ONLY PRAYER
Psalm 6, 13

A believer that has ceased to pray is the one that has slipped into sleeping and slumbering. The importance of prayer cannot be well emphasized more than Jesus’ statement to His disciples on the Mount of Olives. He stated to His disciples, “…Pray that you may not enter into temptation.” (Luke 22:40) Evidently, by virtue of Jesus’ statement, it should be safe to say that, the elimination of prayer is an invitation for temptation. Despite His warning against sleeping, the disciples fell into sleep and Jesus came back and said to them, “…Why do you sleep? Rise and pray, lest you enter into temptation.” (Luke 22:46) Jesus repeatedly pointed out that sleeping will lead to temptation. How is your prayer life? Prayer is a prevailing weapon that must be in place for any overcomer in the world of wickedness. Paul and Silas received the breakthrough deliverance from their jailers when they prayed, “But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone’s chains were loosed.” (Acts 16:25-26) Prayer is not playing games; it is a serious business that needs a serious investment. God is a prayer answering God and He will not fail to hear the prayer of His children. The same Peter that fell asleep at the Mount of Olives fell asleep again in the prison while waiting for the execution at the hand of Herod. In the case of Peter, “…Constant prayer was offered to God for him by the church.” (Acts 16:5) Prayer delivered Peter from a sudden and untimely death. Wherever there is sleep, being enlightened will recede and helplessness will reign. David knew the consequences of giving in to sleeping rather than prayer when he prayed, “Consider and hear me, O LORD of my God; enlighten my eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death; lest my enemy say, “I have prevailed against him”; lest those who trouble me rejoice when I am moved.”” (Psalm 13:3-4) Sleeping and not praying will lead to death, the enemy will prevail, and ending up in an unwanted ground or situation will have its way. It does not matter how long you have been in the Lord and neither does it matter the title that you answer to, sleeping will not excuse any believer that has a place for sleeping instead of prayer. Peter walked close enough with Jesus and he went to sleep against the warning of Jesus while Jesus was with him and when Jesus was gone. The word of God encourages us to ask and David asked when he called for help that will enable him to be kept from the devices of the wicked.

Prayer for the day: Ask God for the grace of enablement in your prayer altar.