Today's Verse: John 17:15

My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one.

— John 17:15

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Jesus, in showing his love and care for his disciples in prayer right before his Passion, is our great example of how we can and must pray for God's spiritual protection over those we love. The Lord Jesus knew what would happen to him, yet chose to pray for them rather than focusing on himself. Praying for them was that important to the Lord! His disciples could not leave the world and still serve the world and reach the lost with God's grace. So, Jesus prayed protection over them and for them. Jesus' example is our command to pray for God to protect his disciples from the evil one (Matthew 6:13). The apostle Paul reminds us:

The Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one. (2 Thessalonians 3:3)

We need to pray following the Lord's example!

My Prayer...

Loving and Tender Shepherd, the great Guardian of the Flock, please physically and spiritually protect your people from evil and the evil one. We trust in your faithfulness to strengthen and protect them. In the name of Jesus and following his example, we offer ourselves and our prayers to you. Amen.

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About This Devotional

Today's Verse is a free daily devotional that includes a Bible verse, thought and prayer.

The Thoughts and Prayer on Today's Verse are written by Phil Ware.

All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.