One morning several years ago as I was praying, the Lord gave me a mental picture. Some might call it a vision. Whatever it is called, I saw something: A rattlesnake coiled at my dad’s feet. Seemed like a kairos time to me! I spent about 15 minutes praying earnestly for his protection until I felt released from the urgency.

The next day he called me-he was in Florida, I was in Texas-and said, “You’ll never guess what happened yesterday. Jodie (my stepmother) went out back to the shed. Before walking in as she normally would, she pushed the door open, stopped and looked down. There where she was about to step was a coiled rattlesnake. She backed away carefully, came and got me and I killed it.”

I said to Dad, “Yeah, I know.”

Surprised, he asked, “How did you know?”

“I saw it in the spirit,” I responded, “and prayed for your protection. You owe me.” (No, I didn’t really say the part about owing me. I acted real humble and said something like, “Praise God” or “Praise Jesus.” You know how we do it!)

What was I doing as I prayed for him? Setting boundaries (paga) of protection around him and Jodie.

How did I pray? I asked the Father to protect them. I bound any attempt of Satan to harm them. I quoted a verse or two of Scripture promising protection. Then I prayed in the Spirit.

Intercessory Prayer by Dutch Sheets, p.84. 1996, Gospel Light/Regal Books, Ventura, CA 93003. Used by Permission.