Alison Solomon: how to prepare for life with Scripture, prayer and praise

Prepare for life: inspiration for living close to the Lord

Let me be honest, I was a lazy Christian and as a result of my laziness, I was constantly buffeted by my life’s difficult situations. Then, in my spirit, God revealed that I had to be better prepared and I had to be in partnership with him, so he could help keep me living in a state of continuous preparedness.

Think about it, everyone prepares: it’s part of life. You make fastidious preparations to deliver projects at work. You make meticulous tick box charts to go away on holiday. Why then are we ill-prepared for living our daily lives so that, when situations arise and the enemy attacks, we are not ready?

In our manual for life, the Bible, it says: ‘be sober, be vigilant because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour’ (1 Peter 5:8). Do not underestimate the enemy, he is focussed on his objectives,‘The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy’ (John 10:10). Armed with this knowledge, we should be prepared physically: for endurance to run our marathon race (Hebrews 12:1). Prepare mentally because Jesus said to the devil, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God‘” (Matthew 4:4). Finally, prepared tactically: to stand fast (Galatians 5:1) and fight for our lives (Ephesians 6:17) so we can make it to our eternal home.

How I prepare did not happen overnight but has been a gradual unveiling of these essential habitual steps:

1. BOOKEND EACH DAY IN THE BIBLE
When I open my eyes the first thing I see is The Word. I ask God to show me what to read, then listen in my spirit for the answer, which is always something bespoke: sent to help, strengthen, correct, heal, or teach. On days I cannot hear God, I go straight to Psalms as the verses often mirror my trials and emotions and teach me how to pray in the midst of them.

Last thing at night, I centre my mind and thoughts back on God. I block out all the noise from the news, social media, television, and chat surrounding that day’s events: which can bring down my frequency and deplete my soul of its essential nutrients. I do not go to bed on human emotions, but instead I take my gaze higher standing on God’s promises in faith and hope and wearing my full armour (Ephesians 6:10-18), knowing that God gives me sanctuary, so I can get a good night’s sleep free from torment.

2. TALK TO GOD
I never go all day without talking to God. I use his skills as counsellor, lawyer, business partner, lifestyle coach, mediator, financial advisor and best friend. I pray aloud, chat, lament and I have recently learned to make supplications, like Daniel (Daniel 6:11). I learned the etiquette of good conversation - not to hog the conversation but allow the other party to talk too - so I am also quiet in his presence (Psalm 46:10). Here I hear the still small voice of God and I try to be obedient to his advice. When God is silent I resist the temptation to quench the spirit (1 Thessalonians 5:19) by relying on the fickleness of human knowledge, but I pray all the more to prove my faithfulness (1 Thessalonians 5:17).

3. HABITUALLY SACRIFICE PRAISE
It is important to eat, sleep and exercise, but spiritual restorative power comes from praise (Isaiah 40:31). I listen to Gospel music and hymns, I sing, dance and play instruments (Psalm 150). It reinvigorates and heals my broken body and spiritual wounds in my mind, soul and heart. I set a time in the evening to dance like David in front of God (2 Samuel 6:14), whether I feel like it or not, but at the end of my praise session, the frequency in the atmosphere and my body has changed; God’s blessings come down from heaven, and I feel happy and refreshed.

Benjamin Franklin said, ‘By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.’ The Word teaches us we must be prepared to run our race to win the prize of everlasting life in Christ Jesus. Prepare like an athlete for endurance. Fight like a soldier using The Word. Stand fast and praise like a tactician in the midst of hard trials and we shall win.

by Alison Solomon
Alison is a polymath: a storyteller, folklorist, artist documenter, and casting director working within the entertainment, arts, heritage and learning industries. As a committed Christian and Salvationist her experience includes: writing new gospel songs and performing old hymns in a cappella with her sisters, The Solomon Sisters; volunteering as an Education Chaplain (colleges) and Chaplaincy Trustee with Derby City Centre Chaplaincy; volunteering with the Children’s Worker at St Martin in The Bullring, Birmingham, where she retold Bible stories for the congregation.

Alison is an active Christian who enjoys sharing the good news of Jesus Christ and the Bible with Christians and non-Christians from all cultures and backgrounds. She believes in speaking to people just where they are and through poetry, stories, arts, crafts, songs and articles.

Alison is extremely humbled to contribute to Preach.