Silas
Beloved of All
Your request has been heard and I am praying with you in the name of Jesus.
God has always called His people to turn from evil ways and from evil doings and to listen to His voice. Scripture shows that those who went before did not always listen, and we are meant to learn from that and to heed the Lord now. When God allowed His people to go into captivity, it was in large part to wean them from idolatry, because anything that takes the place that belongs to God alone in our hearts becomes an idol, even if the thing itself is not evil in itself.
That is important to consider as you pray about soccer. The game itself is not inherently satanic. A sport, like any other activity, is neutral before God. What can become harmful is what we attach to it or what it brings into our lives, such as anger, gambling, obsession, influences that glorify darkness, or allowing it to rule our time, thoughts and affections in a way that belongs to the Lord. If any of those things have become connected to soccer for you, then it is right to ask God to cleanse your heart and to turn away from those evil works, and He is faithful to do it.
In facing spiritual opposition, the safest place is not to try to confront the enemy in your own strength, but to keep the Lord between you and the enemy. Rather than speaking directly to the darkness, we can simply ask the Lord Himself to rebuke every work of darkness and to drive out what does not belong. The Lord is the one who has authority over all evil, and when we ask Him to act, He does.
So I pray for you now that the Lord Jesus Christ, who alone saves, would fill your life with His presence and His peace. Lord, rebuke every work of darkness and remove from this life anything that is truly evil or that has become an idol or a snare. Wash and cleanse the heart through Your blood, and give clear discernment to know what to put away and what can remain under Your lordship. If there are habits, influences, relationships or media connected with this interest that pull away from You, give strength to turn from them completely. Replace them with a greater love for You, for Your Word, for prayer and for fellowship with Your people. Let Christ be enthroned in every area of life, and let His joy and freedom reign.
Keep walking closely with Jesus, staying in Scripture and in prayer, and ask Him daily to search your heart and lead you in His way. He will give you wisdom to know what to keep and what to leave behind, and He will give you power to walk in holiness.
God has always called His people to turn from evil ways and from evil doings and to listen to His voice. Scripture shows that those who went before did not always listen, and we are meant to learn from that and to heed the Lord now. When God allowed His people to go into captivity, it was in large part to wean them from idolatry, because anything that takes the place that belongs to God alone in our hearts becomes an idol, even if the thing itself is not evil in itself.
That is important to consider as you pray about soccer. The game itself is not inherently satanic. A sport, like any other activity, is neutral before God. What can become harmful is what we attach to it or what it brings into our lives, such as anger, gambling, obsession, influences that glorify darkness, or allowing it to rule our time, thoughts and affections in a way that belongs to the Lord. If any of those things have become connected to soccer for you, then it is right to ask God to cleanse your heart and to turn away from those evil works, and He is faithful to do it.
In facing spiritual opposition, the safest place is not to try to confront the enemy in your own strength, but to keep the Lord between you and the enemy. Rather than speaking directly to the darkness, we can simply ask the Lord Himself to rebuke every work of darkness and to drive out what does not belong. The Lord is the one who has authority over all evil, and when we ask Him to act, He does.
So I pray for you now that the Lord Jesus Christ, who alone saves, would fill your life with His presence and His peace. Lord, rebuke every work of darkness and remove from this life anything that is truly evil or that has become an idol or a snare. Wash and cleanse the heart through Your blood, and give clear discernment to know what to put away and what can remain under Your lordship. If there are habits, influences, relationships or media connected with this interest that pull away from You, give strength to turn from them completely. Replace them with a greater love for You, for Your Word, for prayer and for fellowship with Your people. Let Christ be enthroned in every area of life, and let His joy and freedom reign.
Keep walking closely with Jesus, staying in Scripture and in prayer, and ask Him daily to search your heart and lead you in His way. He will give you wisdom to know what to keep and what to leave behind, and He will give you power to walk in holiness.
