WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 3
Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-17, Ephesians 6:12

1 Thessalonians 5:16-17 says, “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing…” What is it like to live totally focused on the Lord that includes a lifestyle of prayer? This is a season in which God’s Word and our prayers need to be fused and united and come into sync with the voice of the Spirit. Why is prayer so important? We live in a culture where prayer is mocked relentlessly. From news anchors to celebrity actors, to socialist politicians, not a tragedy goes by without someone mocking people who would offer their prayers for the victims and their families. Prayer may be devalued by the culture, but that should make it even more valuable to us! The Scripture tells us why this is so in Ephesians 6:12 when it says, “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers (G746), against the powers (G1849), against the world forces (G2888) of this darkness, against the spiritual forces (G4152) of wickedness (G4189) in the heavenly places.” Each of the key words in the Greek give us a hint as to whom and what we are fighting. Declaring the Word in prayer is a great strategy used by all Christian warriors who preceded us. Let God arise and His enemies be scattered!