"A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places."
~ Ephesians 6:10-12 New Living Translation (NLT)
With everything that is going on in the world today, I think we as Christians need to remember that our greatest weapon in this fight is prayer. What do you think would happen if instead of sharing articles on Facebook and protesting the latest political happenings, we went into our rooms, shut the door, and prayed for our world? If God's people asked Him to win this war by changing the lives of individuals, one community at a time, don't you think He would answer? After all, God's Word says that if we ask anything according to His will He hears us, and is more than willing to answer us and give us anything we ask for. (1 John 5:14-15) And we know that God's will is for everyone to be saved. (2 Peter 3:9, Ezekiel 18:23) So why wouldn't God answer a prayer for people to be saved?
That being said, I want to challenge and encourage you Christians out there to pray for this world, starting with your own, individual communities.
Instead of ranting on the internet and street corners, pray that God would move in the hearts of the people around you; ask Him for wisdom and the words to say when they ask you why it is that you have so much hope, when everything around us seems so hopeless. (1 Peter 3:15)
When you hear about the persecution our brothers and sisters are going through, pray that God would encourage them and give them strength to stand against Satan's advancing armies. Ask God to use the persecution to win over the hearts of His enemies--just as He has done throughout history. That is how this war will be won, not through force of arms, but rather through the power of God's Word and the truth of Jesus Christ. As Jesus himself put it:
“You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor’ and hate your enemy. But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven ... "
~ Matthew 5:43-45a New Living Translation (NLT)
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