Battle-TestedSample

THE WEAPONS OF OUR WARFARE

“Lawlessness is abroad. Fear grips many hearts. What are we to do? Are we to parade? Are we to demonstrate? Are we to do all we can within the law to protest wrong and champion the right? Whatever may be said for such activities, let us remember that these are not our chief weapons. They are not our strongest weapons. They are not our best weapons.”

—William Culbertson (1905-1971)

Prayer, fasting, and reading God’s word will always be our strongest weapons. There are no revolts, riots, wars, or parades that can ever take the place of falling to our knees in our prayer rooms and seeking God with our whole heart. There is no meme, no good quote, or thought that can replace God’s Word in our soul. 

This is the way of the Christian. This is our way of life. Martin Luther is known for the statement, “To be a Christian without prayer is no more possible than to be alive without breathing.” 

Jesus made it clear that we cannot expect to walk in spiritual strength without praying, fasting, and knowing God’s Word. Prayer is where God changes our hearts and minds. Fasting is when we offer up sacrifices to honor and seek God. God’s Word is where we learn to hear His voice more clearly. 

In the Old Testament, Ezra was a priest who was given permission to return to the land of Israel after being exiled in Babylon for many years. He challenged everyone to fast and pray to God as they journeyed home. The Lord hears and will answer our prayers. He may not always answer them in the timing or in the way we think He should, but His answers and timing are always right. 

Both Ezra and Jesus understood the power of prayer and fasting. These disciplines do something in our hearts and souls far greater than we could imagine. They are moments of humility and inner change for our lives. 

When we face the struggles and spiritual battles of life, our first and only response should be to seek the Lord with prayer and fasting. He is our best line of defense. He is our great protector. He is our source of life.

What is your first response when you face a struggle in your life? Is it prayer or something else?

PRAYER:

Lord, I look only to you.

I seek only you.

I pray only to you.

Lord, it’s always only you.

Amen.