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The Lord’s Prayer and the Devil

Paul’s strategy for spiritual battle ends with a call to intercede for one another in prayer (Eph 6:18).

It’s a humbling thought… to realize that we are dependent not only on God, but on each another-even to the point that, while being accountable for our wrong thoughts and choices, we cannot take credit for the best of what we think and do

But what should we pray for one another in the middle of this spiritual battle?

One possibility is “The Lord’s Prayer.”

From what the Bible tells us about the devil, he hates all of it.

  1. To see God honored
  2. To see us longing for and doing the will of God
  3. To see us aware of our dependence on him
  4. To see us seeking forgiveness for ourselves and others
  5. To see us reminded of our need for protection from an unseen enemy.

If you ever feel so overwhelmed by prayer that you don’t know where to begin, trying praying specifically for others by name that they would long to see God honored in what they are going through, that they would be more concerned about God’s will than their own, and that they would see God’s hand of provision, seek his forgiveness, and be protected from the enemy who wants to make wreckage out of their faith.

There are, of course, other ways of aligning our thoughts with the purposes of God.  But seems like it would be hard to overestimate the importance of the issues Jesus surfaces for us… and seeing where to begin… rather than being defeated by an enemy who wants us to either feel overwhelmed by prayer for others…or focused only on the physical concerns of our friends and loved ones.


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64 Responses to “The Lord’s Prayer and the Devil”

  1. laney says:

    Happy Mothers day to all the mothers.
    Sometimes when I run out of things to pray for some one I get out my bible and look up the prayers that the apostles prayed and I will pray those prayers over people.I also pray in tongues my heavenly prayer language.

  2. daisymarygoldr says:

    Great post on the Lord’s Prayer… to remind us of our call to intercede for one another in prayers! Yes, we pray to acknowledge our reliance on God who is our ultimate strong protection.

    Unlike what most of us understand, I’m thinking… spiritual battle does not involve fighting against the enemy to succeed in our personal, political, social or economic agendas… of normal affairs of life… to live happily on this earth.

    In my understanding, spiritual warfare involves the spreading of the Gospel- God’s truth. The war is being fought for the cause of Christ. The armor protects us to sustain the fierce attacks of the enemy to thwart the spread of the Gospel.

    Since the fight is against the unseen powers of darkness that are working to stop people from hearing the gospel… to see the light and become saved, God’s armor protects the body of Christ from the subtle and deceptive assaults of the devil to distract us from faithfully completing our task on the mission field…

    The mission field is the battle ground and the battle field is not just limited to Pastors and Missionaries… but every follower of Christ is called to be a soldier to fight for the sake of the Gospel… to “contend for the faith”…

    By prayers and focusing on 1-5, good soldiers of Jesus Christ will not fall to the schemes of the devil but will endure all hardships… to remain strong and stand their ground… to “faithfully” persevere and fight a good fight… till the very end!

    “Soldiers don’t get tied up in the affairs of civilian life, for then they cannot please the officer who enlisted them”. (2 Tim 2:4)

    Happy Mother’s day to all the wonderful mothers here! And BruceC your wife is also in my thoughts and prayers today…

  3. Rick123 says:

    Mat 6:9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. (God our Father is the only One who is good(Mat 19:16,17) in that he is the giver of all things, and Jesus depended on his Father’s help(Mat 26:36-42) and his Father’s word.(Jhn 5:30) The Father has magnified his word above all his name, and he who honors the Son, honors him who sent the word-made flesh. The Father who is the “giver” of all things gave us his Son Jesus.(Hbr 2:10-13; Jhn 3:16; 2Cr 5:18), and he(Father) has “given” all things unto Jesus.(Jhn 3:35; Jhn 13:3; Mat 28:18; Luk 5:24; Luk 10:22; Jhn 5:26,27,36; Jhn 6:39; Jhn 17:2,7,8,9,11,22,24; Jhn 18:11; Phl 2:9; Act 5:31)

    Mat 6:10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as [it is] in heaven. (Our Father’s will is being done in heaven as it is on earth. When Jesus returns to set up the kingdom of his Father David in Jerusalem, satan will be dethroned by Christ. For satan is the god of this world(age), and it was given to him. (Luk 4:5,6) For satan who misleads the whole world will be bound for a thousand years in the bottomless pit. Then the kingdoms of this world will become the kingdoms of our Lord,(Father) and of his Christ, and he shall reign for ever and ever, upon the throne of David his father.(Isa 9:6,7; Luk 1:31-33)

    Mat 6:11 Give us this day our daily bread. (Jesus is our daily bread, for he is the word made flesh.)

    Mat 6:12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. (For we are not ignorant of satan’s devices, Lest he should get an advantage of us. Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; [and] whose soever [sins] ye retain, they are retained.(Jhn 20:23)

    Mat 6:13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: (God our Father is able to deliver us from temptation through Christ Jesus. His anointing breaks the temptation and keeps us from falling.)

    For thine(Father) is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen. (1Cr 15:23 But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ’s at his coming. 24 Then [cometh] the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power. 25 For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet. 26 The last enemy [that] shall be destroyed [is] death. 27 For he hath put all things under his feet. But when he saith all things are put under [him, it is] manifest that he(Father) is excepted, which did put all things under him.)

  4. bubbles says:

    Mart, thank you, thank you for your well thought out insights about praying for others.

    It’s so easy to let the physical eclipse the spiritual needs of others–it’s easy to pray for the unsaved, but the spiritual needs of the saved–I struggle with what to say in prayer. I plan to write your ideas inside my Bible to help me when I pray.

    I have heard/taught lessons on the Lord’s prayer, but your insights were fresh and real. Thank you for this site. Your thoughts will help me pray more effectively for others.

    On the thought about spiritual warfare: one passage has always been fascinating to me was Daniel 10:10-13–it’s as though God pulled back a curtain to let us have a small peek at a spiritual battle that was taking place in the Old Testament.

  5. mtman says:

    Here is a portion of what I posted on the last topic.
    “Then the key is John 10: 28, ‘And I gave them eternal life and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of my hand.’ Those of us who have accepted him as our Lord and Savior are those held in his hand”.
    So what is amazing is that soiled as we are that he loves us each enough to assure our salvation. Are we really dependent upon each other? While we as a group of believers argue with each other, spit and fuss over who is the best among us, hurt each other, and typically don’t seemingly fit together as a group of believers, we have the Lord Himself who binds us together in absolute love. That is the one central source regardless of our differences that holds us together. So we rely on God Himself to hold us in his hand, and when we realize just what price He has paid for our ramsom we have to be more than humbled. We have to be overwhelmed.
    Then when we finally come to realize just how much we truly need each other because we are different parts of the same Holy body we are humbled further. When I consider how small I really am but that I am still part of the Body of Christ and He considers me important enough to hold me in his hand and keep me safe – the word humility doesn’t seem big enough to describe what I have discovered.
    So Mart is very correct that we are dependent upon each other. In spite of our human differences, religious persuasions, skin color, ethnic origins, we truly need and must depend on each other. Humbling? Maybe, but overwhelming is more like it.

  6. lee1944 says:

    Never thought of the Lords Prayer in this way. Makes sense though. We should be praying for others as well as thanking the Lord for our many blessings

  7. rokdude5 says:

    Since this is Mother’s Day, I would like to pray blessings on all the moms. I would like to pray for those moms who are estranged from their children yet longing to hear forgiveness from their children, for those moms who lost their children and those moms-to-be who could never hear forgiveness from their children or children-to-be.

  8. laney says:

    The difference between prayer and intercession
    1 Prayer may be defined as the act of asking for a favor with earnestness.
    2Intercession may be defined as pleading in favor of another.Intercession literally means to go between.
    often the terms prayer and intercession are used interchangeably.However technically they are different.
    Prayer generally means speaking to request, to talk, to commune,to fellowship, to offer petition and supplication.
    Intercession means coming to God on behalf of another.
    An intercessor is a man or woman or child who fights on behalf of others.AS such, intercession is the activity that identifies us most with Christ.To be an intercessor is to be Like Jesus because that is what Jesus is like.He ever lives to intercede. Intercession involves the whole man spirit soul and body.Intercession and being an intercessor is not so much taught as caught.It is experiencing the power of the Holy spirit at work and the desire to be part of it.
    An intercessor is one with whom God shares his secrets to cover in prayer.The cleaner our hearts, the more welcome we can make him.
    Psalm51:10Create in me a clean heart,O God.
    Lord hem me in both behind and before and create within me cleaness and wholeness of heart that I may be your servant to stand in the gap.
    If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear.
    Heb12:14,15 Pursue peace with all men see to it that no one comes short of the grace of God.that no root of bitterness springing up causes trouble, and by it many be defiled.Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart.

  9. saled says:

    I’m often drawn to pray for physical needs,such as safety for my daughters while driving on our moose populated roads, or for the health of my 60 year old brother who tonight is coming down with a cough and is headed out on a business trip across the country. I feel these needs acutely, and am thankful for the reminder to pray for their spiritual needs. From reading Elizabeth Elliot’s Shadow of the Almighty, I learned to ask God to show my children the value of a life lived for him. And I ask that he reveal their needs to them, and that he would show them how greatly he can fill those needs.

    My sister and I were both saved in our early 20’s, and we had a grammie who prayed for us with her cousin. We both believe those prayers had a lot to do with our being saved from the roads we were headed down. I wish knew the way they prayed for us.

    I’m excited about the ideas Mart gave today in praying for people.

  10. daisymarygoldr says:

    Some more thoughts on “to keep on praying for others”…

    It is so true that we should always intercede for others… because in the thick of the battle, a believer might not even be aware of being sifted/tried by satan… as seen in the case of Simon Peter.

    While denying Christ thrice, Peter had no idea that he was losing in fear to an ordinary and harmless slave girl. It was only after the rooster crowed twice did Peter realize that he had denied his Lord thrice. It is not a secret that the devil’s strategies are not obvious. After all he is a slithering serpent that mimics the angel of light. A saint is therefore, very vulnerable and an easy target to the subtle deceptions of the evil one.

    I agree that we should pray for others specifically by name. Jesus did exactly that… when he prayed for Peter by name! The fact is that though Peter did not know… Jesus knew that satan had permission to sift Peter and Jesus also knew that when tried Peter would fail the test.

    It must be noted that Jesus did not pray for Peter to overpower satan and succeed in the test. Jesus told Peter that He had prayed for him that… his faith would not fail. Peter wept bitterly because he failed but the compelling love of the Lord gave him boldness and strength… to feed and strengthen His sheep!

    Point is: We may fail the test and may feel ashamed about it… but God never accuses us. He knows it… he knows our framework… that we are frail and would surely fail. Today, Jesus Christ, our faithful high priest is always interceding for us. He does not require us to succeed… He has already won the victory on our behalf. He simply desires that our faith would not fail… i.e. our faith would not be wrecked… so that the work of the Gospel will continue unhindered.

    Let us then “be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints, and pray on (their) behalf, that utterance may be given to (them)…to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel…”

  11. Rick123 says:

    Pray or be defeated. Jesus said that the flesh profits nothing, it is the Spirit of God that gives life. And the words that Jesus spoke in behalf of his Father are spirit and life. When we cease to be watchful and alter, the flesh and satan start to build up a stronghold in our weak flesh. We must be clothed with the “attitude of Christ” so that we won’t give the devil a foothold. We should not give the enemy a place to sow a seed in our ground, but let the seed of God be sown in our ground richly, so that we might bring forth the fruit of the Spirit. Which is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance, in which we make no room for the flesh, and we have no part with or fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove(expose) them. We must be watchful, and discerning, in our life, to live carefully as wise children, and not as fools. Making use of the time we have, to be filled with the Spirit of Christ and to be armed with the weapons from his armor of light. Therefore having the strength to bring down everything that is not of God in our heart, and bring every thought in subjection to obeying the word of Christ.

    We should not be as Cain who said, Am I my brother’s keeper? and slew Abel, because he was angry that his offering was not respected nor accepted by God. And since he did not do well sin entered through the door of his heart. Some men’s sins are open beforehand, going before to judgment; and some [men] they follow after.(1Ti 5:24)

    1Pe 4:15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or [as] a thief, or [as] an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men’s matters.
    1Jo 3:15 Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.

  12. Loretta Beavis says:

    Okee dokee! That’s edification I needed today!

  13. bubbles143jc says:

    Thank you Mart for imparting your insight to us.

    Most of all, thank you Jesus for giving us the blueprint for prayer for us as well as for others. A perfect prayer, like you Lord!

    God bless.

    My name: Bubbles for the bubbles of joy during praise and worship that overflow like champainge [spelling] when opended – 143 is I love you, and jc is for the lover of my soul, Jesus Christ.

  14. BruceC says:

    daisymarygoldr,

    I thank you from the heart for the kindness of remembering my wife on Mother’s Day. Still to this day we have a time dealing with it. About every church we’ve been to has made a special day of it with sermons and flowers for the moms. Many times she was excluded from the flowers and felt less than others. We usually stay home that day as it is better to avoid it. Some folks still don’t get it that just because my wife had so many miscarriages; that doesn’t mean she isn’t a mother. Because life begins at conception we have had about ten children and will have to wait until we get home to see them. Thank you again and may God richly bless you.

  15. bretnb says:

    BruceC

    My heart goes out to your wife. I have never thought about what you wrote like that and your so true. Yesterday at least 3 or more couples left during the service crying and you never know whats going on. That might be reason for one of them.

    Mother day seems to be a happy time for most. But it also is a sad time for others.

    Thanks for your input.

  16. SFDBWV says:

    No where, in what we refer to as the Lord’s Prayer, is the devil mentioned. Evil is.

    Who do we come to in prayer? It is God, God hears our prayers, we are told, because we go through the proper “gateway” Jesus Christ.

    We ask God, to “lead us not into temptation” We ask God to “deliver us from evil”

    The devil is a defeated foe a fallen angel, and still must do the will of God. He (the devil) must ask permission from God to interact with any of us.

    So who are we to “fear”…..Your answer should be God.

    Romans 8:26 “Likewise the Spirit also helpth our infirmities: for we know not what to pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.”
    :27 ” And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.”
    :28 “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to His purpose.”

    We should and do ask God for a long list of things reguarding each other. But sometimes all we can ask, is to be in the will of God. And sometimes we speak in “groanings which cannot be uttered”.

    The devil has no power over you that you do not surrender to Him. If God gives him power over you then who will save you? For it would be then God’s will and you would find yourself fighting against the will of God.

    Steve

  17. laney says:

    DaisyMaryGold,
    You brought up a good point about failing the test and for our faith not to fail us.
    It reminded me when Jesus was in the Garden Of Gethsemane praying.He came unto his Disciples and finding them asleep and said unto Peter what, could you not watch with me one hour.Watch and pray, that you enter not into tempatation:the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.
    Jesus knew their faith was going to be tested.They were going to face the tempatation to forsake him.
    How great is his love for us that even in the garden when he was praying to the Father his thoughts and concern were also for his disciples.

  18. cherielyn says:

    Mart,

    Thanks for enlarging the pics on the Body Armor blog. It really gives a different perception of things when being able to see more detail. I appreciate your efforts.

  19. mtman says:

    Lets not over look the fact that the Lord’s prayer is a corporate prayer. It says all the way through US and not me or I. Lead US, protect US, forgive US, give US, and never in the singular. As Bubbles said, isn’t this the perfect prayer? It is the prayer that our Lord gave to the disciples when they asked him how to pray. When that prayer is prayed, where ever it may be, it is prayed for all of us believers. I think Jesus gave us the perfect pipe line to God and that prayer is in accord with His perfect will.

  20. dependent says:

    Thanks mtman for pointing out the corporate nature of the Lord’s model prayer. Had never thought about it that way–makes it an intercessory prayer. When I pray with this in mind, a focus on “us” replaces my tendency to make prayer all about me and my needs.

    Seems to incorporate both the petition and intercession prayer ‘modes’ that daisymarygoldr wrote about.

    I think the “us” aspect in the Lord’s prayer is a practical reminder to love our neighbor as ourselves. Takes that pesky propensity for “self” and turns rightfully on its prideful head.

    And the “us” attitude of prayer fits perfectly with the emphasis on unity and oneness that Jesus modeled as he prayed for us in John 17. I’m glad that as I pray for protection from the evil (one), I am in perfect agreement with Jesus asking the Father to protect us from the evil (one) in John 17:15.

  21. poohpity says:

    John 13:34-35; 34″A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” Jesus’ command. In 1986 I took part in something called Hands Across America. It was so powerful to know that we were holding hands to help the homeless and the hungry all across America. Can you imagine the impact of Christians who truly loved each other holding hands across the world to do good and pray for each other and for the unsaved. That would truly be taking a stand against the devil.

    I believe satan loves the disunity in our churches, in our lives, in our homes and in our spirits.

  22. pegramsdell says:

    Steve, good post. Sometimes I wonder when I’m praying, if I am praying against God. I don’t always know. It’s like, how should I pray…..??? How do I know if He isn’t orchestrating the whole thing????
    The Lord’s Prayer is always a good place to start.

    I’ve oftened wondered about people who say that Jesus is their savior, and act like they hate you. I know some who act like they are better than everyone else, then claim to be Christians.

    I agree we should be praying for one another.

  23. kaliko88 says:

    Actually, I was overwhelmed with how to pray til I read somewhere an idea suggesting to use the Lord’s Prayer just as bubbles143jc described it, a blueprint. It has made it a little easier, expanding each sentence, and makes it harder to treat it like a simple recitation. What I still find hard, though, is using some prayer time to just listen. It’s so easy to be distracted. Maybe that’s why prayer is a spiritual battle, too?

    I also like the simple explanation of prayer I once read in a Madeline L’Engle book; prayer is an act of love. Maybe that’s why it’s hard for us to try and intercede for others. We arent’ very good at loving people we don’t like or know very well.

    BruceC, I can only barely feel you and your wife’s pain. It is a terrible way to be treated, since children are most often born in the heart first before the body. I wish others would learn that, and be more gentle. Our pastor actually did not do any special teaching on mother’s. He really doesn’t believe in tailoring sermons just for special occasions, especially not when he’s in a series that’s fitting anyway. This month we are concentrating on one of the fruits of the spirit, gentleness.

    I really liked what Air1 did. One of the dj’s (I think it was Sterling) said we should not only honor mother’s but anyone in our life who has nurtured us. A whole bunch of people sure came to my mind. She was right, we should honor them, too. And come to think of it, they were all people who prayed for me, and said so many times.

  24. poohpity says:

    I wonder if at times we want to follow a pattern like with prayer and think it will be more effective. I believe just talking to God is prayer.

  25. Rick123 says:

    poohpity: The name of Jesus brings division among families and among religions. It is a name that is hated among the unsaved. For Jesus said, if they have hated me, they will hate you also. And why did they hate Jesus? it was because their deeds were evil, and neither did they come to the light, lest their deeds should be reproved. And he who does evil hates the light, for Jesus is the light of the world, and they hated him because he spoke the true light that came from the Father of lights.

    Luk 18:9 And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: 10 Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. 11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men [are], extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. 12 I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. 13 And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as [his] eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. 14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified [rather] than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.

  26. sjd says:

    I appreciated the emphasis on “using” the Lord’s Prayer in praying for others. I have often used the apostle’s prayers such as the ones in Ephesians, as models for prayer for others, but for some reason, used the Lord’s Prayer, more in a personal way. Thanks to Mart and all of you that opened that up more.

  27. SFDBWV says:

    While reading the news this morning, I am made aware of how much prayer is needed for us all. For the state and condition and attitude of the world.

    The Pope is in Israel, he has been shuned by “important” Rabbi’s, interupted by a Palestinian Imam. and as I read the official rabbinical upset goes back to a grudge held for over 60 years.

    In Germany a retired auto worker who is accused of being a Nazi guard is awaiting prossecution for war crimes 60 years ago. His acusers grieving that time is running out to see justice. The “nazi guard” is 89 years old.

    No wonder Jesus wept, and asks us to pray for oneanother.

    Steve

  28. laney says:

    SFDBWV, We need to keep our country in prayer.I just read an artcle from the justice dept.They reported that there are now more than 35 suspected communes and more than 30,000 members spread across the US.All in support of one goal the purification of Islam through violence.
    Another article was First came traditional marriage than gay marriage.Now there’s a movement combining both the triad.Threesome marriages.
    Obama and Netanyahu are scheduled to meet May 18.
    Zechariah12:9 And it should come to pass in that day that I will seek to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem
    The way our country is shaking its fist at God between abortion honmosexual marriages and pressuring Israel to give away its land I really fear for our country.

  29. laney says:

    SFDBWV,
    Having now said all that How do I pray for my country.I know all this is lining with the book of revelation.These things have to come to pass for Jesus to return.So how do I pray?

  30. SFDBWV says:

    I agree Laney, I percieve Obama to be of the spirit of the anti-christ. I see an all out unmask attact against every thing we deem as Holy here in America. It is the destruction of America by the devil and his allies.

    Yes we must be in prayer together to stand up for God and Christianity against the foe.

    Steve

  31. poohpity says:

    I think it would be good to pray for the Lord’s will to be done and the ability to apply that will to our individual lives.

  32. pegramsdell says:

    I am praying for good health and healing for Mart and all my brothers and sisters blogging here. For strength and power to overcome adversity. For peace and joy. For an overwhelming sense of love and caring for each other from The Holy Spirit. In The Name of Jesus. :)

  33. pressinon says:

    Hi ther everybody…been reading this blog since it started…have never posted…Mart, thank you and GOD bless you for this wonderfull and thought provoking blog..it has turned into a wonderfull and loving family of what I would like to call “true” believers

    have never posted….am constantly blown away by the wisdom and thought put into most of the post…thank you one and all for your time and input. …has been a constant blessing to me.

    but today I wanted to share something…a couple of years ago I noticed Job 42:10 And the Lord turned the captivity of Job, when (not untill??) he prayed for his friends. at the time I was attending a very leagalist church…I had a couple of very self-righteous friends in that church…I began to pray regularly for them…I saw some wonderfull things happen, in all of our lives….was this because my prayer???… to sum up my comment, I try to remmber to pray for at least two “friends” everyday….You never know when a brother didn’t get his armour strapped on good!

    Thanks once again to all the folks who post on here … I’m sure ther are lots of folks like me who never post, but cant wait to read this blog every.
    GOD bless you all

  34. chalice says:

    I’m not sure I understand the concept of being “overwhelmed by prayer” because I view prayer as one means of drawing closer to our Father, sharing with Christ, and taking hold of the comfort of the Holy Spirit. Praying for others is a privilege.

    In the context of spiritual warfare I can understand being overwhelmed by the problems that we or others face, and I can understand being physically, emotionally, and spiritually fatigued from praying for ourselves and for others. But prayer always seems to be a place of refuge from the storm, even when difficult circumstances are the reason for prayers.

  35. SFDBWV says:

    Laney, In my opinion, we must pray for our leaders to turn from serving the evil one to having a heart of repentence and obeying God in every decision they make.

    Our leaders need to have the heart of Christ, and we need to ask God to soften their hard hearts to listening to and obeying Him.

    We need to pray for revival in all of America. Our prayers can make a difference.

    When the rapture comes, we who can intercede on behalf of our nation will be gone.

    However until that time come we need to intercede and pray for our nations leaders, our churches, our schools, our people, and each other.

    We need to ask for God to heal our land…..
    To protect our sons and daughters who serve to protect us.
    To fill the hearts and minds of our educators with the knowledge of Jesus and especialy the Spirit of Christ.
    We need to ask for forgiveness for our wrongdoings as a people.
    We need to ask to be “One Nation Under God” again.

    It can start with us here together.

    Steve

  36. laney says:

    Steve, I have been for a long time praying for our leaders, for revival,for the schools,fireman, policeman military,people in Hollywood etc etc. I guess I just get discouraged when I see things getting worse instead of better.I know I shouldn’t let satan get me discouraged.That is just what he wants for me to be discouraged and defeated.He would rather have me wasting my time crying over the horrible things that are happening instead of praying.
    I have to remember that our Lord told us in the end times that the evil in the world would get worse and Satan would try and wear out the Saints.I just have to keep on doing my part and also keep praying to the Lord of the harvest that he will send forth labourers into the Harvest
    I try to get peace and comfort from Jesus telling us that when we see all these thing happening to look up our redemption draws nigh.I have the peace knowing that I’am covered under the blood of the Lamb.It is just all the ones that are going to go through the tribulation and end up eternally lost that really gets me down.

  37. SFDBWV says:

    Laney, we must continue to pray for all the unanswered prayers. Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. We are to keep our eyes upon Jesus. The troubles of this world will indeed distract us from the Christ

    Many will be saved and martyred during the great tribulation.

    Bob, I would never wish to nit pick with you or any here about scripture. It is not my intention to at all. The concordance explains the word for evil differently than it does for devil or satan. The Lords Prayer recorded in both Matthew and Luke say “deliver me from evil” Not “the evil one”

  38. diamonds says:

    I’m just amazed how someone could say that another brother has the spirit of anti-Christ when the Bible says he who does not believe Jesus is the Son of God is an antichrist. There are many anti-Christs, but if any man says he believes in Jesus for the salvation of his soul, who are we to slander that brother? I think you need to search deeper to find where your thinking is coming from, brother. We may not agree with everything a brother does, but does that give us the right to call him or her names? Absolutely not! The Bible says to slander no man. We do not know the motivations of people. Only God knows. Our job is to pray for our brothers and sisters, even the ones who may think differently than we do. And not pray for them to think like us because we are definitely flawed people.

    Chew on this. When President Bush was in office, every Wednesday night he was on the prayer list at my church. Guess what. Now that the President is Obama, his name is NEVER mentioned. Amazing isn’t it? Especially since the Bible admonishes us to pray for our leaders. And the Bible also says it is God who raises kings up and puts them down. So…if you are still angry with who won the election, take it up with God, sir. I’m sure He’ll let you know who hung the moon and stars. It certainly wasn’t any of us. Be blessed.

  39. cherielyn says:

    How to pray? When we don’t know how to pray. Romans 8:26 “Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.”

    I am there TODAY! Had to take my 42 year old mentally handicapped son, Mike, to neurologist today. His mental handicap is mainly as a slow learner. He has his driver’s license and is a good driver. For the most part he is able to function on his own, but has certain limitations – could never balance a checkbook, too trusting & gets taken advantage of easily, etc.

    To make a long story short, among other things, he has been concerned about problems with his memory. During the appointment the neurologist made a comment that sometimes people with disabilities like his suffer from memory loss early in life. He broke down sobbing for about 5 minutes. Later in the appointment she slipped me a post-it note on which she had written, “Suspect early dementia.”

    Right now I don’t know how to pray. Would appreciate your prayers on his behalf.

  40. daisymarygoldr says:

    cherielyn, don’t worry, God will surely take care of your son… God has created his beautiful soul and has also blessed him with a beautiful heart.

    This is for Mike: “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind… and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid”. (John 14:27)”
    Praying for you and Mike…

  41. laney says:

    STeve and claudia,

    Thanks for the encouragement.You are right I just need to keep my eyes focused on Jesus.Claudia thanks for the scriptures.Praise and worship music also helps.
    I should not let satan get me discouraged i will have to start reminding him that I have read the end of the book.I know the glorious outcome.

  42. laney says:

    Cherielyn, Iwill keep you and Mike in my prayers.My son is also named Michael.Now when I pray for him I will remember there are now two Michaels that i need to pray for.

    Here are some healing scriptures for you.Try praying these.

    Exodus15:26 Exodus23:25 Deuteronomy 7:15 and 28:1-14 and 30:19-20 1 kings8:56 psalm 91 psalm 103:1-3 psalm 107:19-20 psalm 118:17 proverbs 4:20-22 Isaiah 41:10 Isaiah 53:4-5 Jeremaih 1:12 Jeremiah 30:17 Matthew 8:1-3 matthew 8:17 18:18-19 and matthew 21:21-22 mark 11:23-24 mark 16:17-18 John 10:10

    These are just a few of the healing scriptures i hope this helps.

    I will leave you with Psalm 121:2-3
    My help comes from the Lord,which made heaven an earth.
    He will not suffer your foot to be moved:he that keeps you will not slumber

  43. poohpity says:

    cherielyn,

    I will be praying for your family and thank you for trusting us with your struggle. May God’s peace and love surround y’all at this time.

  44. jinky says:

    Thank you lord.. im in.. im trying to register ..anyways im new here .. i love it here it will expand my mind about the bible .. and closer to Jesus… i love being with the Christian Family .. no expectations..
    I want to share : may 12 getting better… To see his Face , this is my goal, The deepest longing of my soul Through storm and stress my path I’ll trace Till, satisfied,I see His Face! by Chisholm
    To be with Jesus Forever is the sum of all happiness…

  45. sjd says:

    Cherielyn,
    Praying for you and your son Mike! I pray that “that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God.”

    Welcome jinky! In Christ we do have that blessed Hope!

  46. pegramsdell says:

    Cherielyn,
    I will be praying for you and Mike. We are family, and God takes care of His family. I know that God is not finished with Mike yet. He is still forming and shaping him to be like His Son. Take comfort. Love, Peg

  47. mtman says:

    Diamonds: That comment bothered me too. I get e-mails every day trashing our president. Almost all are disgusting and nasty. They are coming from “Christians”. Go figure, but glad I have a delete button on my computer. I’m glad you said what you said and so well. I personally think our new president is doing a wonderful job and presents good Christian values and family values. Way to go girl…

  48. mtman says:

    Cherielyn: I too am praying for you and your son.

  49. cherielyn says:

    Thank you, everyone, for your prayers on my son’s behalf. He has tests coming up which will either confirm the neurologist’s suspicion or lead to another diagnosis.

    I really appreciate ALL of your prayers!

  50. cherielyn says:

    continued…

    I also appreciate all the words of encouragment and the Scripture references. I will take them all to heart and meditate on them.

    THANKS SO MUCH! Hugs to all of you!

  51. dependent says:

    on “evil” vs “evil one”, you might find these study notes on the Greek word [ponēros] used in the Lord’s prayer and Matt 5:39 and another recorded prayer by Jesus in John 17:15

    Matt 5:39
    The articular πονηρός (ponēro, “the evildoer”) cannot be translated simply as “evil” for then the command would be “do not resist evil.” Every instance of this construction in Matthew is most likely personified, referring either to an evildoer (Mat_13:49) or, more often, “the evil one” (as in Mat_5:37; Mat_6:13; Mat_13:19; Mat_13:38).

    John 17:15
    The phrase “the evil one” is a reference to Satan. The genitive noun τοῦ πονηροῦ (tou ponērou) is ambiguous with regard to gender: It may represent the neuter τὸ πονηρόν (to ponēron), “that which is evil,” or the masculine ὁ πονηρός (ho ponēro), “the evil one,” i.e., Satan. In view of the frequent use of the masculine in 1Jo_2:13-14; 1Jo_3:12, and 1Jo_5:18-19 it seems much more probable that the masculine is to be understood here, and that Jesus is praying for his disciples to be protected from Satan. Cf. BDAG 851 s.v. πονηρός 1.b.β and 1.b.γ.

    Matt 6:13
    The term πονηροῦ (ponērou) may be understood as specific and personified, referring to the devil, or possibly as a general reference to evil. It is most likely personified since it is articular (τοῦ πονηροῦ, tou ponērou). Cf. also “the evildoer” in Mat_5:39, which is the same construction.

    Not a Greek scholar here (can barely handle English!) But there are some interesting theological ramifications depending on which translation one adopts.

  52. Monique says:

    Im new to this and got a question. When you become a new Christian within 5 months you are being tested and fail. Does that mean your going to hell for failing or quiting or saying you wanna quit?

  53. Rick123 says:

    Monique: A person(in Christ) may deny and be unfaithful to Jesus, but Jesus will not deny that person, for he can’t deny himself.

    2Ti 2:12 If we suffer, we shall also reign with [him]: if we deny [him], he also will deny us: 13 If we believe not, [yet] he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself.

    Jhn 6:37 All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.

    If a person(in Christ) or a person(without Christ) comes to Jesus, he will in no wise cast out.

  54. daisymarygoldr says:

    Monique, just wanted to let you know that it is not just you… old or new Christians we all fail now and then. Failing as a Christian does not mean that it is the end of the road… and there is no quitting.

    If you have already committed your life to Jesus no failure will lead you to hell… because there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1).

    According to His promise in 1John 1:9: “…if we confess our sins to Him, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness”.

    So Monique, feel free to avail God’s wonderful grace which is greater than all our sins. Don’t let your failure steal your joys in Christ… there is no fear in love. Jesus loves you and longs for you to get back to Him. I’m praying for you…

  55. Monique says:

    I say tested as being in spiritual warfare with demon around me and at that time didnt no what was going on. With all the senses involved with it . Also, in the Lords Prayer, when it says Thy will be done in earth as it is in heaven or on earth as it is in heaven which is correct. What is the difference between each. Thanks daisymarygoldr, I have so many questions and im confused and I no that i have guilt and etc. So, that is a big problem for me . I went through some horrible times a year ago and in around Jan. is when warfare was going on .

  56. Monique says:

    Thanks also Rick123

  57. daisymarygoldr says:

    Monique, glad you are able to talk about your struggles… whether it is a demon or a sin… no matter what the nature of the spiritual warfare… God is able to deliver His children from “all” evil.

    The Bible is full of real-life stories in which many people were delivered from the oppression of all kinds of evil spirits. So, don’t let any evil overcome you… and this is God’s promise for you: “No weapon that is formed against you will prosper (Isaiah 54:17)

    You asked about the will of God…don’t know what by you meant by asking about the “difference”.

    In the Lord’s Prayer Jesus taught us to pray for God’s will to be done on earth just as it is done in Heaven. This is the will of God for us here on earth: “…Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in Him shall have eternal life (John 6:40)

    So Monique, yield yourself to the will of God and even though you failed know this that God always loves you and wants to save you… there is no reason to have any fear at all. Just trust Him… stay close to Jesus give your problem, confusion, guilt… over to God… read and do His word and allow the Holy Spirit to dwell in you… keep praying and He will surely take care of you and will rescue you from all your troubles! Still praying for you…

  58. Monique says:

    I was talkin about the in earth and the on earth. Some bibles say in earth as it is in Heaven and some say on earth as it is in Heaven . My kids I have 2 girls 15 and 16 now since all this started and i have been going through they are not respectful so, I will have to say that since i have been truely into the Bible they have been saying they want their momma back and they dont like me now . I want let them do this and that. It’s turning them away from the Bible they don’t want to hear anything about it . Thanks for all your Prayers ..You word are very uplifting for me . I have cut off all my so called associates that was wrong in my life . I’m all by myself here in this town. It just get hard . Again, Thank You

  59. daisymarygoldr says:

    Monique, I know sometimes different versions can be confusing… most of them have it as “on earth” except for KJV that says “in earth”. I really don’t know what the difference is between the two. I simply read it as on earth i.e. we living here on earth should desire to do His will and not think about doing our will.

    I can understand your situation with your teenage daughters… that’s an interesting age…I was a terrible teen myself and my parents had a tough time time raising me in the Lord . Don’t worry… it will soon pass away. It is important to be there for your girls because they do need their mother the most at this crucial point of their lives… and you may still devote time to read your Bible when they are away at school.

    I hope and pray that you’ll find some good Christian friends or a Church in your town to come alongside with you…. so people will be there physically to share in your burden… because sometimes being all alone itself can become very overwhelming…. By cutting off wrong associates, you have already placed yourself on the right road to recovery. Just hang in there… the Lord is good and will never leave you nor forsake you and your daughters.

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