Now, I am going to assume for a little while that I am free of all of the aforementioned faults, which seems like quite a stretch after what I have learned about how my human iniquity can flourish so easily and so unnoticed by me! That was embarrassing
Taking ‘self’ out of the way, our – I say “our” because I know others have this problem - other problem is the Adversary. I did wonder as a young Christian at times if he was interfering with my prayers, but looked at it as hindering the prayers themselves. His hindering starts even before I say my first, “Dear Lord” and doesn’t stop. And I remember being told to “not think about Satan at all because that gives him more power” which was not wise teaching. I would say that wiser teaching on that would be, “know your enemy!”
“Stay sober, stay alert! Your enemy, the Adversary, stalks about like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” 1 Peter 5:8 (CJB)
As I meditated on this thought, oodles of things came to mind. One scripture that popped right away was James 4:7 (CJB) “Therefore, submit to God. Moreover, take a stand against the Adversary, and he will flee from you.” And as my husband added, “That doesn’t mean he won’t come back again in a different way.” That point is illustrated for us in scripture (Luke 4:1-13) where Satan tempted Jesus in the wilderness, and tried different approaches against Him, so why should we think that because our intentions are good that he would leave us alone? He knew scripture and tried to use it against Christ and he knows that our effectiveness, fruitfulness, and peace within are dependent upon the time we spend in prayer. Of course he wants to prevent Christians from praying.
Something interesting also is that when Paul wrote Ephesians, and taught about putting on the full armor of God, he ended the paragraph with verse 18, talking about prayer.
Ephesians 6:10-18 (CJB)
10 Finally, grow powerful in union with the Lord, in union with his mighty strength!
11 Use all the armor and weaponry that God provides, so that you will be able to stand against the deceptive tactics of the Adversary.
12 For we are not struggling against human beings, but against the rulers, authorities and cosmic powers governing this darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realm.
13 So take up every piece of war equipment God provides; so that when the evil day comes, you will be able to resist; and when the battle is won, you will still be standing.
14 Therefore, stand! Have the belt of truth buckled around your waist, put on righteousness for a breastplate,
15 and wear on your feet the readiness that comes from the Good News of shalom.
16 Always carry the shield of trust, with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the Evil One.
17 And take the helmet of deliverance; along with the sword given by the Spirit, that is, the Word of God;
18 as you pray at all times, with all kinds of prayers and requests, in the Spirit, vigilantly and persistently, for all God's people.
Stay tuned – more to come!
Taking ‘self’ out of the way, our – I say “our” because I know others have this problem - other problem is the Adversary. I did wonder as a young Christian at times if he was interfering with my prayers, but looked at it as hindering the prayers themselves. His hindering starts even before I say my first, “Dear Lord” and doesn’t stop. And I remember being told to “not think about Satan at all because that gives him more power” which was not wise teaching. I would say that wiser teaching on that would be, “know your enemy!”
“Stay sober, stay alert! Your enemy, the Adversary, stalks about like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” 1 Peter 5:8 (CJB)
As I meditated on this thought, oodles of things came to mind. One scripture that popped right away was James 4:7 (CJB) “Therefore, submit to God. Moreover, take a stand against the Adversary, and he will flee from you.” And as my husband added, “That doesn’t mean he won’t come back again in a different way.” That point is illustrated for us in scripture (Luke 4:1-13) where Satan tempted Jesus in the wilderness, and tried different approaches against Him, so why should we think that because our intentions are good that he would leave us alone? He knew scripture and tried to use it against Christ and he knows that our effectiveness, fruitfulness, and peace within are dependent upon the time we spend in prayer. Of course he wants to prevent Christians from praying.
Something interesting also is that when Paul wrote Ephesians, and taught about putting on the full armor of God, he ended the paragraph with verse 18, talking about prayer.
Ephesians 6:10-18 (CJB)
10 Finally, grow powerful in union with the Lord, in union with his mighty strength!
11 Use all the armor and weaponry that God provides, so that you will be able to stand against the deceptive tactics of the Adversary.
12 For we are not struggling against human beings, but against the rulers, authorities and cosmic powers governing this darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realm.
13 So take up every piece of war equipment God provides; so that when the evil day comes, you will be able to resist; and when the battle is won, you will still be standing.
14 Therefore, stand! Have the belt of truth buckled around your waist, put on righteousness for a breastplate,
15 and wear on your feet the readiness that comes from the Good News of shalom.
16 Always carry the shield of trust, with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the Evil One.
17 And take the helmet of deliverance; along with the sword given by the Spirit, that is, the Word of God;
18 as you pray at all times, with all kinds of prayers and requests, in the Spirit, vigilantly and persistently, for all God's people.
Stay tuned – more to come!