The song, Let Us Pray, by Steven Curtis Chapman left such an imprint on my teenage mind that I still sing the lyrics. “Let us pray let us pray, everywhere in every way, every moment of the day it is the right time. Let us pray without end and when we finish start again. Like breathing out and breathing in, let us pray. For the Father above, He is listening in love and He wants to answer us so let us pray.” The words of this song have probably imprinted the reminder of the necessity of a life full of prayer more deeply than any pastors message I’ve ever heard on the subject.
I wrote the song, Pray Knowing Something’s Happening, with the hope that the lyrics will encourage the listener to pray more. We can have the faith to know that when we pray something is actively happening. The song is a reminder that there is power in prayer to save the listener’s soul and there is power in prayer to lead others to Salvation. I love singing the lyrics, “Now faith is being sure of what I hope for and certain of what I don’t see. My hope is in heaven and my faith is in the Lord who came and died for me.” The song goes on to talk about putting on the armor of God and taking my place in the fight.
What is this armor of God? The belt of truth that holds everything in place. The breastplate of righteousness to recognize right from wrong so we are not deceived. The gospel of peace, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit are all fitted to block the blows of the evil one’s arrows. What is this fight we are engaged in? Ephesians 6 says we fight against the schemes of the Devil and the evil forces both here on earth and in the heavenly realms. That’s quite the battle we are preparing for. But remember, we’re not just preparing for some battle in the distant future. This battle we face is a daily battle and we cannot successfully engage without the power of prayer.
Where exactly do I find this armor of God and how do I wear it? I can tell you this personal story. When I was young I had a simple kind of faith. I believed I had a Creator. I believed this Creator was powerful and He was good. I’ll be honest that I’m somewhat envious of the times when my mind was more innocent to the things of the world and my prayers were spoken in a babe like faith. I didn’t have Scripture memorized and I sure didn’t know enough to feel confident enough to cast judgement on much of anything. But faith is powerful! I engaged in battles even without fully understanding. I had the Shield of Faith! Then God put on my Belt of Truth and Breastplate of Righteousness by revealing to me what Truth was so I would recognize right from wrong. God covered me with the Helmet of Salvation and gave me the weapon to fight my enemy and defend myself with the Sword of the Spirit. I had faith and honest prayer and God provided the rest. He covered me with His armor that He provided for me. And I’m hear to exclaim that God still covers me. He is faithful to provide all I need to fight through all the seen and unseen battles. John 7:38 “Anyone who believes in me may come and drink! For the Scriptures declare, ‘Rivers of living water will flow from his heart.’” Believe and have faith and prayers of living water will flow from your heart. Living water for you and the ones you love.
Do you feel like you’ve been in a battle your whole life? It’s because you have been and you are now. The people you love are also in a battle. And right now God is ready to put His armor on you. Rely on God through prayer and reading the Word He has written for us. The enemy is seeking to destroy the relationship we have with God. Stand firm on the fact that God did not make us then write a Book and leave us. He’s not some Greek god that changes his mind and can be defeated by another. God is everlasting to everlasting and He wants to talk with you. There is a beautiful hymn, In The Garden, that I sing often and it reminds me of the relationship God our Father wants us to have with Him. He wants all of us to be with Him for all eternity.
Be encouraged that you don’t need to be a Bible scholar to pray. You don’t have to have Scripture memorized to know you have a Redeemer who gives everlasting life. The book of Job was most likely written thousands of years before the Scriptures in the Bible and Job said, “I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end He will stand on the earth. And after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God; I myself will see Him with my own eyes – I, and not another. How my heart yearns within me!” Job was excited to see God and knew that on that day all his suffering would be over. He knew that anything he endured on earth happen for the glory and purposes of God. Be honest with God in all things so God can be faithful to reveal Himself to you.
As a follower of Jesus, I believe the Word of God is true and the promises of God are truth. I read the Bible and learn about God through the history of mankind’s relationship with the Creator and believe the prophecy of what’s to come. However, there’s something very special about the real and personal relationship each individual has with God through prayer. I encourage you to read the prayers that are written in the Bible. They are full of knowledge and bring comfort and inspire and are faith building. However, nothing can compare to the wisdom and understanding God gives a believer who wants to talk with him. Pray knowing something is happening.