CONCERT OF PRAYER

Pray Week 780

“The Root of Dysfunction”

James 3:16 (ESV) …For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice.

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Consider the internal combustion engine for a moment.  There are numerous parts and components that must all work in a prescribed order for the engine to function properly and perform in accordance with its normal intended purpose.  Note that when one or more of these parts or components do not contribute fully or fail altogether then the engine will run abnormally or not at all.

Dysfunction, by definition, means ‘bad, ill, or abnormal work or purpose’.

Now consider the proper order, function, and intended purpose of your family, local church body of believers, work team, division, or corporation. Are these entities functioning like a finely tuned NASCAR engine?  Are they fulfilling their intended work or purpose?  Or are they fraught with internal strife and friction, coughing and sputtering along or completely broken down?

Like sand in the crankcase and fouled spark plugs, jealousy and selfish ambition are roots of such dysfunctionality.

Are you a Christian believer in a dysfunctional environment?  If so, God’s Word instructs us not to be the cause of such strife due to our own envy and selfish ambition.  Our attitude must be the same as that of our Lord.

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves …  Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God … made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant …  – Phil 2:3-7         

Are you surrounded by dysfunctional hostile environments?  Do you dread going to work, church, or even your own home because of the tension that exists there between people?  You have the power, through Christ Jesus, to effect positive change in the midst of such disorder. Far too many Christians flee the battle front only to be confronted with the same circumstances along another front elsewhere.  We need to stop running and put on the full armor of God in order to stand our ground against the enemy.  Remember that the enemy is not your coworker, spouse, or the person sitting next to you in church.

For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. – Ephesians 6:12

As Christian believers we need to pick up the sword of the Spirit and wield it in prayer and watch God move to bring order where there is chaos and disorder.  Watch Him bring His peace where there is dysfunction and turmoil.

May God give you His wisdom and discernment to pray specifically in the power of His Holy Spirit as you intercede on behalf of those caught up in dysfunctional environments.  May the Holy Spirit empower you to be salt and light in such environments.  May God move quickly to bring order and peace in answer to your prayer.  To God be all the glory and power and praise. Amen.