Contending Versus Straining

 

Contending Versus Straining

Learning the difference between “contending” and “straining” is very important. A core value of the church I attend (New Philadelphia) is “Contend For the Kingdom.” What that means is when we intercede for different topics we stand on God’s promises and the leadings of His Spirit and pray in faith. For some prayer requests we have to cover them for a long time. But never are we straining or begging in prayer, because straining always demonstrates a lack of faith/knowledge in God’s goodness and His promises. The only time Jesus “strained” in prayer was when He sweat drops of blood from the stress of the Cross, but even then I don’t think He was straining because Scripture says He only prayed for God to spare Him three times, and then He moved forward. Jesus was about to face the greatest task in all of humanity, so it was understandable for Him to be pressed.

Something you can do to help is listen to mature leaders when they pray, especially leaders of high authority. Listen to how they pray standing on God’s promises and on God’s goodness… even when they raise their voices and cry out, it is never out of doubt or fear but rather out of being stirred up for what they are praying for.

Know your authority. Know you are a citizen of heaven (Philippians 3:20). Know you are seated in the heavenly realms (Ephesians 2:6) and that your prayers have power (James 5:16, Luke 10:18-19). And most of all, know God’s goodness. A good father never forces his children to beg or to strain for him to listen to them. Our God is truly a good Father who listens to us when we pray (Deuteronomy 4:7). Study the Scripture so that as you learn of His goodness and learn of your powerful identity in Christ, your authority can grow and you can pray prayers that move mountains.

God bless!