CONCERT OF PRAYER

Pray Week 767

“Strange Happenings”

1 Peter 4:12 (ESV) Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.

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‘DOR’ is a Navy Seal acronym that stands for Drop-On-Request. The Hell Week training is the toughest of all trainings that a SEAL recruit will ever face. SEAL recruits are subjected to a high pressure environment where mental stress and physical fatigue is natural. In such a scenario, most SEAL instructors keep telling the boys, “Just ring the bell thrice and you can go to a nice place, have a bath, good food, beer, and some sleep”. Ringing the bell means a recruit has opted for “Drop-On-Request”. It takes a lot of mental strength and courage to avoid the temptation of “ringing the bell.”  Once the bell is rung there is no returning because the real battles in life are won and lost in the mind first and for the recruit who opted for DOR their mind will ‘look for the bell’ again in a future clutch situation.

Jesus was tempted three times by Satan to ‘ring the bell’ while fasting in the desert for 40 days and nights.  Later, in the Garden of Gethsemane Jesus faced His clutch situation.

And he … prayed, saying, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.” – Luke 22:42

God allows trials in our lives to shape and mold our character and spiritual strength and resolve to do His will and fulfill His purpose for us in furthering His kingdom.

“Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.- Matthew 6:8

We have been taught to pray the Lord’s Prayer since childhood.  How many of us truly understand and are committed to ‘your will be done’?  How many of us are more committed to having God’s will conform to our will?  How many of us find it strange and are surprised when we face trials as children of God?

These are the times that the enemy seeks to get us to ‘ring the bell’ and give up.  In our mind we become convinced that divorce is the best option for us.  Others give up on God altogether in apostasy.  The enemy seeks to trick your mind into believing that you need various substitutes for God such as tobacco, alcohol, comfort food, or other drugs in order to deal with your present circumstances.  Our minds must be transformed from the carnal in order to avoid ‘ringing the bell’.

Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. – Romans 12:2

May the Holy Spirit transform and renew your mind, strengthening your resolve to remain steadfast in following God’s perfect will for you.

I desire to do your will, O my God…. Teach me to do your will, for you are my God! Let your good Spirit lead me on level ground … We follow your will and put our hope in you; you are all that we desire. – Psalm 40:8 – Psalm 143:10 – Isaiah 26:8  

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