God set apart the priests to carry the ark of the covenant, to stand before Him to minister to Him, and to bless the people in His name (Deut 10:8).
The perpetual assignment of the priests was to uphold the word and presence of God, worship Him and pray to Him, and bless His people (Jer 33:18). Under the new covenant, we are a royal priesthood by the blood of Jesus (1 Peter 2:5,9; Rev 1:5b-6) with the same charge of continual worship, prayer, and blessings (1 Thes 5:17, Heb 13:15).
Prayer is the most powerful means of protecting your family. Pray for your family each evening. You might start with this prayer for your household.
Pray this way:
Father, I bow before You to worship and adore You. You are all-loving, all-wise, and all-powerful. You are worthy of all honor, praise, and glory. I come to You in Jesus' name and by the sacrifice of His atoning blood which covers our sins this day. I confess my sins of ______________. I repent and ask Your forgiveness. You are faithful and just to forgive my sin and cleanse me of all unrighteousness. Thank You for Your mercy. I am clothed in the righteousness of the Lamb of God and anointed with the oil of Your Spirit. You have blessed me with every covenant blessing in Christ Jesus.
In Your delegated authority in this home, I present our family to You. Thank You for the protection of the blood of Jesus covering us, our property, our possessions, and everything in our personal and spiritual jurisdiction. Put the cross of Jesus between us and the schemes of the enemy to steal, kill, and destroy. You have clothed us in the full armor of the Lord Jesus to withstand all the flaming arrows of the enemy. The blood of Jesus is between my family and all evil footholds of the enemy, which we may have invited by ignorance or disobedience. Break the power of any soulish prayers not in Your perfect will that we have prayed or that have been prayed about us. Captain of the Lord's hosts, command every encroachment of the evil one to leave this home. Send mighty angels to surround us, dismiss all enemy assignments, and protect us from harm (Ps 91). As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.
You are in sovereign control. Do what You know is best for each of us and that which will bring You the most glory. Fill our household with Your Spirit, so that sin has no dominion here. Minister to us Your love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. You are our rear guard throughout the night (Isa 52:12, 58:8). Bless us with refreshing and renewing sleep to awake to a new day of Your plans for us. May we grow in trusting You with all our hearts, leaning not on our own understanding, and acknowledging You in all our ways. Go before us to show us the way we should go, and make our paths straight (Prov 3:5-6).
Thank You for the assurance of Your covenant of faithfulness to us. Draw us closer to You, give us a passion for Jesus, and enable us by Your grace to fulfill Your highest purposes. Equip us to stand firm and courageous in all Your will. Thank You for the right and privilege of protecting my family by this prayer offered in Jesus' name. Amen.
