Tuesday, March 09
Strategic Weaponry
And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think they will be heard for their many words. Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him. (Matthew 6:7-8)
When I pray then I exceed my human limitations.
Christians have a world to reclaim and regain for God. The enemy has brought about vast destruction, death and wickedness. Prayer opens up God's Armory with its superior weapons. If we think we do not need to pray, we do not know what we are up against! If we think we can manage on our own achievements, we simply make ourselves the devil's laughing stock. Prayerless means defenseless. Cleverness and science are a feather duster against a tank. The limitless greatness of the Cross is needed against the cosmic evil.
Prayer and intercession cast out the entrenched enemy, violate his borders, and retake lost territory. The devil hates this kind of prayer. Praying here is not "meditative, retiring breathing" ... "the still dews of quietness till all our strivings cease" (from the hymn, "Dear Lord and Father of Mankind," by J.G. Whittier). It is heaven's militancy! It is not a muttered litany, but a high "C" soul-shriek! Prayer is an aggressive multi-purpose weapon put in our hands by God to overcome every kind of satanic resistance. The man who prays exceeds human limits. Believers are authorized to go to the counter of Heaven's Supply Store for superhuman resources.
God is strong, and He wants you strong. So take everything the Master has set out for you, well-made weapons of the best materials. And put them to use so you will be able to stand up to everything the Devil throws your way. This is no afternoon athletic contest that we will walk away from and forget about in a couple of hours. This is for keeps, a life-or-death fight to the finish against the Devil and all his angels. Pray long and hard.
The mental image here is a far cry from the old man with meekly folded hands - it is much more like seeing the warrior who is well-armed and ready for combat! Picture yourself that way today ... well-armed, equipped and ready to do battle in the Name of the Lord!