Why are you sleeping? Get up and pray

Seven 7 reasons why you should make prayer a priority

This sounds like a direct command. It also seem a bid offensive as well, because we would like to think we are doing the best we can with our prayer life. The disciples were over powered by tiredness, so they fell asleep when they should be praying. This was the one time Jesus needed their support and their strength. Jesus was in great anguish for what he was about to face. Facing the fury and wrath of God, bearing the sins of the world – past, present and future was a very tall order Jesus was getting ready to fill. He needed the support of his disciples. Unfortunately, they were not up to it.

Luke 22:46 records “Why are you sleeping?” he asked them. “Get up and pray so that you will not fall into temptation.” Jesus was emphasizing the importance of prayer, especially at a critical time in the history of the world. This was a life altering and transforming experience that was about to take place. What has been predetermined in the mind of God before the foundations of the world was now becoming a reality, a major shift in the universe for humanity was on its way – the redemption of man. Here prayer was necessary to make the plan of salvation a reality.

Get up and pray was not only applicable to the disciples who needed it at that time, it relates to us today as well. Seeing prayer for what it really is becomes necessary if we are going to have any lasting impact. How many times have we prayed for something and stopped when it doesn’t work as fast as we expect. Or we soon forget the victory that came when we stood steadfast in prayer. I urge you like Colossians (4:2) says “Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.”

Seven 7 reasons why you should make prayer a priority

1. Watch complacency – It is very easy for complacency to step in when prayer is sporadic. Complacency brings a numbness over you spiritually. While you are not spiritually death, you are numb to spiritual things and situations you would otherwise be alert to. Your perspective about kingdom things changes; instead of seeing from the Word’s perspective, you now begin to see from the world’s perspective. We allow things of the world to creep into our lives, unbelief and doubt gradually sneaks in and we give more and more leverage to ungodly standards. Prayer keeps you alert, aware, quickened, well- guarded and focused on the word.

2. Watch confusion – God is not the author of confusion. The enemy’s plan is to cause confusion to flood our minds that we cannot make sound decisions. When we find ourselves fretting and becoming anxious about anything, that’s the time to pray about that thing and make our request known to God (Philippians 4:6). When our minds are in turmoil, peace and understanding is lacking. Therefore, prayer fills that deficit, producing peace beyond comprehension. Prayer works for every situation and for everything. Leave no stones unturned in prayer.

3. Temptation is always around, however a state of prayer-less-ness makes one more susceptible to temptation. Instead of resisting the temptation, we yield. Instead of running like Joseph we linger and enjoy the pleasure for a moment. Instead of fighting the good fight, we allow the enemy to creep in with doubts and fears. Instead of standing firm, we buckle to the ground. Instead of taking our authority, we give it away. As we pray we tap into the power of God available to us, to resist the devil and watch him flee. We develop the power to resist temptations. Matthew 26:41 also states “Watch and pray, that you enter not into temptation…” Jesus prayed for Simon and the other disciples when he knew the devil desired to sift them as wheat (Luke 22:31). Prayer keeps you sober and vigilant that you are not devoured by the enemy (1 Peter 5:8).

4. Strength – We are no match for Satan in our own strength. That’s where he beats us. Jesus knew, the task ahead was humongous, so he prayer for strength. Prayer strengthens the spirit and weakens the flesh. Prayerlessness strengthens the flesh and weakens the spirit. The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak (Mark 14:38). If Jesus did not rely on his flesh why should you? His strength is made perfect in our weakness (2 Corinth 12:9). Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness (Isaiah 41:10). Prayer takes brings us to the place where we rely on God’s strength not ours.

5. Discernment – prayer sharpens your discernment and your sensitivity to God’s plan. Spiritual discernment is helpful in undertaking what God has placed in your heart. 1Kings 3:9 “So give your servant an understanding heart to judge your people to discern between good and evil. For who is able to judge this great people of yours?”

6. Audacity – this is having the gut to carry out the plan. Anything God calls us to accomplish is never simple. God’s purposes will never be accomplished without much resistance and hindrance of the enemy. Prayer gives you the audacity to pursue what’s in your heart despite what’s facing you. God has given us all we need to execute the plan, but we must find the boldness to do it. In fact when you get started it may seem like all hell is breaking loose. That’s the time to step up a notch in prayer. Don’t quit praying because of frustration. You have what it takes, otherwise God would not place it in your heart. Jesus look at the task ahead, and ask the Father to take away this assignment, but his spirit said, not my will but yours be done. The time he took to pray made the difference in accomplishing this great salvation plan in which we have become partakers.

7. Relationship- praying is not about completing one of our Christian routines for the day, it is so much more than that. It is building a relationship and a rapport with God. It is getting to know him better. It is allowing him to reveal himself to us in wonderful ways. It is allowing him to unfold his amazing plan for our lives. He longs for you and me to truly discovering the richness of his inheritance He has for the saints. He wants us to truly tap into his unsearchable riches in Christ Jesus. He wants us to live as stress free as we possibly can – casting all our cares upon him, because he truly cares.

Action plan

Get up and pray. It’s not too late to start again.

Don’t let someone or thing dictate your day. Speak life into your day.

Don’t let the forces of darkness take over and leave you powerless.

Don’t allow the enemy to reap havoc in the office, your home, with your marriage and your children while you stand on the sidelines getting upset.

Don’t give away your authority, that’s what Satan wants. Find what the word says about it and use it.

Get back in your fighting stance, get your guard up again. You are fighting from a place of victory. Stop being the victim and begin to operate like the victor that you were made to be.

Get up even if you have to drag and do it.

Take back the altar of prayer once more, pray the word, and pray it with conviction and authority.

Walk in love for faith worketh by love.

Don’t stop praying just because all seems well right now.

The intent of a fully loaded mouth

A gun is known as a very deadly weapon, especially when it is loaded. Whether law abiding citizens use it in self-defense, or criminals use it to get what they want. It has the potential to do great damage, once the trigger is pulled. The gun is an extreme example; it creates all sorts of destruction to its target. You see, once you pull that trigger, you cannot turn back that bullet, you cannot wish the bullet back. Words are like that. Words come from the seat of our hearts and emotions, so when we speak words, they will create an impact. They can be devastating or motivating. The same goes for written words such as; emails, facebook, twitter and other social networking sites. Once words are released they are hard to take back. People have lost their jobs, friends, get slapped with law suits and made enemies writing insensitive things about other people. Now I am not talking about the abuse of guns and gun violence, but I am however, drawing a comparison here, showing how reckless use of words can do the very same damage to someone’s emotions, dreams, self-confidence and literally create wounds that only God can heal. I might even venture to say, words may be more powerful than guns. We never think about the damage words create to others and to ourselves, but they can be pretty destructive. They can create or heal the very emotional, dysfunctional attitudes that breeds gun violence.

Family hurts

Perhaps, the greatest damage of words occur in the family. Words spoken in haste to family members have been the single most influential tool in bringing about separation and ultimately destroying family relationships.

As a mom I had to understand that, not because I am the parent, I get to say what I want to my children. Words can create devastating wounds in children, they walk away feeling rejected, develop low self-esteem, feelings of insecurity and feelings of not being loved. This may create distrust, display fits of rage and anger as a result. Even adult children bear emotional scars from words spoken by a parent years ago. I don’t apologize for disciplining my children, but I have to always remember they are humans and I have the power to make them or break them.

Marriages are literally torn apart by demeaning words. You cannot build a meaningful happy marriage, by bashing your spouse and pinpointing their faults every time there is an argument. Wives and husbands run from each because of demeaning words. Constant belittling of your spouse’s character will drive your spouse away from you. Think about a man who finds every excuse to stay away from his wife- excuse “she nags all the time”. She bashes and belittles him so much, that he feels less than a man. My husband and I did that years ago, we bash and tell each other some insulting and hurtful words. That didn’t solve the problem to begin with, it created a different one- insecurity and open wounds. Since then we vow never to speak hurtful and demeaning words again to each other. We knew, it was destructive and unproductive for a good marriage. There are certain no, no phrases in our marriage, as simple as it seems “You’re stupid”. Words hurt for a long time and we have learned to take some words out of our vocabulary. We deal with the issue instead of releasing insult bullets we cannot take back.

If you need to retrain yourself to speak kindly to people, do it. Make a deliberate effort to speak without an intent to wound. You will be happier, your family will be happier and your marriage will be happier. Make that effort every day, to be an excellent communicator with family, friends and even strangers.

The power of words

The power of words have the ability to shape our world just like God created the world by his spoken word. Words affect our emotions, our perception, influence our decisions and may change the way we view the world. Words are dangerous when they are used in the wrong way. And when they are loaded with hate, envy, hurts, jealousy, anger, insecurities and low self-esteem they become like guns or other lethal weapons; creating wounds, scars and destruction? Words can be remembered twenty, thirty, forty years later and almost throughout one’s life time.

On the contrary, words are wonderful and powerful when are used in the proper way. They can ignite a spark and fire in someone to better themselves, they can edify and encourage people to pursue their dreams, to quit a bad habit, change their lifestyle and get better grades. They provide so much confidence to the hearers that they motivate them to make immediate changes. Don’t be the kind of person who shoots first then ask questions later. Psalm 141:3 “Set a guard over my mouth, LORD; keep watch over the door of my lips.” The writer wanted his prayers to be answered and his worship to be acceptable. I don’t know about you, but as for me, I constantly feel the Holy Spirit putting a guard over my mouth. Jesus said it’s not what goes in that defiles, but it is, what comes out of one’s mouth that defiles him (Matthew 15:11).

Load your mouth with the word

This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it…. (Joshua 1:8)

Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say (Exodus 4:12)

For the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what you should say (Luke 12:12).

Load your mouth up with the word of God- it’s wholesome and full of life. It’s time we yield this part of our lives to the Holy Spirit. Words are powerful tools so use them to inspire, motivate, encourage and empower those you encounter. We get to decide the intent of our words before they are released.

Tell me

What bible verse do you use to help keep your mind and mouth in line?

How do you keep your mouth in check? What do you say or do?

How much are you aware of your words impacting others good or bad?

How much time are you spending loading up the right stuff?

 Be blessed.

Advancing the kingdom of God in the earth.

What’s in your mouth!

As parents we tell our children, WATCH YOUR MOUTH. Yet we ourselves don’t make a conscious effort to watch ours. So our children hear when we bash other people. Do you know there are so many people who are critical of others, no matter how good people perform they will find something to be critical about. They are always saying negative things and cannot seem to speak well of others. Though you will be tempted to lash out, speak ill, get angry, tell someone off, speak roughly to a stranger or co-worker, hold your peace and walk away.

Take the love path, the sooner you realize you don’t have to fight every battle trying to defend yourself, the sooner you will happier emotionally, mentally and relationally. From the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. So if the heart is filled with jealousy, arrogance, pride, bitterness and it’s all about me attitude, then that’s going to flow out of your mouth. What’s in your mouth is what’s been cultivated in your heart. Don’t you wish sometimes you hold your tongue before jumping to conclusions? The Holy Spirit is your constant help, especially in those angry moments.

Think about Romans 12:21

“Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” You are not a person of evil and vile things, don’t let people put you there. Don’t answer to the labels someone put on you.

James 3:8

Describes the tongue as unruly, restless evil, full of deadly poison. Men have tamed many things but yet unable to tame the tongue. However by the power of the Holy Spirit we have the power over what we say and how we say it. Who wants to be in a place where they cannot control what comes out of their mouth?

James 3:9

With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. When you attack someone’s makeup and demean their personality, you are attacking the very likeness of God.

Ephesians 4:29 states clearly,

Let no unwholesome or corrupt word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear. Watch what’s coming out of your mouth.

Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? Bitter or sweet which will it be? If we will not put bitter foods into our mouths daily, why are we allowing bitter words to come out to hurt other people? It is not our jobs to destroy people with our words. We have been created to build each other up. 1 Thessalonians 5:11 says “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.”

Colossians 4:6

“Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.” In the world today it is easy to get caught up in speaking ill things about people and become sucked into conversations I have no business being a part of and agreeing with things that should not be a part of your standards.

It’s important to speak the truth in love, so instead of allowing anger, hurt and vexation to rule your heart, you get to choose love. It may not be popular or feel like the logical path, but I have proven that love wins every time. So whoever is your challenge right now, make that person your prayer assignment. Even your enemies, Romans 12:20-21 “Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.”

Important things we can use the tongue to accomplish

Use your tongue to speak life not ill things about other people

Use your tongue to build up not pull down

Use your tongue to compliment not always criticize unless it’s constructive

Use your mouth to speak sweet words not bitter ones

Use your tongue to praise God and others

Use your tongue to establish what the word of God declares

Use your tongue to encourage someone

Use your tongue to create a positive environment around you

The power of death and life are in the tongue. We get to decide how we are going to use this great tool that God has given to us. My pastor always says some people have a mouth and don’t know what to do with it. What are you doing with the mouth you’ve got? Are you constantly tearing down or are you making an effort to esteem others. Make it a practice every day for one month not to say anything negative about anyone or anything; not the government, not your boss not your co-worker, not even your children. I know they might do everything to get on your last nerve, but hold your peace. Take the power and reigns of your tongue and guide it with the power of the word. Make a conscious and deliberate effort to speak good things.

What’s in your mouth? Life or death.

What are you going to do when fear grips you?

The enemy uses fear to hold many people in captivity. Following the recent incident in France and Mali many people are afraid to travel and those traveling are very paranoid of looming danger around them. This is a strategy of the devil and if we do not realize it, we too can become sucked into fear. The best way to combat fear is to speak to it and declare the word of God. The enemy is using his best scare tactic to keep people in bondage. Whether it’s getting on a plane, attending a public event, the enemy uses fear and terror to keep people from enjoying their life. So, as you pray for Paris, Mali and other countries in the light of all that has been happening, understand that good will always triumph over evil. God is good and he is not the one responsible for all the evil that’s happening. There is a real devil loose, reaping havoc in the lives of people. You and I are agents of heaven declaring the word of the Lord and being used by God to reveal light in world.

Psalm 27:1-3
The Lord is my light and my salvation—  whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life— of whom shall I be afraid?
When the wicked advance against me to devour me, it is my enemies and my foes who will stumble and fall. Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then I will be confident.

David made God his attraction, so he would not be caught up in fear’s distraction. Fear will take you off course, hold you back, keep you looking behind and take your focus away from what is truly real. When fear grips you, it brings anxiety. Speak to fear in the name of Jesus, and fear not. Take authority over it and use the living Word to replace those over powering thoughts (2 Tim 1:7). Take a page out of David’s book, praise God.

Don’t let fear cripple your faith and confidence in God.

Advancing the kingdom of God in the earth.

Wisdom in speech
The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding (Prov. 4:7). Get wisdom, get understanding; do not forget my words or turn away from them (Prov. 4:5).

Getting wisdom means that wisdom will become evident in our speech and our actions. When you allow yourself to speak whatever you want without any restraints, you will find yourself offending people and getting the manifestation of what you say. It may be good or bad fruits. “The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit (Prov. 18:21).” If you are the righteous, then you will need to train your mouth to utter words of wisdom (Prov 37:30). We should be the center of peace not the center of controversy.

I often watch what I say in conversation. Whether, scolding my children or in disagreement with anyone and better yet, I have to put a watch on my mouth when I am angry about something, less I say words I might regret later. It is important for me to use wisdom in speech. When your words are release you cannot undo the damage, even when you try to make restitution, things are not the same.

These are some good guidelines to follow

Don’t be too quick to bash someone
Don’t be too quick to judge someone
Think the best of others
Always use your love portion- it works every time
Always practice kindness
Try soft answers
Be a peacemaker
Build others up

We are all a work in progress, but let there be true progress in our conversation and relations to others. “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger (Prov. 15:1).”

My prayer for you today is that your speech will always be seasoned with salt.

Be blessed!

Advancing the Kingdom of God in the earth!