A prayer for those struggling in spiritual affliction by Chelsea Dimitias, read by Lea

Martin, submit to Jesus, resist the devil, and he will flee, James 4-7.

I vividly remember one evening standing over the sink and looking in the mirror, full of

irritation and anger that yet another spiritual attack was at hand, and I asked God, what

would you tell me right now?

Not even a moment later, James 4-7 was in my mouth, submit to Jesus, resist the devil,

and he will flee.

I've prayed this verse for years, but that night something stood out to me I'd never

notice before.

This verse has two commands, with one promise.

I must choose submission to Jesus, and trust in his authority over my situation.

I must choose to resist the devil, and know the affliction may not immediately subside,

but I'm not alone in it.

Lastly, I can rest in the promise from the Lord that the devil will flee.

I went to bed and laid there in awe that I didn't see the actions I was called to take

until this moment.

Not only did this bring peace, but it brought me back to the truth that I must always be

in the posture of submission to Jesus.

Our hearts are best cared for in this place, because we're no longer living just in our

own strength, and so often I see spiritual attacks slip in when I take my eyes off Jesus.

With so much to distract us, we have to be even more diligent to choose the submitted

way of living.

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