My 4 year old daughter loves to pray. In fact, I find myself saying "just 3 things tonight Ariana" or "okay say amen". When she came home from Awana with her prayer mat, she immediately began praying on her knees as though it was the most natural thing in the world. Why is prayer so easy for a 4 year old? Each sentence beginning with, "Thank you God...." and humbling herself before the Lord without question.
How do you view life? Do you fall to your knees on behalf of your family members, your children, your parents, neighbours, friends, coworkers - for their protection, for their needs, for their salvation? Do you prepare your heart & mind for the battle you or a loved one may face that very day? I am responding to these questions in my own life. How often I fail to prepare myself each morning with the 2 weapons available to me - prayer and the sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God. Wow!
"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." Ephesians 6:10-12
We are often reminded that there is a spiritual battle going on in Ethiopia. In fact the battle is often very obvious. We are entering Satan's territory when we bring the gospel of freedom to people who are living in bondage. During my last week in my Bible study, we studied self control. What struck me was how free we truly are when we allow God to control our lives.
We need God's word to saturate our daily lives in order to protect our minds from the evil one. We need to be in relationship with our Father so that we are aware (not paranoid) of the battle going on. "Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour." 1 Peter 5:8 Just as the disciples slept in the garden of Gethsemane, I fear that I often slumber. Are we ready when we face the battle? "Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground....." Ephesians 6:13
I am also aware that our focus can swing to the other direction - focusing on the battle rather than on the Lord. Beth Moore says, ``It is never the will of God for warfare to become our focus. The fastest way to lose our balance in warfare is to rebuke the devil more than we relate to God. The primary strength we have in warfare is godliness, which is achieved only through intimacy with God.``
There is also a spiritual battle here in North America and it many ways it is so very subtle. It is a battle to consume us (and particularly our children) with materialism, technology and selfishness. We are in many ways an apathetic society that no longer values truth. Do we weep for our coworkers, neighbours or relatives that do not know the Lord or are we consumed with ourselves.
I see this battle at work in my life and in my children. Satan is a deceiver and He is looking to get a foothold into our lives where we have not given control over to the Lord. May our hearts be so in tune with the Lord that when He asks us to stand in the gap for someone, we are already on our knees.
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