One of Satan’s oldest and most effective tactics is to go after the family. It is as old as the book of Genesis. In the beginning, God created Adam and Eve to live together in perfect intimacy. That was God’s blueprint for marriage. The Bible says they were both naked and not ashamed (Gen. 2:25), and I think He was referring to more than just physical nakedness. They were real, honest, and open with each other. But then came Satan. They started blaming each other and hiding. Hiding from God and from one another. Genesis goes on to tell us they sewed fig leaves together to cover themselves (Gen. 3:7), and men and women have been covering their true selves from each other ever since. They lost intimacy — real, emotional, vulnerable intimacy.
But that was not enough for Satan. He then went after their children. One brother murdered another. Satan knew if he could create conflict in our families he could distract us from our calling, our purpose. If you have been a parent for any time at all, you know this to be true. It is hard not to worry or be preoccupied when you have a child or a grandchild in trouble.
For about a year I have been a part of a small group of women who meet every Monday to pray. We have been praying big, bold prayers for our country. We are pleading with God to bring another Great Awakening, a national repentance, a revival of the church and a harvest of lost souls to come to the Lord. But this week we decided to shift our focus a bit and pray for families. We are aware that we have poked the bear. But the devil cannot have our families! It has been said that as the family goes, so goes the nation and the whole world in which we live. Satan seeks to destroy the nuclear family, and at the risk of getting political and acquiring haters, this ploy is straight out of the Marxist playbook. Erwin Lutzer, in his book We Will Not Be Silenced, asserts that it is the nuclear family that is the biggest obstacle to cultural Marxism. I highly recommend this book to every Believer.
I am writing this post today as an exhortation to prayer, especially to grandparents. Grandparents, particularly those who are retired, have the luxury of time that we didn’t have when we were in our busy child-rearing years. It may seem that there is not much that this one ordinary woman can do to turn the tide of culture that is threatening our homes. But I can pray. Prayer may seem like the least I can do, but in reality, prayer is the most I can do.
The picture I have posted is of the small table that sits beside my prayer chair. If you look closely you can see a little plastic soldier. It is there to remind me that as I pray, I am doing battle. I ordered a bag of these so I could have some to distribute to my prayer sisters. Also in the photo is the beautiful ornament with the Appeal to Heaven flag. This ornament was created by the fabulously talented artist sister in our group. The flag is a reminder that we are going before the court of Heaven with our pleas, appealing to our God. Another of our group opens her beautiful home to us every week so we can have a peaceful space to do spiritual battle. She has a quiet spirit and such a beautiful walk with the Lord. A different prayer sister is the one I call our firebrand. She enters God’s presence with the boldest of declarations and intercessions. And she must read a book a day! The fifth member is probably the biggest lover of children among us. She laminated the verses I will share at the bottom of the post and I keep them as another reminder that I am doing spiritual warfare. She also gave each of us a copy of the book I referenced above. (I could write volumes about each of these godly women. I have only shared a fraction of what they have given to my life.)
Grandparents, who will stand in the gap? This is my call to arms. We need to raise up an army of praying grandparents that will turn our nation back to God. Your families need your prayers. Will you stand with me?
EPHESIANS 6:10-18
A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.
Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.
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