Praying in the End Times

But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers.. --- 1 Peter 4:7 NKJV

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

But understand this, that in the last days dangerous times [of great stress and trouble] will come [difficult days that will be hard to bear].
--- 2 Timothy 3:1 amplified version

The Bible warns us that the end times will be exceedingly difficult (ESV), terrible (NIV), perilous (KJV), grievous (ASV), dangerous (Douay-Rheims Bible), violent (God's Word translation), terrifying (NAB).

2 Timothy 3:1 ESV, 2 Timothy 3:1 NIV, 2 Timothy 3:1 KJV, 2 Timothy 3:1 ASV

God warns us not to be led astray by the deception.

Matthew 24:9, Matthew 24:4 NIV, 1 Timothy 4:1, Matthew 24:24, 2 Thessalonians 2:3, 2 Thessalonians 2:9-12, 2 Timothy 3:13

Keeping ourselves pure and without blemish while trusting and obeying the LORD will be very difficult during the end times without fervent prayer.

The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.
-- James 5:16 NKJV

During the last days, the enemy will try to distract us and keep us off balance with continual chaos, confusion, and deceit. There will be tremendous pressure on us to compromise with the world and fall away from the faith.

We need to be sound minded, self-restrained, alert, watchful, self-controlled, sober-minded in our praying if we are going to be overcomers in the end times. Revelation 2:11 NASB, Revelation 2:17 NASB, Revelation 2:26 NASB, Revelation 3:5 NASB

As evil reaches its zenith avoiding sin will be important aspect of living in the end times that is often overlooked.

Sin in our lives
prevents our abiding in the LORD
and affects our praying,
and our faith.
(1 John 3:6, 1 John 3:9)

We will need to be walking in the power of the Holy Spirit not to fall into temptation to sin.
"Keep watching and praying that you may not enter into temptation; the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak."
Matthew 26:41

The pressures to sin will be great: contempt, ridicule, persecution, starvation, imprisonment, threats of death. These will cause many to compromise with the world and take the mark of the beast, an unforgivable sin. (Revelation 14:9–11)

We need to prepare our hearts and minds for what is coming in the end times. Only Spirit-led prayer can do this.

"The Spirit helps us in our weakness." -- Romans 8:26-27
What am I to do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will pray with my mind also; I will sing praise with my spirit, but I will sing with my mind also.
--- 1 Corinthians 14:15

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil
--- Ephesians 6:10-11

Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. --- 1 Peter 5:8 NASB

With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints, --- Ephesians 6:18

We need to be
strong in the Lord.

Last days prophecy teachers
often overlook this important
aspect of the end times.
We need to be vigilant
as we seek the Lord.

Jesus warned many times including in the Olivet Discourse:
"Do not be misled."
We need earnest on-our-face-praying during these treacherous times that we not fall victim to the schemes of the devil.

Many in the church underestimate the level of deception, violence, depravity, and evil that is coming in the end times.

The anti-Christ spirit's influence is growing stronger each day.
And we know from scripture that the Anti-Christ himself will deceive
many with false signs and wonders.

To be OVERCOMERS in the last days,
we need to ABIDE in the LORD.

For more on Becoming an Overcomer, Click here
For more on Abiding in Christ, Click here

For when the Lord comes,
we want to be found
"spotless and blameless".
--- 2 Peter 3:13-14

Pray to Maintain Your Testimony

Remember the parable of the 10 virgins. All 10 were eagerly waiting to meet the bridegroom. The oil symbolizes the Spirit of God by which the light of testimony could be maintained in the hour of darkness. The 5 foolish virgins ran out of oil and did not go in to the Marriage Feast of the Lamb.

If we hide our testimony in the end times by hiding out in a bunker or in the wilderness, will this make us like one of the foolish virgins in this parable?
Remember what happened in the end time parable about the man who buried his "talent" in the same end time chapter of the Bible (Matthew 25: 14-30). He was thrown "into the outer darkness; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth."
-- Matthew 25:30

Jesus said "Don’t hide your light! Let it shine for all;"
--- Matthew 5:15 (Living Bible)

It is only by steadfast, watchful prayer that we will be able to maintain our testimony, and be prepared and ready when Jesus comes. (Colossians 4:2)

Therefore,
let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.
--- Hebrews 12:1

... be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers. Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. Show hospitality to one another without grumbling.
--- 1 Peter 4:7-9

But watch yourselves lest your hearts be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and cares of this life, and that day come upon you suddenly like a trap. ... But stay awake at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are going to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man. --- Luke 21:34,36

and said to them, "Why are you sleeping? Get up and pray that you may not enter into temptation." --- Luke 22:46

Currently the Church is Asleep.
We Know this from 3 End Time Bible Passages:

✦ "So remember what you have received and heard; and keep it, and repent. Therefore if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come to you. --- Revelation 3:3

✦ The Ten Virgin Parable: (Matthew 25:1-13)

✦ Garden of Gethsemane Passage, which is a foreshadowing of end times: (Matthew 26:36-46)

WE NEED TO WAKE UP
AND PRAY!

Only intense, fervent prayer can sustain us in the end times.
Determine in your heart and mind to follow the LORD no matter the cost.

For Suggested
End Times Prayer List
click here

R.A. Torrey's Index
of Bible Verses About Prayer:

Social and Family Prayer