Put A Headlock on Your Praying
Today’s Verse:
Now I beseech you, brethren, for the Lord Jesus Christ’s sake, and for the love of the Spirit, that ye strive together with me in your prayers to God for me. That I may be delivered from them that do not believe in Judaea; and that my service which I have for Jerusalem may be accepted of the saints; ~Romans 15:30-31
Wrestling is an age-old grappling body-to-body contact sport that tests the wit, strength, agility, and speed of one contestant against another. In wrestling, there are many submission moves that can give a wrestler a competitive edge over his opponent. These submission moves work to slow down the opponent, wear him out, or ultimately get him to tap out in defeat. Some of these submission moves include the full or half nelson and the headlock. Wrestling is always a grueling and demanding sport that uses up every ounce of strength and energy in your body. Paul uses a wrestling phrase to help us understand the secret to victorious praying.
We see the peculiar PHRASE.
Paul asked the church at Rome for the Lord’s sake and in the love of the Spirit to strive together with him in their prayers. The word “strive” has the idea of two contestants that are battling with one another. They are in disagreement and one is trying to get the upper hand on the other. Combined with the word “together,” it gives us the metaphor of two people in an intense wrestling match. It reminds us of Jacob when he wrestled with the angel at Peniel. It reminds us of Epaphras who labored fervently in his prayers for the believers at the church at Colossae. Paul fixated in the minds of the people that prayer is work, and prayer is wrestling.
We see the powerful FORM.
Striving together in our prayers means we are at strife against the powers of darkness when we pray. We are at strife with the devil for our spiritual victory over sins of the flesh and spirit. We are at strife with the devil for the spiritual lives of our loved ones. We are at strife with the devil for the lost souls of men. It urges us to be vigilant and always watchful. It is being ready to use counter moves against the wiles of the devil. It is using our shield of faith to deflect the fiery darts. It is praying in the Holy Ghost so that our prayers are heard. It is putting a body slam on the devil. It is placing the devil in a headlock until he submits. It is getting a hold of God when we pray and saying, “I won’t let Thee go and until You bless me!”
We see the positive FRUITION.
First, wrestling in our prayers is needed for our spiritual and physical protection. Second, wrestling in our praying is needed for boldness and courage. Third, wrestling in our praying is needed for open doors and new opportunities. Fourth, wrestling in our praying is needed for souls to be saved. Last, wrestling in our praying is needed for the right outcome in the Lord’s work and in our lives.
We should not treat prayer with a lackadaisical, lukewarm attitude. Our praying must be intense, for long durations, and with the intent we will not quit until we get the victory. Be engaged in your praying. Be enthusiastic in your praying. Enter your time of prayer as a wrestler entering a match. Keep asking! Keep begging God. Go back once and again until the victory comes.
Have a prayer-intensive God Morning!