CONCERT OF PRAYER

Pray Week 672

“Splitting Maul”

Mat 12:25 (NIV) Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand.

Rom 12:18-21 (NIV) If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone … Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
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Severe snow storms in recent days have reminded me of the years that my family lived in the northern climate zones. I recall heating our house with firewood and in particular the work involved in splitting cut logs of hardwood. As with most things that I do, I made a game of the work seeking to split each log in one stroke using a splitting maul. What was once part of a tall majestic tree trunk able to withstand the assault of decades or more of storms was now easily divided and conquered under the force and weight of my splitting maul. That is of course until I met a piece of rock maple that refused to allow the penetration of my axe maul sending shock waves deep into my lower back that took months to heal.

‘Divide and Conquer’ is an age old military tactic that has remained highly effective over the centuries. Whether it is in a church, family, military or business entity, dysfunction and disunity within any corporate body becomes a cancer that destroys it from within. If you have dedicated your life to Jesus and seek to glorify God in all that you do, you have an enemy called Satan that actively seeks to divide your family, church and place of work. He will even seek to shake your confidence in Jesus and attempt to divide your relationship with Him. He will seek to hinder you from fulfilling the purpose God has ordained for you from before you were born.

The intent here is not to alarm, but to inform. Too many of us are well into an internal battle at home or at work before we even realize what is happening. Be alert and aware. Pray for a discerning spirit so that you can pray specifically and not give the enemy of your soul a foothold.

God will help you see the signs. Perhaps you and your spouse have exchanged harsh words over a period of time. The flame of intimacy is flickering between you and about to go out if not refueled. These are signs that the enemy is driving a wedge between you. Identify the wedge: Is it money? An addiction or unhealthy habit? Child rearing methods? Identify the point of contention and you have identified the point of the splitting maul. Now you can resist it together in the unity of the Spirit of God and in the power of the Name of Jesus Christ.

Is there a wedge being driven between you and Father God? Is it a sin issue you struggle with that the enemy is using to cast doubt in your mind about forgiveness and salvation? Is it anger and rage over life circumstances that the enemy is using to cast doubt in your heart about the Father’s love for you? Identify the wedge and reinforce your faith to resist its divisive force through reading, meditating and praying the Word of God. Seek His abiding presence and you will have His power to resist the attack of the enemy.

Act boldly and quickly in love and seek to live in peace with others. Remove the wedge of disunity and dysfunction before it is allowed to take root in your relationships. Be the first to reach out in Jesus’ love even to those who persecute you. In prayer by the power of the name of Jesus, come against and destroy the strongholds of division and dysfunction in every area of your life.

Close in prayer, thanksgiving & rededication of your work to the glory of God