July 5: Wrestling in Prayer
. . . praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints . . . Ephesians 6:18
The church, Christ’s body, is meant to be whole—in the fullest sense of unity. Exploring the word of God, and discovering the truth contained therein, has an affirming effect on individuals along with the effect of knitting us together as a corporate body. We must come into agreement that His truth is the foundation of reality. It reveals to us the only God. The revelation of Yahweh in His word is worthy of our lifelong focus and attention. A major element of His character is His unwavering concern for His children: our care for each other blesses Him!
The Holy Spirit brings guiding principles into each area of our lives, including our prayer life. This discernment calls us to intercessory prayer; never is it given so that we may find fault with others. If I am confronted with a personal fault, that very moment is the time to submit that defect in my character to the Lord. If my sinful habit or lack of obedience to a particular instruction is revealed to me, I must take action at once, seeking forgiveness and guidance to overcome. We must remember that the comfort of the Holy Spirit is accompanied by conviction. Any clear instruction of the Lord that I choose to ignore grieves Him and pushes Him away. My intercession for others is hindered. Intimacy is interrupted.
Intimacy with Him is also interrupted when our prayers emerge from a preconceived notion of what the outcome must be. We feel we must tell God how to tend the situations we bring before Him. Too often sympathy for someone’s trial or test of faith has us pleading with God to simply remove whatever causes discomfort or pain. But let us instead be open to that which He wants us to learn, with unwavering confidence in His wisdom and foresight. While it is natural to plead for relief, let us first ask Him to help us identify with His interests and purposes. Lay aside all preconceived notions and thank Him for being more interested in character development than comfort, and holiness over happiness. It is a fact that the truest happiness actually flows from a holy life.
We are instructed to pray without ceasing (see 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18). This is when and where our love relationship with Jesus is cultivated. No command from the Lord is issued apart from available power to carry it out. If we use our own weaknesses and inabilities as an excuse to be disobedient in any given area of our life, it actually means we subconsciously intend to act in our own strength. Self-reliance must be put away in favor of total reliance upon Him. He must increase, but I must decrease (John 3:30). It is in earnest prayer—wrestling with God over the issues of life in a fallen world—that His Spirit will exhibit power in my life. This is when I begin to overcome whatever threatens to move me away from the Lord—exactly what He intended all along!
“To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit is saying to the churches.” Revelation 3:21-22