I read in an article this morning written by K.P. Yohannan, founder and president of Gospel for Asia, he shares an alarming statistic. “Studies show pastors spend about 12 minutes in prayer a day, and the average Christian spends on eight. At the same time, they don’t mind engaging at length other Christians activities, such as… concerts, retreats, charity work. Why does prayer come last on our list of priorities? Could it be that the enemy succeeded to convince us that all those other activities are easier and produce better results than prayer? The truth is the devil knows the Almighty God restricted Himself to act on the prayers of His people.” (Read 2 Chronicles 7:14; John 14:13-14)
When our Lord Jesus Christ lived on this earth in human form… prayer was His highest priority!
(few examples–Matt. 26:41 & 53; Mark 6:46; Mark 14: 32 & 38; Luke 6:12; Luke 9:28; John 14:16; John 17:9,15,20)
We need to do the same. We all know the verses about putting on the full armor of God (Ephesians 6)… however, as you can read for yourself below that the armor needed for our spiritual warfare includes fervent PRAYER for the Church.
“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
Ephesians 6:10-18
A. W. Tozer said “The neglected heart will soon be a heart overrun with worldly thoughts; the neglected life will soon become a moral chaos; the church that is not jealously protected by mighty intercession and sacrificial labors will before long become the abode of every evil bird and the hiding place for unsuspected corruption. The creeping wilderness will soon take over that church that trusts in its own strength and forgets to watch and pray.”
My prayer for each of you who reads this will ask themselves this question “Is prayer your steering wheel or your spare tire?” (Corrie Ten Boom). May this post bless you and increase your growth in our Lord Jesus Christ. It definitely has impacted me. ♥ Streim
LOVE-HOPE-PEACE In Our Changing World 
This is a great word. May I reblog?
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Absolutely Pastor J… anytime.
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Reblogged this on Lillie-Put and commented:
I thought this was a very important article for us to read. Prayer is the foundation.
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You hit the nail on the head again Stephanie. The only reason that any blood-bought, adopted child of God fails is because they haven’t sought the help available through prayer. The only reason any Church or Christian group fails is because they haven’t sought the Lord in prayer and followed HIS will.
Prayer doesn’t change things – GOD does – but He has CHOSEN to work in answer to the prayers of His people. Prayer is an enormous responsibility, but it is an even greater privilege, and prayer should be our first thought and action in any given circumstance, as well as our first priority at the start of each day and the close of each day.
Praying for you and thanking God for you . . .
Angela
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Your final sentence pulls it all together “Prayer is an enormous responsibility, but it is an even greater privilege, and prayer should be our first thought and action in any given circumstance, as well as our first priority at the start of each day and the close of each day.”
Praying for you too and thank you for the blessings you share with other on your blog.
Waiting and watching…
Stephanie
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Ouch! This really convicted me – I needed this, thanks!
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It did so to me when I studied it closely…praise our wonderful God and Father of our Savior Jesus Christ, for it was by Him I wrote it. I usually write what is going on in my studies, or my life.
Stephanie
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” I usually write what is going on in my studies, or my life.”
I believe this is the key to having relevant posts, Stephanie. If God is dealing with you about something (like spending more time in prayer), chances are really good that He is dealing with others about that issue too.
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AMEN!!!!
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Love your article. I’ve been focusing on Ephesians 6:18 for a while now and was putting a post of my own together; however, I think yours is better. May I use on my site, with appropriate attribution, of course?
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Thank you for stopping by. I’m very pleased to hear that a portion of this post helped you. I thank our wonderful Father and Lord Jesus for “giving” us everything we need.
I’ll stop by your blog soon. Blessings
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