Prayer, Our Shield
We are in a battle and we need God's help!
We are told in
Ephesians 6:12,
"For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places."
We need daily communication with God through prayer and as in any growing relationship, communication is vital. When we neglect prayer, we enter into the battlefield without shields and weapons.
Prayer is a deterrent to the sins in our lives that binds us to this world and separates us from God,
“For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world,” 1 John 2:16. Prayer is not talking to God and telling Him how to solve our problem, nor how to change His mind, nor to persuade or influence God in bending to our own will.
Prayer is coming together with God’s heart, becoming one with God. Prayer is to submit our problems to His feet, for there is nothing too great or impossible for God,
Matthew 19:26. Prayer is trusting that His will be done, being confident that He wants the best for us,
"For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope," Jeremiah 29:11.Jesus said to us:
Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:
For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth;
and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.
Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone?
Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent?
If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children,
how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?
Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you,
do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.
Matthew 7:7-12
Sometimes we rush through the day to getting things done; breakfast for the children; getting to school and work on time; our work schedule demands labor, the process of thought and time; we rush through our day to get the bills paid, to make and keep appointments, to close off a deal and meet the deadline of a project….it’s all a rush, rush, rush……until it’s time to sit and watch a favorite TV show or movie, or to gather with families and friends for a drink, a meal or an outing. We’re too busy for God.
I encourage you all to take but a brief moment before you commence your day to chat with God and before you lay your head on your favorite pillow, take that small moment to thank Him, to worship Him and to surrender your problems or the problems of a loved one to Him. As you walk to your car, when shopping for groceries, when jogging or bathing, take a moment to unwind and pray. If you have an agenda, write a scheduled time of the day to converse with your Heavenly Father. There is no exclusive time, that is up to you, there is no limited time, no set rules or chants to be said. Just talk.
* pray in preparation for major decisions (Luke 6:12-13);
* to overcome demonic barriers (Matthew 17:14-21);
* to gather workers for the spiritual harvest (Luke 10:2);
* to overcome temptation (Matthew 26:41);
* to obtain the means of strengthening others spiritually (Ephesians 6:18-19)
* To intercede in our problems and for others (James 5:16)