How to Prepare Yourself for Battle

　　August 19

　　Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. - Peter 5:8

　　A Japanese attack on Hawaii is regarded as the most unlikely thing in the world, with one chance in a million of being successful. Besides having more powerful defenses than any other post under the American flag, it is protected by distance.—Journalist Clarke Beach, September 6, 1941

　　Looking back on history, these words must be considered some of the most foolish ever written. Yet they go to show simply how unaware many people in the United States were about the possibility for the kind of attack carried out by the Japanese just two months later. For many, it seemed next to impossible that such a thing could ever happen.

　　But the risk became a reality on the morning of December 7, 1941, when America’s vulnerability was exposed in a sneak attack on the U.S. military base at Pearl Harbor in Hawaii.

　　Like some people in those days, many Christians live their lives almost completely unaware of the danger of spiritual attacks that looms each and every day. But the reality is that our enemy, Satan, lurks around and waits for a chance to attack us spiritually. And if we aren’t on our guard, we risk being caught unready to fend off those attacks.

　　So when it comes to spiritual warfare, be ready to go to battle at any time. Remain steadfast in prayer and resist the temptation to fall into sin. When you do that, you’ll be ready for the enemy’s attacks whenever they come!

　　Prayer Challenge

　　Pray that God would help you remain steadfast in prayer and avoid sin in order to be ready for the enemy’s attacks!

　　Questions for Thought

　　Why do you think people are often lured into a false sense of security when it comes to spiritual warfare?

　　What does being ready for spiritual warfare look like in your daily life?

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