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Tuesday, October 6, 2009

Chapter 3: Securing Protection from Harm

"Hide them under the shadow of Your wings, from the wicked who oppress them, from their deadly enemies that surround them." Psalms 17:8-9

This chapter definitely spoke to me. I am constantly hearing about a tragedy, discussing something with friends, or creating something in my mind and then "internalizing" and worrying about it. In Chapter 3, Stormie Omartian reminds us that some of our most fervent prayers regarding our children are about their protection. Then, she asks, "How can we pray about future events when we are concerned about them having a future?"

Here are some of the highlights from this chapter that she outlined:

*Pray for God's protection on a daily basis. Start now! It does not matter how old they are or they aren't even born yet.

*Be specific. Tell God the things that worry you and pray specifically for protection from each of those things.

*Pray alone, with your husband, with family members, friends or prayer partners.

*Being a praying parent does not mean that nothing bad will happen to your child or that they will never experience pain. They will because pain is a part of this fallen world. The Bible assures us that our prayers play a vital part in keeping trouble from them. And when a painful thing does happen, they will be protected in the midst of it so it will be to their betterment and not destruction. (Doesn't that give you a since of peace? God is amazing!)

*Pray for safety in the midst of your problems. Personalize this and tell God the problems and ask for deliverance and protection for your children.

*Disasters happen anywhere. Pray and trust God to answer.

*Things happen when we pray that will not happen when we don't. What might happen or might not happen to our children if we don't pray? Don't wait.....get on your knees now!

The word of God plays a vital part in your prayers and peace. Here are some verses to remember:

"For He shall give His angels charge over you, to keep you in all your ways. In their hands they shall bear you up, lest you dash your foot against a stone." Psalms 91:11-12

---I have to stop and input a person story after typing this verse. This verse is so true. My six year old has a divine heart for the Lord and the prayers that she prays are so amazing. Most adults are in awe when they hear her. Last December, we attended a Christmas party for my youngest daughters Day Care. I went early to help with the food and Cary brought the girls a little later when it began. As we were leaving the party and walking out to the parking lot, I put Bella in the truck with me and Cary took Sophi to his truck. We were parked across from each other, but a driving section was in between us. Well, there are a lot of cars that use this church parking lot as a street to cut through to get to another street. All of a sudden, Sophi decides to ride with me and she screams, "Wait Mommy!" and begins to run. I turn around and see her running and see a truck driving down the cross through section. Neither saw the other. I began to scream at the top of my lungs. All of a sudden, the truck slams on his breaks and Sophi stops INCHES before being hit. Her nose was practically touching the truck. I am screaming and shaking like a maniac as is Cary. We both race to her and pick her up and I think the driver practically passed out. I am putting her in the car and crying and hugging and kissing and yelling all at once. I am SOBBING because I just witnessed my child almost being hit by a car. This is what she said, "Mommy, why are you so sad? The angel tapped on my shoulder and told me to stop." Immediately, I began praising the Lord. If you don't believe in angels then you may not be touched by this story as I was, but there is not a doubt in my mind that we have Guardian Angels and that night, they protected my sweet little girl.

"He will not be afraid of evil tidings; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord." Psalms 112:7

"He delivers me from my enemies. You also lift me up above those who rise against me; You have delivered me from the violent man." Psalms 31:21

"God is our refuge and our strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, even though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; though its waters roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with its swelling." Psalms 46:1-3

If you have this book, there are some really good prayers written out for you to pray. I will try to get the study guide questions for this chapter on either today or tomorrow.

1 comment:

The Stiffs said...

I think it's funny how you can be studying several different things and they all seem to slam into each other at the same time. I'm participating in a Ladies' study on Sunday morning. Then on Tuesday, I'm leading a study for a group of women going through different personal crisis and on Sunday nights, Ray leads our LIFE Group in a study about raising kids to do great things. This chapter seems to slam right into everyone of those studies.

We are very aware as a family of the dangers we face in this world, especially when we are called to be his hands and feet. Prayer helps solidify our faith in God and our knowledge that what happens here is passing. It's eternity that I need to think about. Unfortunately, that's a lesson we learned the hard way. It's tough.

I'm so glad Sophi was stopped. I think every parent has a moment just like that. Thanks for sharing. It's all stuff I'm clearly supposed to be hearing right now.