Perhaps there is no time when the enemy is more active in our lives than during our prayer time. The apostle Peter warned, "Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour" (1 Peter 5:8). Constantly on the move, Satan is always plotting, scheming, planning, and looking for opportunities to weaken us. And when it comes to our prayer time, Satan moves like lightning.
There is nothing that would please our enemy more than to come between the Lord and us in this sacred hour of intimacy. Why? Satan knows that prayer is the key to our power, strength, and victory over him. And he will make every attempt to weaken us spiritually.
To pray is to have power in our lives and to have power in the high places of heaven.
Jesus habitually made time to commune with His Father, both early in the morning and late at night. If the Son of the living God saw time with His Father to be that important, how much more should we? Jesus' communion with His Father was like the air that He breathed.
Like Jesus, when we pray, we are opening the floodgate of heavenly blessings. To pray is to have power in our lives and to have power in the high places of heaven. However, the problem is that many of us have built the foundation of our prayer lives upon bad habits and wrong ideas. But the purpose of prayer is not to inform, persuade, or manipulate God. Prayer is obedience and sincere surrender before the living God.
As in the Lord's Prayer, the purpose of all purposes in prayer is for God to be glorified. Listen to what Jesus said to the disciples in John 14:13: "And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son." That is the purpose clause. That is the purpose of all purposes—that the Father be glorified.
Is the purpose of your prayers to bring glory to God? Rise early and offer the firstfruits of your day to the living God who sees your heart. Praise Him, adore Him, make your requests known to Him, and confess before Him as you seek His glory and honor in your life.
Prayer: Jesus, thank You that I have this fellowship with You because of the precious blood You shed on the cross. I pray against spiritual laziness that keeps me from seeking You with my whole heart. May You be glorified in my prayers and in my life. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.
"Before they call I will answer; while they are still speaking I will hear" (Isaiah 65:24).
Learn more in Dr. Michael Youssef's sermon series Call on Me: LISTEN NOW
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