I Am: The Gate

Therefore Jesus said again, “Very truly I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. All who have come before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep have not listened to them. I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. (John 10:7-10)

Dear Jesus,

You are the gate. You are the gate of protection as your guard your sheep and you are the gate of entry. I pray you send your mighty angels to protect these children from the attack of the evil one. Build a strong hedge around them with you as the gate.

May these children also understand that you are the only path to true safety, to salvation from evil. Show them that they are not strong enough to withstand the evil one on their own, that they need to stay in the flock, your church, and not stray out on their own. Show them that safety resides in your flock because you are looking over the flock and that is where your protection lies - because you are the entry gate.  Help them to understand the seriousness of the danger that lays in wait for sheep who wander. The evil one waits to entice and entangle the wanderer in sin and to deceive them into believing they are safe, all the while intending to devour them spiritually. Lead them abandon their prideful view of self-sufficiency and to look to you for safety and protection.

Amen