One of the most common ways Christians pray for protection, is to ask God to erect a hedge of protection around whatever it is you want to protect.
Lets go over the origin of the hedge of protection, and then learn how to pray for the safety
of the ones we love by invoking the idea of a spiritual hedge to provide safety from evil.
The Hedge of Protection in the Scriptures
There are many instances in the scriptures where
a hedge is described as a means of protection. Perhaps the most famous comes from the book of Job.
After God boasts to the Devil about Jobs goodness, the Devil insists that Job is only good because
God has been protecting job; shielding him from the dangers of the world with a hedge of protection:
Thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land.” [Job 1:10]
So, this is the first evidence in the bible that
God can sometimes choose to protect certain individuals.
The language of the hedge is perhaps a little odd for the modern reader. Why a hedge?
Certainly there are better edifices to provide protection than a hedge. Why not a wall with barbed wire?
Yet, this isnt the only instance in the bible where a hedge is described as a good barrier.
but the way of the righteous is made plain.” [Proverbs 15:19]
I will take away the hedge thereof, and it shall be eaten up; and break down the wall thereof,
and it shall be trodden down:” [Isaiah 5:5]
This is just the beginning. There are many other examples throughout the bible.
So, why a hedge?
We may not know exactly why, but the difference between a hedge and a wall is that a hedge is alive.
Whereas a wall is erected and slowly deteriorates over time, a hedge is a living thing,
that with proper care and attention will only grow thicker and stronger over time.
I believe that prayer is exactly the care and attention
we need to give in order to receive Gods blessings and protection.
The Hedge of Protection Prayer
How does one pray using the hedge of protection?
Its simple. You simply invoke the hedge when asking for protection from God.
Why do this?
What I like about praying with the hedge of protection is that
it invokes the vernacular of the bible. It shows that Ive read and understood the biblical texts.
Lets go over a sample prayer:
Dear Father,
Thank you for the blessings youve bestowed on me.
You are the protector and the light. In this time of need, my child has been involved
with peers who donot share the Christian values that we hold so dear.
In your name I pray for a hedge around my child to protect her from these evil forces that are at work.
May you bless her and this household and keep us safe in this time of need.
Amen