Lewis and I: Desire to Pray

Lewis and I: Desire to Pray: Desire to Pray Letter IV of Screwtape letters by CS Lewis "It is funny how mortals always picture us as putting things into the...

Desire to Pray

Desire to Pray

Letter IV of Screwtape letters by CS Lewis

"It is funny how mortals always picture us as putting things into their minds: in reality our best work is done by keeping things out."

Interesting twist by C.S. Lewis. Most of us would most likely think that the devil is encouraging our minds with bad desires. Lewis says, instead of focusing on fueling our bad desires, keeping out of our minds the things God wants us to do, is the business of Satan. Maybe that is why prayer is so hard for so many believers. In fact, most polls find pthat even among pastors, the number one spiritual discipline that is the hardest to keep up is prayer. 

Prayer is a discipline and the devil is working hard at keeping us from it. As of this writing, the Winter Olympics are just about to get started.  Each one of those athletes from all over the world have worked hard to get to the Olympics. They didn’t decide last month to compete and then show up. They have worked hard for many years. It’s called discipline.

Spiritual disciplines are just like physical disciplines, we need to work at them. They don’t just happen. Satan works hard at keeping the desire to pray, serve, and read out of our minds and hearts. If we persist enough, he will lose. Do you want Satan to lose? Of course you do. So keep in mind, Philippians 4:8, " Finally brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable-if there is any moral excellence and if any praise-dwell on these things."

We fail at these things because we don't feel led to do them. Spiritual disciplines are just that, disciplines. We need to work at them. Just like athletes that do a drill over and over again. When the competition starts they don’t have to stop and think about the drill, they just do it. If we wait for our feelings to get us to start praying, we will be waiting for awhile. We need to start praying. Maybe a minute a day and then add as you go, but start now. Discipline takes time and don't forget there is someone(Satan) trying to stop you in doing them.

Let me encourage this day to pray. Need something to pray about? I am sure there is more then enough things in this world alone. Don’t let Satan keep you from praying.