THE POWER OF PRAYER

Luke 22:31-32

One of the greatest resources a child of God has in this life is the power of prayer. We are in a warfare with a real enemy and don't ever think for one moment that you don't have an enemy. His name is Satan. And he works in many ways and through anyone he can.

Satan in time past tried to destroy people before they had a chance to do the will of God for their life. He knows there are certain people that will bring honor and glory to God and if he can he will destroy them before they are able to do Gods will.

Moses was  no doubt a good example; Satan used the Pharaoh of Egypt to try to destroy Moses as a young child. Exodus 1:22.

Later Satan used King Herod in Matthew 2:16. The Prophet Jeremiah prophesied that this would happen. Jeremiah 31:15.

Herod was used to try to destroy Jesus as a child. It is interesting that Jesus and John the Baptist both were in the age group that Herod ordered to be killed , Matthew 2:16 however each one was protected. They each had a purpose to fulfil for the Lord.

Job was a good man and Satan did not like it. He ask God for permission to test .Job 1:8-12 .

Consider what Jesus said to Simon Peter  here in our text. Luke 22:31. Simon, Simon Satan hath desired to have you to sift you as wheat. Webster defines sift as; separating the courser from the finer part; to examine with close scrutiny. My dear friends, in those days and even today when you separate wheat the total grain is tossed to the wind  after it has been tromped on, beaten under foot.

What I hear Jesus saying is; Satan wants to walk on you, beat you under his feet and toss you to the winds that blow. I'm glad for what Jesus said after that. But I have prayed for you, that thy faith fail not.

Luke in his writing 22:40 tells us to pray that you enter not into temptation. I hear a lot of people talk about praying, we hear people say, If we would pray, thus and thus

Would happen.

Let's follow Jesus after a prayer meeting, Jesus prayed  not to enter into temptation. What is temptation? Don't be enticed, don't be lured, don't be provoked, don't be incited, don't be stimulated or stirred to action.

He withdrew himself to a special place of prayer. How long has it been since we withdrew ourselves to our special place of prayer?

There are times we all need to withdraw ourselves from everyone and everything and just be alone with the Lord.

Jesus did not want his will to be done, but the will of the Father. He prayed, If thy be willing remove this cup from me, never the less, not my will , but yours be done.

It is important for us today to pray one for another. Prayer puts a hedge around us that Satan can not reach through.

Paul tells us in Ephesians 6:11; put on the whole armor of God that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. If you look at the armor you will find he said  having your loins girt about with truth and having on the breastplate of righteousness, your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, take the shield of faith wherewith you may be able to quench the fiery darts of the wicked and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. No where do we find anything to protect the back part of man. Friend, when you are moving forward for the Lord he always takes care of the unprotected parts we have.  This text tells us what the armor of every child of God needs if we are going to be the people God would have us to be.

Our children need the hedge of prayer as well as our churches in this time of warfare.

Remember; If my people who are call by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways I will hear from heaven and will heal their land.

Lord we need healing today and please sir, let it begin in me.