The will of God is not automatic. 

Some people – even sincere believers – mistakenly believe: “If it happened, it must have been God’s will.”

God’s will must be sought, received by faith, and contended for. There is an enemy still lurking in this world, one who has authority on earth (not ultimate authority, but the jurisdiction we permit). His kingdom of darkness and deception is still in operation, and stands in resistance to the Kingdom of God and the people of that Kingdom. 

The default setting in our world is sin, selfishness, and the rule of satan.

Jesus came to begin the overthrow of the kingdom of darkness by establishing the Kingom of God. That process – that battle is still being fought today. 

We fight for God’s will through prayer. Not only did Jesus teach us HOW to pray (Matthew 6), He demonstrated the necessity and power of prayer in His own life and ministry. 

“So He Himself often withdrew into the wilderness and prayed.”‭‭Luke‬ ‭5:16‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

One of the great Old Testament examples of a powerful prayer life is found in  Daniel. One particular occasion in Daniel’s life reveals the poignant reality of spiritual warfare, and how important it is that we pray and contend for God’s will. 

Daniel fasted and prayed for twenty one days before sensing any benefit or breakthrough. But with the answer to his prayer also came the reason for the delay – a spiritual battle was taking place. 

Then he said to me, “Do not fear, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand, and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard; and I have come because of your words. 

But the prince of the kingdom of Persia [a demonic being ruling over the region of Persia] withstood me twenty-one days; and behold, Michael, one of the chief princes [an angel representing God and His kingdom], came to help me, for I had been left alone there with the kings of Persia [demonic beings in cooperation to resist God].” Daniel‬ ‭10:12-13‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

More than anything, the church is called to pray! We must pray through to breakthrough! We must fight and contend for God’s will to be released “on earth as it is in heaven!”

Our fight is not in the flesh; our battle is in the spirit. Let us not be discouraged from prayer, or by the delays we may face while praying. Let us fight the good fight of faith, praying always with all kinds of prayer in the Spirit! (Ephesians 6)

The prayers of the righteous are powerful and effective! (James 5)