One of the most famous verses in the New Testament deals with having to put on armour. Not the type you might be thinking of albeit it has to do with protection. It is not physical but spiritual. The problem is if we just look at the armour we are missing a vital ingredient.
You see Paul ends his description of this armour of God with a call to prayer. He writes,
[pray] always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints
Ephesians 6:18 NKJV
During the war and even today churches are been allowed to open for people to pray. As our nation faces this pandemic our parliament see the importance of prayer.
Whatever situation you are in whether it be a war, virus, job loss Paul makes it clear that prayer is of vital importance in overcoming the situation.
The reason is simple. Prayer represents your line of communication that connects you to your Leader. Just like a solider depends on his commander in battle and out of battle so we need to keep our communication with our leader clear. God can give you His strength and direction. Prayer is thus the key to being an Overcomer.
Even though Jesus is no longer physically on the earth, prayer (that is, communication with the Father) is of vital importance to Jesus.
There is a saying to follow your leader. Well right now, at this very moment, our leader Jesus is at the right hand of God interceding for us (see Romans 8:34)! If the Lord Jesus considers it important for Him to pray and He has been interceding for the last 2,000 years this should impress on us the vital importance of prayer.
Paul stresses this vital communication when writing to a church in Thessalonica, This is what Paul says
You are to “pray without ceasing”
1 Thessalonians 5:17 NKJV
Now let us hear what Paul is saying. He is not saying to be praying out aloud constantly, or under your breath every single minute, rather any time you have a spare moment, keep the communication lines open between yourself and God. Your goal as an Overcomer is to reach out in prayer at any moment and immediately be in touch with God.
Let me leave you with a wonderful quote from Watchman Nee, “Our prayers lay the track down on which God’s power can come. Like a mighty locomotive, his power is irresistible, but it cannot reach us without rails.”
Why not lay some tracks down today?
Questions
- What struggles do you have in praying?
- What tools could you use to keep communication with God open?
- Do you believe the Holy Spirit helps you to pray?
- Would you start today to be persistent and effective in laying down tracks?
Stay safe and Blessed