Prayer

Last week at my small group (of which Sharon and her husband are the hosts) we talked about prayer and the ongoing battle between kingdoms. Sharon mentioned (hope you don't mind me saying this, Sharon) that she has been praying for her daughter and her spiritual life, and that she has been in a real bad mood lately.

The group encouraged her, and we all agreed that a spiritual battle was going on in the unseen world. This morning I came across some sermon notes from a service back in January about this very subject. I was talking to Cathy yesterday and said that I feel most Christians really don't realize or acknowledge or understand the magnitude of what actually is happening between kingdoms. This is war people. How much of our daily lives are affected or INFLUENCED by this ongoing battle...we really need to acknowledge this and begin to understand it. I think of Laurie and her continuing struggles with her boss. That is a situation that is more than just "this guy has baggage and is a pain in the ass." It's spiritual and it's a battle that has ensued since Laurie (a Christian) has entered the scene.

Here is what I wrote in my notes from January:

"There is the ongoing conflict of God's Kingdom and the kingdom of this world. We live in the midst of this tension between these two kingdoms. Prayer influences the outcome of both kingdoms...as I pray I engage the enemy in spiritual combat."

The second you speak to God there is a connection between your spirit and the throne room. Can we grasp how powerful and how incredible that is in the spiritual world?! The second that connection is made the kingdom of this world becomes paralyzed and powerless. The more we pray, the more powerful God and his angels become.

Sharon felt distressed over her daughter's attitude and demeanor, but we encouraged Sharon to KEEP PRAYING because her prayers ARE WORKING. There is obviously a struggle going on and Sharon's prayers are interrupting Satan's work. Hallelujah!!!

See Daniel 10 for a real glimpse into this unseen world.

KEEP praying.

PS. And, don't be surprised when you start praying intensely and with great sincerity that Satan's kingdom will come at your with both barrels. They'll battle back hard and fast. But, be steadfast, don't be discouraged...this only means that you ARE making a connection with the Heavenly realm and Satan doesn't like it. When you pray...it's not only God that hears your prayer...don't be fooled. Satan hears it as well. And, he'll do everything in his power to discourage, to depress, to hurt and to knock you off your new found tower of faith.