THE SPIRIT GIVES LIFE
"It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life.” (John 6:63)
We cannot obtain honey without beehives, nor can we harvest honey if the hives are empty of bees. In the same way, life without prayer is like a body without a spirit. Without prayer we die spiritually, even though we continue to breathe physically. We cannot face battles if we have no weapons to fight with, and we cannot win those battles unless God is on our side. A gun without bullets cannot protect anyone from enemies. Life without prayer is like carrying a gun that has no bullets.
“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the rulers of this world of darkness, against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.” (Ephesians 6:12)
It is easier to run when you have strength than when you are exhausted; prayer gives us the strength to keep running even when we are weary. “Therefore, put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to resist on the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.” (Ephesians 6:13)
“He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who wait upon the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not faint.” (Isaiah 40:29–31)
A car cannot move without tires; likewise, life without prayer is like a car without tires. Prayer alone gives us strength and endurance in times of trouble and in the many trials of life. Do not grow tired of praying, even if you have not yet received an answer to your problem; you are still in the line, perhaps tomorrow God will answer your prayers. “Not that I have already obtained all this or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.” (Philippians 3:12)