This is the last part of the sermon series, "Strength of a conqueror". In part 1, we discussed the first element of a conqueror - Firm commitment to prayer. In part 2, we saw the importance of submitting to our Heavenly Father's will. Now in this last part, we see a third element, "Forceful Prayer", in action.
In Luke 22:39-46, Jesus exhorted His disciples to pray earnestly like Him for themselves and against the forces of darkness in preparation for the trial that was to come. It was the only way out for Him against temptation, against the flesh, and against the evil forces. The temptation that Jesus faced at that moment must have been extraordinary although it wasn't described in the Bible. Satan must have gone all the way to stop Jesus from fulfilling God's will and plan. Why? Because unless Jesus is stopped, Satan is doomed. Unless Jesus is stopped, death would lose its sting.
Even as Satan continued to tempt Jesus, He [Jesus] only pressed on more fervently in prayer till His sweat was like drops of blood. It's not unusual to perspire like that when one has just finished a physical workout, but to perspire profusely when praying in the cool of the night or early morning up in the mountain? It must have been a very intense prayer session. The forcefulness of Jesus' prayer paid off. The evil one was finally defeated along with the power of death, as Jesus rose again on the third day after being crucified to death.
Take a leaf from this episode. Instead of sinking in sorrow and troubles, and in the process be worn out mentally, emotionally and physically, let us rise up in the strength of the Holy Spirit and pray that forceful prayer. Pray until our human weaknesses are overcome. Pray until no greed or selfishness is found in us. Pray until we are strong and courageous to endure all hardship till the end. Pray until we are full of faith and confidence, trusting God for victory in our trials. Pray till the power of evil is broken and utterly destroyed. Then, instead of falling asleep as the disciples did, we will experience victory over trials and temptations.
Therefore, let us make a firm commitment today to devote ourselves to a specific time and place in prayer. Set our mind to pray according to the will of God. And be forceful in our prayer, and in doing so, destroying the power of darkness that comes against us.
Pastor Sarah
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