There’s something exhilarating about joining together in prayer. I get the sense that as we lift our voices up, we join a chorus of countless warriors praying for the Nations. I can’t help but feel very small in the midst of a great battlefield.
I’d encourage you to pray as a warrior today… because I know how easily I loose sight of that sometimes. When we intentionally seek the Master in this fervent intercession - for the mobilization of our community, for Perspectives, and for the Nations, there is a battle that rages in the spiritual realm. When we pray, we are making an active, bold stand on the side of Christ. When we bow in prayer, we’re effectively picking up a sword.
I’ve been reading through the book of Daniel, and was spurred to this thought of war when I read chapter 10. Daniel was three weeks into intense prayer (close to where we stand with this prayer blog today, I think) when Gabriel comes before him.
Gabriel said: “Do not be afraid Daniel. Since the first day that you set your mind to gain understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to them. But the prince of the Persian kingdom resisted me twenty-one days. Then Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, because I was detained there with the king of Persia…
These prayers that we join in are not without great purpose. I know we know that… but sometimes remembering the intensity of it that we can’t see really helps me focus in praying. So may we march forward this week, as an army on our knees.
The longer I go the more prayer does seem like a battle. I don't think Satan can attack us when we pray but I feel like he specifically targets our prayer with preemptive oppression. He would have us too discouraged to pray, or too tired to pray.
ReplyDeleteMatthew 6:13b-14
"... deliver us from the evil one, for your's is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen."