Battling For Your Heart (Part 2)

If we are men following Jesus, among the many weapons at our disposal to help us stay footed in the battle is prayer. It’s one of the most critical ones, and unfortunately, (in my opinion) also one of the most neglected ones.

Why Does Prayer Matter?

There’s not just a spiritual battle around us. There’s a battle in our minds, for our hearts. And neglecting to communicate with or ask help from The Source (God) of our strength, protection, and shelter, is a critical misstep.

When Jesus was nearing his final hours, he spoke to his closest disciples in the garden, telling them: “Pray, that you will not give into temptation” (Luke 22:40 NLT). When he returned, they were asleep. So again he told them to “Get up and pray, so that you will not give into temptation” (Luke 22:46 NLT).

Here, in the garden before his crucifixion, Jesus enters into one of his most agonizing prayers. And for me, this gives a powerful example of the necessity of prayer in my life.

I don’t know what I am going to face or what’s around the corner. But I do know when situations and circumstances squeeze me, I’ll be tempted to give in—to frustration, to discouragement, to anger, to lust, to my own impulses or desires. I’ll be swayed with a choice to go a way that does not represent the heart and character of Jesus.

And in those moments in my head, the battle is real. Feeling sad? Seek some kind of comfort. Lonely? Find relief. Hurting? Hurt back, or withdraw and isolate. As I wrestle through these decisions in my head, what can I do to help myself?

Pray.

I can always pray. I can pray to God, asking for help.

Okay so here you might say yeah, I’ve heard that a thousand times. It’s easier said than done. I hear you on that too. In fact I hear myself saying that. But let me take time to explain something that actually works when I pray.

There’s just something about talking to God in these moments. Throwing my struggles His way. Pleading for strength. Honestly sharing what I feel like doing. There’s something about His presence in prayer that makes me reconsider the path I might want to take. A small question here or there, or still voice: Is this what I want for you? Will that be best for you?

When I meet with God in prayer—in my head and heart—no matter where my feet or hands are, something big happens. The pull towards sin is interrupted. Even if just in thought, it’s paused. Because I am communicating with my Creator– not just solely listening to my inner desires and will.

And it works. I may come out of prayer and find my situation or circumstances haven’t changed—at all. But in some (small or big) way, my heart has. If I approach God’s presence in prayer honestly, humbly, openly, confessing my struggle, pleading for help, and accepting what He has for me in that moment, something actually changes.

And while I, a man, am not perfect, I am enabled with a much greater likelihood to walk past what I might be tempted to give into.

So Pray.

Jesus—fully man and fully God—did it. He exhorts His disciples to do it. And we are instructed and reminded over and over to do it. It clearly matters. And it makes a difference.

Why would we neglect it?

Moving Forward

Men, there is a battle raging. There are influences that want to sway our minds and shape our hearts in ways that God does not want for me and you.

So let’s pray to God! Let’s ask him for help!
Over and over and over.
Every single day.

For Part 1….

Battling For Your Heart