Message #1 (of 20) from the PrayerPower radio series
"Praying for Protection"

by Kaye Johns

Jesus is our model, the standard against which we are to measure our lives, and that is especially true of His prayer life. We have many references to Jesus’ prayer life in the Bible -- where, when and how long He prayed. And we have many of His personal teachings on prayer , but few examples of what He actually said.

The longest prayer of Jesus is found in John 17 [John 17:6-26]. It is, for the most part, a prayer of intercession, and He offered it for His disciples and for those who will believe in Him through their message [John 17:9, 20]. He offered it for us today, and because it is recorded in Scripture, it gives us an idea of what to pray for ourselves and for others.

One of His most direct requests is spoken twice:

"Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name -- the name you gave me...;" and, "...protect them from the evil one" [John 17:11, 15]. Anything that was important for Jesus to ask in prayer should be important to us. We’re to pray for protection from the evil one, in Jesus’ name, the name at which every knee shall bow in heaven and on earth and under the earth [Phil. 2:9-10].

Scripture provides encouraging promises of God’s protection. Psalm 91 is an example of His faithfulness to His children who maintain an obedient, abiding, love relationship with Him. But the truth is, not all of God’s children walk with Him in that way. Not all of them actively seek His shelter and protection. They need our prayers. God wants our prayers on their behalf.

Pray with me now -- Holy Father, we ask as Jesus asked, for protection from the evil one for ourselves and those we love -- we ask it in His powerful name. Amen.

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