This time of year the heat of the summer and high humidity can make tired, weak or just plain lazy. Yes as human beings we need vacations to recharge our bodies, mind, and emotions. How about our spiritual walk with God? Perhaps you have no thought about God, you’re too consumed with yourself. Me myself, and I. It takes much self denial and self discipline when it comes to prayer.
Thousands of religions pray, and many pray to false gods, statues, and idols.
God’s desire through His one and only son Jesus Christ is to have a personal relationship with him and to communicate with God the Father on a daily basis.
“God is Spirit, and those who worship him must worship in Spirit and truth” John 4:24
Prayer is a struggle.
No doubt. Jesus said, ” The Spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak” Matthew 26:41
The disciples were sleeping when Jesus came from prayer in the garden of Gethsemane. They were tired, weary and made excuses.
Jesus said to them, ” Could you not tarry with me for one hour?” Whether this was literal or a metaphor of the importance of prayer, the point is prayer is important in our walk with God, yet it is work and we must make the effort.
God’s enemy the devil Satan even knows the importance of prayer. The Church is powerless without prayer in Christ.
” For our struggle is not against flesh and blood [contending only with physical opponents], but against principalities (despotisms), against powers, against [the master spirits who are] the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spirit forcesof wickedness in the heavenly (supernatural) sphere.” Ephesians 6:12 AMP.
Jesus gave us the pattern how to prayer, but showed us how to resist strong temptations. In Matthew 4:1-11 The devil tempts Jesus 3 times after he fasted in the desert. Jesus profound response was always “It is written…”
The Word of God was an effective weapon. That’s why Paul in Ephesians 6:17-18 AMP : ” Take up the sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God. and pray in the Spirit on all occasions (at all times, in every season), with all manner of prayer and entreaty. To that end keep alert and watch with strong purpose and perseverance, interceding, in behalf of all the saints (God’s consecrated people).
Peter said to be sober (alert) for your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour”. 1 Peter 5:8
It is important to keep the full armor of God on in all seasons. Why? So we will be able “to withstand the schemes of the devil” Ephesians 6:10-13.
Prayer with others or with a prayer partner is important to help you get through your battles. Yes, we need each other. Jesus said. ” Where two or three are gathered together, there I am in your midst” Matthew 18:20
My friend stay alert on a daily basis and enjoy your summer 🍇🍉🍊🍋🥝🍍🍊🍓🫐🍎🍐🥭🍒🥝🍇
Related
Discover more from A One Eighty
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Published by Andy
Greetings! My name is Andy Provitola and I live in New England on the South Shore between Boston and the beautiful Cape Cod region.
The purpose of my blogging and writing is to encourage you in your journey here on planet earth. Life is full of pressing issues and problems and my desire is to discover a place for peace, hope, healing, and contentment. I am a follower of Jesus Christ – God’s one and only Son and I discovered these truths along my own personal journey.
Having discovered a personal relationship with God the Father through Jesus Christ does not mean I have to be religious to attain the rewards of heaven. The fact is God provides grace for us and accepts us as we are in His image. In other words, we cannot attain heaven or life eternal on our own, but by God’s loving grace and no merit of our own. Simply by accepting Him by faith and believing.
My goal is to continue to find a balance of life from a spiritual and practical perspective with a purpose to please and glorify God in all that I do because of His ‘Gift of Grace’.
God is not transcendent and so far away that he is out of reach with humanity. God desires that His presence lives within us and not just in the galaxies and the universe. Experiencing the unconditional love of God has been so rewarding and while discovering the truth and purpose for my life. Moving forward in this life is not a sprint, but a marathon when it comes to this race here on earth.
I am blogging because I find it is a good way to connect in a much more effective and efficient way when it comes to communicating and interacting with people that I know or do not know. Blogging and writing challenges me and also stretches me specifically in my thoughts, my mind, my emotions, and my spiritual life. To live a vertical relation with God and a horizontal relationship with others.
There will be a variety of topics and subjects to address including youth, young adults, family, singles, seniors, relationships, etc. Some of the topics will include God’s creation and power, depression, loneliness, suicide, hope, healing, setbacks, financial matters, business, stress, anxiety, care, encouragement, and so much more.
I would like to connect with all walks of life, ethnicity, culturally, other religions, socio-economics, and in so many more ways.
I am currently writing a book and several memoirs about my own life and journey . The journey begins at a young age growing up in Malden, Massachusetts, specifically Maplewood Square to where I am today. I became paralyzed from the waist down as a senior in high school and I share how my life changed for the better!
“But I do not consider my life as something of value or dear to me, so that I may [with joy] finish my course and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus. To testify faithfully of the good news of God’s [precious undeserved] grace [which makes us free of guilt of sin and grants us eternal life]. Acts 20:24 Amplified Version
View more posts
