In case of an emergency, put your oxygen mask on first before you assist others. Those of us who have flown on commercial flights know the routine. Of course it makes sense; you can’t help anybody if you’re passed out—unconscious. God brought that to my attention the other day after I had been agonizing for weeks in prayer for a close friend.
I was probably more stressed than the person I was praying for. My emotions were so entangled in fear that my prayers were nothing but rambling desperate pleas.
Oh Lord, please, please God help! Oh God, help right now. Please, please come. Don’t let the enemy have his way. Please don’t let the devil take control. Help Lord, HELP!
A powerless prayer!
While I was praying, a prayer similar to that one, the Holy Spirit put this into my spirit:
You should first pray for yourself; you are the one needing prayer. Your prayers are weak; fear based—not faith based. The devil is manipulating you to the point you can’t see or hear Me for all the horrible scenarios that you are allowing to bombard your imagination. The enemy doesn’t mind you praying faithless prayers—they’re no threat. As a matter of fact, he loves them because they keep you busy—off track from exerting the kind of power he can’t ignore. (Psalm 138:7; Isaiah 41:10; Ephesians 6:11)
Prayers that will get hell’s attention.
I received that revelation as soon as God dropped it into my spirit. The focus of my prayers changed immediately from Lord help them to—Lord show me—me. (Psalm 139: 23, 24) Put a spotlight on how the enemy is tricking me to worry and doubt You. What crack have I left unattended for him to think he can slither in and exchange my faith for his fears? Show me where I’m lacking so I can pray effectively in Your Almighty Power.
Don’t forget to pray for you!
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