
“I pray therefore…I bow my knees before the Father…I pray that according to the riches of his glory…” Ephesians 3:13, 14, 16
Paul’s epistle to the Ephesians expresses the fact that there is spiritual warfare. Therefore, to be victorious in this fight between “good and evil” we must unite, not divide. Christians—believers—who are the church, must kneel together before their Maker and seek His guidance and wisdom.
Do you not see it? God is calling us to be united in prayer—pure, heartfelt prayer, calling upon Him to show us the way, to lead us down the path of righteousness. He is about to do a new thing and, I for one, do not want to miss it!
Everywhere you look, you either see the word prayer or hear it. Every article—O not in the newspapers or on TV—but prayer comes to us in our meditations and the scriptures referenced. God is speaking! Do we hear Him? Can we even take direction? Is it really “Not my will but Thy will” as we pray?
The busyness of this world, the rushing here and there, all the activities that take up our time crowd out time that should be spent on conversation with God. Our priorities have gotten a little skewed—mine included.
I have deemed this year—2023—as “The Year of Prayer.” I am asking the Lord to help me fulfill what he is calling me to do. I am asking whoever reads this to join me. This means consult God before every decision and listen to his word, then do what he says. I know it takes practice, just like any new activity does. This doesn’t mean that you have to give up everything else you are doing, just remember to be aware that God is with you. Listen to Paul’s instructions to the Ephesians:–
“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his power. Put on the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil…you may be able to stand on that evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.” Ephesians 6:10, 11, 13
You see, brothers and sisters, our fight is not against one another, but against the evil spirits that we allow to take over our spirit. The question you must ask yourself is, “Whom am I following?”
This is what Paul wrote in his epistle to the Romans:–
“…put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.” Romans 13:14
This is as relevant today as it was in AD57 when it was written, despite what some are saying, because God is the same yesterday, today, and forever. (Hebrews 13:8) God’s word stands and He is true to it!
So, what do you say? Shall we make this year the “Year of Prayer?” God wants to ease your burden.
Dear Lord hear our prayers. “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 15:14) In Jesus’ name. AMEN
Help us, Lord, to discern your will.