An Unseen War

Recently our church family has been going through very difficult attacks by evil forces in this world.  As a Christian, I believe that all such attacks are a result of Satanic influences, worldly philosophies, and completely depraved flesh (Eph. 2:1-3).  But never in my life has it seemed like so many of God’s people in one church were under attack.  I can speculate that God is going to greatly use this church and therefore the matrix of evil (world, flesh, & Devil) have stepped up their warmongering, but really I have no idea why this is going on.  I do know one thing about the Inter-mountain West, though, that might help explain some of this to me. Orthodox doctrine in historical Christianity is relatively new out here.  Like many mission fields, the presence of a true Gospel witness has been long absent.  Within the past 50 years we have seen front-line missionaries starting struggling works all across the region (there is still a lot of places that need a work though).  Those church families have fought and fought to remain in existence, but sadly some have not.  There are some, however, that have remained faithful. Now, through the ups and downs, we may finally see a light at the end of this dark tunnel.  I am privileged to have grown up out in this region (Cody, Wy) as a Christian. Like many mission fields, the night is darkest before the dawn.  Maybe this unseen war fighting for the souls of men and women has intensified because the light of the glorious gospel of grace is about to spring forth as the sun rising over the majestic Wasatch mountains.  Maybe the forces of evil, led by Satan, sense the power of the Gospel as it penetrates the long, cold darkness that has been covering this region for so many year.  And like the last snow-drift in the spring, those forces are holding on for dear life.  I can speculate all day as to why oppression and darkness seems to deepen within this portion of the United States, but one thing I do know, God’s Word and prayer is the answer.  God will accomplish what he desires with His Word.  Prayer-the only action we humans can do that somehow affects the heart of God-will accomplish what He desires.  I was recently reminded of Ezra who was “ready to teach the people” but when he saw their darkness and sin, he fell on his face and began to weep and pray.  The Bible says that while he was praying, a multitude came up behind him weeping, praying, confessing!  He was a “ready scribe in the Law of the Lord,” but before he could even preach a word, the people responded by the Spirit of God.  God used the humble prayer of one preacher to reform Israel. Maybe God could use my prayer to bring an awakening to the Inter-mountain West.  If you are a Christian concerned about the Gospel piercing the darkness of Salt Lake City, would you join me in praying for God to bring an awakening within this religious, yet morally bankrupt city? 

God be with you!