and blessed be my rock; and let the God of my salvation be exalted. He delivereth me from mine enemies: yea, thou liftest me up above those that rise up against me: thou hast delivered me from the violent man. Therefore will I give thanks unto thee, O Lord, among the heathen, and sing praises unto thy name.” - Psalm 18:46, 48-49 KJV When the Lord delivers us from evil, we praise God for how He shielded us. We don’t try to be glory hogs and pretend like we’ve kept ourselves safe. We recognize God as the true hero Who delivers us from our enemies. Therefore, we spread His praises far and wide to let others know the greatness of our God. I’ve memorized verses from Psalm 18 to ingrain the assurance of God’s defense into my mind and heart. These truths are sinking into my soul so that I fear God and not man (or big dogs). Praying through Psalm 18 Do you desire God’s protection from anything? Maybe you need help at work, in a relationship, or during your daily commute. If so, say this prayer of protection with me that I’ve woven from the verses in Psalm 18. “Dear God, I love You. I trust You. You are my strength to endure, my refuge in Whom I can hide, and my shield to protect me from violent people who seek to destroy me. My heart and mind are full of fear. I lift a prayer for protection to Your throne. You will always hear my cries. Stand between anyone or anything that tries to threaten Your child. Fix my mind on You and let me hope in Your defense. Give me space to feel peace, even in the presence of my enemies. I praise You for rescuing me time and time again. You hasten to usher me into a safe place of health and wholeness. Thank You for Your mighty arm that crushes my foes. May all the earth praise You for Your deliverance. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”
8 Comments
Yvonne Morgan
6/20/2024 12:48:17 pm
I’m so sorry Joanna, how horrible but so glad God lead you to Psalm 18. What a beautiful prayer to help remind us how to find peace again.
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Joanna Eccles
6/24/2024 06:00:35 pm
God is so good to give us His Word so we can have strength for whatever situation we face.
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Joanna Eccles
6/24/2024 05:59:16 pm
Our God is so great in the ways He keeps us safe.
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6/23/2024 10:32:06 pm
Joanna, I can sympathize with your fear. I appreciate how the Lord used this trial to teach you to trust Him at a much deeper level. Praise Him!
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Joanna Eccles
6/24/2024 06:01:12 pm
God does use unexpected, and sometimes unwanted ways to grow us, but He always sees us through the process.
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Erica
2/6/2025 09:53:01 am
When I struggled to find a protection verse and wrote so mamy verse, I prayed to my father my lord, I didn't know a prayer he led me to this Father I thank you. I Love you
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Joanna Eccles
2/6/2025 10:37:34 pm
Praise God that He used this blog to empower you to pray for protection based on Scripture. I agree with your prayers in the name of Jesus that He would shield and defend you today.
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AuthorJoanna Eccles has led Bible studies for over twenty years and completed the year-long C. S. Lewis Fellows Program. She is passionate about discipleship and helping people grow in Christ. Joanna enjoys coffee and reading, and currently lives in Florida. Categories
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