This resolution of Daily United Prayer is based on An Humble Attempt, originally put forward by Jonathan Edwards in 1748. Its design is to encourage God's people in the duty of united extraordinary prayer; setting aside some time every day to pray for the revival of His church and the advancement of Christ's kingdom in our homes, in our churches, in our nation, and in the world.
Yesterday I received a phone call from a ministry that I love and respect greatly. I learned of a serious moral failure that occurred in the "number two" man that eventually ended with prison. I was devastated with the news. It was such a staggering reminder of our utter weakness and vulnerability in failing the Lord in some terrible way. "Let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall." 1 Cor 10:12. I am still reeling from the news. How is it possible that a senior man who worked so closely alongside one of my favorite preachers could fall so egregiously? Then, of course, I was reminded of Judas who betrayed the Lord after being in such close proximity with Him for over three years. Or even the confident Peter who famously failed the Lord with his triple denial in the moment of crisis.
"And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not." Luke 22:31-32.
This is the passage that particularly came to mind and struck a chord with me. Satan is desirous to have us. He goes about like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour. He wants to sift us as wheat. The imagery suggests one that has mastery over another. We are his play things. We are subject to his whims. We provide no opposing threat to him. We are sifted as inert wheat in his grimy hands. But—the Lord is praying for us. Thank God. The Lord is interceding for us even now. What is the substance of His prayer? That our faith will not fail. Faith. Why do we hear about these cases of moral failure? Lapse in faith. Galatians 5:16 tells us, "Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh." We must "walk by faith, not by sight." 2 Cor 5:7. The most basic application of this is to guard what you bring into your eyes. Is anyone hearing me? Young people, older people—guard your eyes! Faith and sight are at odds with each other so that the more you look at things that are carnal, the more your faith will weaken. It doesn't even necessarily have to be sinful things. When we spend hours looking through "entertaining content" on various social sites, what are we doing but weakening the spiritual man inside us? We are weakening our faith, our ability to pray, our desire even to seek the Lord. Isn't this true?
One other thought is that shortly after the Lord warned Peter of Satan's desires, He brought the three disciples to pray with Him in the garden. He warned them to, "Watch and pray that ye enter not into temptation." Matt 26:41. And yet, what do we read? Even with the direct warning of Christ and even though they were in the immediate presence of Christ Himself, the disciples fell asleep. Not once, not twice, but three times! They were overpowered by the flesh. We are no match for the devil or even our own flesh. We may have the most godly influences surrounding us by way of our pastor, our friends, our family—so that we may, like Peter, feel ourselves somewhat impervious to failing the Lord in any meaningful way. All I can say is, friends, don't be an ignorant fool. I leave this verse with you:
"Put not your trust in princes, nor in the son of man, in whom there is no help. His breath goeth forth, he returneth to his earth; in that very day his thoughts perish. Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the LORD his God." Psalm 146:3.
I know the devil would love to take me down. I know the devil would love to take SA down. Obliterate it from off the face of the earth. I know the devil would love to take your pastor down. It may not be by moral scandal but it could be through discouragement or disunity. Whatever it takes to disable his enemies. Christian friend, the devil wants to take you down. He wants you to stop praying for your unsaved loved ones—for revival. He whispers in your ear, "You're wasting your time. Your prayers are never answered. It will never come." Remember this, he's a liar, and the father of it (John 8:44). We're in a war. Fight the good fight of faith! Stay awake. Watch and pray! that we enter not into temptation.
DAILY UNITED PRAYER unitedprayer.net
Mon-Fri @ 12pm EDT // Sat @ 10am EDT
We invite you to join our dedicated and earnest group of praying participants of all ages from around the world that meet every day over Zoom to pray. At the start of each prayer call, a different individual will bring a brief Scriptural meditation. Here's the most recent: