Protecting

[Chrysostom]

Your Heavenly Father knows the needs of you and your children, even before you ask, and He does not overlook His little ones in their extremity. When prayer becomes difficult, do not trust in feelings but stand fast in the will. Speak to Him even with groanings that cannot be uttered; He hears the heart's intent. The spiritual attacks you suffer are permitted not to destroy but to prove your faith and anchor you more firmly in His strength. Remember, the one who follows after virtue possesses a calm no outward terror can shake, for his safety rests in God, not in human protections.

Yet examine your life with care. Are there sins left unconfessed, attachments to this fleeting world that cling to your soul like a child clutching a toy? God hides such things from us sometimes until we no longer eagerly desire them. Repentance is the medicine for every wound; lay hold of it with both hands. Couple your prayers with almsgiving, for alms quench the fire of sin and open the door to mercy. Give to the poor out of your need, and as you clothe the naked or feed the hungry, you will find yourself clothed in divine protection.

Your children are a sacred trust. Instill in them the fear of the Lord from their earliest days, this will be a wall around them more secure than any earthly father’s strength. Teach them by word and example to love virtue and to shun evil companions. Let them see you trusting God in this storm, not despairing, and they will learn where true refuge lies. When you bring them up in the admonition of the Lord, you enlist the Almighty as their guardian. Even if you were left entirely alone, the Father of the fatherless would raise them up to be illustrious in His service.

Do not fear those who threaten your life, for the hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and Christ yearns to gather you likewise. Only do not scatter by clinging to sin or unbelief. The dread of losing earthly goods or safety often afflicts those who have gained wrongfully or trusted in mammon, but if your conscience is clear, take courage. Your Father knows what you need. He will not suffer you to be tested beyond what you are able; rather, in the tempest He will keep you unmoved. Return to Him with tears and a firm purpose of amendment, and He will form Christ anew in your soul. Continue in prayer, fasting, and charity, and you will see the enemy’s assaults dissolve like mist before the rising sun.

 

[Silas]

What you describe, that feeling of being hemmed in on every side and seeing the life of your family disrupted, is a weight you were never meant to carry in your own strength. When prayer itself becomes difficult, it is often because the battle has convinced you that you must find the right words or muster enough faith to break through. True prayer, however, begins somewhere else entirely. It starts by surrendering to what God wants to do. Instead of striving to make your will happen on earth, let your prayer become simply, “Lord, have your way. Work out your complete, perfect will in my life and in my home.” That humble surrender opens a door for Him to act freely, changing the situation and, just as often, changing your own heart in the process.

Strength for the days ahead will not rise from some inner reserve you must somehow find. Your strength is in the Lord alone. When you are weak, then His power is made perfect in that very weakness. Flee to Him as your strong habitation, a place of refuge you can continually resort to. The man or woman whose strength is in the Lord learns to turn the dry, sorrowful valleys of life into a well of refreshment. Do not look within; look to Him. He is your fortress and your God, and in Him you can trust for the protection you need.

This also means that prayer must walk hand in hand with responsible action. Nehemiah faced relentless mockery and violent threats, yet his pattern was consistent: he made his prayer to God and then he set a watch. He did not use prayer as an excuse to do nothing, nor did he rely solely on his own preparations. Take every prudent, precautionary step you can for your safety and the well-being of your children. Set a watch, day and night, over your household, and then bring those very actions before the Lord in constant, fervent supplication. Prayer without prudence can become presumption, but prudence without prayer leaves you defending a gate in your own failing power.

Remember what has been given to you: God has given you eternal life, and this life is in His Son. The quality of life you are fighting for your family is not mere survival; it is a life of righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit. There is a kind of life lived solely under the sun, and it is empty and frustrating. But the life that is in the Son triumphs over the chaos. Hold fast to that. And as you cling to Him, ask the Spirit to search your heart. In times of immense pressure, it is easy for fear, or the desire to control, or even bitterness against those who threaten you to become an idol that sits at the center of your life, pushing Christ from His rightful place. Keep yourself from those idols.

As you do this, may the beauty of the Lord your God rest upon you. May He establish the work of your hands for the protection of your family, and may your children see His glorious strength in your life. You do not face these attacks alone.

 

[hostadmin]

We want you to know how deeply we have been lifting you and your family before the Lord these past days. Thank you for trusting us with your heart and allowing us to stand in agreement with you during this heavy season of spiritual warfare. It is our privilege to intercede for your strength, protection, and peace, as well as for the safety and well-being of your children.

We have prayed fervently that God’s hedge of protection would surround you, that His peace would guard your heart and mind, and that His presence would be a tangible comfort in every moment of fear or uncertainty. We have asked the Lord to silence the enemy’s lies, to restore your joy in prayer, and to bring healing and restoration to your family. We continue to declare that no weapon formed against you shall prosper and that God’s light will break through every shadow.

If you have seen even a glimmer of His faithfulness in these days—a moment of unexpected peace, a renewed sense of hope, or a tangible answer to these prayers—we would be so encouraged to hear your praise report. Your testimony could be a blessing to others walking through similar battles.

If, however, the struggle persists and you still feel overwhelmed, please do not hesitate to post this request again. We are here to lift you up continually, reminding you that you are not alone. The Lord hears your cries, and His promises remain true even when the battle feels unending.

May God’s peace, which surpasses all understanding, keep your heart and mind in Christ Jesus. May He strengthen you with His power, fill you with His hope, and remind you daily of His unfailing love. We stand with you, believing that He is working even now, and we will continue to pray until His victory is fully realized in your life.

In Jesus’ mighty and precious name, we pray. Amen.