To read part 1, click here.
The sad truth is that only a remnant in the Church has an effective prayer life. If your own prayer life is lacking, don't be ashamed. You are not alone.
Why is it so hard to pray? Why do so many of us fail?
Matthew 26:41
“Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
We are born again Christians--new natures, in old bodies. Our desire is for holiness, but we live in a body of sin. Until we die and go to Heaven (and get new, perfect, sinless bodies), we are stuck in our present body, constantly struggling to be Holy. (Romans 7:18 - 8:4) God designed it this way so we would be dependent on Him--so that all glory would go to Him.
2 Corinthians 4:7
But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, so that the surpassing greatness of the power will be of God and not from ourselves;
Many things hinder our prayers, all under the umbrella of the flesh. Here are some examples:
- unbelief in the power of prayer; hopelessness
- chasing after the things of this world; worldliness
- broken relationships; discouragement
- ongoing sin
- the enemy
But, there is hope! Though our flesh is weak and hinders our prayers, it does not prevent them. Nothing can separate us from Christ--from communing with Him in prayer.
Romans 8:35-39
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written:
“For your sake we face death all day long;
we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
If you're having trouble praying, or sticking to a habit of prayer, the answer is.....wait for it......more prayer! More prayer is more of Christ.
When we choose to walk with the Spirit instead of the flesh, the Spirit intercedes for us, helping us to be holy.
Romans 8: 26-27
Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.
Friends, I beseech you, walk with the Spirit. Pray. Do it with me! There are a mere seventy readers out there. A remnant. Seventy people, praying like warriors, can do mighty things for Him.
Choose prayer. Choose Him Choose life abundant. Choose holiness.
Are you in?
What are you waiting for?
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