Consistent Prayer

Ephesians 6:12, "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." (NIV)

A few days ago during prayer the Spirit dropped this passage of scripture in my heart. I have felt that I needed to share this reminder with you. Many of us have heard this passage preached, taught, discussed and possibly we have even quoted it ourselves as we "wrestled" with the challenges of life. Yet, I believe the statements found in this passage are still true today. We are involved in a war with "spiritual terrorists" who seek to overthrow and defeat the faith of believers all across the world. Various forms of media are reporting stories on a consistent basis that reveal and disclose atrocities that Christians are suffering around the world from the hands of these terrorists. What is our answer to these "struggles"?

1) We must realize that our struggles goes beyond the flesh. They are being perpetrated from spiritual forces who seek to overthrow the Kingdom of God. We must carefully read the words that the Spirit revealed through the writings of Paul. We can not afford to become discouraged or overwhelmed in this struggle. We must pray, pray again and pray some more. We must remember that it is our family, our friends, our church family and the extended family of God around the world that are under these attacks.

2) We must remember that we are not without weapons to use in this warfare. Let us also read another passage that the same Apostle Paul shared with us. It is found in 2 Corinthians 10:3-5, "For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. 4 The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. 5 We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ." (NIV) Did I just hear a hearty "AMEN" from the congregation of believers that will read this blog? Let us remember that we are not left defenseless in this battle against the forces of evil. Jesus is fighting with us as well as for us in this struggle against the forces of evil and darkness.

3) Keep the faith and don't lose hope regardless of the circumstances or the situation. God will have the final word!!