Maybe I’m misunderstanding, though it seems many in the church today, including entire congregations, are being misled by the enemy / world (this isn’t new, Paul wrote letters to such churches). None of us are immune to Satan’s attempts at deceit, and unfortunately, many are unintentionally fooled by his lies. Today I offer a prayer for righteous discernment in the hope that we will rely on God to help us know the difference between His word and the world’s. We must also pray for any who have gone astray, that they may know any error in their ways and return to God’s guidance.
Father God, our One Source of Truth, we praise Your holy and righteous name. Father, You require very little from us beyond obedience. Yet, there is a powerful and cunning enemy who seeks to destroy and devour Your people. There are many who claim to know You, who unsurprisingly seek to deceive us, just as Satan himself is disguised as an angel of light. Holy Spirit please help us to discern whether the guidance we receive is from our Father, or from one of many false prophets of the world. May the love of Jesus abound within us, so we may in knowledge and discernment, approving of what is excellent and remaining blameless in Your sight. Please help us know the difference between good and evil, so we may influence Your people favorably for Your kingdom. Father, please have mercy on we who have conformed to the ways of this world, and please transform us through the renewal of our minds, so we may know and follow Your will (that which is good, acceptable, and perfect). Please help us remain rooted in Your word, for it is active and living, sharper than a razor, and able to bring understanding to the thoughts and intentions of our hearts. When we lack wisdom (which happens often), may we remember to seek Yours, for You will not withhold Your generous guidance from those who ask. Please free us from the captivity of empty deceit, according to our fallen human condition, and lead us in the ways of Jesus, so we may test everything and hold fast to what is good and righteous. In the name of Jesus our Redeemer and Guide we praise You, and ask for forgiveness and deliverance from our evil ways, amen.
[Inspired by: 2 Cor 11:13-15, 1 Jn 4:1, Php 1:9-10, 1 Ki 3:9, Rm 12:2, Heb 4:12, Jas 1:5, Col 2:8, 1 Ths 5:21]
~ Conqueror in Training