When frightened about situations outside our control, we pray (believers and skeptics alike).

Many times I’ve prayed for a hedge of protection around a person or group of people, which refers to Job 1:10, when Satan complained about the Lord’s hedge safeguarding Job and his household. Other times I turn to the Lord as a fortress, like in Psalm 18: The name of the Lord is a fortified tower; the righteous run to it and are safe. I’ve often heard people extend travel mercies to one another before a trip.

But I’ve never prayed for the terror of God to go before me. At least not yet.

The Lord sent Jacob and his family to build an alter and worship him. However, Jacob’s sons had recently slaughtered dozens of men to avenge the rape of their sister. These new instructions involved traveling through the territory of those who looked to harm Jacob’s family and initiate a cycle of violence and revenge.

But the Lord shut down any potential problems: Then they set out, and the terror of God fell on the towns all around them so that no one pursued them.

What was this terror of God? What did it feel like? Did people see Jacob’s band coming and panic? Or were they afraid to come outside at all? Maybe rumors spread and a foreboding settled on the land. Regardless, the Lord shut down the violent tendencies bubbling among Jacob’s enemies.

Different than a stationary hedge or fortress, the terror of God moved with Jacob. I wonder if Jacob and his family understood what was happening? Because what would yield more peace of mind than knowing a divine dread surrounded them?

Praying for the terror of God sounds outlandish. Might such prayers unleash wild and terrifying results? But in certain areas of the world, where Christians are persecuted and killed, this seems more than appropriate.

I have a feeling we should ask for it more often.

Genesis 35 in Through the Bible in 2024

Photo by Priscilla Du Preez