Pray First "To Be A Winner"

The movie “Taken,” shows on underground band of men who steal young beautiful teenage girls to be sold into prostitution. A dad’s daughter (Kim) is taken, but the dad (Bryan) has a sense of duty and unconditional love towards his daughter. He’s a former military expert dealing with dreadful situations. He tells the kidnapper,  “Let my daughter go and I won’t harm you. If you don’t, I will find you and kill you!” It’s a high thriller action movie to say the least!

Why is it that we allow the enemy to TAKE our confidence and faith in dealing with Satan who steals, kills and destroys? The Lord instructs us in How to defeat the kidnapper and come out successfully, victoriously and triumphantly. Without PRAYING FIRST, we lose.

David was a man who learned how to WIN his Battles. He declares, “He trains my hands for battle; he strengthens my arm to draw a bronze bow.” (Ps 18:34) Are there some things that are stripping you of your confidence in “Winning?”

A lot of what David learned was from his humble beginnings. He watched and protected his father’s sheep, yet his dad lacked any confidence in David being anointed to be the next King of Israel. When Samuel told Jesse to bring his sons, he leaves David out of the potential possibilities. After Samuel attempts to anoint one of Jesse’s sons, God tells Samuel, “No, no, no, no, no, no.” He asks Jesse, “Do you have another son?” Jesse answers, “Yes.” Samuel declares, “We won’t leave until you bring him here.” When David arrives, Samuel turns the vessel over and the oil runs out and is released upon David to become Israel’s next King.

Regardless of what a man says about your potential, all that matters is what God says and your confidence to do what He calls you to do. Each of us needs to be reminded that anything we do for the Lord doesn’t happen by our own talents, giftings, or resources. “It’s not by might nor by power, but by His Spirit says the Lord.” (Zech 4:6)

David learns to defeat a bear and a lion that threaten his sheep. He would soon learn that God would help him to take down a huge giant among the Philistines. What are you dealing with that has attempted to strip your confidence? Prayer has to be deliberate and intentional. I cannot WIN against the enemy without God’s power that comes from above. David continues to learn, “In your strength I can crush an army; with my God I can scale any wall. (Ps 18:29) NLT

Realize that God didn’t call you to be a LOSER! He didn’t call you to go under or live being intimidated or defeated. He has chosen us to WIN! Later, David was being hunted down by a jealous King Saul. He made 21 attempts to kill him, but David stayed strong realizing that “No weapon formed against him would prosper.”

Later, David would fight again. He came to Ziglag and saw that the enemy had burned their city down and taken all their wives. David asked God, “What should I do now?” God said to David IN PRAYER, “Pursue them, and you shall recover everything that you have lost.”  Yes, David got back everything Satan had TAKEN. Just like in the movie TAKEN, eventually the dad, Bryan overtakes the kidnappers and saves his daughter Kim. There is nothing impossible to HIM who believes. Take back what Hell has stolen from you and live with His favor and God’s Peace.