We Do Wrestle

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Reading Ephesians 6:12 I was reminded of something very important regarding prayer and that is that it is not easy. It can frequently be a wrestling match.

The materialistic, western Christian culture and it's acceptance of feel-good, prosperity messages has attempted to drown the truth of what it really means to be a Christian. Do slogans that are centered on blessings and prosperity really encapsulate what being a follower of Christ is all about? Perhaps ask Stephen who was stoned. Maybe ask Paul who was imprisoned, beaten, and then died for his faith in Jesus Christ. In this present day you have plenty of accounts of believers suffering for their faith in Voice of the Martyrs. (link to their website at conclusion of this article) I don't think repeated mantras of "blessings are chasing me down" would have been the right tool or weapon at the time of these martyrs greatest test.

Ephesians 6:10-20 - Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.

To be a Christian is to follow Jesus Christ. To follow Jesus Christ means to deny yourself. And to be a Christian means to wrestle in prayer.

Ephesians 6:12 came up for me in a search on prayer but to fully grasp this portion I read from Ephesians 6:10 through 6:20. These scriptures speak of hard-core Christian living, not flabby, couch potato channel surfing through scriptures extracted from verses with the express purpose of making us feel good.

Don't get me wrong. I want to feel good spiritually. I want to be encouraged when reading scripture. Doesn't everyone? Yet as a believer and follower of Christ in training, if my coach is telling me to get the lead out when I run, or is telling me to do 50 sit-ups instead of 10, wouldn't those instructions be for my end goal betterment? I think yes. So when scripture challenges us, rejoice, and wrestle it out, in prayer.

If we look only to how to get out of the mess we are in through scripture and never look to reasons why we may have found ourselves there in the first place, then I doubt we are wrestling in prayer. To understand our flaws as the Holy Spirit unfolds them to us is not the stuff of slogans. It is the stuff of substance, fed to us by God. It isn't found in a self-help book. It is found in the places where God dwells.

Suggestions? When a scripture portion speaks to you, study the chapter it is in. Study the setting in which it was written. Reference associated scripture. Pray that God would open your heart and mind to all that He wants to train you in. It's a journey of training and it's a destination unlike any other - communion and fellowship with God.

https://www.persecution.com/

Link to Voice of the Martyrs