Prayer Warrior

March 12th – 1 Samuel 1:10

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1 Samuel 1:10

The story of Hannah is one of my favorites. Inconsolable because “the Lord had closed her womb,” Hannah turned to the only One who could help, God. Fervently she prayed for the Lord to intervene. Because Hannah knew, as Dr. Tony Evans says, “to bring heaven to earth, you need prayer.” During our times of anguish, like Hannah, we need to go to God. Because only He can ease our pain, change our circumstances, and end our grief. And we have to have absolute faith that, “if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.” (1 John 5:14) Prayer is a game changer. And Hannah knew this well. As should we. In our distress, we need to first come before God. Because He always listens to the cries of His children, and promises to act on their behalf!

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March 11th – 2 Corinthians 10:4

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2 Corinthians 10:4

1 Peter 5:8 tells us the Enemy prowls the earth like a lion looking for someone to devour. That’s why it’s so important we use every weapon available to us for protection. Divinely powerful weapons intended to tear down the strongholds of Satan. And one such weapon is prayer. The Enemy will do anything he can to keep us from praying. Because prayer limits his power, disrupts his plans, and stop him in his tracks. Prayer is a powerful force. For as our communication with God, the prayers of His children move God to act. Satan cannot touch or do what God does not allow. Which is why he delights in the absence of a prayer life. And also why the Enemy uses every trick in the book to distract, defeat, and discourage us from praying.

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March 10th – Acts 16:25-26

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Acts 16:25-26

In today’s verses we find Paul and Silas praying and singing hymns of praise while they were in prison. But most amazing, is what the previous verses describe. “When they had struck them with many blows, they threw them into prison, commanding the jailer to guard them securely; and he, having received such a command, threw them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks.” (Acts 16:23-24)

Can you imagine how terribly hurt they were? Yet in spite of this, they, “were praying and singing hymns of praise to God, and the prisoners were listening to them;” (16:25). They had the strength to praise God! They had joy in their hearts and they wanted everyone else to know!! There was a Godly purpose for their suffering and all the circumstances they faced.

Let me ask you this. When you have been in a painful situation, “imprisoned” in distress and difficulties, did you immediately praise God? Did you feel there was a Godly purpose in all this? Although it’s difficult in our own strength, through the power of the Holy Spirit, it can be done. Joy is an attribute of the Fruit of the Holy Spirit, and it is available to each one of us. But we must ask in prayer for this to be a continual reality in us!

I pray that each one of us can experience the same joy that Paul and Silas treasured in their hearts: the joy of His Salvation!  And may we be able to sing in joy for everyone to witness what He has done in our lives!

Blessings, Mari

 

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March 9th – Psalm 18:6

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Psalm 18:6

David had been in hiding and afraid for his very life because King Saul wanted to find and destroy him. Saul saw David as a threat and had many resources to use against David. But David  in his distress never took matters into his own hands. Instead he went to God, believing that God would hear his prayers and intervene on his behalf. When David felt weak, helpless and vulnerable, he prayed. Prayer was David’s lifeline. He knew he was limited, but God was not. And in this Psalm David calls God his strength, rock, fortress. deliverer, shield, horn of salvation, and shield. 

David looked at his enemies and declared them, “too mighty for me”. So he looked to God to have victory even against the odds. David knew that he didn’t have to face his circumstances alone and he credited God for helping him.

This is one of the key benefits of prayer. And it’s humbling to realize that we are limited, not in control of our circumstances, and need help. Yet it gives us hope to know that we can ask for help from the One who is all knowing, all powerful and able to strengthen and equip us. Every day brings its challenges and every day we need to meet with the Lord in prayer. Has the Lord heard your voice today? 

Blessings, Becky

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March 8th – Matthew 6:5-8

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Matthew 6:5-8

Why is it important to pray in secret? And why is Jesus careful to add that when we pray we should seek a secluded place and shut the door behind us? As I thought about that, I thought of the children’s book called, The Secret Garden by, Frances Hodgson Burnett. The story is about two children who are transformed from being weak, sickly, and friendless, to physically and emotionally healthy children in the garden. And I thought perhaps F.H. Burnett might be onto something here. Because like the children in the garden, our souls can be transformed by our time in secret prayer.

Secret prayer is simply a term used to described our time in prayer alone with God. Psalm 91 has much to say about dwelling in the secret place of the Most High, “He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust.”

I’d love to encourage you to spend some time reading over Psalm 91. Because I believe here Moses, who walked so incredibly close to God while here on earth, is encouraging us. Moses is saying, if we truly wish to grow deeper in our walk with the Lord, it will be through our time. Time  spent in the “secret place of the Most High.” So if you struggle to make time to spend time alone with God, confess it! Share your heart with Him. And then give the responsibility to meet together each and everyday over to Him! After all He desires to meet with you just as much if not more! God cannot fail. So make it His responsibility to provide time for the two of you to meet in your secret place.

Blessings, Sue

 

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March 7th – Mark 11:24-25

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Mark 11:24-25

Prayer is a wonderful thing. Because it allows our souls to connect with the One who created them. Yet there are things that can keep us from having a successful prayer life. Stumbling blocks that dam up the flow of communication between us and God. And unforgiveness is one of them. So much so, Mark warns us that before we pray, we need to be free of unforgiveness towards others. Why? So that we in turn can receive the forgiveness of God.

Forgiving others is hard, messy, and painful. Yet no matter how many times, or how badly we’ve been betrayed, hurt, or disappointed, Jesus says we are to forgive. In fact, forgiveness is so important to the Lord, when teaching the disciples to pray in Matthew 6, He includes in His prayer, “forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors.” How many times do we recite the Lord’s Prayer with unforgiveness harbored in our hearts?

Having a spirit of unforgiveness hinders more than just our prayers. It affects our relationship with God. For not only does it keep us from receiving His pardon for our own sins, but also His peace, grace, and mercy. And it grieves the very Spirit of God living inside of us. Because unforgiveness is a toxin of the Enemy, poisoning our minds, hearts, and souls.

In our own strength such forgiveness is impossible. But through God’s transforming power, we can pull the weed of unforgiveness, stopping it from taking root and spreading. And when we are free from its stronghold, we can approach God with the assurance that when we come Him in prayer, all things we ask will be granted according to His goodness and perfect will.

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March 6th – Romans 12:12

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Romans 12:12

Have you ever heard of Romans Road? It’s not an actual road, but rather a series of Bible verses from the book of Romans laying out the path to salvation. One of the most read books in the Bible, Romans contains the wisdom of Paul concerning our walk with Jesus. In it the apostle tells us to rejoice in hope, be patient in trials, and always pray. We rejoice knowing that whatever problems we face, God has already won the battle and given us victory. And the hope we place in Him, results in much needed rest and peace for our troubled souls. (Ps. 62.5) Endurance and patience in all things, especially the bad, keeps us from giving up and giving in before we see the light God promises at the end of the tunnel. And most importantly, being constant in prayer keeps our mind focused not on the problem, but the problem solver. Prayer is one of our greatest weapons against the schemes of the Enemy. And we know that each prayer is carried by our great Intercessor, Jesus Christ, who lays them at God’s throne of grace, and sees everyone answered!

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March 5th – James 5:16

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James 5:16

I love the quote, “I may not be able to depend on people, but I can always depend on God.” One of the best ways we show our dependence on the Lord, is through prayer. And James agrees. With everything Israel faced, good and bad, James encouraged the people to pray. Pray for deliverance, for healing, to give thanks, and most importantly, for each other. Because part of being a powerful prayer warrior is praying fervently for others. And here in James 5:18  James tells us to confess our sins to one another and lift each up in prayer, so we may be healed. Healed from more than just our transgressions, but also physical ailments, sorrows, discouragement and weakness. In all things, we are to pray for one another. Why? Because prayer is our lifeline to God. And to the prayer of a righteous person, He promises to hear and respond!

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March 4th – Acts 12:5

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Acts 12:5

When it comes to being a powerful prayer warrior, there is none greater than a small servant girl named Rhoda. Her faith in God was so strong, all she needed was to hear the voice of Peter to know her petition was answered. After Peter had been captured and jailed, believers gathered at the house of Mary, the mother of Mark. While praying for Peter’s release, there came a knock at the gate. Rhoda went to answer it, and after recognizing Peter’s voice, she joyfully ran to the people to share the good news. But they thought her mistaken. Yet Rhoda never doubted for a moment. For she had complete faith that what we ask from God, He has the power and ability to do. (1 John 5:14) We should all be like Rhoda. Exited, and full of faith. Praying expectantly to our Heavenly Father, and being filled with joy when those prayers are answered. There is great power in prayer. For when we are bound by chains and all gates are shut, the gate to God through prayer is always open. And through Him, all things are possible.

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March 3rd – Jeremiah 29:12-13

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Jeremiah 29:12-13

When the Israelites were sent into exile from Jerusalem into Babylon, the prophet Jeremiah wrote a letter to them. In it he encouraged the people to be confident in the plans the Lord had for them. He wanted them to accept their circumstances, knowing they were temporary. God was still with them and would eventually return them to their homeland. Included in this letter was a promise that God would hear their prayers and have a relationship with them if they remembered to seek Him with all of their heart. What does it mean to do something “ with all of your heart”? It means to be passionate and fully invested. Investing our time, resources and attention. If that relationship is important, we will want to make those efforts. 

Intimacy is a very special bond, and God desires that intimate connection with us. And He promises that if we seek to know Him, He will be found. Our prayer life is our opportunity to spend time connecting with God. It doesn’t mean that our prayers need to be wordy or fancy or elaborate. They just need to be humble, honest and sincere. When our prayers come from the heart, the Holy Spirit intercedes on our behalf and comforts our hearts in return. It’s the ultimate heart to heart connection….the connection we were designed for. 

Blessings, Becky

 

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