Praying For God's Protection
Keeping our eyes on God's greatness instead of the enemy's schemes.
Biblical principles and practical prayers for your home, family, and daily life
Preface
I begin this teaching with a reminder:
My God is so big, so strong and so mighty, there’s nothing my God cannot do.
As you read my books and explore my writings, you’ll notice that I do not focus on our enemy. So, who is our enemy as Christians? It is not our next-door neighbour, our boss, or our current governmental leaders. Our enemy is an ancient one whose first dealings with humanity in the Garden of Eden revealed both his evil intentions and his methods. Satan seeks to pull us away from our true identity and purpose through deception, temptation, distraction, and slander of God’s character.
God created us for a loving relationship with Himself, and Satan hates both God and His creation. Fear is one of his greatest tactics, with distraction close behind. If he can convince us that he has more power over our thoughts, bodies, hearts, and circumstances than God does, he has already gained ground. If he can keep us preoccupied with his tactics instead of God’s faithfulness, he has distracted us from the One who truly deserves our attention.
I refuse to follow or promote any teaching that gives the impression the battle between good and evil is fought on an even playing field or is some kind of eternal tug-of-war. God is God—the all-powerful Creator of the universe. Satan is a created being who chose to rebel against his Creator.
Casting Satan from God’s presence required no struggle on God’s part. Compared to the Creator of the universe, Satan is a defeated, created being. Christ lives within every believer, and the One who dwells within us is more than able to overcome anything that comes against us.
The purpose of this teaching is not to make you more aware of the enemy. It is to help you become more confident in the greatness of God. The more firmly we understand who Christ is and who we are in Him, the less impressed we become by the enemy’s attempts to intimidate us.
The prayers that follow are not shortcuts that replace a close and intimate relationship with Jesus Christ. He is our source of protection. Our place is always under His wings (Psalm 91). We should keep short accounts with God, quickly confess sin, and be honest with Him whenever we are struggling or feeling weak. As we walk in repentance and fellowship with Him, we give the enemy no foothold in our lives.
If you have not yet accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour, I invite you to do so today. You can read more in this article by the Bill Graham Association: What Is Salvation, and Why Do I Need to Be Saved?
I am a Christian, and my life is in His hands. I know the ultimate source of my protection and where my strength comes from. My faith is built on nothing less than the all-powerful blood of Jesus Christ and His righteousness.
Before You Continue
If you skipped the introduction to get to the practical prayers, please go back and read it first.
Everything that follows rests on one foundational truth: our confidence is not in a method, a prayer, a bottle of oil, or a spiritual technique. Our confidence is in the greatness of God.
Protection is never found in a formula. It is found in Him.
Praying Protection Over Your Home
I recommend praying through these steps shortly after moving into a new home, apartment, or any place where you expect to live for an extended period.
In most cases, this is something you only need to do once. One possible exception would be if, as a last resort, you had to remove a roommate, houseguest, or household member who had been deliberately involved in occult practices or other activities in opposition to God.
When addressing the enemy, speak aloud. You do not need to raise your voice—even a whisper is sufficient. Contrary to what horror movies portray, Satan is not all-knowing. Pray with intentional faith, not as though you are reciting a chant. You are speaking to the God with whom you have a relationship and, when necessary, exercising the authority Christ has given His people.
Dedicate Your Home to the Lord
Begin by worshipping and thanking God, your Protector and Champion.
You may wish to play worship music as you spend a few moments thanking Him for your home. Dedicate it to the Lord and invite His presence to fill every room. Ask that your home would be a place where God is honoured, where His peace is evident, and where everyone who enters experiences His love and blessing.
This is not about engaging in spiritual warfare or making dramatic declarations. It is simply an act of surrender, acknowledging that your home belongs to the Lord.
Anoint Your Home
Walk through your home with a small amount of oil. It does not need to be a special type of oil. Olive oil, vegetable oil, baby oil, or even lip balm will do. The power is not in the oil; it is in the God to whom your prayer is directed.
Offer a simple prayer such as:
“Father, I set this oil apart for Your purposes in the name of Jesus.”
Place a small dot of oil at the top and sides of each exterior doorway and, if you wish, at windows and other entrances. There is no need to make the oil obvious or excessive. Be careful not to stain walls, trim, or furnishings. If you have an attached garage, include it as well.
As you move through your home, pray a simple prayer such as:
“Lord Jesus, I pray Your protection over this room and everyone who lives here.”
Ask the Lord for Discernment
As you walk through your home, simply ask the Holy Spirit if there is anything that requires your attention.
Don’t feel you need to carefully examine every bookshelf, decoration, picture, souvenir, or piece of jewellery. This isn’t a scavenger hunt or an exercise in becoming suspicious of everything around you. Simply walk through your home prayerfully, trusting that if there is something the Lord wants to address, He is more than able to bring it to your attention.
If He highlights an object to you, ask whether He is leading you to pray over it or remove it. Then respond in simple obedience and move on. If nothing comes to mind, don’t keep searching. Trust that God is faithful to speak clearly when He wants to.
If you believe an item should be removed, remember that you do not have the right to dispose of another person’s property.
If you share your home with others and something causes you spiritual concern, speak with them graciously and without accusation. Ask whether they would be comfortable allowing you to pray a blessing over the item or consider removing it. If they decline, trust God’s protection over your own life and continue praying for them. Do not argue, pressure, or repeatedly revisit the issue.
Praying God’s Word
One of the most powerful ways to pray for protection is to pray Scripture.
Spend time studying the Bible passages that speak of God’s care, and turn those promises into personal prayers. For example, when praying Psalm 91 for your son Robert, you might personalize the passage by replacing “he who dwells” with “Robert who dwells.”
Jesus warned against praying with empty repetition. Pray thoughtfully and intentionally, allowing God’s Word to strengthen both your faith and your confidence in Him.
A Word About Angelic Protection
The Bible teaches that Satan is a fallen angel and that many other angels joined him in rebellion. Scripture also teaches that God sends His angels to minister according to His purposes.
When praying for angelic protection, direct your prayers to God, asking Him to send His angels on assignment in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Exercise discernment regarding books, websites, social media accounts, or courses that focus on angels, angelic spirit guides, or angel protectors. Many New Age teachings borrow Christian language while presenting ideas that are contrary to Scripture.
When researching online, look for a clear statement of faith. If one cannot be found, read the “About” page carefully. If the ministry does not clearly affirm that salvation is found through Jesus Christ alone, it is wise to avoid its teaching.
Likewise, avoid any ministry that places greater emphasis on the supposed power of created beings than on the Creator Himself.
A popular myth claims that when people die, they become angels. Scripture teaches no such thing. Angels and human beings are two distinct creations, each with different purposes in God’s plan. While believers who have gone before us are part of the great cloud of witnesses, the Bible does not teach that they become angels or that we should attempt to communicate with them.
Personally, I do not make it a practice to command angels directly. Instead, I ask God to send His angels according to His will and purposes.
Sample Daily Prayers of Protection
The following prayers are examples rather than formulas. Their purpose is to help you pray with confidence, not to give you words that must be repeated exactly. God responds to faith, not to rituals or carefully worded prayers. Feel free to adapt these prayers as the Holy Spirit leads and according to your own circumstances.
Pray the following in order. As you do, you’ll begin to understand the purpose behind each step.
A Daily Prayer for Your Home
Pray for God’s Protection
Father God, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, I ask You to place a hedge of protection around my home and property today. Where there are areas of weakness caused by unconfessed sin, trauma, or brokenness, I ask You to bring Your healing, conviction, and restoration. According to Your will, send Your angels to stand guard over this home.
Resist the Enemy
In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, I command any demonic spirits that have no authority to remain here to leave and go where the Lord Jesus Christ sends them.
Pray Over the Entry Points
Father, I ask that You would place Your angels at the entrances and access points of my home and property today. Guard what enters through my doors and through every form of communication and media within my home. Give me wisdom and discernment regarding the things I allow into my household, and let everything that dishonours You lose its influence.
Where people enter my home carrying spiritual burdens or oppression, I ask that You would protect everyone within these walls and minister according to Your perfect will.
A Daily Prayer for Yourself
Father God, I ask You to place a hedge of protection around me today.
Help me to walk closely with You. Let my thoughts, words, and actions honour You. Fill me with Your peace, strengthen my faith, and let the light of the Lord Jesus Christ shine through me in everything I do.
Pray Through the Armour of God
I highly recommend using Ephesians 6:13–17 as a daily prayer guide.
Paul wasn’t describing a magical suit of armour that we somehow put on each morning. He was describing the character and lifestyle of a mature follower of Christ.
As you pray through this passage, ask the Lord to help you walk in truth. Pursue righteousness. Be a peacemaker. Strengthen your faith. Guard your mind with the assurance of your salvation. Learn to use God’s Word wisely and confidently.
As these godly characteristics grow in your life, you will become increasingly equipped to stand firm when spiritual opposition comes.
Read through Ephesians 6:13–17 slowly, turning each piece of the armour into a personal prayer rather than simply reading the passage as part of a daily routine.
A Bedtime Prayer
If you struggle with nightmares, restless nights, or anxiety at bedtime, you may find it helpful to pray before going to sleep. Some people also find that quiet instrumental worship music helps settle their hearts as they rest.
Father God, I ask You to send Your angels to guard me as I sleep. You are the Lord of my nights. I give You my thoughts and my anxious concerns. I receive Your peace and choose to rest in Your care.
Praying for Your Family
Each day, pray for those God has entrusted to your care.
Prayer for Your Children and Family
Father God, please place Your protection around each member of my family today. Watch over my children, my spouse, and those I love. Strengthen them in their faith, protect them from the schemes of the enemy, and draw each of them into an ever-deepening relationship with You.
Where spiritual opposition comes against them, I ask You to intervene according to Your wisdom and power.
Pray Psalm 91
Psalm 91 is one of the most beautiful passages of Scripture concerning God’s protection and care.
I encourage you to pray through it regularly, personalizing it where appropriate. For example, if you are praying for your son Robert, you might substitute his name as you read the passage, making the prayer personal while remaining faithful to the meaning of the text.
A Historic Prayer of Protection
Christians have been praying for God’s protection for centuries. One of the best-known examples is the Lorica of Patrick, also known as Saint Patrick’s Breastplate. Whether Patrick wrote these exact words or they were later attributed to him, this ancient prayer has encouraged believers for generations by keeping their focus where it belongs—on Christ.
Unlike many modern prayers that become preoccupied with the enemy, the Lorica is overwhelmingly centred on the presence, power, and faithfulness of God. It is a beautiful confession of trust in the Lord and a fitting way to conclude this teaching.
The Lorica of Patrick
I arise today
Through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity,
Through a belief in the Threeness,
Through confession of the Oneness
Of the Creator of creation.
I arise today
Through the strength of Christ’s birth and His baptism,
Through the strength of His crucifixion and His burial,
Through the strength of His resurrection and His ascension,
Through the strength of His descent for the judgment of doom.
I arise today
Through the strength of the love of cherubim,
In obedience of angels,
In service of archangels,
In the hope of resurrection to meet with reward,
In the prayers of patriarchs,
In preachings of the apostles,
In faiths of confessors,
In innocence of virgins,
In deeds of righteous men.
I arise today
Through the strength of Heaven;
Light of the sun,
Splendour of fire,
Speed of lightning,
Swiftness of the wind,
Depth of the sea,
Stability of the earth,
Firmness of the rock.
I arise today
Through God’s strength to pilot me;
God’s might to uphold me,
God’s wisdom to guide me,
God’s eye to look before me,
God’s ear to hear me,
God’s word to speak for me,
God’s hand to guard me,
God’s way to lie before me,
God’s shield to protect me,
God’s hosts to save me
From snares of the devil,
From temptations of vices,
From every one who desires me ill,
Afar and anear,
Alone or in a multitude.
I summon today all these powers between me and evil,
Against every cruel, merciless power that opposes my body and soul,
Against incantations of false prophets,
Against black laws of pagandom,
Against false laws of heretics,
Against craft of idolatry,
Against spells of smiths and wizards,
Against every knowledge that corrupts man’s body and soul.
Christ shield me today
Against poison, against burning,
Against drowning, against wounding,
So that reward may come to me in abundance.
Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me,
Christ in me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
Christ on my right, Christ on my left,
Christ when I lie down, Christ when I sit down,
Christ in the heart of every man who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of every man who speaks of me,
Christ in the eye that sees me,
Christ in the ear that hears me.
I arise today
Through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity,
Through a belief in the Threeness,
Through a confession of the Oneness
Of the Creator of creation
A Brief Historical Note
Patrick was taken to Ireland as a slave while still a teenager. After escaping and returning home, he later sensed God’s call to return, not as a captive, but as a missionary. Over the course of many years, Patrick and those who served alongside him faithfully proclaimed the gospel throughout Ireland, helping transform what had largely been a pagan nation into one where Christianity became firmly established.
His life is a reminder that God often redeems our greatest hardships and uses them for His glory.
May this prayer encourage you to place your confidence where Patrick placed his—firmly in the Lord Jesus Christ.
©1995, 2026 Kath (Katherine) Walden
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