I’ve been reading Eric and Leslie Ludy’s newest book, Wrestling Prayer for the past few days, and I’ve found myself challenged and convicted on more than one occasion. I thought I’d share with you one of my favorite passages thus far and then share what journey my thoughts have taken as of late.
A little background: In this particular chapter, Eric is discussing some of the similarities between King David and Jesus Christ (often called the “Second David”). Most specifically, the reality that David was anointed king during the reign of another man, King Saul. Eric explains that while David was anointed as king on the hills of Bethlehem and it was settled in heaven, it wasn’t yet realized on this physical Earth (Saul was still on the throne that was rightfully David’s). There was a season of persecution that ensued until the realities of heaven became the realities of this Earth (p. 100). In other words, David was the true king… however the world did not recognize him as such. David spent over ten years running and hiding from Saul. There were 21 biblically recorded assassination attempts on his life during this time. He lived in caves; he was forced to receive food as a charity offering from those loyal to his ascension. He was hunted, and those who stood by him became the hunted right along with him (p. 101).
Eric then makes this beautiful parallel:
To identify with David was to prove a traitor to the government of Israel. To stand with David was to stand against Saul. You could not stand with both simultaneously. To acknowledge David as king was to also die to life as one once knew it.
To identify with Jesus is to prove a traitor to the governments of this world system. To stand with Jesus is to stand against Lucifer, sin, and the flesh. You cannot stand with darkness and light simultaneously. To acknowledge Jesus as King is to accept death and live as one of the hunted.
But here’s the secret: When you stand with David, when you stand with Jesus, you are privileged to partake of their spiritual swagger. You are not left helpless against lion, bear, giant, and the forces of ten thousands-rather you are equipped to become more than a conquerer. You are equipped to be a history maker, a world alterer, a giant slayer.
How?
Through fighting, gritty, wrestling prayer (p. 101).
Wow. Do I feel like a weak Christian or what?
Sometimes I focus so much on what I’m doing, how I’m presenting myself, which ways I’m serving and even how much of the Bible I’m reading that I miss the point completely: We are called to be a people of prayer. And not just the kind of prayer that asks for blessings over food, peaceful sleep, or even provision and healing; we are warriors for the cause of Christ. And the best, most effective way to fight His battles is on our knees.
My pastor briefly quoted the beginning of 2 Timothy 3 this Sunday, and the first few verses seemed to physically reach out, grab me, and say, “LISTEN!”
But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. 2People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, 4treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— 5having a form of godliness but denying its power… (vv. 1-5a).
Lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— 5having a form of godliness but denying its power…. How many times have I listened to my own desires and neglected my God? How often have I settled down with a movie or book, ignoring the soft voice that whispers, “Come away with Me. Be with Me. Commune with Me and enjoy Me.” Where in the world do I get the idea that mindless entertainment will somehow be more fulfilling than spending time with the One who said, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest”? Our world is so focused on self-gratification that sometimes we don’t even know how to think of anyone besides ourselves. And how many times have I gone days without talking to Him, then fallen on my knees when I need help? Or prayed for selfish reasons and then wondered why things didn’t turn out the way I wanted? God is not to be treated as if He’s there to help us in the bad times, then ignored when everything is going our way. It’s as if to say, “Yes Lord, I want you to be Lord and Master when it’s convenient for me, but when everything is great, don’t get in the way. I want to have fun.”
How disrespecting and insulting to the God of the universe who shed His own blood to save us… not only from Hell, but from our selfish and sinfully-bent flesh!! So often we Christians forget that when we proclaim Jesus as Lord of our existence, we are effectively dead. It is no longer we who live, but Christ who lives in us. Yes, He died so that we can go to heaven, but that isn’t the end of the story. He died so that we could truly LIVE HERE ON EARTH and be His hands and feet to the world by the Spirit-enabled grace of God! He poured out His life on the cross for us. And what does He ask for in return? That we DIE to self. That we take up our cross. And follow HIM. Each day, every moment, we are to be the living, breathing example of CHRIST, willing to walk the path of suffering that He did so that the Father might be glorified.
I’ll close with some encouraging words from Eric Ludy:
Here’s the crux of wrestling prayer.
The Mighties are for such a time as this. Our rightful King has not yet taken His throne upon this physical Earth. Our rightful King, like David, has not yet been recognized on this Earth as the rightful ruler over all. His people persecuted, and there is a bounty upon all who would identify with Him. He is King, yes, but His Kingship is not yet recognized and His enemies have not yet been made to bend their knees and confess His mastery.
Such is the time of the Mighties. And such is the time for wrestling prayer.
If there was ever a time to rise up and join our King, it’s not when He has entered into the fullness of His glory and all knees are bowed unto His person. Rather, it’s now, in the season of persecution. This is when the true loyalties of the King’s followers are proven. This is the season of loyalty and love. It’s now-in the hardest, most pressing time….
Look at David’s company of heroes and you will see David himself. They bore the emblem of his nature, the same passionate cause in their lion-hearts, and the same spiritual power in their hands of war…. They sound kind of like David, don’t they? These men were made like their commander. They left everything for their rightful king, and their king imparted to them his swagger, his might, and his heroism.
Likewise, look at Jesus’ company of heroes and you will see Jesus Himself….
Christ may not yet be revealed as King of kings to the cynical eyes of this rebellious world, but may He claim the throne of our souls and may we allow Him a beachhead of kingdom control starting with our very bodies, minds, and hearts….
And like the Mighties of old, may be usher forth the great ruling reality of God unto this Earth with the hallowed words, “Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven!” (p. 100, 102-3)
This is the cry of my heart, and it is so much weaker than I’d like! But I pray that the words I’ve written will help encourage others (and myself!) to bask in the love and power of our beautiful Jesus. He deserves so much more than I could ever give, but I pray that He continues to strengthen both you and me day by day in this cross-laden journey to Calvary.
Striving to be an Iron Butterfly 