Is Something Missing in Your Armor? (repost!)

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