A war followed the signing of the Declaration of Independence. When we celebrate the 4th of July, we look back on our country’s founders who gathered to put words on paper, words that pushed back against tyranny and words that looked forward to a country with freedoms they felt were handed down to us from our Creator.

But words are just words, and soon those words would need to be backed by blood.

I make declarations all the time. I say things like, “I’m never doing that again,” or “I am going to start doing that!”

But soon a war follows my declarations. Not a war of flesh and blood but of spirit. And most often I find, although I was quick to say the words, I was slow to prepare for the ensuing war.

The enemy seeks to destroy the work of the Spirit in my life and in my mission. And the enemy most loves to see us defeated when we seek to make changes, changes that begin with a declaration brought on by the conviction of the Holy Spirit. Paul teaches us how to prepare for this kind of war with His description of the Armor of God in Ephesians chapter 6, and at the end of these well known verses he brings up the necessity of prayer through it all.

“praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,” (Epheisians 6:18)

And here we come to the great irony of it, the war that follows our declaration of words, is fought with words of prayer. So let’s keep using our words, directed to God, seeking perseverance in the war, coming alongside our brothers and sisters, who are waging the same war, lift them up, praying for strength and faith.

Your friend in the Gospel,

Matt Ward