A Day-by-day devotional

March 26, 2023

Not the last resort

Chronological One Year Bible Reading Plan: Joshua 20-22

Scripture of the Day: Ephesians 6:13-18

If you like basketball, you would know how heart-pounding it is when the scores are tied up, and the last two minutes call had just been announced. Each of the coaches and players are now ready to show their last resort plays. It may work. Or it may not.

Of course, better than the last resort is the first line of defense. How the teams pulled off their offense at the beginning of the game gives them an advantage and secures a better status in the beginning of the game. Still, when the team has executed a good defense all throughout the game, the opponent will have a hard time keeping score.

In our life, prayer should be our first line of defense as well as offense. It should never be our last resort. We should learn how to pray both offensively and defensively and not give the enemy a foothold.

Our regular prayer mostly consists of asking for the Lord’s deliverance and protection. This is defensive prayer. We ask the Lord to shield us from the storm.

When we, however, rise up and stare the enemy, the cause of the storm, in the eye, declaring God’s authority in our lives, we pray offensively. Through this, we are able to take ground, and charge. We don’t only ask the Lord for His shield, we stand behind Him as He draws His sword in the battle.

When we do this before the enemy gets a hold of us, and not when he already did, we have a sure victory. When prayer becomes our plan A and not our last resort, our life will often just see victory after victory. We are victorious in Jesus Christ! (1 Corinthians 15:57)

Reflection: How have you been praying? Do you pray defensively as well as offensively?

Prayer: Dear God, the evil one is set to take a hold of me and my family. Enable me to know how to fight the good fight of faith. I know that victory is mine in Christ. Amen.