John Piper writes, "We cannot know what prayer is for until we know that life is war." Faith is a fight. The Christian life is not easy. Paul tells us "For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places" (Ephesians 6:12). It would be a lot easier if our struggle was against people, wouldn't it?

There is no way that we can face that on our own. Not only is there a war raging inside of us, flesh against spirit, there is also a war between heaven and hell over our very souls. Satan is like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour (I Peter 5:8). How can we win against that? This is why we must "be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might" (Ephesians 6:10). How do we do that? We pray.

When we pray, we look to God and admit that we can't do it alone. We come to the cross and declare that He is enough. We put on the whole armor of God and are given the strength to defeat the enemy. We have this promise that "His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to His own glory and excellence." How do we claim that unless we pray?

You don't have to do the Christian life alone. "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you." How cool is that?! We have the ear and favor of God, and He's saying, "Ask me! Seek me. Come visit with me for a while." He says, "Open your mouth wide, and I will fill it" (Psalm 81:10). What's holding you back from His invitation? Let's take Him at His word. Life is hard, and that's what prayer is for. Let's claim the promises of the cross and the power of His blood.