The Power Of A Teenage Prayer

Chapter 16: Lord Help Me Be Safe

While I was writing This Book,I did my own personal survey among teenagers regarding their greatest concerns and what role prayer played in their lives. It was wonderful to talk to them and read what they wrote on the survey forms I had them fill out. Because I decided to make everything they revealed to me anonymous,they had the freedom to share honestly about the things they were experiencing and how they felt about it.

In this generation of teenagers,I found that most of you are very aware of what is going on in the world around you. You feel a lot of pressure to succeed,and you know the competition is intense. But you also have great hope that there is a good future ahead for you out there.

One of the most important things you have tremendous concerns about is your personal safety and the safety of those you care about. And for good reason. You watch television. You read magarzines. You're on the Internet. You have,or at least have access to,a telephone or cell phone. You are plugged in and know that frightening things are going on in the world,and some of them are hitting way too close to home. Actually,you probably know more than you need to about what's going on,and it is unsettling to you. But there is a way to keep from having to live in fear about tour own safety as well as the safety of others,and that is to pray about it. When you lift those concerns up to God everytime you have them,and ask Him to protect you and all that you care about,you can live with greater peace about it.

Making Prayer Familiar Territory
I Learned a long time ago to pray everyday for my safety of my friends and family members. It always gave me peace to do it,and i Know that God has protected us all because of it. Praying doesn't mean that nothing bad will ever  happen,but even in the midst of things that do happen,you will see God's hand of protection.

There is no doubt in my mind that He answered  prayers. In those precarious moments,when your future is hanging in the balance,you want the confidence of knowing you have been communicating with your heavenly Father all along and He has his eye on you. These are the times,such as what I experienced,when you need a prayer answered instantly. But in order to be sure that happens,you must be praying everyday. God is a place of safety you can run to,but it helps if you are running to Him on a daily basis so that you are in familiar territory.

The Bible says, "In the fear ofc the Lord there is strong confidence,and His children will have a place o refuge. The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life,to turn one away from the snares of death" (Proverbs 14:26-27). When we have our eyes on God ,He keeps His eyes on us.

God Protects Us More Than We Know
Personally, I believe that our heavenly father looks out for us and protects us from danger far more than we realize. We have no idea how many times we have just missed a dangerous situation and have been ke pt out of the way of something harmful. But this kind of protection is not something we can just for granted. We have to pray about it.

Part of being protected by God has to do with obeying Him and living in His will. When we don't do either of those things,we can come out from under the umbrella of His covering over us. We are unable to hear His voice telling us which way to go and what to do. How many times  would people have been spared from something disastrous if they had only asked God to show them the way and then followed His leading? If only they had been communicating more often with Him so that they could recognize His quiet voice speaking to their heart. If only they had taken the time to ask God for direction. If only they had been listening to God when He spoke to them through  an authority figure He had put in their life.

It is especially important to remember all this when you are driving. Always pray for safety when you get in a car. Don't take chances by not obeying all the rules of the road carefully. The price is way too high. Ask God to keep you alert and sensitive to what is going on in the cars around you. You can be the best driver and still get in an accident because of someone's carelessness. If you do get into a small accident,let it be a lesson learned. The most cautious driver I know are ones who have been in an accident and learned the hard way. Don't think for a moment that it can't happen to you. It can! So pray for God's protection whenever you drive.

Your prayers for protection over your school are also very important. Wherever you attend classes,ask God to pour out His  Spirit on your school and protect it from danger or evil. Pray for peace among other students. Pray that any plans for evil will be exposed and thwarted.

Just remember that if there is ever anything that concerns you about your safety of others,let that be your cue to pray about it. Don't leave your life to chance in any way when you can cover it in prayer.

Prayer Power
   Lord, I pray that You wojld always protect me wherever I go and keep me safe from any accidents,diseases,or evil influences. Keep me safe whenever I am driving or riding in a car  with someone else. I want to be hidden in Your shadow from danger (Psalms 91:1). Help me to always hear Your voice leading and guiding me. Send Your angels to keep charge over me. (Psalms 91:12). Specifically, I pray for (name any area of special concern for your safety).
     Lord, I Look to you for my healing. Specifically I pray for (name any area where you need to be healed). I pray the same for my family and friends. Specifically I pray for (name the people who need healing). Thank you, Lord that you are our Healer.
     You, Lord are my refuge and my strength and "a very present help in trouble". Therefore I will not be afraid. Protect me from violence and let no weapon be used against me(Isaiah 54:17). Thank you that you will not leave me in the hands of wicked people who would try to destroy me(Psalms 37:32,33). Protect me from the plans of evil people. Keep me from sudden danger. Thank you that "You alone, O Lord,make me dwell in safety" (Psalms 4:8). In Jesus name I pray.