ACTS 1:14
“These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.”
KEYWORD: It does not matter how gifted, knowledgeable, or spiritually mature you are. If you lose focus, you become vulnerable to the enemy’s schemes.
Throughout His earthly ministry, Jesus remained focused on the Father’s assignment through a consistent life of prayer. Many times, He withdrew from the crowds to spend time alone with the Father. Luke 5:16 “And he withdrew himself into the wilderness, and prayed.”
When a man gives himself to prayer, prayer produces spiritual focus in him. This is one of the reasons Satan will always try to discourage you from praying or give you excuses why you should not pray.
Satan cannot make you powerless because the power of God at work in you is the Holy Spirit. He cannot take the Holy Spirit away from you, but he will do everything possible to distract you and tempt you to quench the work of the Holy Spirit in your life. It does not matter how gifted, knowledgeable, or spiritually mature you are. If you lose focus, you become vulnerable to the enemy’s schemes.
As I said earlier, the devil’s greatest strategy is often not to remove your power but to divert your attention. That money you are determined to get at all costs while neglecting your service to God’s Kingdom can become a distraction. That unresolved anger toward your mother-in-law, your friend, or another person can become a distraction. Envy and jealousy are also distractions. Satan wants you to take your eyes off the real enemy (himself) and focus them on people instead. Whenever he succeeds in drawing your attention away from God’s purpose through offence, he has gained an advantage.
The Apostle Paul remained focused through a life of prayer and continual study of God’s Word. He gave himself wholeheartedly to understanding God’s call upon his life and faithfully fulfilled the ministry committed to him. Like his Master, he finished his race well.
If you have become distracted, discouraged, or weary concerning God’s purpose for your life, separate yourself once again to the place of prayer. There, God will strengthen your heart, renew your vision, and set you back on course. Shalom!
PRAYER:
Dear Heavenly Father, I thank You for the Holy Spirit at work in me. I refuse every distraction that seeks to take my eyes away from Your purpose for my life. As I give myself continually to prayer and Your Word, sharpen my spiritual focus and keep me faithful to the vision You have entrusted to me. In Jesus’ mighty name. Amen.
FURTHER STUDY:
ACTS 2:1
“And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.”
ACTS 2:46
“And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart.”
