"The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers."
1 Peter 4:7
One thing we have yet to mention is that our level of mental control speaks to the direct line of communication we have with God: prayer. Our ability to pray directly to the Father cannot be allowed to be interrupted by our own humanity, and we must maintain control.
This is not an easy process, however, and we must realize that we are susceptible to the assaults of the enemy during times of prayer. The reason for this is simple, and we have spoken on it before in this section. In order to truly hear God respond to us, we must let down barriers and give ourselves over to Him. In the moment when we lower our guard and begin to let go of our own control, there is a window during which the enemy sneaks in and tries to distract the process. The enemy will attempt to drag our thoughts to another place, or make us feel as though we have the placebo effect in prayer, in that it could just be for show. Our prayers become hindered, because we forget what to ask, how to ask, what to confess, what to say, what we should say, what we need to say. Our prayers are rendered ineffective by our wandering in the mind, and we disrespect the Creator by not showing Him complete attention and focus.
But the real assault comes after this...
After the small and often unnoticed invasion, when we feel like we are not capable of that communion with God that others say they have, we feel like we have failed. And it is here, in this moment, that the enemy is at his best. When we feel like we are not worthy, or we didn't "do it right," or we simply cannot have that, or we begin to believe that it is false... the enemy loves this and uses it to move forward his purpose, which is anything that distracts from God's purpose. But know this, dear friend: you are not a failure. You never have been, in that regard. What you are is human. And just like a sprinter who decides he wants to run cross country, different muscles and disciplines MUST be employed. Different things must be practiced. It takes time, but the time is always well-spent.
Take a moment today to think powerfully on God... on Christ... on the Spirit. Think and focus with all you have on the Trinity. If you have been following this study from the beginning, move on to think on the growth you have discovered in your own forbearance of fruit of the Spirit. The end of this study is near, and we must prepare for the next one by remembering where we came from and how we grew along the way... but we must remain focused and clear-minded about it, so that we can honor the Lord in doing so!
God bless you all!!!
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