Fuel the Spirit of Rugged Individualism - By keeping Christians independent of each other, I would keep them independent from God. I would do everything possible to make sure they believed that the only way to pray was at home in a "closet" - even though the New Testament evidence is overwhelming about the priority of praying together. I would keep them frustrated in their personal prayer lives by preventing them from learning to pray through praying with others.

Dig Ruts of Boring Prayer - When they did try to pray together, I would make sure the prayer meetings were based on old, traditional approaches that focused more on human needs than on God's power. I would do everything possible to encourage boredom and gossip in these gatherings so that most people would stay away from these sleepy, passionless "prayer" times.

Delight in Theological Orthodoxy Without Spiritual Passion - I would know how effective it is to get Bible-loving Christians to delight in theological correctness without spiritual intimacy. It worked very well for me in Ephesus (see Revelation 2:1-7), a once-great church that fell out of love with Jesus, even though they had great theology and teaching. I would let them be content with good sermons and grand theological ideas, as long as they stayed off their knees in trying to make it real in their hearts.

Encourage "Idle" Preaching on Prayer - I would know that sermons on prayer frequently fall on deaf ears, especially when the leaders do not model prayer. I would keep pastors content to just talk about inspiring prayer ideas as long as they did not actually lead their people into extraordinary gatherings of prayer. I would know that prayer information without prayer action just anesthetizes Christians from spiritual reality. This would be a "win" for my team.

Promote "Success" in the Ministry - Crazy as it sounds, I might even promote church growth as a replacement for real revival. I would encourage an interest in numbers, activities, strategies, and events. This would keep them away from brokenness, repentance, and passion for God's transforming presence, and it would distract them from a real pursuit of the awakenings that have undermined my malevolent work.

Knowing that I could not keep people from eternal life because of the power of the Gospel, I would at least try to keep them from eternal reward by getting them to rely on their own flesh rather than the Spirit of God in their ministry efforts.

Yes, if I were the devil, this strategy would be one of my most important. I would amass all of my most subtle and deceptive troops and tools to prevent spiritual awakening at all costs. As long as Christians were sincere but isolated; active but powerless; entertained but shallow - I would win. And I would love it that way.

Friend,

Thank you for your participation with us in the study of God's truth as we share this devotional with you. Have you checked out the daily teaching ministry at OnePlace.com? If not, please go there today (click here) and look for our program Daily Renewal. We have just started a new series, called What the Church Ought to Be. This verse-by-verse study of the book of Titus will help and equip you for effective service. Please join us as we grow in the truth and spread the vital message of renewal throughout the world.

SPECIAL NOTE: For further teaching on the power of praying together and how to make prayer experiences dynamic, balanced, and spiritually invigorating, check out our resource, Fresh Encounters - Experiencing Transformation Through United Worship-Based Prayer. This book (also available on CD or DVD with study guides) is designed to ignite a fresh passion for united prayer and renewed power in the church.

Copyright © 2008 Daniel Henderson. All rights reserved.
• Daily Renewal (Monday, October 06, 2008)