A quote by Apostle Joshua Selman: “An attack on your prayer life is a real attack.”
This is true because if the enemy can successfully attack and paralyse your prayer life, it leads to a chain reaction where other areas of your life will be negatively impacted simply by killing your prayer life. This will not be our portion, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.
Prayer is one of the greatest mysteries in the Christian faith. It is more than just a religious activity; it is a divine command and a vital key to a believer’s relationship with God. The Bible says in 1 Thessalonians 5:17 (NKJV), “Pray without ceasing,” and in Luke 18:1 (NKJV), “Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart.” These scriptures emphasize the necessity of consistent and persistent prayer in the life of a believer.
1. The First Assignment of Prayer: Relationship with God
Many people approach prayer primarily as a means to get results, such as healing, financial breakthroughs, or protection. While these are important, the first purpose of prayer is to build intimacy with God.
- James 4:8 (NKJV) says, “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.” When we pray, we are drawing close to God and aligning our hearts with His will.
- Jesus Himself often withdrew to pray alone (Mark 1:35, Luke 5:16) because He prioritized communion with the Father above all else.
- John 15:7 (NKJV) says, “If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.” Abiding in God through prayer leads to effective prayers and answered requests.
2. Prayer is the Currency of the Spirit
In the physical world, money is a medium of exchange, but in the spiritual realm, prayer is the currency that allows us to access the blessings already provided in Christ.
- Ephesians 1:3 (NKJV) says, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ.”
- These blessings are already available in the spiritual realm, but through prayer, we draw them into reality.
- Matthew 7:7-8 (NKJV): “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.” Prayer is the means by which we bring God’s promises into manifestation in our lives.
3. When You Do Not Pray, God Sees It as Pride
Many people fail to pray because they believe they can handle life’s challenges on their own. However, not praying is an act of pride because it shows self-reliance instead of dependence on God.
- 2 Chronicles 7:14 (NKJV) says, “If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”
- Humility is linked to prayer because prayer is an acknowledgment that we need God.
- Proverbs 3:5-6 (NKJV) commands us to “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding.” When we fail to pray, we are leaning on our own understanding, which leads to failure and frustration.
4. When You Do Not Pray, the Enemy is Strengthened
The devil thrives in the prayerlessness of believers. When we fail to pray, we give the enemy room to operate in our lives, families, and communities.
- Ephesians 6:12 (NKJV) reminds us that “We do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.”
- This means that spiritual battles require spiritual weapons, and prayer is one of the most powerful weapons against the forces of darkness.
- Matthew 26:41 (NKJV): “Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
- Prayer keeps us spiritually alert and prevents the enemy from gaining an advantage over us.
5. When You Pray, the Enemy is Hindered
When we pray, we release God’s power into our situations, and the enemy’s plans are destroyed.
- James 5:16 (NKJV) says, “The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.” This means that prayer produces powerful results and stops the enemy’s activities.
- Luke 10:19 (NKJV): “Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you.”
- This authority is exercised through prayer and faith in Jesus Christ.
- Acts 12:5-7 (NKJV) tells the story of how Peter was imprisoned, but the church prayed earnestly, and an angel of the Lord set him free. This shows how prayer can break chains and frustrate the enemy’s plans.
Conclusion
Prayer is not just an option but a necessity in the life of every believer. It is through prayer that we build intimacy with God, access the blessings of the spiritual realm, and wage war against the forces of darkness. When we refuse to pray, we unknowingly empower the enemy, but when we commit to a life of prayer, we establish God’s power, presence, and victory in our lives.
Let us therefore take prayer seriously, not just as a means to get what we want, but as a way to stay connected to God, walk in His will, and enforce His kingdom on earth.
1 Thessalonians 5:17 (NKJV): “Pray without ceasing.”
God bless you in Jesus Name. Amen
Altar call: For anyone reading this article who is not saved and wants to be part of the family of God or you want to re-dedicate your life back to Jesus, please repeat this out loud. “Lord Jesus, I acknowledge that I have sinned against you. Lord Jesus forgive me of my sins. I repent of my sins. Lord Jesus come into my life and be my Lord now and forever in Jesus Name
Prayer: Father baptise my prayer-life with fresh fire of the Holy Ghost, in Jesus Name
Feast of Light Word Ministry
