“As long as Moses held up his hands, the Israelites were winning, but whenever he lowered his hands, the Amalekites were winning. When Moses’ hands grew tired, they took a stone and put it under him and he sat on it. Aaron and Hur held his hands up—one on one side, one on the other—so that his hands remained steady till sunset. So Joshua overcame the Amalekite army with the sword.” (Exodus 17:11-13)
Moses could not carry the burden of continual prayer alone. He needed reinforcement, and Aaron and Hur were by his side when the need came. What a great picture for Christians and the church as we persevere through spiritual battles. Sometimes we’re leading, sometimes were on the frontlines, sometimes we’re the reinforcement holding up the arms of the weary, and often we’re juggling multiple roles at the same time. But regardless of the role, it is prayer that connects us to God’s heavenly power and brings His victory. Continual prayer and dependence on God is a heavy work that needs support. So as you pray the prayers from In His Will, picture yourself holding up the arms of your pastors and other church and ministry leaders. Imagine the strength of many brothers and sisters in Christ united in the same purpose.
From his hilltop position, Moses may have had a full view of the earthly, physical battlefield. Perhaps he could even see every move the enemy was about to make, but he still needed to be in continual prayer to win. Christians fight spiritual battles in a realm we cannot see with weapons we cannot manufacture against an enemy who is camouflaged as an angel of light (2 Corinthians 11:14). So how much more are we in need of continual prayer? Only God can see the whole battlefield. Only He has known every move the enemy will make since before the creation of the world. Only He knows what place we are to take in the battle, and what we need to defeat the enemy.
Believers are called to stand firm in these battles by putting on the full armor of God and praying always (Ephesians 6:10-18). But even prayer can become a battleground. The more we believe in and desire to pray, the greater the opposition will be. It is a battle position that Satan doesn’t want us in, and a weapon he doesn’t want us to use, but without it, we will face certain defeat. So what spiritual battlefield needs a prayer leader? What leader or servant of Christ needs your prayer reinforcement? If you are serving God or leading for the cause of Christ, whom have you asked to support you in prayer?
Prayer: Almighty God, Forgive us when prayer is our last line of defense. Too often we try to battle in our own strength. We tire quickly and give up easily. Convince us of our need to be in continual, dependent prayer to tap into your power and win your battles. Help us to be aware when our spiritual leaders are getting weary and need battle reinforcement. Help us to overcome opposition and persevere in prayer. Give us wisdom to wield the sword of the Spirit, your Word, powerfully in our prayers. Thank you that prayer is such a strong weapon against the enemy. Let us always pray and never give up, and give you all the glory. Father we thank you in advance for the victories you will bring. In Jesus’ strong, victorious name we pray. Amen!
Thanks so much for this reminder. I am a problem solver and am used to solving challenges on “my own”. Today’s blog and prayer has reinforced what I am learning: to be in continual prayer to tap into his power, win my battles, and give Him the glory! I am also learning to ask for prayer and pray in community, which is also “new” for me. I need to remember to ask boldly and then surrender completely. Thank you for today’s post!