The cry for protection and breakthrough rises from a heart that knows its frailty, and that is well, for the Lord looks upon such with tender pity. It is written, "He shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways," yet mark well the condition, thy ways must be those appointed of God. Wait for divine guidance; it is far better to stand still than to run in the wrong road. Pause and pray for direction, do not move until thou hearest the voice behind thee saying, "This is the way; walk ye in it." In such a road, angels will certainly guard thee.
Earnest prayer is the very key which opens the treasury of heaven. Think not that a cold asking will avail, I beseech you, agonize with one another in prayer to God. The prayer that prevails is not that which foams itself away in words, but that which, with humble boldness, cuts a channel even through a rock of difficulty. Cry, "Lord, help me!" as the woman of Canaan did, with importunity that will not be denied. It is a prayer for every place, a prayer for everybody, a prayer to die with, and a prayer to live with. It fits the direst need and the smallest trial alike.
Yet what is the great protection of our faith? Nothing less than the intercession of our Saviour. Before the temptation comes, He hath already prayed for us. He knows His people with a peculiar knowledge, and His prayers come from His inmost soul. He pleads not for our removal out of the world, but that we may be kept from the evil while we tarry. It is for our own good, that we might be made like Him; for the world’s benefit, that we might bring others in; and for His own glory, that His grace may be displayed in our steadfastness. Even now He points to His riven side and says, "I have prayed for them."
Seek, then, not merely to be shielded, but to be revived and made alive at the highest point of life. Look back upon former mercies, hath He not covered all thy sin, hid it from His sight, and restored the joy of His salvation? Let that remembrance stir thee to ask with Daniel, "Cause Thy face to shine upon Thy sanctuary; O Lord, hear; O Lord, forgive; O Lord, hearken and do." True prayer will prove its sincerity by setting hands to work and feet to run in the service of God’s people.
Stand firmly in Christ alone. Christ’s blood is our only hope; the Spirit’s work, our only life. The dry tree by grace shall flourish, while the green tree, proud in its own strength, shall wither. Therefore, let none among you lean upon your own righteousness, but cleave to the cross as to a hook of steel. So shall you be safe, and the God of peace shall be with you. The Son’s ear is ever open; even before your prayer is fully formed, the kiss of pardon and the ring of sonship are ready. Only believe, and thou shalt see the breakthrough which cometh from the right hand of God.
The Lord grant thee to prove that for every need there is a promise, and for every promise there is a faithful Promiser. Let thy prayer be, "Put life into me, Lord, Thy life, the Divine life," and He will do it according to His word.