Bible Ballistics: BBs #577      Praying Matters!!!

 

(I wrote this last night, shortly after the incident that I mention happened..  Life happens, and I’m just now being able to post it—I hope it speaks to you as it spoke to me as I wrote it!)

I’d like to share a very recent event that has brought to my heart and mind the import of praying—not just ‘prayer’ but ‘praying’!!!  Praying is one of the most important works that we can do for God, for ourselves, and for one another!  Paul calls us to pray, because God calls us to pray!!!

“Finally, my brethren,

be strong in the Lord,

and in the power of his might.

11 Put on the whole armour of God,

that ye may be able to stand against

the wiles of the devil.

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.

13 Wherefore take unto you

the whole armour of God,

that ye may be able to withstand

in the evil day,

and having done all,

to stand.

14 Stand therefore,

having your loins girt about

with truth,

and having on the breastplate

of righteousness;

15 And your feet shod with

the preparation of the gospel of peace;

16 Above all, taking the

shield of faith,

wherewith ye shall be able to quench

all the fiery darts of the wicked.

17 And take the helmet

of salvation,

and the sword

of the Spirit,

which is the word of God:

18 Praying always

with all prayer

and supplication

in the Spirit,

and watching thereunto

with all perseverance

and supplication

for all saints;”   Ephesians 6:10-18

We are to put on “the whole armor of God”, but not just put it on, we’re to pray it on, pray it through, and pray in it with “supplication”, “watching”, and “perseverance” for one another!  I have been reminded today of the import of continual prayer for one another; and I would like to share a story and a few pointers in regard to prayer with you.

We have a friend in ministry for whom we pray regularly, and today this precious friend was in a near tragic automobile accident.  He had just left our home and was headed to church when a trailer, carrying a lawnmower, in front of him somehow broke loose from the hitch, throwing the lawnmower into his windshield, then tearing off the top of his pickup truck.  As I heard of this tragedy, my mind went to the amazing providence of our God—the God who has this precious family in His hand—and even though they’ve seemingly had one crisis after another, God has a plan for them! And while the enemy may attack, undermine, try to delude, and distract, God has a plan and when we are suited up—we are safe and secure in His hand!

Yet we can also learn from the instructions that God gives us here:

Be strong in God’s strength and power, not our own!

Depend on God’s armor, not our own self-reliance!

Recognize that we have an enemy- and resist  him!

 Recognize that ‘others’ aren’t our enemy—love them!

Live, walk, and succeed in Jesus’ perfect provision for us–

His truth (for HE IS truth)—

His righteousness (which He provides for us)—

His peace (bought by His sacrifice for our sin)—

His faith (faith in Him, and from Him)—

His mind (thinking God’s way)—

His Word (His love letter to our hearts and minds)!!!

So just a few thoughts of mine on prayer:

 It is important, unparalleled in import—

It is worth taking time for (for you will never “find” time)—

The urgency of it is beyond our understanding—

 We need to have a time to pray–

We need to have a heart for prayer—

 We need to pray regularly, continually and spontaneously!

What does that mean?  It means we should have a time to pray, a prayer list, a place to pray, and an open heart for those moments when God’s prompting of a particular person on our heart isn’t a coincidence but a “God-incidence”!  God wants us to be a channel for HIS blessings on others, to bring Him glory, to minister one to another, and to increase His kingdom. I pray that this will encourage you to value prayer, even when you don’t see the answers in your timing.

“Be careful for nothing;

but in every thing

by prayer

and supplication

with thanksgiving

let your requests be made known

unto God.”  Philippians 4:6

“I exhort therefore, that, first of all,

supplications,

prayers,

intercessions,

and giving of thanks,

be made

for all men;

2 For kings,

and for all that are in authority;

that we may lead a quiet

and peaceable life

in all godliness

and honesty.

3 For this is good

and acceptable

in the sight of God

our Saviour;

4 Who will have all men

to be saved,

and to come unto the knowledge

of the truth.”  1 Timothy 2:1-4

Thank YOU, God, for reminding us that while we may not know how YOU are using our prayers, YOU have called us to draw near to YOU, to minister YOUR grace to each other, and to the world! Let us press on to be “iron” sharpening “iron”!  We win!!!

“Iron sharpeneth iron;

so a man sharpeneth

the countenance

of his friend.”   Proverbs 27:17

He calls you/me friend!

“Henceforth I call you not servants;

for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth:

but I have called you friends;

for all things that I have heard of my Father

I have made known unto you.”  John 15:15