Turn the Battle- Through Prayer

We are in the most incredible love story, but it is set in the middle of an intense and brutal war.

1 John 3:1 tells us that God the Father lavishes His love on us, calling us His children and inviting us into His family. Yet, at the same time, there is a spiritual battle going on around us which manifests in the natural (Ephesians 6:10-12), and we must be awake and alert to these present times (Romans 13:11). Spiritual battles are won with spiritual weapons, and prayer is key in our armoury.

We all have situations in our lives that need to be turned for good, and they can only be turned in the place of prayer. A person who learns to talk with God can shift situations that talking to humans cannot. The power of a praying man, woman or child is huge and must never be underestimated.

Prayer is a necessity and a delight.

Have you ever learnt to play a musical instrument? Growing in this takes times, practice and consistency, yet reaps great reward. I remember learning how to play piano pieces as a child. Sometimes I found the practice tedious, yet when I learnt how to play a piece and it flowed naturally, it was a beautiful and rewarding experience. In a similar way, prayer is something that we can grow and delight in as we commit to it every day.

In Luke 11:1, Jesus’ disciples ask Him to teach them how to pray, just as John’s disciples did. Relying on the Lord to teach us to pray as we spend time with Him will help us to grow in our personal and corporate prayer life and bring about a maturity in our lives.

So, how do we pray?

In Matthew 6:5-14, Jesus teaches His disciples how to pray. This is still a great way for us to pray today, bringing ourselves, our families, friends and the nations before Him. ‍

‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.’

- You have a loving relationship with your Father; worship Him.

‘Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.’

• - Pray for the expansion of the love and peace of God, the knowledge of God to all peoples, and alignment to His purposes, as revealed in Scripture.

‍ ‘Give us today our daily bread.’

-He is our all in all.

- Talk to him and receive wisdom and provision for relationships, family and material needs.

‍ ‘And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.’

-Have no bitterness or offence, keeping a clean heart through abiding and union with Christ.

‍ ‘Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from the evil one.’

 - Ask for help to live a pure life, and for protection from the enemy.

Mary, Queen of Scots, famously said of John Knox, a Scottish minister, ‘I fear the prayers of John Knox more than all the assembled armies of Europe.’

Today, let us continue that legacy of powerful prayer. And let us engage the fight in prayer to turn the battle for our families, friends and this nation, at the gate (Matthew 11:12).

Next steps: ‍

1)       Set or reset your time, place and plan for prayer.

2)       Commit to praying from Matthew 6 every day.

3)       Catch up with the service here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WAAdVTSODQk