Fight on Your Knees

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    I shared in Sunday School this past Sunday a few points that challenged me from a recent study in Nehemiah. The post today continues on this theme -- please bear with me as we talk about prayer some more.  I don't think that prayer can be emphasized too much.  God has been leading me and convicting me to grow in this area more and more. I have grown up praying and hearing prayer. However, recently I have been searching out how to pray. It is not hard or complicated, but it is a discipline that needs to be cultivated and focused on. 

   From Nehemiah 4, God showed me the challenge to "Fight for your brethren, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your houses."  God gives us the responsibility to fight for our homes and our brothers and sisters in Christ!  We are not simply bystanders that have no recourse as we watch our family be overtaken by the darts of Satan.  We are called to fight! -- on our knees. 

I Thessalonians 5:17 further instructs us to "Pray without ceasing."  Wow. That is a lot.  That means we are to be in constant prayer! How do we incorporate that practically? What does that look like?  Here are a few tips that I am working on and may help you as well:

* Make God the first person you speak to when you wake in the morning. It can be short, if needed. A simple, "Thank you, Lord, for a new day to bring you glory" may be all you have time for at that moment. Or perhaps that is a better time for you to spend focused time in prayer for your family and others.

* Redeem downtime through praying.  As you walk into a store, pray.  As you sit at a red-light, pray. As you sit in a waiting room, pray. As you wash dishes, pray. Even as you listen to worship music, pray as you praise!

* Prayers can be short, just make them frequent! As I look at my calendar for the day or week, I will often say a short prayer for an event or a person that is on that agenda.  The point is to make this a lifestyle of walking in continual prayer.  

*Be intentional about praying at least once every hour. Set a reminder if needed.  Take just a moment to stop whatever you are doing and pray. 

* Remember that we rely on God for everything. When we keep that mindset, we will turn to Him in prayer frequently.  It is when we place our trust in ourselves that we stray from the shelter of His presence. 

*Consider a prayer partner. Someone who will pray with and for you on a regular basis and encourage you in your prayer walk. 

*Pray Scripture.  Read it aloud back to the Lord.  Pray the words of our Lord over all the concerns or trials you face. Fight the Evil One with the words that he hates the most -- from Jesus, the Living Word! This is a somewhat new discipline for me, but, Oh! the joy it can bring.  When I don't know what to say, I can trust that the words of Scripture are true and in line with the heart of God. There is confidence and security in that.

Start today.  Don't wait. Don't allow yourself to wander far from the foot of the cross.  Keep that tether short. There is protection there-- and peace. It is a place of quiet rest, knowing we are on the victor's side of the battle.  As Nancy Lee Wolgemuth (Bible teacher at Revive Our Hearts) says, "Heaven Rules!"  That is a motto of confidence and beauty that we can live by.

Soli Deo Gloria!

💓Heather Sparks💓

  

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