Praying for God to protect

King David, a strong man of God, found strength in praying for God’s protection. Many of his Bible prayers in the book of Psalms provide a pattern of praying for God to protect us in frightening times that threaten our safety.

Psalm 140:1, 7 – a prayer of David
from the King James Version

Deliver me, O Lord,
from the evil man:
preserve me
from the violent man;

O God the Lord,
the strength of my salvation,
thou hast covered my head
in the day of battle.

From the Book of KJV Prayers - actual prayers from the King James Version of the Bible (KJV) collected by Mary Harwell Sayler, ©2019 

 

Psalm 140:1, 7 – a prayer of David
in everyday English

Deliver me from evil, Lord!
Protect me from violence.

O Lord, my God,
my mighty Savior,
You have covered
my head for the battle.

From the Book of Bible Prayers – actual prayers of the Bible collected from a variety of translations and paraphrased into everyday English by Mary Harwell Sayler, ©2019

 

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Praying to our Creator God

 How strange that the slogan “All Lives Matter” has been a recent source of dissension and debate! Instead of viewing those words as a political or social statement, let’s try to get a glimpse of God’s perspective. 

Revealed throughout the Bible, this higher view shows us clearly that all lives matter to our Creator God – the God of Love Who favors each of us equally and uniquely – the Holy God Who created each of us to be forever in His presence, His family.

Perhaps this Bible prayer from the book of Psalms will help us to refocus our vision.

 

Psalm 139:13-24 – contemporary version

Lord, You formed my inward parts.
You wove me in my mother’s womb!
I give thanks to You, for I am
fearfully and wonderfully made.

Your works fill me with wonder,
and my very soul knows that quite well.

My frame was never hidden from You
when I came together in secret – as though
skillfully wrought in the depths of the earth.

Your eyes have seen my embryonic self,
and in Your book You have written
all the days ordained for me – even before
my day of birth had yet begun.

How precious are Your thoughts, O God!
How vast the sum of them!

If I tried to count them, it’d be like trying
to count each particle of sand.

When I’m awake, I’m with You, but oh, I wish
You’d get rid of malice and hatefulness!

I wish violent people would stay far from me,
for they say terrible things about You,
and Your enemies take Your Name in vain.

Search me, O God, and know my heart.

Test me to know my anxious thoughts, and see

if there’s anything hateful or hurtful in me.

Lead me in Your everlasting way.

From the Book of Bible Prayers – actual prayers of the Bible collected from a variety of translations and paraphrased into everyday English by Mary Harwell Sayler, ©2019

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Psalm 139:13-24 – KJV

For thou hast possessed my reins:

thou hast covered me in my mother's womb. 

I will praise thee;

for I am fearfully and wonderfully made:

marvellous are thy works; and that

my soul knoweth right well.

 

My substance was not hid from thee,

when I was made in secret,

and curiously wrought

in the lowest parts of the earth.

 

Thine eyes did see my substance,

yet being unperfect; and in thy book

all my members were written,

which in continuance were fashioned,

when as yet there was none of them.

 

How precious also are thy thoughts unto me,

O God! how great is the sum of them!

 

If I should count them, they are more

in number than the sand: when I awake,

I am still with thee.

 

Surely thou wilt slay the wicked, O God:

depart from me therefore, ye bloody men.

For they speak against thee wickedly,

and thine enemies take thy name in vain.

 

Search me, O God, and know my heart:

try me, and know my thoughts:

 

And see if there be any wicked way in me,

and lead me in the way everlasting.

From the Book of KJV Prayers - actual prayers from the King James Version of the Bible (KJV) collected by Mary Harwell Sayler, ©2019 

 

 

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Thanking God with Asaph

Asaph and his musically inclined descendants served as Temple Musicians,  ministering before the Ark of the Lord, singing songs of praise, and thanking God with Bible prayers such as this psalm: 

Psalm 75:1 – a prayer of Asaph
from the King James Version

Unto thee, O God,

do we give thanks,

unto thee

do we give thanks:

for that thy name is near

thy wondrous works declare.

From the Book of KJV Prayers - actual prayers from the King James Version of the Bible (KJV) collected by Mary Harwell Sayler, ©2019 

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Psalm 75:1 – a prayer of Asaph
paraphrased into contemporary English

We give thanks

to You, O Lord.

We give thanks.

For Your Name

is near.

Your Name

holds wondrous

deeds. 

From the Book of Bible Prayers – actual prayers of the Bible collected from a variety of translations and paraphrased into everyday English by Mary Harwell Sayler, ©2019

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Bible Promise: praying to God With Us

Genesis 28:15 – “Look! I Am with you. I watch over you as you come and go. I will not leave you before I have done everything I promised.”

What joy we have in Your presence, Lord! What empowering promises You have given us to claim!

You, our Heavenly Father, our Loving God, and the Creator of all life in heaven and on earth, have given Your Word to be with us. No matter where we are, You are there.

We need You now, Lord.

We need You now.

 

©2020, Mary Harwell Sayler from her book Kneeling on the Promises of God

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Prayer for God’s intervention

Troubled times now, troubled times in Bible days….

This prayer from God’s Word can be prayed appropriately now and any time we place our praise, trust, and concerns before the Lord.

Psalm 71:1-12

paraphrased into everyday English

I put my trust in You, O Lord.

Help me never to be confused about that.

Rescue me. Free me for You do what’s right.

Stay inclined to listen to me and deliver me.

Be to me a Rock where I can safely hide.

Give Your command to rescue me,

for You are my high ridge and fortress.

Rescue me, my God, from the power of evil,

from the clutches of cruel oppressors.

O Lord, my only hope is in You.

From childhood I have trusted You, Lord.

Yes, from the moment of my birth

and even in my mother’s womb, You

have tended me.

No wonder I’m always praising You.

No wonder my life provides an example to many,

because You have been my strength and protection.

No wonder I daily declare Your praise and glory!

Now that I’m older, please don’t set me aside.

Please don’t leave me when my strength fails,

for people whisper against me and plot

to do me in. They say, “God has gone from him!

Let’s go get him, for who will help him now?”

O God, please don’t stay away.

Please hurry to help me, my God.

From the Book of Bible Prayers – actual Bible prayers from many translations and paraphrased into everyday English by Mary Harwell Sayler, ©2019

Psalm 71:1-12

from the King James Version

In thee, O Lord, do I put my trust:

let me never be put to confusion.

Deliver me in thy righteousness,

and cause me to escape: incline

thine ear unto me, and save me.

Be thou my strong habitation,

whereunto I may continually resort:

thou hast given commandment

to save me; for thou art my rock

and my fortress.

Deliver me, O my God, out of

the hand of the wicked, out of

the hand of the unrighteous

and cruel man.

For thou art my hope, O Lord God: thou art my trust from my youth. By thee have I been holden up from the womb: thou art he that took me out of my mother's bowels: my praise shall be continually of thee. I am as a wonder unto many; but thou art my strong refuge. Let my mouth be filled with thy praise and with thy honour all the day. Cast me not off in the time of old age; forsake me not when my strength faileth. For mine enemies speak against me; and they that lay wait for my soul take counsel together, Saying, God hath forsaken him: persecute   and take him; for there is none to deliver him.

O God, be not far from me:

O my God, make haste for my help.

From the Book of KJV Prayers - actual prayers from the King James Version of the Bible (KJV)  collected by Mary Harwell Sayler, ©2019 

For additional translations and adaptations of this psalm, visit Bible Gateway website – my online go-to site for biblical research.

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Praying Psalm 70 in turbulent times

During his lifetime, King David often found himself surrounded by hate and ill will. In physical, mental, and spiritual danger – as we are today – this beloved man of faith turned to God, seeking protection, deliverance, and peace. 

In the midst of his own troubles, however, David prayed for others who sought God’s help. Like Christ, King David prayed for us.

Psalm 70 – prayer of David

from King James Version 

Make haste, O God,

to deliver me;

make haste to help me,

O Lord.

Let them be ashamed

and confounded that

seek after my soul:

let them be turned

backward, and put

to confusion, that

desire my hurt. Let

them be turned back

for a reward of their

shame that say,

Aha, aha.

Let all those that seek thee

rejoice and be glad in thee:

and let such as love

thy salvation say continually,

Let God be magnified.

But I am poor and needy:

make haste unto me, O God:

thou art my help and my deliverer;

O Lord, make no tarrying.

From the Book of KJV Prayers - actual prayers from the King James Version of the Bible (KJV) collected by Mary Harwell Sayler, ©2019 

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Psalm 70 – prayer of David paraphrased

Deliver me, God!

Lord, hurry to help me!

Let anyone who seeks my life

be disgraced and confounded.

Let those who wish me harm

be driven away in embarrassment.

Let everyone who seeks You

rejoice and be happy in You.

Let those who love

Your deliverance

keep saying, “God is great!”

But, God, I am in distress

and in need!

You are my help.

You are my deliverer.

Oh please, Lord, do not delay.

From the Book of Bible Prayers – actual prayers from God's Word collected from a variety of translations found on Bible Gateway and paraphrased into everyday English by Mary Harwell Sayler, ©2019

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Bible Reviewer: Reviewing Bibles and Bible prayers

Bible Reviewer: Reviewing Bibles and Bible prayers