“For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds…” – 2 Corinthians 10:4
There is a mighty power in prayer. Our great adversary is constantly seeking to keep the troubled soul away from God. An appeal to heaven by the humblest saint is more to be dreaded by Satan than the decrees of cabinets or the mandates of kings. (1)
Beware how you neglect secret prayer and a study of God’s word. These are your weapons against him who is striving to hinder your progress heavenward. The first neglect of prayer and Bible study makes easier the second neglect. The first resistance to the Spirit’s pleading prepares the way for the second resistance. Thus the heart is hardened, and the conscience seared. (2)
When we feel the least inclined to commune with Jesus, let us pray the most. By so doing we shall break Satan’s snare, the clouds of darkness will disappear, and we shall realize the sweet presence of Jesus. (3)
The prayer of faith is the great strength of the Christian, and will assuredly prevail against Satan. This is why he insinuates that we have no need of prayer. The name of Jesus, our Advocate, he detests; and when we earnestly come to Him for help, Satan’s host is alarmed. It serves his purpose well if we neglect the exercise of prayer, for then his lying wonders are more readily received. (4)
In the conflict with satanic agencies there are decisive moments that determine the victory either on the side of God or on the side of the prince of this world. If those engaged in the warfare are not wide awake, earnest, vigilant, praying for wisdom, watching unto prayer, … Satan comes off victor, when he might have been vanquished by the armies of the Lord…. God’s faithful sentinels are to give the evil powers no advantage. (5)
Satan leads many to believe that prayer to God is useless and but a form. He well knows how needful are meditation and prayer to keep Christ’s followers aroused to resist his cunning and deception. By his devices he would divert the mind from these important exercises, that the soul may not lean for help upon the Mighty One and obtain strength from Him to resist his attacks. I was pointed to the fervent, effectual prayers of God’s people anciently. “Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly.” Daniel prayed unto his God three times a day. Satan is enraged at the sound of fervent prayer, for he knows that he will suffer loss. (6)
Charge for the Day: Take record of the time you spend today doing different activities; where does prayer fall in the grand scheme of things? How much time are you spending in prayer? Where can you make adjustments to dedicate more time to the Lord?
1. The S.D.A. Bible Commentary, vol. 2, p. 1008
2. Messages to Young People, p. 96
3. Historical Sketches of the Foreign Missions of the Seventh-day Adventists, p. 146
4. Testimonies for the Church, vol. 1, p. 296
5. The S.D.A. Bible Commentary, vol. 6, p. 1094
6. Testimonies for the Church, vol. 1, p. 295