Fervent. Have you heard it? Synonymous with the latest Christian movie, War Room. The newest book by Priscilla Shirer. Webster’s definition of it is this: very hot; exhibiting or marked by great intensity of feeling. Glowing. Zealous. Passionate. Ardent. Heartfelt. Eager. Committed.

Do you know what the book is about? Prayer. 

  
Now think about those same words in relation to prayer. Is your prayer life glowing? Zealous? Passionate? Eager? Is prayer your first instinct when all is not well in your life? 
When your baby isn’t feeling well, do you talk to Jesus or do you google the infinite possibilities of her sickness? When a friend hurts you with words or actions, do you turn to Jesus or turn to another friend and gossip, steamrolling those painful emotions into a Mack truck of bitterness? When your finances are tight, do you pray about them or do you spend all night crunching numbers wondering where to cut out a few dollars?
If you’re like many Christians, prayer isn’t always your first instinct. In fact, it’s usually an afterthought. So when I picked up Fervent several months ago from our local Christian bookstore, I knew I wanted to read it again with a small group and discuss it. I wanted my  own prayer life to be glowing and fervent! And guess what? My small group Bible study began this book study this week and it’s incredible!

  I’m blown away by Priscilla’s insight into spiritual warfare and how potent prayer is. She says, “Prayer is the portal that brings the power of heaven down to earth. It is kryptonite to the enemy and to all his ploys against you.”
Kryptonite. That’s like prayer bombs to Satan and his squad, his unlucky followers. Powerful stuff right there. Are you setting off prayer bombs in your prayer life or is it more like a smokescreen? Are you bringing the power of heaven down to earth or just mere zings like lightning–a flash and then gone?

In the second chapter, Priscilla outlines 10 strategies Satan uses to attack us. Cunning creative ways to attack us and we don’t even know it. We may chalk it up to coincidence or just a really bad week but how many times do we really credit the enemy with deliberately concocting deceptive plots to thwart our prayer life? He masterminds schemes to tear us apart and we don’t even realize it! 

We either overestimate Satan’s influence and power or we underestimate him, refusing to credit him for all the difficulties stirring beneath the surface of our lives. We are in the midst of a spiritual battle, fighting against unseen forces, but we are fighting with our hands tied behind our backs and blindfolds on because we refuse to unleash the power of prayer!

  What’s your prayer life like on a scale of 1 to 10? Is it closer to 1, maybe a smokescreen? Or is it closer to 10, very hot, glowing?

If you’re prayer life isn’t what you’d like it to be, comment below and let me know! I’d love to share what I’m learning through prayer on the blog!

  Later this week, I’ll introduce you to the 10 strategies. In the meantime, pick up your own copy of Fervent! You won’t regret it!