"The greatest trick the devil ever pulled was convincing the world he didn't exist."
-Verbal Kint (played by Kevin Spacey)
The Usual Suspects
The Usual Suspects
Last night we dove into unanswered prayer in correlation with the Unseen Spiritual war that Ephesians 6:12 speaks of...
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
On Saturday, after spending the night in prayer; I got really sick. Painfully sick; weird kind of sick. It took me out from Sunday Morning. On Sunday evening, I went in and shared the Message at our Traditions service on a 1/4 tank of everything (energy, preparation, food, etc). Monday morning was an extremely significant day for Janelle and I took work on some stuff we've been plowing into as a family. Monday evening, I was a walking zombie. Tuesday was filled with meetings... the kind you walk out of thinking, "What did I accomplish?"
Wednesday, I walked around the office in a funk. I had nothing. I was battling with some significant depression in the moment. Fortunately I had fully prepared the message the week prior. I don't think I could have done it yesterday.
At 6:00 last night, it dawned on me. The past 5 days had involved some significant ministry. I was preparing to remind our students that there is a significant war going on the we do not see. How was I missing the significant spiritual attack I was under?
I went into the boiler room before heading up to speak (boiler room is really our gym closet where 4-6 students gather every Wednesday Night to pray for what's going on). 4 gals prayed over me. They prayed for energy, for the presence of the Holy Spirit, for the broken chains of Depression. God answered that prayer. I experienced a change in energy and attitude. My inner turmoil changed to inner peace.
When we are dealing with Unanswered Prayer, we have to realize that there is a battle going on. Satan and his army are out to steal, kill and destroy. They do not wish to see the Kingdom advance. When I pray "kingdom advancing prayers," I need to expect demonic resistance. That resistance may not be overt and obvious.
How do I fight it?
2 ways.
Wednesday, I walked around the office in a funk. I had nothing. I was battling with some significant depression in the moment. Fortunately I had fully prepared the message the week prior. I don't think I could have done it yesterday.
At 6:00 last night, it dawned on me. The past 5 days had involved some significant ministry. I was preparing to remind our students that there is a significant war going on the we do not see. How was I missing the significant spiritual attack I was under?
I went into the boiler room before heading up to speak (boiler room is really our gym closet where 4-6 students gather every Wednesday Night to pray for what's going on). 4 gals prayed over me. They prayed for energy, for the presence of the Holy Spirit, for the broken chains of Depression. God answered that prayer. I experienced a change in energy and attitude. My inner turmoil changed to inner peace.
When we are dealing with Unanswered Prayer, we have to realize that there is a battle going on. Satan and his army are out to steal, kill and destroy. They do not wish to see the Kingdom advance. When I pray "kingdom advancing prayers," I need to expect demonic resistance. That resistance may not be overt and obvious.
How do I fight it?
2 ways.
- Stand. I find it interesting that in Ephesians 6, the Armor of God passage, we are not told to to fight with the weapons. All we are told to do, again and again is stand, check out Ephesians 6:10-18
10Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. 12For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.
When my prayers seem to be going unanswered, I want to quit... sit down and quit. I need to stand firm. Pray. My prayers play a role in the move of God. As I face resistance, I pray. I pray in the name of Jesus. I pray the blood of Jesus over the person or situation. I pray for angelic protection. I pray for the move of God. I pray for light to break in the darkness. If the why of my Unanswered Prayer has anything to do with Spiritual opposition, I keep praying, and I invite others into the prayer journey.
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