Quote by Jonathan Edwards about keeping in Jesus

Jonathan Edwards circa 1750’s, A Preacher of the Great Awakening

Endeavour now thoroughly to weigh in your mind the difficulty, and to count the cost of perseverence in seeking salvation. You that are now setting out in this business, (as there are many here who have very lately set about it; (Praised be the name of God that he has stirred you up to it!) be exhorted to attend this direction. Do not undertake in this affair with any other thought but of giving yourself wholly to it for the remaining part of your life, and going through many and great difficulties in it.

Take heed that you do not engage secretly upon this condition, that you shall obtain in a little time, promising yourself that it shall be within this present season of the pouring out of God's Spirit, or with any other limitation of time whatsoever. Many, when they begin, (seeming to set out very earnestly,) do not expect that they shall need to seek very long, and so do not prepare themselves for it. And therefore, when they come to find it otherwise, and meet with unexpected difficulty, they are found unguarded, and easily overthrown.

But let me advise you all who are now seeking salvation, not to entertain any self-flattering thoughts; but weigh the utmost difficulties of perseverance, and be provided for them, having your mind fixed in it to go through them, let them be what they will.

Consider now beforehand, how tedious it would be, with utmost earnestness and labour, to strive after salvation for many years, in the mean time receiving no joyful or comfortable evidence of your having obtained. Consider what a great temptation to discouragement there probably would be in it; how apt you would be to yield the case; how ready to think that it is in vain for you to seek any longer, and that God never intends to show you mercy, in that he has not yet done it; how apt you would be to think with yourself, "What an uncomfortable life do I live! How much more unpleasantly do I spend my time than others that do not perplex their minds about the things of another world, but are at ease, and take the comfort of their worldly enjoyments!" Consider what a temptation there would probably be in it, if you saw others brought in that began to seek the kingdom of heaven long after you, rejoicing in a hope and sense of God's favour, after but little pains and a short time of awakening; while you, from day to day, and from year to year, seemed to labour in vain.

Prepare for such tempations now. Lay in beforehand for such trials and difficulties, that you may not think any strange thing has happened when they come.

A Prayer of Covering

Dear Heavenly Father,

I pray this prayer in the power of the Holy Spirit. In the name of Jesus Christ I bind, rebuke and bring to no effect: all division, discord, disunity, strife, anger, wrath, murder, criticism, condemnation, pride, envy, jealousy, gossip, slander, evil speaking, complaining, lying, false teaching, false gifts, false manifestations, lying spirits and wonders, poverty, fear of lack, fear spirits, murmuring spirits, complaining spirits, hindering spirits, retaliatory spirits, deceiving spirits, religious spirits, occult spirits, witchcraft spirits (including Jezebel, Deliah and Apollyon), and spirits of antichrist.

I bind & break all curses that have been spoken against me. I bless those who curse me, and pray blessing on those who despitefully use me. I bind & break the power of all spoken judgments made against me and judgments I have made against others. I bind & break the power of negative words from others, and bind and render useless all prayers not inspired by the Holy Spirit: whether psychic, soul force, witchcraft or counterfeit tongues that have been prayed against me.

I am God’s Child. I resist the devil. No weapon formed against me shall prosper. I put on the whole armor of God. I take authority over this day, in Jesus’ name. Let it be prosperous for me; let me walk in your light, Lord.

The Holy Spirit leads me and guides me today. I discern between the righteous and the wicked. I take authority over satan and all his demons, and those people who are influenced by them. I declare satan is under my feet and shall remain there all day.

I am the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus. I am God’s property. Satan you are bound from my family, my mind, my body, and my finances. I confess that I am healed and whole. I flourish, am long-lived, stable, durable, incorruptible, fruitful, virtuous, full of peace, patience and love. Whatsoever I set my hands to do today shall prosper, for God supplies all my needs. I have all authority over satan, all demons, and beasts of the field. God, I pray for the ministry you have for me. Anoint me God for all you have called me to do for you. I call forth divine appointments, open doors of opportunity, God-ordained encounters and ministry positions.

I claim a hedge of protection around myself, spouse and children (names) throughout this day and night. I ask you God, in the Name of Jesus Christ, to dispatch angels to surround me, my spouse and my children today and to put them throughout my house and around our cars, souls and bodies. I ask angels to protect my house from any intrusion and to protect me and my family from any harmful, demonic or other physical or mental attacks.

I ask this prayer in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Put on the Whole Armor of God