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| Photo source: Gratisography |
There's
something shady going on here. There's a powerful force at work
behind the scenes, pulling strings and pitting good people against
each other. You may already know where I'm going with this.
Ephesians 6:12(KJV)
For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
There
are two main camps in this war, and they have been fighting a bloody
war for many years. One group calls themselves Pro Choice, and the
other calls themselves Pro Life. Both sides swear to be upholding the
cause of the oppressed, swear to be providing the most compassionate
answers, and swear that the other side is completely out of touch.
They provide facts, statistics, and education. They show various
proofs, they picket and demonstrate, and work long hours to guarantee
the outcome they desire.
The
tricky part is that many of these people ARE doing the right thing,
saying the right thing, and working to bring an end to abortion. But
they're doing it in ways that hurt each other. Can you imagine if the
two camps came together and found common ground? Impossible, right? I
can't imagine the protesters throwing down their signs and tearfully
embracing the folks on the other side of the debate. It would take a
miracle.
I've
talked with Christians on both sides of the fence, and here's what
I've discovered: They both have something in common - it might even
be the most important thing, or at least close. The Pro Choice
Christians and the Pro Life Christians that I have personally talked
to both agree that abortion is horrible. I can't speak for people who
don't share my Christian faith, but I think it's very reasonable to
assume that most people, whatever sign they're holding up in public,
at the heart of it they hate abortion and wish it didn't exist at
all.
So
who is the real enemy, if it's not my Pro Choice neighbor? It's is
the Enemy of our souls, Satan.
He
pits one side against another, creating an excruciatingly long and
bloody battle. While the two sides are busy bringing each other down
with arguments and answers, Satan is wreaking havoc on women, unborn
children, and the people who love them.
For
the sake of clarity, let me say this: I firmly believe in education
and the role it has played in helping women take care of themselves
and choose life. I firmly believe in securing better health care for
women in underprivileged communities. I also firmly believe in the
power of crisis pregnancy centers, mobile ultrasound units, people
who pray for the mother and child, and those who are sharing their
own stories of the trauma of abortion, or the miracle of a child they
thought they couldn't keep.
These
are tools and weapons that God has given us to bring hope, light, and
compassion into a very dark, morbid situation. I myself had an
unplanned pregnancy ten years ago, and chose adoption for my child.
I've been very vocal about my story because I've noticed a lack of
testimony from women who have placed a child in and adoptive home.
And because I've been vocal about it, other women have sought me out
when they've found themselves in crisis. I've been able to answer
lots of questions about adoption and clear up some of the mystery and
fear that surrounds it. So far, each of the three women I "counseled"
chose to keep their baby. One of them had been raped by a long-time
friend, and her baby was a gorgeous little blond-haired boy.
But
back to my point: The Real Enemy.
Satan
has us so intensely focused on educating people that we have [almost]
lost sight of his work in this. We still pray at church that God
would open blind eyes and replace fear with hope, but those prayers
lack the intensity that our arguments and debates hold. Why doesn't
the devil's hand in this get our blood boiling when we pray? Why
don't we get as angry at Satan as we do when the media posts another
pro-abortion piece, shouting how wonderful this "right" of
abortion is?
We
get so angry with each other, even with the unseen people behind the
scenes who promote abortion, that we seriously - seriously - miss the
mark. We don't need to tamp down our anger when we pray to God. We
don't need to whine or plead (though there's nothing intrinsically
wrong with pleading). We don't need to plan our words out so that
they sound like an 18th century monk spoke them whilst gazing out
over a quiet, pastoral landscape.
Abortion
is ugly, destructive, merciless, and isolating. I think most of us
can agree on that.
Here's
one way we can pray:
Father,
this is ridiculous. People are hurting and dying every day, and it
seems like you're not really doing anything about it. Send your
warring angels to fight the Enemy back! Pick up your sword and fight
on behalf of the women and children! Show your glory and send Satan
running! We're in over our heads. We can't do this, and we are
frustrated. We need you. When are you going to show up? When are you
going to defeat your enemies? Strike him down, God. Beat the devil
back! Strengthen your warriors! Reveal yourself, and blow away the
smoke and mirrors of the Enemy. Crush his power, drain him of his
influence, and break his back. Beat him into the ground, God! You see
what's happening here. When will you come and silence the Accuser?
How long will you let him lie, steal, kill and destroy? God, help us!
You are our Victory. Without you, we have nothing. Bind the Enemy and
hurl him into the sea. Destroy his power the way he has destroyed so
many lives. Bring his glory down to dust. Cover him with shame.
Expose his schemes and tricks. Expose his motives and deceit. Show
the world who he really is, and then show the world who you really
are! Blast your light into the darkness and send the demons running.
Slice fear into a million pieces, and grind shame into a powder!
Leave nothing left for the Enemy to use against your people. Send
your peace and your healing like medicine and cool water to the
hurting. Lift them up high out of the Enemy's reach. Fight for
justice, God! Bring light and salvation! Show your glory!
May
God graciously fill our hearts with courage to pray boldly. After
all, we serve the creator the universe!
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| Photo source: Pixabay |
Quick
Disclaimer: I know there are plenty of people who pray like
this, because years ago I was a part of a church that prayed boldly.
I don't assume that this post is going to be anything new for many of
you, because God is a big God and he has all kinds of prayer
warriors. The reason I'm taking the time to write about The Real
Enemy is because in my little circle, in my little world, I don't
hear people talking like this. And I miss that. So that's why I'm
putting my own voice out there - to encourage myself, and maybe
encourage someone else along the way!
