“I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know … His incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come” (Eph. 1:18-21, NIV).
Since Jan. 1, our family has been caught up in a whirlpool of suffering on many levels. Our beloved pastor and dear friend, Ray Bentley, suddenly and unexpectedly went to be with Jesus on Jan. 4. Four days later, Rachel-Ruth was admitted to the hospital with her first of two heart attacks. My first cousin was placed in ICU with COVID, where he is still fighting for his life. Another cousin has begun chemo for cancer that has returned for the third time. My sister’s granddaughter is undergoing intense therapy as she learns to walk again after a massive car accident. My brother had surgery for prostate cancer. My son has been told his lungs may never improve. And I have apparently pulled my groin muscle, which makes even walking to the kitchen painful.
All of this makes me wonder two things: Is my family—and am I—under an assigned assault from our spiritual enemy? And—are you also under attack?
Disease, death, danger, disasters and the darkness of corruption and chaos, disruption and division, stress and suicide, wars and rumors of wars, are all markers, I believe, to indicate we are living at the end of human history as we know it. The enemy knows his time is running out, and he is waging all-out war on God’s people.
My daughter, Morrow, sent the following link to a music video as her prayer for me. It so resonated with my heart that it brought me to tears. I want to forward it as my prayer for you:
There is power in the name of Jesus. So let’s keep praying for each other as we keep looking up! {eoa}
This article originally appeared at annegrahamlotz.org.
Called “the best preacher in the family” by her father, Billy Graham, Anne Graham Lotz speaks around the globe with the wisdom and authority of years spent studying God’s Word. The New York Times named Anne one of the five most influential evangelists of her generation. She’s been profiled on 60 Minutes and has appeared on TV programs such as Larry King Live, Today and Hannity Live. Her Just Give Me Jesus revivals have been held in more than 30 cities in 12 different countries to hundreds of thousands of attendees. She is also a best-selling and award-winning author. Her most recent releases are The Light of His Presence, Jesus in Me, The Daniel Prayer, Wounded by God’s People, Fixing My Eyes on Jesus, Expecting to See Jesus and her first children’s book, Heaven: God’s Promise for Me.