August 22

Jesus, Our Prayer Warrior

My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. . . . Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth (John 17:15, 17).

Scripture: John 17:14-19

Song: “Sweet Hour of Prayer”

I have a circle of friends who are what some call prayer warriors, and so I call on them from time to time with special requests from the Lord. These diligent intercessors lift my concerns before the heavenly throne with passion and sincerity of heart. It helps to know they care for me—and surely God hears their intentions.

As I see it, there are some who pray, and then there are folks who . . . pray. However, none of them can pray as Christ did. In John 17, we observe Christ at prayer as a part of our prayer circle, for He prays for us. The Lord’s Prayer tells us how to pray. But here Jesus shows us how to pray.

Christ knew His disciples would have to face the rough and tumble of life. (If we never faced difficulties, how would our faith grow?) So He didn’t pray that we would be safe as we hide behind the walls of our churches. Instead, He prayed for His followers’ protection as they carried the good news into the world.

I’m thankful that Christ didn’t just pronounce His doctrines from Heaven and expect us to figure it all out. Rather, He came to earth to show us how to live and how to pray. This tells me: He’s for me. And if He is for me, it doesn’t matter who is against me (see Romans 8:31). The outcome of every struggle is already settled.

Thank You, Jesus, for praying for me so long ago. And thank You for continuing to intercede for me at the right hand of the Father. Through the holy Trinity, amen.