WHO ARE YOU PRAYING WITH OR FOR?

 

DON'T WALK ALONE (continuation)

Luke 22:31-32 (TPT)

"Peter, my dear friend, listen to what I'm about to tell you. Satan has obtained permission to come and sift you all like wheat and test your faith. [32] But I have prayed for you, Peter, that you would stay faithful to me no matter what comes. Remember this: after you have turned back to me and have been restored, make it your life mission to strengthen the faith of your brothers."

 

During a trying season, the Lord asked me not to walk alone, as I stated in the previous post. Although I could pray, it wasn't to the extent I had always wanted. Although I could still read and study the Bible, I knew it was again not to the level I had always wanted. But I was always happy I could find the right words to help those who contacted me with their problems. I was pouring out a lot, but I wasn't paying attention to the fact that nobody was pouring into me. Gradually, I realised that the desire to read/study my Bible, pray, and worship, among others, began to decline. I suddenly felt tired and bored when the thought of doing any of the above came to mind. I would start yawning when I felt like praying or reading the Bible, but when I took my phone to spend time on any social media platform, I would be up for hours. I couldn't understand it, but again, I didn't want the devil to feel special, so I never accepted it as an attack. During those periods, I finally accepted that you could spend days on YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok, and every single minute, you would be shown a new video. In other words, there is enough content to keep you distracted if you give in to the enemy. Anyway, I kept battling this whole idea of feeling sleepy the minute I wanted to pray or read the Bible for days until one day, I told myself I was going to spend time on social media when I felt like sleeping, and while at it, I would speak in tongues (please don't be tempted to try it). I prayed for hours, but truth be told, it was fruitless. I heard nothing. And as I always tell those around me, you can't spend time with God and not encounter Wisdom.

 

One day, I woke up and decided to practice one ritual the Lord taught me when battling with 15-30mins in His presence — conscious worshipping (Again, this is my ritual, not a doctrine). To practice conscious worshipping, I have a list of favourite songs, it could be at most five or ten, which I play in the background, yet instead of just playing in the background, I consciously sing along with the intention of dwelling on the songs' words. Finally, I sit quietly and listen when the songs have played, and I have sung them several times. During that conscious worshipping, I was directed to send a PRAYER SOS to selected friends in the faith. Wisdom had directed me to a solution, but I found it hard to make a list of people who could adhere to it immediately. For some people, I thought, the idea that I was requesting prayers would have sounded like a test or ploy to determine if they were praying, so I needed to know whom to send the PRAYER SOS. When I finally accepted the thought, I couldn't pinpoint particular Christian friends or loved ones to send the PRAYER SOS. After an hour or two, a few names came to mind, and I sent them a short message. Although they all replied in the affirmative that they would pray for me and let me know what the Lord was saying concerning the season, only a few returned with a Word from the Lord. (Please, always let people know if you cannot help them in prayer when they request a PRAYER SOS. No is still a sincere answer.) The few messages I received from these people were like a soothing balm to my soul, providing the relief and comfort I desperately needed. They encouraged me and helped me get back on track.

 

Romans 15:30 (TPT)

That's why I plead with you, because of our union with our Lord Jesus Christ, to be partners with me in your prayers to God. My dear brothers and sisters in the faith, with the love we share in the Holy Spirit, fight alongside me in prayer.

 

A specific message established a particular insight the Lord told me before that trying season. Reading that message, I could hear the Lord repeatedly telling me how much He loved me and was always with me. The word 'Emmanuel' had a different meaning from that day because I knew, based on that experience, that the Lord was always with me no matter what I was going through. Nothing was ever going to make me doubt that. I knew the Lord took me through that phase to make me understand why Apostle Paul constantly encouraged the community of believers he had around to pray with and for him. It was a humbling experience for me because I understood that no matter my spiritual maturity, I wasn't too old for prayers. Now, I request prayers from children, friends, pastors, etc. Pride makes us think we don't need the prayer of any other person except our pastors (I would touch on this another time). Humility in seeking help is a virtue we should all embrace, as it opens the door for the support and guidance we need in our faith journey.

 

Fellow brothers and sisters in the faith, no matter how 'spiritually matured' you think or know you are, don't fight that battle alone. Get yourself a Christian community, and request help when you need it. We were meant to help each other in the body of Christ. The Apostles who walked with Jesus knew this, practised it and taught their followers. Today, many are hiding behind a facade of 'Spiritus Paparitus' and slowly decaying, knowing that issues are weighing them down spiritually. Let us kill the pride and lean on each other. It is supposed to be our reality as Christians. We are not alone in our faith journey but part of a united body with a shared purpose.

 

Remain in the blessings of God as you remain in Christ.

MD.

 

 

NB: Each day, when a friend's name randomly pops into your mind, say a quick prayer and call them to check up. Let them know they came to mind, and you decided to check on them. It may look like a random act, but you just obeyed a PRAYER SOS from the Holy Spirit for them.