Message #1 (of 20) from the PrayerPower radio series
"Spiritual Covering"

by Kaye Johns

When we pray, do we ask for protection from the forces of darkness? Typically, that may not be part of the daily prayers of most people. Should it be? What did Jesus teach us about praying for spiritual covering and protection? What is our example from His prayer life?

Jesus’ first public teaching on prayer included the model prayer found in Matthew 6. He gave it as an example of what we should include in our daily prayers, and in verse 13, we’re taught to pray "...deliver us from the evil one." [Matthew 6:13] Some translations say, "deliver us from evil," but the word Matthew used is not a neuter word; it’s masculine--and "evil one" is more accurate, referring to Satan. Jesus is telling us we should pray for deliverance, for protection, for spiritual covering for ourselves and others.

Jesus reinforced the need for prayer for God’s protection in His high priestly prayer in John 17. It was a prayer for His disciples who were with Him then, and for us as future believers [John 17:20].

The first thing Jesus asked for us was in verse eleven, "Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name." [John 17:11] And again, in verse 14. He prayed, "...protect them from the evil one." [John 17:15] If it was important to Jesus that He pray for our protection, shouldn’t it be equally important to us?

Pray with me now -- Father, we ask as Jesus did, that you protect each of us and those we love from Satan and his evil spirits, for we ask in Jesus’ name, amen.

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