Prepare-for-War

much more respectfully, of course. I have had a number of people ask me why I refer to the Lord simply as "Father" much of the time. This is because I talk to Him almost continuously, and I find it very awkward to say something like "the Father," or "Heavenly Father" all the time. I do not feel I am being disrespectful by saying simply "Father." I do not call any other being in heaven or on earth by this name. This is also in obedience to: "[Jesus said] Call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven." Matthew 23:9 Many times people ask me how I pray for our protection, food, bills, etc. My answer is, "I don't." I have already covenanted with God for them and I see no need to waste His time, and my own, by praying for things already cov ered in a covenant. It is my business to walk in obedience to the Lord, and it is His business to provide for me and guide me. I also frequently pray about a particular matter only once. The Lord has an excellent memory. When He gives me a specific burden to pray daily about something, I do so. Otherwise, I bring a matter before Him once and then leave it there. It is His business to work it out in His own time and in His own way. I have never found begging, pleading, or badgering accomplished anything, except push me out of the will ofGod and tend to break my fellowship with Him. Satan stands before the throne of God and accuses us and petitions God for people almost continually. I have learned to ask the Lord to alert me when Satan is petitioning Him for someone or something within the sphere of my work and ministry. The Lord faithfully does so. As soon as I know, I simply go before the Father and, in the name of Jesus, counter-petition Satan. Alas·, Satan can do so much because God's people don't bother to counter-petition his requests. Some nights I spend an entire night on my knees wrestling

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