Testing
Church work can at times be a real struggle. We go two steps forward and three steps back. There are roadblocks to advancing the gospel. And Christians can feel frustrated, worn out, and desiring to quit.
I've had those times pastoring churches. I would wonder if ministry was all worth the struggle. There were times when my struggles were drenched in tears. There were forces and people both inside and outside the church that sparked spiritual opposition. Ministry was not easy. I know that Jesus warned us that "in this world you will be trouble." (John 15:33) There will be persecution. (John 15:20) But the Bible also reminds us that "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 realm." (Ephesians 6:12) In ministry I have found this immensely helpful. When I face opposition or endure struggles -- I remind myself that these do not come from people but from the spiritual forces of evil. Satan is bent on our destruction, as the apostle Peter tells us: the devil goes about "like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour." (1 Peter 5:8) Jesus told Peter that "Satan has asked to sift you as wheat." (Luke 22:31) Church work can feel like a violent thrashing, just as when wheat is sifted at harvest.
And this is why prayer is our number one task as Christ followers. When Peter was being severely tested by Satan, Jesus came to his defense with prayer. He told Peter: "I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail." (Luke 22:32) It is through prayer that Satan is defeated. It is no wonder that the Bible urges us to "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 saints." (Ephesians 6:18) The battle we face as Christians is a war that we must fight on our knees. Prayer is the power by which we are equipped to overcome the devil.
This is why the devil dreads our prayers more than anything else. Satan's great concern is to keep us from praying. He does not mind when he sees us busy at work -- provided we do not pray. He does not fear if we study the Bible -- provided that we spend little time on our knees in prayer. In a book on prayer written anonymously, we read: "Satan laughs at our toiling, mocks at our wisdom, but trembles when we pray." (The Kneeling Christian, p. 17). And it is no wonder that Satan trembles. By prayer the kingdom of God is built and by prayer the kingdom of Satan is destroyed.
Pray:
- Praise the omnipotent God, who is able to destroy the works of the devil and protect his children.
- Ask Christ to teach you now to make use of prayer as a weapon to defeat Staan and to help advance God's kingdom.
- Commit yourself to prayerfully support the people around you, especially those whom you sense are under attack.
- Pray for those who live or work near you, asking that God will set them free from the powers of evil.
(adapted from Love to Pray by Alvin VanderGriend)
About the author
Jack De Vries was hired on by the Christian Reformed Churches of Australia and began his work as Ministry Training Coordinator in January 2008. In 2012 this role shifted to that of Ministry Development Coach.
Jack came from Canada where he pastored three Christian Reformed churches: Alliston CRC, Alliston, Ontario(1983-87), a church plant: New Life Community Church, Pickering, Ontario(1987-95), and Bethel CRC, Listowel, Ontario (1995-2007). Jack is a graduate of Calvin Theological Seminary (Master of Divinity - 1983) and Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary (Doctor of Ministry - 2003) Jack and his wife Jeannie currently live in Petrie, a northern suburb of Brisbane in Queensland. They attend and are members of Bray Park Community Church. They have four adult children and seven grandchildren living in the USA and Canada.
In Isaiah 58:11 we read: "The LORD will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail." Australia has seen times of drought and floods. There is another type of drought in Australia; there is a spiritual drought. But God promises to provide refreshing rain, a never ending supply of refreshing water. The water he provides will satisfy the needs of all Australians. As we take up the missional vision God has given us we extend the life changing invitation of Jesus: "Come! Whoever is thirsty, come, and take the free gift of the water of life!" (Revelation 22:17)
