Rhapsody of Realities 22 January
SCRIPTURE: Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you, always labouring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God (Colossians 4:12).
The Apostle Paul knew how to agonize in prayer for the souls of men. He understood the principles of prevailing prayer—soul travail. For example, in 1 Corinthians 15:32, he said, “…I have fought with beasts at Ephesus….” There, he was talking about something that happened in the spirit. It was a spiritual warfare.
In Revelation 19:11, the Apostle John tells us, “…in righteousness he doth judge and make war.” We judge and make war in righteousness. The phrase “make war” is the Greek, “polemeō” and it means to be (engaged) in warfare, to battle or fight. Instead of “war,” it’s also sometimes translated “battle.”
“War” is also translated from “stratomai,” which has to do with war as in soldiers in a warfare. But then there’s “Agonisomai” (Greek); another word for war which is more about contending for something (Colossians 1:29; 4:12). This time, it’s more passionate and intense, and it doesn’t necessarily use arms.
Read Yesterday’s Rhapsody of Realities Here
That’s where the English word “agonize” is derived. That’s what we’re expected to do in praying for lost souls— we “agonize,” because we have an adversary that’s warring against us. Ephesians 6:12 says, “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities,against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.”
The word “wrestle” is the generic term for war, battle, fight, or struggle; letting us know that all of these have todo with our adversary. 2 Corinthians 4:3-4 tells us about this adversary and the extent of his wickedness. It says, “But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost. In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.”
This is why you must pray intensely for sinners to be delivered from the power of Satan into the glorious liberty of the sons of God. Agonize for them in prayer. This is a priority in warring a good warfare (1 Timothy 2:1-2).
CONFESSION: Dear Father, I thank you for pouring out your Spirit upon all humanity, making it possible for all men to receive the glorious Gospel of Christ. I break the power of the devil over people’s minds whom you’ve destined for salvation today; they’re delivered from darkness to light and into the glorious liberty of the sons of God, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.
FURTHER STUDY:
1 Timothy 2:1-4
I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— 2 for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godlinessand holiness. 3 This is good, and pleases God our Savior, 4 who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.
Ephesians 6:12-13
12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.
1-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: Matthew 15:1-28 & Exodus 1-2
2-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: Matthew 8:12-22 & Genesis 21
Thank you for studying today’s Rhapsody of Realities – Agonising for Souls in Prayer – written by Pastor Chris Oyakhilome.
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Rhapsody of Realities 22 January 2023
