TEXT:
Matt. 14:13-23, MORE LESSONS: Col. 3:1-6
The
need for us to battle the enemy of prayer is crucial. All men who conquered in
the place of prayer had to first deal with the enemy within. Even Jesus had to.
The flesh loves comfort, pleasure and cannot tolerate stress or pain for any
reason. On the other hand, so much of self-demand and deliberate consecration
is needed to make effective prayers like Jesus, When Jesus heard of it, he
departed thence by ship into a desert place apart.... Matt. 14:13. The people
followed Jesus to the desert but after providing dinner for them, He sent the
people (including His disciples) away and instead of going to rest, He went up
to a mountain to pray till night. Though the flesh must have desired otherwise,
the need to pray prevailed over the flesh. When it comes to prayer, you must
ensure that the flesh is disciplined enough to respond to the higher call.
The
news of the brutal death of John the Baptist, Jesus’ cousin and a covenant brother,
was enough to create an atmosphere of sorrow around Jesus but He quickly left
the location of the news. Any man who desires to pray must ensure that the
atmosphere around him is conducive for the good work. Just like
Jesus, if the atmosphere around you is not
good for prayer, change it, any how. A negative atmosphere is all that your
flesh needs to stop you from praying, therefore work it out so that you don't
help the flesh to hinder you.
The
extent to which you allow the flesh in your life will determine how far you go
in prayer and spiritual things generally. I have concentrated on the area of
the flesh and prayer not because the flesh does not affect other areas of life
but because victory in the place of prayer is essentially victory all round. A
sinning man’s prayer is not acceptable to God and a praying man cannot sin.
Prayer
is a tool to overcome the flesh and victory over the flesh is a prerequisite
for answered prayers. Don't treat your falling and rising Christian life with
kid gloves, it's a manifestation of a winning flesh and is capable of
paralysing every area of your Christian life, including prayer. Deal with it by
confessing God's Word and promises; feed more on the sincere milk of the Word,
exercise your faith in the Word and pray in the spirit often. Winning over the
flesh is a victory for answered prayers. Believe you cannot be defeated. If you
have fallen, get up now and keep up the faith, Jesus died for your victory.
PRAYER/ACTION
*
Ask God to deliver you from every form of fleshly living and weakness.
*
Ask for God's help to be able to renew your mind daily by His Word and thus
give no room for the flesh.
*
Identify specific areas of weakness in your life and ask God's Spirit to
deliver you.
Like
and share
0 comments:
Post a Comment