Overcoming Through Prayer
Jesus replied, “This kind can be cast out only by prayer.”
Mark 9:29 (NLT)
Years ago, I was walking through a difficult season. I was doing everything I could to fix it. One day, someone said something that stuck with me. They said, Bryan, this isn’t something to fix. This is something to surrender. You need God's power and strength, not your own. The truth is a lot of people aren’t opposed to hard work in faith, but you don’t overcome difficult seasons with willpower. You overcome it with prayer and surrender.
This has been transformative in my faith. As Dallas Willard once said, God isn’t opposed to effort. He is opposed to earning. We need to be people who take our faith seriously, and you can’t take faith seriously without effort. You aren't committed to your faith if you never pick up your Bible, go to church, or gather with people who stir your faith. At the same time, we must understand going to church, gathering with people, and reading the Bible will only change us if we’re surrendered to God! The point is you need effort, but you need the right heart and motivation.
A friend of mine recently talked about getting in shape, and he shared that he was doing it to look good for a person he was trying to impress. My wife wisely said that motivation won’t last. You must do it for yourself. You must be committed to God, growing and walking with him daily, or you won’t be a spiritual overcomer. You must also be surrendered, understanding that you can’t overcome anything on your own but instead through the Spirit of God. This will keep you humble and committed to life in the spirit daily. Prayer is where we overcome and draw spiritual power. That’s why many of us get so distracted in prayer. The enemy fears you when you draw near to God in prayer. He fears you being plugged into the power source. A blender is no good without power, and a Christian is of no good without power, and prayer is where you plug into the power of God. So, draw near and let God fill you with His love and power!
Application: Draw near to God and commit to your daily prayer life.
Prayer: Spend time asking God to fill you with a deep dependence on Him. Thank Him that you are an overcomer! Thank Him for His power flowing through you.
“… Our Father in heaven…” Matthew 6:9b (NLT)
- What do You want to say to me today as my Father?
“… may Your name be kept holy.” Matthew 6:9c (NLT)
- What do You want to reveal to me about Your power today?
“May Your Kingdom come soon.” Matthew 6:10a (NLT)
- Help me make Your priorities my priorities today.
“Give us today the food we need,” Matthew 6:11 (NLT)
- Is there anything specific You want me to do with my time or the people I’m around today?
“and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us” Matthew 6:12 (NLT)
- Reveal to me anyone I need to forgive or ask for forgiveness.
“And don’t let us yield to temptation…” Matthew 6:13a (NLT)
- Is there anywhere I’m vulnerable to temptation?