How Hard Do You Pray?

Aaron Wilson preached a sermon on Matthew 13:1-23 last night at Youth. I had heard messages on the parable of the Sower and the four soils before, but something struck me afresh as God spoke through Aaron. 1 Peter 5:8 tells us to be of sober spirit and to be alert because the devil prowls around like a lion seeking someone to devour. Jesus paints a similar picture in Matthew 13 when he talks about how the seed (the gospel) falls on or beside the hard path (a hard heart) and how the birds that are circling above (the devil and his company) swoop down and take the seed away. God used these things to awaken me once again to the reality of the war I am in every single day. Ephesians 6:10-20 gives us a very vivid picture of this warfare about which satan loves to help us forget. It talks about how our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against "the spiritual forces of wickedness." Paul closes this great encouragement to put on the whole armor of God (so that we may stand firm against the devil) with a plea towards prayer and petition. The believers in Ephesus (and we as believers) were commanded to pray at all times in the Spirit.

Looking at these things I have come to a convicting conclusion; my prayers are too few and too weak. Satan and his company are putting a lot of effort into this warfare and a lot of times I am not even aware that I am on the battlefield. Left to myself I will be crushed by the efforts of the evil one, but by the strength that the Holy Sprit offers, I may resist him. Also, my prayers are too few and too weak for those who I know will hear the gospel or have heard it. The devil is going to fight to take away that gospel seed before it penetrates the heart and I need to be in hard prayer that God would soften the hearts of those individuals and let the gospel take root.

How am I going to try to apply this?

1. Ask God to open my eyes that I may see the battle I am in.

2. Strive to pray at all times in the spirit out of a desperate need of God for protection and strength to fight.

3. When I know I or someone else will have have the opportunity to share the gospel, I will strive to pray hard for the hearts that the seed will be falling onto that they will be soft and receptive.

4. Realize that to make time for more (and much needed) prayer, I will probably need to give up time listening to music in my car, being on twitter, facebook, xbox, etc...

Considering how hard the devil is working against the gospel and against your spiritual growth, how hard are you praying?

For the glory of God

Seth