December 2008: Our great war hero

Dear Family, 

 

This past fall I was with my teens at an evangelistic event, and as people all around me were rejoicing, I was weeping.  The God of the universe was blatantly denied by one of my girls.  She looked me dead in the eyes and said, “I don’t want to pray about it.”  My heart broke, and I began to understand the battle that I am a part of.  When Paul wrote to Ephesus, “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realm” (Ephesians 6:12), he was writing to me, for this moment.  It was a gentle, but intentional, reminder for me not to argue, not to be pushy, but to love this girl and pray against the strongholds Satan has in her life. 

 

Satan has plans for this young lady, plans to destroy her and keep her from being devoted to her Creator.  I have plans for this girl, I have hopes for her, and I want her to love and serve Jesus with all her heart.  She is not ready to make that decision.  As I was saddened by her choice, I was forced to realize that God’s plans for her are better than mine could ever be.  He loves her and has complete control over the situation. He longs for her to worship Him, and in the right time He will make it happen.  I need to wait on His timing, keep loving her, and praying for her.   

 

The “struggle” Paul writes about is a cosmic war whose casualties are outside my front door, walking around my neighborhood, attending youth group, and passing me daily.  The count is high, and the war has only just begun.  This war is for something more precious than oil, gold, or religion; it is for the souls of our teens.  My co-laborers and I are on the front lines, fighting the only way we know how--by calling upon those who love Jesus and by praying for them.  Pray for God’s love to overflow out of us, for wisdom in all situations, for the Holy Spirit to speak through us, for hearts to soften, and for strongholds to be broken.  Also, pray for strength, strength to walk with the wounded to the Great Physician, strength to pursue the enemy’s target, and strength to fight the good fight. 

 

As Christmas comes and goes, I ask that you lift us up, World Impact Chester, to the Lord in prayer.  The Baby we celebrate is our Great War Hero, the battle is His, and the fight is on.