Volume 35: Get Satan’s Influence Out of Your Prayer Life

Day 139 Devotional

GET SATAN’S INFLUENCE OUT OF YOUR PRAYER LIFE

One of the greatest misconceptions about prayer is believing that every desire we have originates with God.

Sometimes what we call faith is actually ambition. Sometimes what we call prayer is actually manipulation. Sometimes what we call believing God is simply us trying to convince God to endorse what we already decided we wanted.

Prayer was never intended to be a tool for getting our will done in heaven. Prayer is the process through which God’s will is accomplished in the earth.

That is why Jesus taught us to pray: “Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.” (Matthew 6:10)

Notice that Jesus did not begin with our wants. He began with God’s will.

WRESTLING FOR GOD’S WILL

Satan understands something many believers miss. He knows that if he can influence what you desire, he can influence what you pray for.

In the wilderness, Satan offered Jesus power without sacrifice, a kingdom without a cross, and authority without obedience. Every temptation was an invitation to obtain a legitimate promise through an illegitimate path.

The temptation was not merely about what Jesus would possess. It was about how He would pursue it.

NEW DAY, SAME BATTLE

Many of our prayers revolve around comfort rather than character.

We pray for promotion without preparation. We pray for influence without humility. We pray for increase without stewardship. We pray for victory without surrender.

James warned believers about this very thing: “Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.” (James 4:3)

That verse is not talking about sinful lust alone. It is speaking of self-centered desires that place our will above God’s will.

The enemy does not care how spiritual a prayer sounds if its ultimate purpose is self-exaltation.

SURRENDER IS A POWERFUL WEAPON

Prayer is not measured by how passionate it sounds. Prayer is measured by how surrendered it is.

The most powerful prayer Jesus ever prayed was not accompanied by shouting, crowds, or miracles. It was prayed in a garden:

“Nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.” (Luke 22:42)

That prayer changed history.

Before we ask God to bless our plans, we should ask Him to examine our motives.

Before we ask Him to open doors, we should ask Him whether He wants us walking through them.

Before we ask Him to give us what we want, we should ask Him to make us want what He wants.

THE MOST DANGEROUS PRAYERS

Get Satan’s influence out of your prayer life. Stop praying for what feeds your flesh. Stop praying for what elevates your ego. Stop praying for what competes with God’s purpose.

Prayer reaches its highest form when our desires become aligned with God’s desires.

The safest place a believer can ever live is in the center of God’s will.