Prayer Under Affliction for Protection and Preservation from Enemies
Jump to: Torrey'sLibrarySubtopicsTerms
Topical Encyclopedia
Prayer under affliction, particularly for protection and preservation from enemies, is a recurring theme throughout the Bible. It reflects the believer's reliance on God's power and faithfulness in times of distress and danger. The Scriptures provide numerous examples and teachings on how to approach God in prayer when faced with adversaries.

Old Testament Examples

1. David's Prayers: King David is a prominent figure who frequently prayed for protection from his enemies. In Psalm 17:8-9 , David pleads, "Keep me as the apple of Your eye; hide me in the shadow of Your wings from the wicked who assail me, from my mortal enemies who surround me." David's prayers often express a deep trust in God's ability to deliver and protect.

2. Hezekiah's Prayer: When King Hezekiah faced the threat of the Assyrian army, he turned to God in prayer. In 2 Kings 19:15-19, Hezekiah prayed earnestly for deliverance, acknowledging God's sovereignty and asking for protection. His prayer was answered, and God delivered Judah from the Assyrians.

3. The Psalms: The Book of Psalms is rich with prayers for protection. Psalm 91 is a powerful declaration of God's protection, stating in verses 1-2 , "He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, 'He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.'"

New Testament Teachings

1. Jesus' Instructions: Jesus taught His disciples to pray for deliverance from evil. In the Lord's Prayer, He instructed them to pray, "And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one" (Matthew 6:13). This prayer highlights the need for divine protection from spiritual and physical adversaries.

2. Paul's Encouragement: The Apostle Paul frequently wrote about the spiritual battle believers face and the importance of prayer. In Ephesians 6:18 , he urges believers to "pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests." This includes seeking God's protection against spiritual forces of evil.

Theological Insights

1. God as Protector: The Bible consistently portrays God as a refuge and fortress for His people. Believers are encouraged to seek His protection, trusting in His power and faithfulness. Psalm 46:1 declares, "God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in times of trouble."

2. Faith and Trust: Prayer under affliction requires faith and trust in God's promises. Hebrews 11:6 reminds us that "without faith it is impossible to please God," emphasizing the importance of believing in His ability to protect and preserve.

3. Spiritual Warfare: The New Testament emphasizes the reality of spiritual warfare. Ephesians 6:12 states, "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this world's darkness, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." Prayer is a vital weapon in this battle, seeking God's intervention and protection.

Practical Application

Believers are encouraged to follow biblical examples and teachings by earnestly seeking God's protection through prayer. This involves acknowledging God's sovereignty, expressing trust in His promises, and persistently praying for deliverance from both physical and spiritual enemies. The assurance of God's presence and protection provides comfort and strength in times of affliction.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
2 Kings 19:19
Now therefore, O LORD our God, I beseech you, save you us out of his hand, that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that you are the LORD God, even you only.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

2 Chronicles 20:12
O our God, will you not judge them? for we have no might against this great company that comes against us; neither know we what to do: but our eyes are on you.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Psalm 17:8,9
Keep me as the apple of the eye, hide me under the shadow of your wings,
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Psalms and Hymns of Isaac Watts
... PSALM 80 The church's prayer under affliction; or, The vineyard ... PSALM 119 PART 16
Prayer for quickening grace ... PART 17 Courage and perseverance under persecution ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watts/the psalms and hymns of isaac watts/

The Psalms of David
... The church's prayer under affliction; or, The vineyard of God wasted ... Prayer for
quickening grace ... Courage and perseverance under persecution; or, Grace shining in ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watts/the psalms of david/

An Index to Find a Psalm Suited to Particular Subjects or ...
... Correction, see Affliction,. ... under persecutions, [766]37, [767]44; ... Persecuted saints,
their prayer and faith, [778]35, [779]44, [780]74, [781]80, [782]83. ...
/.../watts/the psalms and hymns of isaac watts/an index to find a.htm

Huss and Jerome.
... Little did that mother realize how her prayer was to ... be to the pious a cause of
affliction and persecution ... 132) The city was again placed under interdict, and ...
/.../white/the great controversy between christ and satan /6 huss and jerome.htm

Huss and Jerome
... Little did that mother realize how her prayer was to ... be to the pious a cause of
affliction and persecution. ... The city was again placed under interdict, and Huss ...
/.../white/the great controversy/chapter 6 huss and jerome.htm

The Caroline Settlement
... by a deacon, others by none under the order ... in attempting to supersede the
Prayer-book entirely ... Happily we may compassionate men in affliction without admitting ...
/.../studies in the book of common prayer/chapter iv the caroline settlement.htm

Fire! Fire! Fire!
... And in Sweden where, under Lutheran government, the most ... had wave upon wave of
affliction: everything goes ... after attending the house of prayer, the taunting ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 7 1861/fire fire fire.htm

A New Year's Benediction
... of angel's food, which they may roll under their tongue ... and tendons braced up with
the hot iron of affliction. ... to carry it before the throne in prayer, he will ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 6 1860/a new years benediction.htm

A Sermon on Isaiah xxvi. By John Knox.
... they visited thee, they poured out a prayer when thy ... the beginning: and in the time
of our affliction we ought ... shall we find the church humbled under the hands ...
/.../knox/the pulpit of the reformation nos 1 2 and 3 /a sermon on isaiah xxvi.htm

Homilies on the Statues.
... to God, [1365]440; from one under high patronage ... to God, [1388]356; saved by Esther's
prayer, [1389]356 ... Job, his character shewn by affliction, [1394]338, [1395 ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/chrysostom/on the priesthood/homilies on the statues.htm

Resources
What does the Bible say about affliction? | GotQuestions.org

What should we learn from Psalm 119? | GotQuestions.org

What does it mean that hope deferred makes the heart sick (Proverbs 13:12)? | GotQuestions.org

Affliction: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Subtopics

Affliction

Consolation Under Affliction by Ministers of the Gospel

Consolation Under Affliction in Prospect of Death

Consolation Under Affliction is a Cause of Praise

Consolation Under Affliction is Abundant

Consolation Under Affliction is Everlasting

Consolation Under Affliction is Sought in Vain from the World

Consolation Under Affliction is Strong

Consolation Under Affliction: Christ is the Author and Giver of

Consolation Under Affliction: God is the Author and Giver of

Consolation Under Affliction: Pray For

Consolation Under Affliction: Promised

Consolation Under Affliction: Saints should Administer to Each Other

Consolation Under Affliction: The Holy Spirit is the Author and Giver of

Consolation Under Affliction: Through the Holy Scriptures

Consolation Under Affliction: To the Persecuted

Consolation Under Affliction: To the Poor

Consolation Under Affliction: To the Sick

Consolation Under Affliction: To the Tempted

Consolation Under Affliction: To the Troubled in Mind

Consolation Under Affliction: To Those Deserted by Friends

Consolation Under Affliction: To Those Who Mourn for Sin

Consolation Under Affliction: Under the Infirmities of Age

Prayer Under Affliction for Deliverance

Prayer Under Affliction for Divine Comfort

Prayer Under Affliction for Divine Teaching and Direction

Prayer Under Affliction for Increase of Faith

Prayer Under Affliction for Mercy

Prayer Under Affliction for Mitigation of Troubles

Prayer Under Affliction for Pardon and Deliverance from Sin

Prayer Under Affliction for Protection and Preservation from Enemies

Prayer Under Affliction for Restoration to Joy

Prayer Under Affliction for the Presence and Support of God

Prayer Under Affliction: Exhortation To

Prayer Under Affliction: That God Would Consider Our Trouble

Prayer Under Affliction: That the Holy Spirit May not be Withdrawn

Prayer Under Affliction: That we May be Quickened

Prayer Under Affliction: That we May be Taught the Uncertainty of Life

Prayer Under Affliction: That we May be Turned to God

Prayer Under Affliction: That we May Know the Causes of Our Trouble

Related Terms

Kneeled (12 Occurrences)

Confessed (19 Occurrences)

Knelt (20 Occurrences)

Hannah (13 Occurrences)

Agony (20 Occurrences)

Possible (133 Occurrences)

Amoz (14 Occurrences)

Acknowledge (61 Occurrences)

Praying (71 Occurrences)

Beyond (209 Occurrences)

Hezeki'ah (120 Occurrences)

Kneeling (12 Occurrences)

Using (88 Occurrences)

Leaving (80 Occurrences)

Withdrew (55 Occurrences)

Fervently (7 Occurrences)

Farther (33 Occurrences)

Fasted (20 Occurrences)

Tabitha (2 Occurrences)

Repeatedly (28 Occurrences)

Distance (75 Occurrences)

Constantly (47 Occurrences)

Sennach'erib (13 Occurrences)

Short (128 Occurrences)

O (1414 Occurrences)

Boldly (26 Occurrences)

Builded (65 Occurrences)

Prayers (99 Occurrences)

Face (780 Occurrences)

Placed (297 Occurrences)

Attitudes (1 Occurrence)

Ship (122 Occurrences)

Restrained (51 Occurrences)

Proceeded (72 Occurrences)

Ground (538 Occurrences)

Ezra (28 Occurrences)

Rain (118 Occurrences)

Earnestly (78 Occurrences)

Forward (252 Occurrences)

Whereas (55 Occurrences)

Eli'sha (52 Occurrences)

Pass (1172 Occurrences)

Wept (78 Occurrences)

Fasting (34 Occurrences)

Fell (331 Occurrences)

Cup (86 Occurrences)

Sennacherib (13 Occurrences)

Nehemiah (9 Occurrences)

Confession (22 Occurrences)

Stood (491 Occurrences)

Desire (565 Occurrences)

Ghost (123 Occurrences)

Desert (322 Occurrences)

Samson (37 Occurrences)

Prayer (406 Occurrences)

Jonah (30 Occurrences)

Departed (270 Occurrences)

Laid (552 Occurrences)

Wherever (107 Occurrences)

Jeremiah (141 Occurrences)

Hezekiah (124 Occurrences)

Chosen (197 Occurrences)

Yielded (28 Occurrences)

Quite (55 Occurrences)

Quenched (22 Occurrences)

Vote (3 Occurrences)

Visited (40 Occurrences)

Zedekiah (63 Occurrences)

Kingdoms (65 Occurrences)

Keepest (16 Occurrences)

Knower (1 Occurrence)

Nevertheless (153 Occurrences)

Ninth (35 Occurrences)

Nerijah (8 Occurrences)

Needy (83 Occurrences)

Neriah (10 Occurrences)

Unjust (44 Occurrences)

Upstairs (8 Occurrences)

Prayer Under Affliction for Pardon and Deliverance from Sin
Top of Page
Top of Page