Proverbs 25

He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls (Prov. 25:28).

When I am undisciplined I do not pray nor prepare my heart for battle.  With all ease and a straight path, Satan is able to seize all that he would wish and hold it for as long as he would like.  The people of God are not without a city and quiet place for refuge.  The gifts of the kingdom are peace even while we live in a world full of unrest.

I am persuaded if a man is disciplined in his prayer, then he will have rule over his body.  If prayer is defined as the surrendering of one’s heart and mind to the Lord and if one is disciplined enough to find a secret place daily with the Lord, then what evil thing could ever threaten such a man?

Yet, I know what it is to have my heart ravaged and trample under foot.  I have been trampled by sin, trampled by unbelief, trampled by anxieties of all kinds, who can know peace when one’s heart is filled with the agents of the enemy?  So a man must build up the walls of his heart through the daily discipline of prayer.  You cannot afford to not pray just as city in war cannot afford to lower it’s defenses.

Everyone struggles to pray.  Jesus’ disciples were astonished at His prayer life.  Something about His praying so led them all to believe in His adeptness. “Teach us to pray” they said. And Jesus said, “Pray like this..Our Father..gives this day our daily bread.”     A prayer for daily bread can hardly be prayed only once a week, or even once every few days, but daily, and I would go on to say as often as you need it.  If you are in Christ Jesus, you Father is available, you need no prior appointment.

If a city of war is without walls, then there is no other more immediate need than to pray and ask for basic defense against the enemy. Get the walls up first. It is not necessary to list out everything you could possibly need in the future, but ask for the things you need that very moment and be done.   Appoint a time to seek the Lord again and ask upon your next need.  Be fervent, be diligent, be daily in prayer.