The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and the One who rescues me;
My God, my rock and strength in whom I trust and take refuge;
My shield, and the horn of my salvation, my high tower—my stronghold. (Psalm 18:2 AMP)
When I was in grad school, a group of us would eat supper together while watching old episodes of Star Trek: The Next Generation. Whenever Captain Jean-Luc Picard and the Enterprise encountered danger, you’d hear the command: “Shields up!” — activating the force fields around the ship to protect everyone aboard. Tonight, I’ve been thinking about that image: having a “force field” of protection around us.
The Apostle Paul tells us in Ephesians 6 that our struggles are not against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against the enemy of our souls and his minions. He instructs us to put on the full armor of God daily to deflect these attacks. We may not always sense the spiritual forces influencing our thoughts, emotions, or actions. Putting on this armor becomes like buckling a seatbelt before a drive — a basic, necessary precaution. In spiritual terms, it’s our way of keeping our shields up.
Sometimes, we don’t even realize the protection we already have. In 2 Kings 6:8–23, the king of Aram sent a physical army to capture the prophet Elisha. When Elisha’s servant saw the city surrounded by chariots and horses, he panicked. Elisha reassured him:
“Don’t be afraid,” the prophet answered. “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” And Elisha prayed, “Open his eyes, Lord, so that he may see.” Then the Lord opened the servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.” (2 Kings 6:16–17 NIV)
God revealed a spiritual army far greater than the visible enemy, and the servant’s fear was dispelled. God’s protection often works in unseen ways, reminding us that His power surrounds us even when we can’t see it.
In the messy, complex situation I mentioned yesterday, the image of shields keeps coming to mind. Would you join me in praying for spiritual protection over everyone involved — both the innocent and those stirring strife?
Lord God,
You are our strength and our song, our salvation. We lift You high in praise and exaltation. Thank You, Lord, for being our warrior, for sending angel armies to fight on our behalf, and for working all things together for good for those who love, honor, and serve You.
Thank You that no weapon formed against us will succeed, and that peace, righteousness, security, and victory over every opposition are the inheritance of Your servants — their vindication comes from You. We praise You in advance for the breakthroughs and blessings that we cannot yet see.
We pray that Your spiritual shields would surround all the innocent in this situation. May the presence of Your angel armies dispel fear, bring reassurance, and pour hope and peace into their lives. We proclaim: “Shields up!” over Your children.
We also pray for those instigating trouble. May the shield of Your Spirit intercept their words and actions — their fiery darts — and prevent them from harming others. May false accusations fall on deaf ears, and may desires for vengeance be absorbed into a sea of supernatural Peace. Overwhelm the loudest voices with Your Spirit’s presence so they cannot help but acknowledge You. Judge them according to Your perfect mercy and justice. May Your love convict them of words and actions that are out of alignment with Your will, guiding them toward repentance and restitution. Let them join in bowing down and casting their spiritual crowns before You, Lord of Lords, King of Kings, and Lamb of God.
For this whole situation, we pray that You would set Yourself as a seal upon our hearts. May LOVE be stronger than strife, unyielding as the grave, burning like blazing fire, encompassing all that is happening. May the shield of love protect from further hurt and help bring healing to brokenness.
Through the power of the Holy Spirit, and in the strong name of Jesus Christ we pray. AMEN.
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood [contending only with physical opponents], but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this [present] darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly (supernatural) places. Therefore, put on the complete armor of God, so that you will be able to [successfully] resist and stand your ground in the evil day [of danger], and having done everything [that the crisis demands], to stand firm [in your place, fully prepared, immovable, victorious]. So stand firm and hold your ground, having tightened the wide band of truth (personal integrity, moral courage) around your waist and having put on the breastplate of righteousness (an upright heart), and having strapped on your feet the gospel of peace in preparation [to face the enemy with firm-footed stability and the readiness produced by the good news]. Above all, lift up the [protective] shield of faith with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God. (Ephesians 6:12-17 AMP)
The Lord is my strength and my song,
And He has become my salvation;
This is my God, and I will praise Him;
My father’s God, and I will exalt Him.
“The Lord is a warrior;
The Lord is His name. (Exodus 15:2-3 AMP)
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28 NIV)
Whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanksgiving to Him who sits on the throne, to Him who lives forever and ever, the twenty-four elders fall down before Him who sits on the throne, and they worship Him who lives forever and ever; and they throw down their crowns before the throne… (Revelation 4:9-10 AMP)
Put me like a seal on your heart,
Like a seal on your arm;
For love is as strong as death,
Jealousy is as severe and cruel as Sheol (the place of the dead).
Its flashes are flashes of fire,
[A most vehement flame] the very flame of the Lord! (Song of Solomon 8:6 AMP)
No weapon that is formed against you will succeed;
And every tongue that rises against you in judgment you will condemn.
This [peace, righteousness, security, and triumph over opposition] is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and this is their vindication from Me,” says the Lord. (Isaiah 54:17 AMP)