Pray Out Loud

*If you are new or haven't kept up with my blog please go back and start with the post titled "Seasons". These posts are better read in order so that you get the full picture.

“To try to get away from our problem is self-defeating, for the running away puts the problem inside us-we become the problem” E. Stanley Jones Mastery

It’s amazing how you can combat fear with the Word of God. Seriously, there are times when fear creeps in, takes its claws and grabs a tight grip on me. I tend to want to curl up in a ball, cry it out and have a “woe is me” party. I am learning though that I can give in to the enemy or give it up to God. So, in order for me to do that I am learning that there is power in His word. I have what I like to call my arsenal-my scriptures that are written on index cards and on a ring. I carry them around with me at all times. I have written a lot that deal with fear because that is what I am struggling with. I also have others that pertain to other things as well so that when the need arises I can pull it out and have it on hand. The idea is for me to eventually have them all memorized.

When fear begins to flood my mind, I at first revert to what I always have done…hide, have my little party or “retreat into unconsciousness” as E. Stanley Jones puts it. (Sleeping is another way of saying it.) I’ve learned that that does nothing. The problem (fear) is still there. So in order to combat it I need to face it head on. How? With God’s help. Yes, I can ask Jon to pray and intercede for me and I can call on my friends as well but it’s ultimately up to me to go to God. I am learning that I first need to submit to His will. My will must conform to His and only His. Then, I go to battle with “the sword of the Spirit which is the word of God” in my hand. (Ephesians 6:17) I have tried just reading through the scriptures, finding the ones that apply to that specific need. That didn’t work. I then tried reading them aloud. Aha! The fear began to subside and the power of God began take over. I could literally feel a transformation taking place as I read scripture after scripture out loud. It’s as though I can feel the spiritual warfare raging within me and God, of course, is winning. There really is something to reading scriptures aloud. I choose to not hide anymore. I am putting on the full armor of God daily because I know that there is a battle raging. (Ephesians 6:12)