The last time that you prayed, did you pray for strength to overcome the challenges you face, or did you ask that they be removed from you? I was reminded today to think about the prayers that I pray. I have encountered challenges that I vocalized, prayed, decreed I did not want to face, only to end up facing them. And it’s discouraging, because it makes me wonder why my prayers did not come to pass. But I was reminded that when I pray, to always pray for strength to overcome; strength to fight through the challenges that are here and that are real. It can be discouraging as Christians to experience things we don’t think we should. But we have to remember that in all things we are more than conquerors. Although we have been given power and authority to overcome, often we put our sword and shield down and beg for escape.
Right now, for a lot of us our physical/mental health, finances, security, and social connections and supports are in shambles and prayer is the last thing that we want to engage in. But we must repent, stir ourselves up with the word of God and raise up once again our shield of faith and believe that we will get through this season. And when we have stirred ourself, let’s pray for others, that God’s mercy and divine providence reaches them so they can find a reason to choose to live another day.
I don’t know when things will get better; if that better will be experienced in this generation at all. I don’t know what the near and distant future hold, but I pray that we pray for the spirit of strength, and the spirit to overcome any and all challenges we face. In this world, we will have trouble. But we can rest in assurance of the one who has overcome the world, and in turn through Himself has made us overcomers.
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Do not be discouraged or dismayed. Don't lose hope. Despite what we are all facing in various measures, we are coming out of this victorious!
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Therefore, we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. 2 Corinthians 4: 16-18 (NIV)
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pic via @thegrnwood
