Are You Sleep or Awake?

And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed. Romans 13:11

When it comes to spiritual things we're either sleep or awake.  When we're asleep, everything catches us by surprise.  But when we're spiritually awake, we are watching and praying so that we're not caught unaware by anything, and the enemy can't sneak up and attack us.  God recently dealt with me about this and that's why I'm writing this post.  And with today being the National Day of Prayer, it couldn't be a more perfect time to share this.

A couple of weeks ago I was sitting at my desk during a time of prayer, and I suddenly had an open vision.  I saw a giant laying stretched out on a couch, and he was fast asleep.  He didn't have a care in the world, and he was even snoring.  This giant had a certain confidence about him.  He wasn't concerned about anyone bothering him because of his enormous size.  Who would dare harm him?  Then all of a sudden while he was sleeping, an army of small imps quietly and sneakingly marched in and tied up the giants hands and feet.  They bound him up tightly so that he couldn't move.  By the time the giant began to wake up and realize what was going on, it was too late for him to do any thing.  The enormous giant was utterly helpless.  And even though he was large in stature, the little imps had out numbered him and overtaken him.  They had obviously been planning this attack, and they knew how many of them were needed to successfully execute their plan.

The giant represents the church.  The church I'm referring to is not a building where we meet, the church is you and me individually and collectively.  When we are spiritually asleep, we are not alert.  When we are spiritually asleep we are not spending to in prayer and the Word of God.  This is the only way the Devil can gain access and sneak up on us with surprise attacks.  Each individual member of the body of Christ (The Church) has been called to a lifestyle of prayer, and if each of us will do our part, we will be alert and active against the plans and plots of the Devil in our personal lives and in the church.

Throughout scripture we are told to watch and prayer, and be watchful to stay awake spiritually.  Below are just a few scripture that serve to remind us of the importance of prayer.

When He rose up from prayer, and had come to His disciples, He found them sleeping from sorrow.  Then He said to them, "Why do you sleep?  Rise and pray, lest you enter into temptation."
Luke 22:45,46

Everything in the world is about to be wrapped up, so take nothing for granted.  Stay wide-awake in prayer.  Most of all, love each other as if your life depended on it.  

I Peter 4:7 MSG

But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers.  

I Peter 4:7 NKJV

Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints. 

Ephesians 6:18

In conclusion, Prayer is a must for every Christian.  It is not a religious duty that we perform, it is a relationship that we establish with our heavenly Father.  Through prayer we come to know God, and recognize His voice.   Prayer gives us an advantage, and it is vital to our spiritual growth.  Prayer puts us us in God's "inner circle" where He reveals secrets, insights, and strategies for living. Prayer keeps us spiritually strong and alert.  Prayer is proactive, not just responsive.  It's time to be about the business of prayer!

Do you consider yourself to be sleep or awake when it comes to prayer?  

Remember Pray-ers Bear Fruit!

Kathy