Message #4 (of 20) from the PrayerPower radio series
"Praying for Protection"

by Kaye Johns

Jesus prayed for the protection of His disciples and the believers who would follow them -- asking His Father to protect us from the evil one [John 17:15]. And He taught us to pray for deliverance from the evil one [Matt. 6:13].

But if things go wrong in our lives, as they often do, we must not always assume we’re under spiritual attack. That’s a relatively easy thing to deal with, because as children of God, we’re secure in the truth that Satan can’t harm us [1 John 5:18-19], unless we give him ground.

More difficult to live with are the consequences of the actions and attitudes that come from a focus on self or from the influence of the world. Or more difficult yet, with the discipline that comes from God. Sometimes we focus so much on God’s love and mercy, that we fail to take seriously the scriptures which tell us clearly that He disciplines those He loves.

In Deuteronomy we read, "Know then in your heart that as a man disciplines his son, so the Lord your God disciplines you" [Deut. 8:5]. And in Hebrews, "...the Lord disciplines those he loves..." [Heb. 12:5-6]. In Revelation Jesus said, "Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline" [Rev. 3:19]. He was talking to the church.

God is patient and loving and merciful -- but He loves us too much to let His children continue to sin without repentance or any accountability. Shouldn’t part of our prayers address this with the Lord, asking that He help us recognize when it is His hand of discipline -- and why it’s necessary?

Pray with me now -- Father, not all prayers are easy to pray, if we’re honest. Please, tell us what we need to know about the lessons we must learn. In Jesus’ name, amen.

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