Begin with two minutes of stillness and silence before God.
Anyone who has ever been around a toddler has probably witnessed a streak of independence. Putting on clothes, fixing a snack, eating messy food - things they haven’t quite mastered but want to do on their own.
I CAN DO IT!
Teenagers have been known for the same independent streak: learning to drive, making plans, and receiving advice.
I KNOW!
Even as adults, many of us feel pressured to show our independence. We don’t ask for help, we don’t accept help, and we burn ourselves out trying to prove that we can do all things in our power.
I’M OKAY!
So often, I try to do things in my own strength, do them myself, and resist asking for help. I have to resist the thought, "People will think I’m weak or too much trouble if I ask for help."
In Ephesians 6:10, we read that the Lord will give us strength; He will strengthen us. We don’t have to battle in our power. Verse 13 tells us to take up the armor God is offering us. He is giving it freely, but we have to accept it, take it, stand firm, and use what He’s given us. The Lord wants us to ask for His help, His strength. He never intended for us to fight the enemy or any battles on our own.
But one part of the armor of God that is often overlooked is prayer. It doesn’t have an illustration like the rest of the armor of God, so sometimes we forget about it when we talk about this passage.
Ephesians 6:18-20, “And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given to me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.”
These verses tell us the importance of praying in every circumstance, for every need, not only for ourselves but for fellow believers. Paul instructs us to stay alert – look for opportunities to pray for others, especially when things seem impossible! We can personally ask for help, and it is freely given. We can ask others for help, and they freely give it. The Lord is ready to give us what we need; He simply wants us to ask. How much more do we appreciate good gifts when we know that they come from our Good Father? We see this promise in Matthew 7:7, John 15:7, and Ephesians 3:20 as well.
Paul instructs the church to pray for one another and asks them to pray especially for him as he strives to boldly share the gospel. Paul wasn’t too proud to admit he needed his faith community to support him through prayer. He didn’t have all the answers, and he didn’t have the strength to do it himself. Paul is setting an example for believers; he is demonstrating that it is good to humbly ask others for prayer because of our dependence on God for boldness, wisdom, and strength to share the truth with others. When we feel weak, overwhelmed, or defeated, just remember Paul - you don’t have to do it alone. Pray and ask others to pray. The Lord will do the rest.
Take two minutes to reflect in silence.