When you pray, do warfare

Rev Enoch Thompson | FEBRUARY 15, 2023 | MATTHEW 6:13

KEY VERSE:

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. Matthew 6:13 (NIV)

MESSAGE:

Following true repentance which lies under the prayer for God to forgive us, it is proper to desire and to pray that we do not enter any situation that will make us sinful and guilty again. True repentance must not only make us remorseful, and feel sorry; it must be transformational, making us to be different, better, and living as God would have us be. A plea for forgiveness which does not lead us to turn away from sin and to hate sin is not true repentance. Yes, true conversion to Kingdom citizenship, which recognizes that it cost God His only Begotten Son to die a shameful death for us, must make us hate sin, and yearn for that lifestyle that is freed of the love and practice of sin and sinful behaviour.

Lead us not into temptation? Remember that “Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil.” Matt 4:1 (NIV). Though God Himself will not tempt us He has the power to place us where we may be exposed to temptation. We must ask God who is sovereign over all things to guide our paths in such a way that we do not come into situations where we are confronted with temptations and may be likely to make the wrong choices. Stated more positively we are to ask God to keep us safe from the evil one, Satan. When we have to face the enemy face to face, we can rely on the power of God to deliver us from his evil power, deceptive attraction, evil suggestions, and murderous lies.

We are at war, we wrestle against spiritual forces of wickedness that are against our committed walk by Kingdom standards, and sure they have their human agents everywhere, including in the Church and in the larger community. We must not become preoccupied with Satan and his agents to the point that we become paralysed and are not able to function in our blessed state as children of God, (Eph.6:12).

FEET AND HANDS FOR THE MESSAGE:

Are there challenges that you are facing in your desire to live the Christian life? Are there situations that exact your energies and drag you into wrongful choices? Do we have attractions and desires that conflict with the Lord's demands? Let us go to God in prayer and seek His help. We are able to overcome because God is willing to help us.

PRAYER:

Dear Lord, lead me not into temptation but deliver me from evil, and from the evil one. Lord, please help all your holy people who travel this path of pilgrimage, that we might overcome everyday and in every battle of this war. In Jesus’ blessed Name. Amen.

THERE SHALL BE SHOWERS OF BLESSING.

SHOWERS! BLESSINGS!!