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Prayer Warriors The spirit of the prayer warrior is a strange paradox. Christward it is one of conscious weakness seeking strength. Satanward it is one of conscious strength expressed in victory. This dual attitude is both the cause and the effect of prayer. The Christian warrior has absolutely nothing in himself with which to meet such a foe or to win out in such a conflict. Standing alone before Satan and his hosts, he would tremble in fear and flee in defeat. He gladly acknowledges the truth of Gods Word: "Apart from Me ye can do nothing." John 15:5 But the wrestler has everything in Christ. His one necessity then is to keep in constant communication with his Lord. Unbroken communication through prayer with Christ is the only ground of assurance of habitual victory over Satan. "Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints." Eph 6:18 "Praying always" is to have such unbroken communion with the Lord that all things, at all times, in all places, may be carried to Him in the upward look and inward attitude, even if no words are spoken. It implies also the outstretched hand of complete dependence both on ordinary days and in sudden crises. But preparedness against Satan's wiles requires the wisdom and strength that only comes through times set apart for prayer. Satan fears nothing as he fears a saint who knows how to prevail with God in prayer and release the omnipotent power of God against him. So he will use every devise to keep us from praying. He will cause physical fatigue and lethargy; unfit us mentally for prayer through the cares and burdens of the home and of business; and destroy our power in prayer through doubt, discouragement and depression. So when we least feel like praying is the time we most need to pray, for Satan already has gained a foothold in us. "With all prayer and supplication;" Praying at all time in prosperity as well as adversity; in sickness or health; morning, noon and night, as the Psalmist prayed; Praying for all things in our personal life, home, business, work, that no loophole may be left for Satan to enter and to work. Everything needs to be covered by prayer. There are times when the enemy has attacked in such a surprising way and we are so unprepared to meet the onslaught. "And supplication;" Going beyond our own needs and withstanding Satan's attacks on others by specific petition. We are told also to pray "in the Spirit." Prayer that is in the flesh will have no power, as carnal weapons do not prevail in spiritual warfare. Effectual prayer in warfare needs to start with God who sees the whole battlefield, who knows the devils plan of campaign, and who indeed allows us to come under attack so that we grow in faith. God Himself must give us the prayer to pray. It must come straight from His heart to ours with a deep sense of conviction, urgency and assurance. This is the work of the Holy Spirit. We do not see Satan's hidden ambush, his concealed snare. But the all-wise, every watchful Spirit sees every danger and pitfall, and will so inspire prayer with us that we are forewarned and forearmed. We cannot remember all things for which we know we should pray, but the Holy Spirit will bring them to our remembrance, and we should never disregard any impulse of the Spirit to pray. The Holy Spirit praying in us will determine both the character and the content of our prayer. Prayer in the Spirit must be Spirit-inspired, Spirit-taught, Spirit-directed and Spirit-energised. The prayer warrior must be vigilant; guarding his time so that even odd moments may be used for prayer, and definitely planning his daily schedule so that suitable time may be given to prayer. We must be watchful to foster our prayer life and on guard against anything that hinders it. Hold on and hold out, not fainting through fatigue, not yielding to discouragement because of delayed answer, not being distracted by the pressure of other things. But persevere until victory comes! Extracted from Herald of His Coming |
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