October 7, 2022 - 1 Peter 5:8-9

“Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith. Remember that your family of believers all over the world is going through the same kind of suffering you are.” 1 Peter 5:8-9 NLT

Lord, we know that Satan’s mission is to trip us up and keep us from succeeding in your will. He doesn’t want the world to see us shining for you. He will do whatever he can to trip us up. Open our eyes to his strategies. We must recognize his attacks quickly so we can defend against them. We do not want to allow his arrows to penetrate us. If they do, help us immediately bring it to you for your healing power. When he sends lies our way, help us immediately recognize them as something that doesn’t line up with your truth. We must remove them and replace them with your truth before they take root in our thinking. Help to stay alert to all his attempts to defeat us. We also ask for you to teach us how to stand firm and never compromise in your ways. Even when that battle seems to never end and we are tired from the fight, help us turn to you for strength. We don’t want to be weak warriors who are easily pushed around. Grow us into your mighty warriors and teach us how to be victorious.

Lord, when we feel like we are all alone in the battles we are facing, remind us that we are never alone. You are always with us. Not only that, but others have faced the battles we are facing and have overcome. Give us the courage and humility to share with other believers what we are facing and walking through. Don’t let us buy into Satan’s lies designed to isolate us. Unify the church into a mighty army. Help us to remember who our true enemy is and not turn on one another. Teach us how to encourage and hold each other up in the battles we are all fighting.

In Jesus name, amen.