Day 8.
Psalm 54:3, 5a Arrogant foes are attacking me; ruthless people are trying to kill me—people without regard for God… Let evil recoil on those who slander me;
Psalm 18:34 He trains my hands for battle; my arms can bend a bow of bronze.
In our last reflection we discussed that there are real enemies in this spiritual battle, and, following the command of Jesus, we prayed blessing on them. Today we will distinguish between the enemy as a person and their efforts. Let’s pray that God would frustrate the efforts of the activists of sensualism, even as we continue to pray that God would bless the individuals. We can’t stand by silently when enemies are actively calling evil what the Lord calls good. And we can’t be silent when godly leaders and the body of Christ are specifically targeted.
What efforts are we praying against? Any effort that promotes the lie that sex may be enjoyed outside of marriage between one man and one woman. But let us also ask for wisdom to discern efforts promoting this lie, which is contrary to God’s law, and efforts to love people who experience same sex attraction or gender confusion, which is consistent with God’s law.
Where we might be uncertain as to how to pray against our enemies’ efforts, as many of us are not accustomed in praying this way, let us pray using Psalm 18:34. As God did for the psalmist, ask that God would train our hands for battle and give us strength to bend a bow of bronze. The battle is spiritual, but in the physical realm that battle is likely fought with words, so let’s ask God for victory in the spiritual realm, and wisdom in what to say and how and when we say it so that we are effective in the physical realm.
Continue to learn more about activists in your area. Read their bios and writings and follow them on social media. Be aware of what they are saying and continue to pray for their personal blessing, but let’s also pray that God would frustrate efforts to promote lies about sexual morality.
Our Father in heaven, thank you that you are the final judge, that you always judge rightly, and you will judge every wicked deed. Thank you for your mercy to all of us sinners, and we continue to pray that ___ would repent of their ways. Please frustrate the efforts of ___ as they entice others by sensual passions and lead them into false freedom. Frustrate their finances. If there are evil or illegal practices in their organizations, expose them. May they stumble over their words and may their hearers and readers see through the lies and become disinterested in the message. Where they slander members of the body of Christ, would you cause the attacks to recoil on them.