Spiritual Warfare: Are we willing to fight in this war using the armaments of prayer and fasting?
Daniel was an Israelite who spent his entire adult life in Babylon in exile, held captive by a foreign power. He would not live in his homeland. Instead, he lived in a society that ignored the Lord and His word. They lived for self-pleasure as a self-centered, narcissistic culture.
Daniel is the story of a man who rises into a position of power and influence in the hedonistic society of his time. In his lifetime, Daniel would outlive three kings. He’ll see three of the four kings he served under make proclamations that the God of Israel was the God of the whole earth. He was a man who, in the face of overwhelming challenges to his faith, stood his ground. One of the things that made Daniel different was his commitment and confidence in the Living God to win the war. Did you know that colleges and universities all across our country are hosting “Sex Week” ahead of Valentine’s Day? Events held during these “Sex Week” events include SEXtravaganza, Freaky Friday: A Beginner’s Guide to Pleasure, Condom Bingo, and more.
God is looking for uncompromising people in their relationship, integrity, commitment, honor, responsibility, and excellence to God in the moral, ethical, and cultural life issues and their character and conduct. Are you that person?
Daniel 10:1-3 says, “The message was true, but the appointed time was long, and he understood the message and had understanding of the vision. In those days, I, Daniel, was mourning three full weeks. I ate no pleasant food, no meat or wine came into my mouth, nor did I anoint myself at all, till three whole weeks were fulfilled.”
We are under spiritual attack by evil forces just like in Daniel 10:13-14: “But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-one days; and behold, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I had been left alone there with the kings of Persia. Now I have come to make you understand what will happen to your people in the latter days, for the vision refers to many days yet to come.”
The prince of Persia was the head of the evil spiritual forces marshaled on behalf of sinful Persia, especially concerning its destructive interaction with God’s people. We are battling against the evil that seeks to influence our human will and block us from the Lord and destroy any good thing in us. Whether or not Israel responds to God’s Word would determine whether they would return to Jerusalem. We are in an appointed time to pray, and our response will determine our outcome. If we all choose to seek the Lord, humble ourselves, pray, we know that the Lord will respond, and we will see change occur in our lives, church, community, and nation.
2 Chronicles 7:12-14 says, “Then the LORD appeared to Solomon by night, and said to him: have heard your prayer and have chosen this place for Myself as a house of sacrifice. When I shut up heaven and there is no rain, or command the locusts to devour the land, or send pestilence among My people, if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”
Our call is to pray and fast this season is crucial, vital, and urgent. IF we respond in force by praying, fasting, standing up to the enemy, and decide that we can, and we will win this battle and that today is our day to fight for our families, our community, our church; IF we choose to fight against forces that seek to stop us, destroy us THEN by the power of the Lord we will win!
Wednesday, February 9, 2022, we are praying in person in the church sanctuary from 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm. We are praying on Zoom if you cannot join us in person. Sign in to Zoom.com and enter the meeting ID #845 2586 2632
In the fight together!
Pastor Steve