You can pray high-powered prayers, but praying is only part of it; after you say Amen comes the hardest part to getting your prayers answered. The other day when I finished praying, the Holy Spirit laid on my heart not to wavier; the devil was on his way to fill my head with doubts and fears. God used the analogy of a bird guarding its nest from predators to explain how my prayers had to be protected from the evil one (see 1 Peter 5:8).
… If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth (Mark 9:23).
The strategic warrior
A close relationship with God is essential to believing His truths over the lies of the devil. The more intimate we are with the Holy Spirit, the better we can discern the enemy’s intentions to shift our position of faith in God, to his avalanche of fears.
The emotions derived from fear is too disruptive not to take seriously. Its purpose is to tear down our faith and leave us vulnerable to evil plots. Instead of succumbing to the wiles of the adversary, the strategic warrior suits up with all seven pieces of God’s armor (see Ephesians 6:10-18).
• Belt of truth
• Breastplate of righteousness
• Shoes of peace
• Shield of faith
• Helmet of salvation
• Sword the Word
• Prayer
All the pieces are indispensable in in a spiritual warfare; we can’t name a piece that is dispensable. However, depending on individual circumstances, some pieces of armor may be used more than others at any given time, nonetheless, we must be clothed completely at all times.
After Amen . . .
I use the shield, the sword, and prayer mostly. As soon as I notice the devil has slipped me one of his illegal suggestions of doubt, I lift the shield of faith to block the inrush of lies; I weld the Word of God as a defense. If a Scripture doesn’t come to my mind at that given moment, I call on the name of Jesus; then I pray for strength and encouragement to keep me in the fight.
This back and forth exchange last as long as the devil pounce out fabrications. The good news is—he will eventually leave; however, the bad news is—he will return; I can’t get relaxed in his departure and start removing pieces of armor.
When the devil had finished all this tempting, he left him until an opportune time (Luke 4:13).
In the meantime, I write it down what I’m believing God for; when I do that, I can see exactly what the enemy is after, and what I’m guarding.
After the Amen is just the beginning—guard your nest; the predator is on his way.
© 2019
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