DAILY "MANNA" DEVOTION: Prayers to Hinder You!
Reading Time: 5 mins. 18 secs.
Scripture Readings: Nehemiah 2:1-10, 4:1-23 & 6:1-4; 9.
Read the Last Devotional: Reassuring Purpose
Today's devotional is one, especially, not to take lightly. Many are unaware of the tactics which come to hinder on a daily basis. It is because of this, people are giving up in business, within their homes, relationships, and even in their relationship with God. We can't fight what we don't understand or are ignorant to.
Hopefully, this writing will help provide awareness, confirmation, and strength to those who are weary and wanting to throw in the towel so to speak.
Sometimes, becoming aware of the forces that are behind our exhaustion of what we are doing is pivotal as it is able to expose the plans of our enemies and keep us moving forward. This is the whole intention here.
Many of us have been called into certain tasks or areas by the Lord. We start off with such a fervor that is unquenchable. Along the way, there are literal attacks which slowly come to kill off our desire for doing what we do. But what are these attacks I am referring to?
These are attacks that come intentionally by people who are attempting to come alongside you, but their motive is to stop you from the work you are doing. To you, they appear as if they are providing you the help you need, the relationship you've always wanted, and you may even become dependent upon them at some point. But, deceitfully, they are wolves in sheep's clothing. Beware!
Not everyone who says they have your back really does. And, it is important to understand the tactics behind their doings. They will appear as concerned about your well-being, they even pray prayers concerning you, your walk with Christ, and your destiny. But, their prayers are tainted. Their heart's intention is anything but for you because they are driven through selfish ambition. They mean you harm and not good. Satan is behind their actions against you!
These are individuals who say one thing to your face, but behind your back spread all kinds of lies to keep others from believing in you. They want to make it appear as if you have things in your heart against them, when really, they are the ones with evil intentions in their hearts against you.
Their driving factor is jealousy/envy toward your progress. They desire to be where you are. But, instead of doing the work to achieve what you have, they'd rather tear you down. This makes them feel good because they have a hard time establishing who they are and what they were called to do.
What's sad, most of us may be unaware of what they are doing because, to us, they appear that they are genuinely for us. But, it will take a God-given discerning eye to recognize and expose their strategies against you.
When you begin to become aware of the forces behind you not having a desire, the time, money, or strength to do what you love doing, its bondage will no longer have an effect upon you. Becoming enlightened by this means being able to pray and stand guard against what's been killing you while unaware. The enemy's plans become thwarted!
Just as in the book of Nehemiah, the enemy's scheme became exposed which was designed to hinder the progress of re- building the wall in Jerusalem. This was such an important task to Nehemiah because his people were being affected. They needed a defense from their enemies, but they didn't have one. They had no protection from any oncoming attacks from the enemy. Can you see how dangerous this could have been? So, this was why Nehemiah was so passionate in accomplishing this task.
Nehemiah had all the permission he needed to get this job done including official, sealed letters from the King. But, his enemies kept showing up with letters they used against Nehemiah to stop the work and they were unofficial letters!
You see, God has placed things in your heart to do and you have the Lord's full approval, however, the enemies who come against you are doing so without the approval of God, even though they feel in their hearts they have it. These individuals believe the Lord is behind their actions and so they convince others of the same. This is where their manipulation lies.
Nehemiah had to pray to the Lord, constantly, to deter his enemies from stopping the progress. He had to learn how to use the tools to build in one hand while keeping alert and using the tools to divert the enemy in the other.
This was such wisdom given by God!
Here are signs to know when there are prayers being prayed on your behalf to hinder you:
1. You may begin to no longer have a desire to do the things you were once passionate about (even after serious prayer and fasting.)
2. You may become, out of the blue, physically exhausted, keeping you from doing your daily functions-- you may begin to feel like doing nothing for the whole day even though you have so much to get done.
3. People who were once for you may begin to oppose you for no apparent reason. This begins to happen due to lies being spread about you.
4. Sickness may become apparent in your life out of the blue: unexplained colds, viruses, constant stomach pains, headaches/migraines (especially in their presence), unexplainable sicknesses described by doctors, mental sicknesses, too, such as depression, feeling extremely overwhelmed, stressed, etc.
5. You may begin to experience unexplained job loss, car problems, financial problems (back to back), etc.
6. You may begin to experience attacks on your close family members (especially those within your home) of those items listed above. These attacks on your loved ones are designed to get you caught up and distracted as its plan is to stop you (by stressing over them), even though you, yourself, may not appear effected. Its design is to get you through your mind. Mental exhaustion.
These signs can also be signals for other things taking place in your life as they can be signs of attacks directly from, Satan, physical ailments, etc. But you will know the difference through your discernment. Even though this is not an exhaustive list, they are basic enough for you to understand the point here. Pay attention to what the Lord is showing you very carefully.
"...Words can never hurt me."
It is easy to believe that words have no affect on people. This is a lie! Words can cause harm for they come to cut deep within the core of our hearts, they can ruin relationships, they have the power to curse. Especially when we leave the door open to it!
Even individuals with no intention to pray formally to God on your behalf can still attempt to speak evil things into existence in your life.
When we become aware of these alarms, we disengage every plan, plot, and scheme the enemy can use to stop us.
Remember, we can't fight what we aren't aware of. This is why it is important to spend special time with the Lord daily in order to succeed with the plans God has for us.
God wants us to be committed but free to do what He calls us to, not in bondage! If you come to find that you are not experiencing freedom in what you are doing, it is best to pray and ask the Lord what's keeping you from your God-given liberty.
Is it you or are there psychic prayers or word curses being said behind-the-scene to stop you in your endeavors?
"No weapon that is formed against you will prosper; And every tongue that accuses you in judgment you will condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, And their vindication is from Me," declares the LORD. -Isaiah 54:17
Prayer: Lord, I ask that you will provide your spiritual discernment with exposing every plan, plot, and trap of my enemies against the plans you have for me. Help me to not be ignorant of any devices stirred against me by Satan. Lord, I ask that you will help me to keep focus in times I am under attack. Thank you, in Jesus' name. Amen!
Quiet time meditation: Wait for the Lord to minister to you personally on what He may want to say to you. Be sure to pay attention to any areas that may pop up in your spirit (even silly things such as: how quick you may be to get angry with things or a friend or family member who has been bugging you with their problems.) This process could take anywhere from 10-30 minutes or longer. But, try not to rush this because you could be missing out on a great breakthrough. Within this quiet time, the Lord wants to restore you in any broken areas and he wants to replenish your spirit for what has been used up.
Understanding what He means: This is a time to jot down some of those things the Lord has ministered to you while in meditation. Sometimes, the Lord will wait to speak to you throughout your day. Pay attention and jot these things down so that you won’t forget. You may even come up with more scriptures that may come to mind.
Read Next Devotional: To Be Determined...
May the Lord bless your day abundantly!