For those that don’t know much about me, I grew up the youngest of five children in a christian home. My father wasn’t saved for the first few years of my life, but he knew and taught us the Word even before he was saved. I can go back for generations and see the Godly legacy left behind on my father’s side. While some in previous generations were saved on my mother’s side as a whole the legacy was not a christian one.
A distant cousin on my mother’s side recently passed away. As one of my sisters and I discussed the tragedy of his death we begin to think of the ones that have passed away on each side of the family. Our fathers side mostly has death due to natural causes with the rare exception of a car accident. On my mother’s side though very few are natural causes, there is murder, suicide, overdoses, and more. It seems that each generation is worse than the one before. I can’t help but think of the heritage that has been left on each side and how that has played a role on our lives and death of many. I am so very thankful for the heritage I have, but I see the breakdown in my family.
Like many other days, today as I prayed for many people and needs I specifically listed my mother, siblings, their children and grandchildren. It’s a lengthy list! I prayed for salvation for many, marriages to be restored, hurts to be healed, chains to be broken, and more. I spent time listing each major issue I know they are facing. As I prayed it hit me harder than it has in the past – our legacy is deteriorating. Satan has a very tight grip on some of my loved ones. What have I done to stop the deterioration? Regarding 1 Thessalonians 5:17 I recently read an author basically say you are to pray until the issue is resolved.
Pray without ceasing. 1 Thessalonians 5:17
The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. James 5:16b
How often have I failed to pray as I should? How often have I just gotten used to a situation and let my prayers dwindle when I should have continued in fervent prayer? How often have you done the same? My sister recently said people say things like the devil made me do it, but he has no power over you. You may have chosen to listen to him, but he didn’t force you. We often look at our families and even the world around us and we make remarks about the evil that we see and how it’s all Satan’s fault. In reality we have to take some of the blame. What if we made a choice and said nope, you don’t get them Satan. My father, mother, brother, sister, fill in the blank won’t be yours for much longer because I’m about to pray conviction down. What if we said this situation is in God’s hands not yours so enjoy the victories you’ve had up to this point because the tide is going to turn. I serve a God that can soften and harden a heart, that holds the heart of kings in His hand, parts the waters allowing His children to walk on dry land, raises the dead, stretches finances and more so much more. I know God’s power because I’ve seen it first hand. I refuse to sit idly by and let Satan keep his claws in these situations. With God I have power to tread on serpents and isn’t that all he really is? I’m not an idiot, I fully know the numerous battles won’t be easy. I also know that I have the armor on and Satan is about to lose some battles.