Sunday 24 September
READ: Matt. 14:13-2 3
MORE LESSON: 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 deal with the enemy within first. Even Jesus, like we noted yesterday, had to. The flesh loves comfort, pleasure and cannot tolerate stress, pain or discomfort for any reason. However, so much of self-denial and deliberate consecration is needed to make effective prayers like Jesus.
When Jesus heard about John the Baptist's death, ... he departed thence by ship into a desert place apart: and when the people had heard thereof, they followed him on foot out of the cities: v.13. The people followed Jesus to the desert, but after providing dinner for them, He sent the people (including His disciples) away. 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 we must ensure that our flesh is disciplined enough to respond to the higher call.
The news of the death of John the Baptist, His cousin and a covenant brother, in a most brutal way (he was beheaded) was enough to create an atmosphere of sorrow around Jesus and
therefore hinder His prayer. So 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 work. Just like Jesus, if the atmosphere around you is not good for prayer, change it, anyhow. A negative atmosphere is all that your flesh needs to stop you from praying, therefore work at it so that you don't allow the flesh to hinder you.
The devil knows that the believer is doomed without prayer that is why he will go to any extent to stop him from praying. This knowledge should also be the reason why believers must not give in to the flesh. Having known the strategies of the devil everything must be done to checkmate him. If we work to stop the devil, just as he is working to stop us, the possibility of our victory over him is greater. After all, he is a defeated enemy, and we have the same weapons that defeated him in our hands. The Word of God, the Blood of Jesus and the Name of Jesus are individually potent enough to win the battle of the flesh. Let us therefore go for the victory now!
Prayer/Action
* Receive grace and strength to prevail over the dictates of the flesh against your prayer life.
* Pray that no activity, pain or praise of men will rob you of your altar of prayer.
* Pray against every activity of the devil fighting against your prayer life.
TODAY’S PROPHETIC PRAYER
Every vital place where I have got “no” for answer, this new week I reverse them to yes by the power of the unchangeable changer, in the mighty name of Jesus.
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