“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.” Ephesians 6:10-18
As we begin this first week of March, we begin our focus on the season of Lent, beginning yesterday on Ash Wednesday. The significance of this time leading up to Easter, when we remember the death, burial and resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, is one of repentance and fasting. The forty days of Lent help to remind us of the forty days that Jesus fasted and prayed in the wilderness. It’s an annual reminder of surrender, self-denial, and sacrifice. to those following Jesus, a remembrance of these words: “Then He said to them all: “Whoever wants to be My disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow Me.”
Over the last couple of years, we as His disciples, have begun to face tribulations unlike anything we’ve seen in our lifetimes. Those who remember His words about all of this, have remained focused on the real events and the real battles that are going on around them, because they know that these are the devil’s schemes. The real struggling, wrestling, and battling isn’t about or against the people, politics, and power in this world, but “against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
Jesus warned His disciples when He spoke these words: “He replied: “Watch out that you are not deceived. For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am he,’ and, ‘The time is near.’ Do not follow them. When you hear of wars and uprisings, do not be frightened. These things must happen first, but the end will not come right away.” Then he said to them: “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be great earthquakes, famines and pestilences in various places, and fearful events and great signs from heaven.
As we watch some of this unfold right before our very eyes in Ukraine, as we see the economic impact of pestilences and war. As we embrace the truth that ‘these things must happen first’ before the return of Christ and the ultimate culmination of God’s plan here on earth. And as we face every challenge: We MUST “be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power”. We MUST put on our spiritual armor. We MUST take up our spiritual weapons. And we MUST, “pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.”
Let’s pray: Lord, You know all things. You are God Almighty. And You love us with an everlasting love. You have revealed Your path for us. You have given us Your Spirit, Your authority, and all of the tools and weapons we need to tear down every stronghold of the enemy. You have placed us on this earth for such a time as this! We carry the banner of our Savior and we battle for the hearts, minds, and souls of men! Today, we battle and pray for the families who are caught in the middle of this war. We pray wisdom and restraint for all of the world leaders who are drawn up into this conflict. We pray for the president of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, for protection and wisdom as he leads his people to protect His nation and fight for freedom. We pray for the president of Russia, Vladimir Putin, that he would have a ‘road to Damascus’ experience with You, and that You would put him on a path of reconciliation and peace instead of war. We pray for Your hand to hold back those who want to escalate this into a nuclear war. And, Lord, we pray, that out of all of this destruction, You supernaturally intervene and bring redemption and restoration. Pour out Your Spirit like never before! Ignite the fires and fan the flames of revival! Bring a new Great Awakening Lord, beginning right now in Europe. And, come quickly Lord Jesus! In Jesus name we pray. Amen!
In His Love,
Dion Elmore
Vice President, National Day of Prayer Task Force
