Prayer to stand firm in a culture of darkness
Written by Peyton Garland
Bible reading:
“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power, and put on the full armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the devices of the devil.” – Ephesians 6:10-11 (NIV)
Listen or read below:
When I was little, I wasn’t afraid of the dark. There was no need for night lights, and nights in my grandparents’ countryside were peaceful, with fireflies as street lights. Earth’s natural sleep cycles had never posed a threat to my little mind, but as soon as I turned nine, old enough to read the headlines and fumble through the meaning of the new scary word “kidnapping,” its shadow suddenly seemed ominous.
Now, the darkness was less about a natural reset and more about something scary that hurt me. I realized how weak I was and how the darkness made it difficult for me to see my surroundings. I didn’t understand this philosophical revelation at the time, but my little mind finally learned of my lack of control. For the first time, I faced my humanity.
With over 30 years of experience in this world, I can unashamedly say that I have even less control over my life and the circumstances around me than I did when I was 9 years old. As we grow up, economic strife, emotional heartache, and culture wars begin that are often beyond our control, but even in the adult world, these cruel events still affect us.
My husband and I didn’t ask for a semi wreck that totaled the car, left him with permanent back pain, and cost our family thousands of dollars in rental cars and medical bills.
I have never asked my first love to expose his infidelity and distort my ability to trust other men.
And no matter how often I raise my voice and push back against the secular culture that is fighting to infiltrate my toddler’s world, I still have to put the board book back on the Barnes & Noble shelf when sexual photos or information plague the pages.
Darkness is the terminal cancer of our world, and our culture, especially American culture, blindly refers to cancer as a cure for anxiety and emptiness.
Christ calls us to war against a culture that seeks carnal “fulfillment.” God requires us to stand firm against spiritual darkness and strongholds (Ephesians 6:12). And the way we fight is simple. Let’s take a step-by-step look at Galatians 6:14-18.
“Now then stand firm, with the belt of truth girded about your loins, and the breastplate of righteousness girded, and your feet equipped with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to this, take up the shield of faith, with which you will be able to quench all the flaming darts of the wicked. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray on every occasion and in every kind of Spirit.” Prayers and petitions. With this in mind, please remain vigilant and pray for all of the Lord’s people. ”
Of course, our culture does not have centurion clothing. We don’t know much about the military uniforms of 60 AD. But this is no excuse to deny the clear way God has commanded us to stand firm against the culture of darkness.
When you have the opportunity, speak the truth in love. Don’t bend, twist, or water down the truth for the sake of pretty things. Let the truth walk a bold and perfect path. But let us honor such perfection with the love of Christ.
Justice, let your character be the guard of your heart. In today’s social media culture, people may take bits and pieces of your words and turn them into something you never intended, but your personality, the way you carry yourself every day, allows you to protect who you are. No matter what others say, may your heart be bent toward honoring God and His call to righteousness.
Remind yourself daily of the peace that comes through Christ’s salvation. It’s peace, it’s sacred, and it’s something you can never earn on your own. That means no matter what you do, no matter how crazy this world seems, it will never be taken away from you. rest in peace. Rest in the safety of your salvation. And do so by making faith the banner of your soul.
There is no need to say that the world is evil and infected with a spiritual disease that will only be cured by the second coming of Christ. Albert Einstein said it clearly: “Just as darkness is the absence of light, so evil is the absence of God.” But this is an honorable challenge, an anecdote to bandage the wounds of our world, even if only temporarily, until Jesus makes all things new.
When light exists, darkness ceases to exist, and if the light of the world lives, breathes, and exists in our hearts and souls, then perhaps it is time for us to stand firm and let his light shine a little brighter.
Let’s pray:
father,
Forgive us for neglecting the armor of God and the way You protect us from head to toe and from heart to soul. Guided by your love and light, may we honor the offensive and defensive weapons you have given us to stand firm against the culture of darkness. Thank you for the victory you give to our souls and someday to our broken world.
In your name, amen.
Photo credit: ©iStock/Getty Images Plus/Alexandra_pp
Peyton Garland is a writer, editor, and mom of a boy who lives in the beautiful foothills of East Tennessee. For more encouragement, subscribe to her blog Uncured+OK.
Listen to Greg Rory’s new show!
Everyone talks about life after death, but what about life before death? Do you wonder, “Why am I here?” How can I be truly happy? Does my life matter? Or why do I feel empty inside? ” and “What really happens when we die?” Pastor Greg Laurie has helped millions of people find deep hope through true faith. On “The Greg Rory Show,” he candidly shares his journey from despair, addiction, and abuse to a spiritual revolution that changed everything. Drawing on decades of impactful ministry, Greg tackles life’s deepest questions and offers timeless biblical wisdom, practical guidance, and a compelling vision for lives radically transformed by Christ. Pastor Greg empowers listeners to navigate today’s cultural challenges, uncover spiritual truths, and discover lasting joy and meaning in their relationship with God.
Now that you’ve prayed, do you need someone to pray for you?Click the button below
