Pray!

Pray!

Pray at all times (on every occasion, in every season) in the Spirit, with all [manner of] prayer and entreaty. To that end keep alert and watch with strong purpose and perseverance, interceding in behalf of all the saints (God's consecrated people).

Ephesians 6:18 AMPC

The Inspiration:

Paul, the writer of these words, informs the believers of his time, as well as the rest of us in this generation, that we need to be ready for what is coming. Everywhere you turn, there are pressures to compromise or blend in. It takes less effort for me to flow with current trends than to dare to stand for what is right. Fortunately, God is also aware of these challenges, so He provides tools, information and help that are adequate and sufficient for whatever is coming. Just as the top of the portion of the bible from which today's verse is taken, you find these words: 'be strong in the Lord; draw your strength from Him'. God will not remind me of who He is, what He is and what He gives, if there is no situation that will place a demand on these at some point in my life. God has done for and given me all I need for life and Godliness; the question will be if I know God, and I can take Him at His Word. Am I fully relying on God and His strength, or am I seeking other options and alternatives? 

The Contention:

God's provisions for the season we are in are important for every Christian. If I am truly one, I must be aware that I will not survive the coming battle without the complete armour. Different parts are mentioned, covering different but important parts of the body. There is a part for the head, and another for the chest. There is a covering for the feet, and something to hold in both hands, either as a weapon of offence, such as a sword, and a weapon of defence also, such as a shield. All of these parts are critical for the survival of the Christian soldier, and I do not see how a soldier can fight well, if any part is missing or taken off in the midst of a battle. Pray, what is the fate of a soldier who fights without any helmet protecting the head? What would happen if there is no shield to protect from the missiles the enemy will throw? When there is a need to attack, but there is no sword and no word, how would you defeat the devil? Don't dare face the devil without being properly kitted, so you do not become a casualty of war..

The Conclusion:

There is a part of the armour that is not tied to a part of the body, but is critical indeed. It is prayer. You can do all you can: dress up properly and be ready as best as you can, but you need the help of the Man of War to help you deploy the weapons in the right way, in order to achieve the right results. There is no wrong prayer, as long as you are led by the Spirit of God. He is the One who knows the mind of God, as well as how best a particular battle can be fought and won. I need to be constantly tuned to what God is saying and where He is leading. Prayer can never be too much, and there is no limit to topics, events, situations or people that cannot be covered in prayer. It is an invitation to God to come and do what He has already promised He can do. It is an acknowledgement by me that God is all-powerful, and prayer is my way of asking Him to come and display his power. He may not answer the way I think best, but He will always do what will bring Him glory, and that is enough for me. I take advantage of the opportunity and access God has given, and I ask Him to come and show Himself strong in my life and world. Would you let Him? God's time of favour is here.