The Fight (Spiritual Battle) Part 19
Today we are going to finish up our series on spiritual battle called “The Fight” by talking about prayer. I believe prayer is one of the most vital pieces of the armor that we have discussed so far. It is not a visible piece of armor, it is more like a secret weapon.
Ephesians 6:18 (NIV)
18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.
The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak
Matthew 26:36-41 (NIV)
36 Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” 37 He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled. 38 Then he said to them, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.” 39 Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.” 40 Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. “Could you men not keep watch with me for one hour?” he asked Peter. 41 “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak.”
Jesus directs this question to Peter:
“What, couldn’t you watch with me for one hour?”
I think he directs the question to Peter because just before they had come to Gethsemane, Peter had said that He would never forsake the Lord. I believe that expresses Peter’s heart for the Lord, he means it when he says it. Yet here in the time of Jesus greatest need, Peter couldn’t even pray and hang out with Him for an hour without falling asleep. Jesus encourages Peter and the disciples to watch and pray and He also acknowledges the weakness of the human flesh.
I think this depicts the issue for most of us. My deepest desire is to be with Jesus. To be His disciple, to follow and serve Him. But sometimes, my flesh, my selfishness, my issues get in the way.
Prayer should be of the highest priority in our lives and yet it often becomes one of the lowest. Our busy lives and the constant noise and distractions of our lives often keep us from prayer. Prayer becomes something that we do quickly over a meal, or maybe remember just before we sleep and so we toss up a quick, “Now I lay me down to sleep”. It seems as though sometimes there is just not enough time in our lives to allow for prayer. As believers, we have a very real enemy who wants to steal life from us. The evil one wants to keep you from the Word, and from prayer. If he can keep you from reading the Word, you will be consumed by the fear of the culture, if he can keep you from prayer you will be consumed by worry.
Worry and fear
Worry and fear are the opposite of prayer and faith. Our question becomes, will we allow ourselves to be consumed by our culture and become a people of worry and fear, or, will we remember what it means to be a child of God, a citizen of the Kingdom, and choose to be people of prayer and faith that live a naturally supernatural life.
Prayer needs to fill up the time that worry has managed to take hold of in our daily lives. We must learn to catch ourselves every time we give in to fear and worry and turn it over to God in prayer. Our prayers just need to be simple and honest communication with our heavenly Papa.
Engage with God about what is happening in your life. Talk to Him about your hurts and hang-ups, your fears and concerns. Share with Him your hope and joys. Talk to Him as you would with anyone you are in relationship with. He is listening. He loves it when you talk to Him. He has the power to change things and even better, He has the power to change you.
Steve Lawes is a church encourager and the lead pastor of Keys Vineyard Church.
