Warfare

I've really been aware of the reality of spiritual warfare this week. We've just launched another week of prayer here in Guildford, with the focus being on the nations and the lost, and it really has been hard work. It was hard work to set up, it's been hard to fill up the slots and many have talked about a heaviness when trying to pray. It strikes me that this isn't normal. Or maybe it is? Maybe we should expect it to be hard when we are praying that God's kingdom would advance. Maybe we should expect opposition? Yet when it comes, it's so easy to cave in.

I've just been reminded of how important it is that we stand up and fight. We are in a battle. A battle for our hearts, minds and soul. The ultimate victory has been won, but we are in a battle to believe that. The battle is between truth and lies. We are told that Jesus is truth and that the Holy Spirit is the bringer of truth, and we are also told that the enemy is the chief of all liars. So this is the battle. Our opinion of God, ourselves and the world are constantly under attack from the lies of the enemy and we must stand on the truth.

So, we MUST fight. We MUST fight through the doubts that bring us down and focus on Jesus.

We MUST pray, asking God to reveal us the truth and also speak it out. There is power in our words.

We MUST read our bibles. There is so much truth in these pages, yet so many of us don't read them.

Finally, we MUST do this together. It's important that we stand, support and encourage each other. That we speak truth to each other, otherwise we will be picked off one by one.

My prayer for you is that you step up to the plate. That you take your place in the ranks, and stand on truth. If your not part of a community that loves and supports you, challenging and encouraging you in truth then find one.

Most importantly, don't give up. If you are struggling, speak to some one. Don't get isolated.

Don't lose your voice!