Note; this week we
are re-visiting a series of devotions from 2016 entitled FAITHFUL WARRIORS. It’s not something we do often, but this
series bears repeating during times of crisis.
Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere. And pray for me, too. Ask God to give me the right words so I can boldly explain God’s mysterious plan that the Good News is for Jews and Gentiles alike. I am in chains now, still preaching this message as God’s ambassador. So pray that I will keep on speaking boldly for him, as I should. Ephesians 6:18-20
Over the past week we have been looking at what it means to
get dressed for warfare – spiritual warfare – that which every Christian faces
every day. So far, we have sized up the enemy, and begun to dress for the
battle. We have put on the:
· Belt
of truth
· Body
armor of God’s righteousness
· Sandals
of the Gospel preparation of peace
· Shield
of faith
· Helmet
of salvation
We will finish this series tomorrow, but today we add one
more vital tool for the soldier, and that is communication with the Supreme
Commander:
Prayer in the Spirit
Prayer is a matter of unending communion with our Lord.
In his book, Purpose in Prayer, E. M. Bounds quotes these
words from former college professor and Confederate soldier, General
Thomas Stonewall Jackson:
I have so fixed the habit of prayer in my mind that I never raise a glass of water to my lips without asking God's blessing, never seal a letter without putting a word of prayer under the seal, never take a letter from the post without a brief sending of my thoughts heavenward, never change my classes in the lecture-room without a minute's petition for the cadets who go out and for those who come in.
If you are like me, troubling thoughts cloud my mind every
time the subject of prayer arises. It’s
as if the enemy knows if he can’t keep my heart from wanting
to pray, he’ll put enough obstacles in the way to make prayer a burden rather
than a blessing. Have you ever had these
thoughts?
How in the world can I develop a prayer-life?
I’ve got a zillion things to do – The kids won’t
be quiet
The dog barks, the pot boils over, my boss hates
me
My business and finances are in shambles
And April 15th is almost here!
Preacher – it’s not that the wolf is at the door…that
wolf has moved in and had pups under my kitchen table.
And
YOU want me to pray?
My experience has been that we do not pray because we have
not grasped the importance of prayer.
Chuck Swindoll tells in one of his books about a group
of amateur climbers scaling part of the Matterhorn near Zermatt, Switzerland.
As they came to a narrow, hazardous passage, about to make a turn, a gust
of wind swept down on them. The experienced guide, knowing the danger
this posed for the group, quickly shouted, Get down on your knees! You
are safe only on your knees![3]
Let’s Pray Together:
Father, like the guys who
followed Jesus, teach us to pray!
For You Today
My dear Christian friend – time never surrenders itself on a
platter; you will never have enough time to do all you have to do, until you take
the time with Jesus in prayer.
Title image: Pixabay.com
Unless noted, Scripture quoted from The
New Living Translation©
This devotion
originally appeared 1/18/16 as Faithful Warriors - #7
Prayer in the Spirit
