Our Walk in Prayer
Sometimes we think more about what we pray for than what we pray against.
When we pray, Jesus also instructed us to pray against the schemes of the evil one. Of course, the reason we seek God’s Fatherly provision in this regard is because Satan is not an independent power that works against us, but rather he is a subsidiary power that seeks to undermine God but nevertheless is on a leash. This is why we are reminded- “Your’s is the kingdom and power.” However, Satan is a very potent adversary. Although we do not cower before him we nevertheless are wary of him and his schemes.
As I was reading on prayer this week, I read an excellent article on Martin Luther and prayer. His advice to us was that we always be on our guard against the evil one and actively go to war against him in our prayers. He remind us:
“We who would be Christians must surely expect to have the devil with all his angels and the world as our enemies and must expect that they will inflict every possible misfortune and grief upon us. For where God’s Word is preached, accepted or believed, and bears fruit, there the holy and precious cross will also not be far behind.”
He also counsels us:
“We are far too weak against the devil and all his might and forces arrayed against us, trying to trample us underfoot.” And since this is true, “There is nothing for us to do on earth but to pray without ceasing against this archenemy. For if God did not support us, we would not be safe from him for a single hour.”
So, as you pray remember to pray something that the Lord thought so important that He put it in His model prayer to us: “Deliver us from the evil one.”
“and do not lead us into testing, but deliver us from the evil one for Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen”
Matthew 6:13
Because of grace,
Tim
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