Called to Prayer

"For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." (Ephesians 6:12)

There is a raging war. As I watched the 7:00 p.m. news bulletin, this truth hit me real hard. Hmm ... I suddenly realized that in praying for this nation I have prayed casually and not dared to contend against the real enemy of the land of Kenya and the continent of Africa. I have prayed like one who is treading carefully around the enemy and yet he lurks in the darkness, waiting to strike, with thoughts of hatred, rumor, gossip, tribalism, chauvinism, pride, sinfulness, anger, jealousy, and all form of wickedness. I have been blinded by the Presidential debates, Gubernatorial debates, political rallies, posters, campaign messages, wall posts from known and unknown persons on Facebook, arguments in various public fora, political discussions after "powerful" church services, and consultations with professionals. By the time I am going to bed, the conversations replay in my head and I am torn between this aspirant versus this other one. The pastor's sermon is a fading shadow in my mind and I quickly forget what was shared in church. Instead, my focus is riveted on what people are saying, what political analysts think, what professionals deem as the best leadership in this nation, and what the common man on the streets is saying. I am even dreaming about the different political manifestos and I quickly post my opinion on FB at 1:00 a.m. just in case I lose my train of thought!

So when did I lose direction? When did I start listening more to people than to God? When did man's opinions, arguments, thoughts take precedence over God's voice? 

I know. 

When I stopped praying. Not just saying "God bless Kenya," but literally getting down on my knees and waging war for this nation in prayer. Literally contending with God on behalf of this nation. There is no battle that is won by intellectual debates and discussions. The soldiers have got to get onto the field and FIGHT.  The war is not fought by forwarding a prayer on FB and advising my friends to click LIKE if they agree to the prayer and post an AMEN. No, my friends. Prayer calls for me to get dirty; to get into the mud and trample the enemy underfoot, risk being injured but soldier on in faith.

In praying for this nation I ought to remember that the war is not against flesh and blood. The war is not against my favorite politician's opponents. Rather, as a Christian, the war is against rulers, against authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. These are powers of darkness that perpetuate evil in this nation and unless I take my position in prayer as a Christian, I will lose direction. I will fight the battle using human understanding to my own detriment. These are the powers lodged in men and women who will do anything to get seats of power and unless I understand this, I will call them names, curse them, and detest them; and yet the Lord is saying, "Girl, you are focusing on the wrong battlefront!"

As I write this I am beginning to wonder if churches still teach on SPIRITUAL WARFARE. I am wondering if Christians still engage in all night-sessions of PRAYER. Hmmm ... we all crowd our churches on 31st night to usher in the New Year and then we kiss overnight prayers goodbye - what happens? Friends, aside from the elections that are a few days away, we are continually engaged in spiritual battle as children of God. There are dark forces that threaten to steal, kill and destroy us and unless we learn how to contend against them in prayer we are never going to claim our territory. Indeed it has been said that a battle won in the spiritual realm is manifested in the physical realm and even though the answers may take long in coming, we need to keep pressing on. There is no battle that is won instantly - there are stages of preparation and there are moments of intense warfare, where lives are lost, and then the victory comes and oh! how sweet it tastes. 

God is calling us to prayer. When was the last time you attended a prayer meeting? When was the last time you invited your friends over for prayer and not just for FOOD, FUN AND FELLOWSHIP? When was the last time you went on a fast and sought the Lord's face over every situation in this nation and in your personal life? When was the last time you actually heard the voice of God? You know He does speak and in these days of the Holy Spirit, He does speak to us and not just to our pastors, preachers or prophets.

Remember, we do not wrestle against flesh and blood. That situation in your personal life, your home, your office, your nation, your continent, can only be conquered through spiritual warfare. If you are not sure where to begin, Ephesians 6:10-18 is a good place to start and then dare to attend a prayer service in your church. Use the armor of God provided in this portion of scripture as a guide to pray.

Warning: the moment you decide to PRAY, the enemy who lurks in the shadows, waiting to see those he can devour, comes up with all sorts of reasons and excuses why you should not pray. There will be many distractions and counter-attacks, but do not give up - stand firm, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power, and take your stand against the devil's schemes. And REMEMBER: we wage war from the winning side - Jesus has already conquered for us and He sits on the right side of the God Almighty interceding for us.

C'mon, rise up son and daughter of Abraham. We have been called to battle, and fight we must, if we are to experience the extraordinary that comes with knowing God and making Him known.

God bless and keep us as we rise up in prayer!