As Jesus began his ministry, teaching and preaching in the synagogue. Everyone was amazed by how He taught with authority. Furthermore, “there was in the synagogue a man with an unclean spirit; and he cried out, saying: ‘Let us alone; what have we to do with thee, thou Jesus of Nazareth? Art thou come to destroy us? I know thee, who thou art, the Holy one of God.’ And Jesus rebuked him, saying, ‘Hold thy peace, and come out of him.’ And when the unclean spirit had torn, and cried with a loud voice, he came out of him” (Mark 1:23-26). The demons saw what even the people did not. They knew He was the perfect Holy Son of God who had authority over them. He came to free mankind from the clutches of sin. Still, in verse 35 we find Jesus rose up early to pray.
Jesus was God in flesh, carrying within Him all power and authority. (See further the discussion of the trinity in the post: How to Understand the Trinity and the Temptation of Christ). The message within Mark 1:21-39 is rich with messages for each of us. Each and everyone of us battle demons, whether our demons are those of Satan’s lies whispering to us or the demons of our own hearts. We have no power or authority to win these battles alone; but, in Christ Jesus we do. Prayer is the key that unlocks all of heavens power within us.
Overcoming the Demons in Your Own Life
We do not have the power to overcome our demons; but, Jesus does. As the Liberty Bible Commentary points out: “Jesus commands the spirit to come out of the victim. He does not rebuke the man, but his oppressor.”[1] God’s grace reaches out to us, bidding us to call upon Him. He has the power and the authority to overcome our weaknesses. Arising early, we pray and God hears that prayer, unleashing His power to cast out whatever demons we are facing.
He has promised, “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it” (I Corinthians 10:13).
Jesus set for us an example of how to unleash this power. He arose early each morning to be alone with the Father. If Jesus while walking through this world, needed to pray; how much more do we need to pray for God’s guidance and strength to face the demons and temptations we face.
Pray with a Broken and Contrite Heart
When you come to the end of yourself, recognizing that you cannot do this on your own; then, you will see that you can truly “can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth” (Philippians 4:13) you. Jesus Christ has all power and authority. He “health the broken hearted and binds up their wounds” (Psalm 147:3). Jesus came to bear all your sin and your shame upon the cross. Though He is God’s only begotten son with all the power of the Father, He willingly came to suffer and die that you might be saved. He desires to heal your broken heart. A heart broken by sin, self-exaltation, and foolish desires to be Lord of your own life.
Philippians 2:5-11 (NIV)
Christ Jesus:
6 Who, being in very nature[a]God,
did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;
7 rather, he made himself nothing
by taking the very nature[b] of a servant,
being made in human likeness.
8 And being found in appearance as a man,
he humbled himself
by becoming obedient to death—
even death on a cross!
9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
and gave him the name that is above every name,
10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11 and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.
Since God is Omniscient, why pray?
True God is unchanging and already knows what will happen. Yet, He bids us to pray. Do our prayers change what will happen? Prayer changes us, changes how we see God. There are mysteries regarding God that may seem hard to understand in our finiteness; and others, will remain shrouded in mystery until one stands before Him in eternity. God calls upon mankind to pray, just as He calls upon mankind to repent of their sins; providing free will. Does the course of events change because of mankind’s prayers? God is not bound by time and space as we know it.
The fact that God sees fully all that will happen, does not diminish the moment one cries out to Him nor does it diminish free will of mankind to choose Him. Our prayer changes the course in a moment of time. God’s omniscience already knowing when we will pray does not diminish the power of prayer in that moment. God does not change. Yet, we do!
DO YOU KNOW CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR?
If you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Savior: I urge you to go to my page titled How to Be Saved by clicking on this link. Because there is nothing more important than this, I urge you to seek Him today.
OR ARE YOU IN OF NEED PRAYER?
If you have a prayer request email me by clicking here or comment here
JUST RELEASED
You can find this and all my books on Amazon.com, search Effie Darlene Barba or click this link to be taken there
Recently released Books Available
ABIDING, STEADFAST JOY
A labor of love, this book provides you with 3 foundations of truth from the scripture which once known will provide you with abiding, steadfast joy. Undaunted by the storms of life; your joy will overflow.
WHEN INJUSTICE AND VIOLENCE REIGN:
Through a study of Nahum, Habukkuk, and Zephaniah; I brought their message into our modern times. Answering the questions of “Why, God?”
Providing a foundation of faith and hope; even, as we see so much evil in the world and in our nation. With so much sorrow and despair, this book I wrote to guide you into discovering God’s Perfect Plan of love; amid this chaotic world filled with life’s storms.
You may click on the picture for more information on either of these books.
OTHER RESOURCES AVAILABLE
If you want to know more about other books I have written: You can read more about each one at: Book Resources.
©Effie Darlene Barba, 2017
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned except for my own books. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.
Footnotes and Credits:
[1] Jerry Falwell, ed., The Liberty Annotated Study Bible, (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, 1988), 1493
New International Version (NIV) Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.