Spiritual Warfare: 'We Must Find the Lost Sheep'

God's Power for Our Battles — Thursday, May 14, 2026

If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them wanders away, what will he do? Won't he leave the ninety-nine others on the hills and go out to search for the one that is lost? And if he finds it, I tell you the truth, he will rejoice over it more than over the ninety-nine that didn't wander away!
— Matthew 18:11-13 NLT

Today's Prayer

Lord, thank You for helping me realize what Satan is looking for: sheep who are not with the other sheep. Thank You for reminding me that lost sheep who are all alone are vulnerable; that there is safety in numbers - and that's part of the purpose of Your church. Use me to help others realize this important truth: safety comes from being with other people of God, and there is grave danger in trying to be a Christian all alone. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

5 Related Resources by Heartlight

Finding the Lost
Devo: What Jesus Did!
"[Jesus continued,] "If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them wanders away, what will he do? Won't he leave the ninety-nine others on the hills and..."
Immanuel: In Spiritual Family
Devo: A Year with Jesus
"Dear Beloved, I began yesterday to share with you the four Immanuel passages in the book of Matthew. Recall that Immanuel is the name given to Me in...."
Correct and Restore!
Devo: A Year with Jesus
"Dear Beloved, Occasionally in an earthly family, a family member can lose his or her way. That person's behavior can become bizarre, erratic,..."
Living My MUSD #6: Shared Prayer through Forgiving Redemptively
Article by Randy Becton
Living My Mission Under Social Distancing Phil Ware opens the New Testament and reminds of a great way to live out our mission while under social distancing, prayer because prayer has always been a virtual way of blessing others.
See All 5 Related Resources about Matthew 18:11-13

Illustration

Illustration of Matthew 18:11-13 NLT — If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them wanders away, what will he do? Won't he leave the ninety-nine others on the hills and go out to search for the one that is lost? And if he finds it, I tell you the truth, he will rejoice over it more than over the ninety-nine that didn't wander away!

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Thursday, May 14, 2026

Unstoppable!
A one-year devotional guide through the book of Acts.
'Speak Out! Don't Be Silent!' (Acts 18:7-11)
"Then [Paul] left and went to the home of Titius Justus, a Gentile who worshiped God and lived next door to the synagogue. Crispus, the leader of the...."
God's Holy Fire
A daily devotional about the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
'Put to Death the Misdeeds of the Body'
"Therefore, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation — but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it. For if you live according to the flesh, you...."
Today's Verse
A daily devotional featuring a Bible verse, thought and prayer.
Titus 2:2
"Teach the older men to be temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled, and sound in faith, in love, and in endurance."
A Year with Jesus
A devotional to help reclaim Jesus as the daily Lord of our lives.
'Blessed Assurance!'
"Dear Child of the Father, All creation waits on tiptoe for the day I return and bring you home to the Father. On that day, you will experience "the....."

About This Devotional

Spiritual Warfare is a daily devotional about God's power for our battles.

The Prayer for Spiritual Warfare is written by Steve Hemphill.

More Spiritual Warfare