Daily Devotion
Never Stop Praying
By: Marissa Wolf
“Pray without ceasing.”
1 Thessalonians 5:17
We are called to continually pray to the Lord on a regular basis. It is important that we keep on praying! Prayer helps us to keep fighting the good fight of faith against the powers of darkness. (See: 1 Timothy 6:12 and Ephesians 6:12). It helps us to keep our focus on Christ. We are in a Spiritual war between righteousness and sin and prayer is a weapon that aids us in Spiritual warfare! Prayer is so powerful.
The armor of God that the Lord calls us to pray on is highly important in fighting the good fight of faith! (See: Ephesians 6:10-18). We are fighting for eternal life with Christ Jesus! Being a prayer warrior with the armor of God on is already a step in the right direction. The steps we are called to follow are God’s! When darkness approaches, His Word will be the lamp unto our feet and the light unto our path. (See: Psalm 119:105). We must acknowledge Him in all our ways and let Him guide our steps. (See: Proverbs 3:6). He is the only Way we can get to Heaven, there is no other. (See: John 14:6 and Acts 4:12).
It is important that as a prayer warrior and soldier in Christ that we listen to and obey His commands. (See: 1 John 2:3-6 and Deuteronomy 5:33). They will help direct us further and further down the narrow path. There will be trials and tribulations along the way where our faith will be tested. (See: 1 Peter 1:7). Will we rise back up with Christ within us or will we ultimately fall down and let the devil keep us? (See: Proverbs 24:16). The narrow path isn’t going to be an easy one and the further you get along the path, the lonelier it can be because there are few that find it, but we mustn’t let that stop us from continuing down the narrow path. (See: Matthew 7:13-14). Even though there may be few people along the narrow path, God is always with you there every step of the way, guiding you to an eternity with Him!
There will be temptations from the devil to get us to stray off the narrow path and to instead get you to walk on the wide path of destruction. (See: 1 Corinthians 10:13). We are called to resist the devil! We can do that when we wholly submit ourselves to the Lord. This is a continual process of humbly submitting ourselves and resisting the devil. (See: James 4:7-10). What God brings you to, He can bring you through! The Lord might not always stop it fully, but He could pave the way for you to bring you through. Will you surrender everything to Him?
In order to walk on the narrow path, you’ve got to have both feet on the narrow path! You can’t have one foot out in the world (on the wide path of destruction) and have one foot on the narrow path. (See: 1 John 2:15-17). That’s not how it works. We can’t serve two masters, we have to choose whom we will serve! If we choose to serve the devil we will be walking on the wide path of destruction that ultimately leads to a tormented eternity in the Lake of Fire. If we choose to serve Christ, we will be walking on the narrow path. (See: Matthew 6:24 and Joshua 24:15). Again, serving the Lord won’t come easy. There will be sacrifices. We will have to die to the flesh, be crucified with Christ, and be born again. (See: Galatians 2:20 and 2 Corinthians 5:17). When we are born again we have to continually deny the flesh on a regular basis daily so we can keep walking in the Spirit. (See: Matthew 16:24, Luke 9:23, and Galatians 5:16-26). The world will hate you, there will be suffering, and persecution. (See: John 15:18-27). There will also be rebuking and chastisements, but the Lord will be with you through it all to guide you to Him! (See: Proverbs 3:11-14). He will never leave you nor forsake you! (See: Hebrews 13:5). There is hope and joy! We aren’t to be in a spirit of fear, but to fear the Lord! Trust in Him at all times with your whole heart. (See: Proverbs 3:5,7 and Psalm 622:8). If one starts to doubt, pray to God and seek wisdom and understanding from Him alone. Don’t seek after the world’s wisdom or understanding as it is full of folly. (See: Proverbs 9:10 and Proverbs 4:5-9). There is nothing that can compare to God’s wisdom or understanding. (See: Proverbs 3:15). God’s wisdom and understanding will never lead you astray, the world’s however will. Remember, that God hasn’t given you a spirit of fear, but of power, of love, and of a sound mind. (See: 2 Timothy 1:7). And also that God’s perfect love continually casts out fear! (See: 1 John 4:18). So we are to be of good cheer as the Lord has overcome the world! (See: John 16:33).
We must remember that the flesh is weak, but the spirit is willing. This is why we are to take heed and pray. We must not give a foothold to the devil’s temptations, but to make sure our feet are firmly planted on the narrow path to eternal life with Christ. (See: Ephesians 4:27). Keep hiding God’s word in our hearts along with meditating day and night, and continually delighting in Him. (See: Psalm 119:11 and Psalm 1:2).
Do you have both feet firmly planted on the narrow path? Do you fight against darkness with prayer? Do you pray on the armor of God daily? Do you listen to and obey God’s commands? Do you seek wisdom and understanding from the Lord? Do you let the Lord direct your steps? What master have you chosen to serve? What path have you chosen to walk on? Will you keep fighting the good fight of faith? Do you take heed and pray to the Lord?
“Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
Matthew 26:41
