"Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the Lord keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain" (Ps. 127:1), says the Bible. And also: "He... that keepeth thee will not slumber. Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord is thy keeper..." (Ps. 121:3–5). I have leaned on statements from the Scriptures when praying about the safety of my family and our home, and I have had many proofs of divine protection. On many occasions, I had observed, from my window, suspicious people hiding behind the school that's across from my house, where they couldn't be seen from the street. I prayed, acknowledging the presence of God. Each time they would leave without my having to call police.
Once when I was alone at home, my neighbor saw a young man standing on the street, staring up at my open window. He called the police, but by the time they arrived, the young man had already left on his own.
When our neighbors formed a neighborhood safety association, I continued to trust in God for our protection. This association of residents is just one more opportunity for cooperation, mutual care, and so forth. And I have prayed to solve the problems that have come up.
