The Time Is Now - Developing A Lifestyle Of Prayer

Five Reasons People Don't Pray A. Satan hates prayer and desperately tempts us with the lie that token prayer is enough. I believe prayer is the ultimate weapon against the kingdom of dark­ ness. Second Corinthians 10:3-4 tells us that "we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contraty, they have divine power to demolish strongholds." As I pray for individuals, one request I always include is, "Deliver them from the evil one." Prayer pushes back the kingdom of darkness, protects the people we pray for, limits Satan's work. The enemy knows that and frantically tries to con­ vince us that prayer doesn't work, harassing and haranguing in hopes that we will wear down and give up. I don't believe Satan is able to take control of God's people, but, as he tempted Jesus (Matthew 4: 1-11), he also tempts us by lying to us in our thoughts. He schedules his attacks when we're most susceptible, and some of his lies are creative. "You're too tired," he says. "Just go to bed. You can pray tomorrow." Or, "You don't have the gift of prayer." We can be easily convinced and rationalize away our prayer life. But we need to stay alert and ask, "Where did that thought come from?" Remember, we are not struggling against flesh and blood (Ephesians 6: 10-12). The kingdom of darkness is our enemy, and we need to focus our prayers against it, rather than justify casual prayer. 4. Read in Matthew 4:1 -3 about the way Satan spoke toJesus. What is one stray thought that you encounterf r equently, at tz'mes when you are susceptible, which might befrom the enemy?

5. ReadMark 9:25-29 andRomans 16:20. Why is prayer a necessary tool in our battle against the enemy?

B. Our flesh-our sinful nature-resists every attempt our heart makes at praying. I've chosen, at the beginning of each year, to set for myself as many goals as the number of years I've lived. This year I'm fifty-four, so I've set fifty-four goals. Can you guess which one will be the most difficult? It's my goal to reduce my weight to 185 pounds. I've set that same goal each year for twenty years, and I have yet to reach it. My flesh hates to diet­ it's more fun to eat. The flesh hates discipline in general, especially the regimen required for an effective prayer life.