The writer of Hebrews reminds us that without faith it is impossible to please God (Heb. 11:6). Whenever God reveals something, He expects us to believe Him and adjust our lives accordingly. What does this mean? It means we trust Him implicitly for all of our needs because He says He will provide (Phil. 4:19). It means we approach crises with the assurance that God will bring good from them (Rom. 8:28). It means we overcome anxiety during stressful situations because God instructs us to bring our requests to Him (Phil. 4:6). It means that we never worry that we are alone because God said He would never leave us or forsake us (Deut. 31:6). It means that, despite what happens in our lives, we will never doubt God's love because He has told us that He loves us with an everlasting love (Jer. 31:3). At times we try to justify our lack of faith! We know what God has promised, but we doubt that He will make a practical difference in our life. We are filled with anxiety and excuse ourselves by saying: “I am just a worrier!” We become bitter during a crisis and reason that “God could not possibly bring anything good out of this pain!” We appeal for help from everyone around us when we have a need; then we explain: “I know God can provide for my needs, but I think I should do everything I can, just in case.” God calls this faithlessness. Faithlessness is sin. “But without faith it is impossible to please Him” (Heb. 11:6). - Blackaby Experiencing God Day by Day
It seems that God's not done speaking on prayer. It's been a learning experience for me and I confess at times I do let things get to me.
The largest part of our lives we seem to keep forgetting in both the peaceful times and seasons of hardships.
Read this passage well and believe it to be true!
Ephesians 6:12 "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places."
Every human being conceived is caught up into this. It may go without saying but yes even from conception. Why that early in life? Because, my friend, all life is cherished by God. Therefore it's the point of His enemy to destroy it. To twist it, pervert it, change it from what God intended. Anything and in every way to disrupt its existence.
Go deeper. Deeper than conception and some war we can't see? Yes. Deeper.
It's a historic phrase. Know your enemy.
Now up till now you may not really have believed you have enemies but you do. Jesus said to those who are saved by Him and sealed by His Holy Spirit, if they (the world of unbelievers) hated me they will hate you too. But why? You didn't do anything to them! My friend, ever hear the statement "guilt by association"? Because you side with God and are sealed by His Spirit, it marks you as an enemy of Satan.
Prayer is your communication line to the Throne of God. Also in Ephesians 6 it speaks of putting on the full armor of God. Still other passages refer to soldiers in active service and how they are to serve.
These things are the real reason why we go through what we do.
Yet another point my friend, this world's days are numbered. Not in the long term sense but the short term. Jesus said in Matthew 24 that had these days not been shortened nobody would survive.
You might have noticed instances of evil on the rise? You may have struggles and stress in your life? Now, not all of these are attacks of Satan. Many times we go through things because it's Jesus getting us to let go of situations and things in our lives to become more like Christ. Remember again we are His workmanship created in Christ Jesus for good works that He has prepared beforehand. We who are in Christ have a job to do in this life. We have a mission to fulfill. It's never about coming to Christ then living out a life we want. It's trying to reach others on this Spiritual battlefield we cannot see to show them Christ.
Prayer is our permanent connection and companion to our lives in Christ. We will go through things that may seem to be too much for us. But as Scripture says He is faithful. He will never leave us nor forsake us. There will be days when your prayers are just moments of you crying. Do not fear, in those moments the Holy Spirit intercedes for you. He shares your heart with Jesus before our Father.
Do not give up hope. Do not let the peaceful times allow you to slack off in talking with Jesus. Do not let the things you face get to you. Mountains do not tell God how big they are, God tells mountains how big He is and He moves them.
Take time today to pray, talk with Jesus about everything in your life. He promised to listen. He's the best friend you ever wanted and will have.
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