Fresh Manna
by Pastor Tim Burt
Are you a Christian that truly understands the importance of prayer? Have you ever had one of those seasons when your prayer-life has felt a little dry? When a dry or a fading prayer-life becomes your reality, its time to wake yourself up!
There are many reasons someone’s prayer-life goes in the tank. One is, a life that is too busy! The problem with most busy lives is not that they are busy, but that there is time and priorities mismanaged, leading to the waste of precious time that is greatly needed. Two plus hours for TV or a newspaper or social media but not 30 minutes for some Bible reading and prayer? That’s a mismanagement of your priorities. Priorities are critical to living your life for the Lord and they actually help shed time-wasters! Ephesians 5:15-17 (NIV) says, “Be very careful, then, how you live–not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.”
Discouragement is another reason for a fading prayer-life. Discouragement is usually based on temporal negative circumstances that drive negative thoughts and feelings. Discouragement happens because you’ve forgotten your authority in prayer through Christ. Discouragement happens because your expectations of how life should go is not happening, or because you’ve created an expectation for how your wanted your prayers answered instead of trusting God through your prayers, even when they seem unanswered. Discouragement happens because you’ve focused on what the devil is trying to do to destroy your life, instead of knowing that God is with you, in you, for you, and knows How He is leading you. He has a plan! Joshua 1:9 (NIV) says, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” Take note: commanded, strong, and courageous are not wimpy words.
There’s an instinct that every Christian should develop. What instinct is that? The ability to discern a demonic assault that has attacked your life so that you can instinctively fight back! When things seem out of whack, you should pause, note exactly what those things are. Pray and talk to the Lord about them. And then take your authority in Christ in prayer over every attack of the enemy. Don’t get discouraged! Get fired up! 
1 Peter 5:8 (NLT) says, “Be careful! Watch out for attacks from the Devil, your great enemy. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for some victim to devour.” Peter is warning us not to become the devil’s lunch. He says, “Watch out for attacks from the devil…” If you don’t, then Hosea 4:6 (NLT) which says, “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge because they don’t know me…” may come to describe you.
I’ll share more with you in Part 2 of this devotional, but for now, know this: God has a plan for your future that is good. He also has a plan for you when you are in difficult times. In those times, He doesn’t want you to pull back. He wants you to come boldly to the throne-room of grace! Do that in these time and actually, all the time. You’ll be stronger and better off for it. You’ll not pray less and with no faith. You’ll pray boldly in the authority in the name of Jesus Christ and your prayer-life will get stronger and things will change! More next time…
Hebrews 4:16 (NKJV) “Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”
In His love,
Pastor Tim Burt
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Published by Pastor Tim Burt
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