“Be strong! We are not here to play, to dream, to drift, We have hard work to do, and loads to lift. Shun not the struggle, face it, ’tis God’s gift. Be strong! Say not the days are evil – who’s to blame? And fold the hands and acquiesce – O shame. Stand up, speak out, and bravely, in God’s name. Be strong! It matters not how deep-entrenched the wrong, how hard the battle goes, the day how long, Faint not, fight on! Tomorrow comes the song.” Maltbie Davenport Babcock Thoughts for Every Day Living, 1901
I received an invitation to join with a handpicked group of intercessors in a concerted long-term effort. Our goal? To see God work the miraculous in an impossible situation. My heart sunk as I heard the details of what we were about to face. I knew the emotional, spiritual, and physical costs required to join this mission. We were being called back into active duty to fight a familiar foe that threatened the life of a precious child.
I look around our circle as I gathered with the team. Many of us were recruited to pray over this situation four years earlier and we saw the hand of God change impossible circumstances. That was a costly victory, won through tears, fasting, and at times shaky faith. We carried an overwhelming trust in a God who hears the cry of His children and who ruled supreme. Although we experienced success in the past, we all knew the war had not been won; victory was not yet complete. A huge battle loomed. Could I find the courage and fortitude to press in once again?
Our leader urged us to count the cost before giving her an answer. We were all aware that war could be ugly, even in the spiritual realms. I looked around the circle of men and women gathered. I sensed they were asking themselves the same questions I asked myself. I could see a strengthening of their resolve manifested in their facial expressions. We were a band of brothers, carrying both the scars and the skills learned and earned in earlier skirmishes. We would stand. We would persevere. We would fight until the battle was over.
Although we fought bravely, we did not see the result that we had hoped to see. Even so, we saw many miracles and many lives were profoundly affected by this fragile child’s story.
It is not my place to know the result of my obedience when He calls me into action. My role in the battle requires me to be humble, alert, and open to his discipline and training. As Commander in Chief, He directs the strategic placement of His prayer warriors.
As a side note, I don’t believe that I am a member of an elite squad in the Body of Christ. I believe we are all called to the fight, we are all called to be prayer warriors. We are all called to place our trust in the One who reigns over all.
I must admit I become a bit prickly when someone passes prayer requests on to me because they think I have some sort of special ‘gift’ in this area and they want me to take on an assignment that God called them to take on! I honestly don’t have some special anointing in prayer. I’ve learned to take the assignments GOD asks me to take and then plug along as His foot soldier along with the other troops.
Psalm 18:31-35 – “For who is God, but the Lord? And who is a rock, except our God? The God who equipped me with strength and made my way blameless. He made my feet like the feet of a deer and set me secure on the heights. He trains my hands for war, so that my arms can bend a bow of bronze. You have given me the shield of your salvation, and your right hand supported me, and your gentleness made me great.”
Personal Application
Do you believe that only certain people are gifted in the ability to press into prayer? Why do you believe that? What scriptures can you find to back that belief up?
Do you regularly ask those you consider to be ‘prayer warriors’ to fight a prayer battle on your behalf but you have a nagging feeling that you are the one who is supposed to be doing the praying?
Prayer is a skill that can only be learned through practice. Learning any skill requires discipline, patience, and letting go of a critical attitude toward yourself. Unlike learning to play the piano, there are no protegees when it comes to learning how to pray effectively. It’s a level praying field, so to speak. However, your Heavenly Instructor is the most encouraging, helpful, insightful and involved Instructor you could ever find! He’s waiting for you to enrol in His masterclass today!
I have gathered several helpful articles on prayer, all of which are geared to beginners. Some of these articles I wrote myself, others were transcribed with the permission of speakers. You can find them here.
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Until Next Week
©2018 Katherine Walden
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