Remember in Exodus when the Israelites were fighting against the Amalek. When Moses held up his hand, Israel was winning and when he put his hand down, the enemy would begin to advance against them.
Exodus 17:10-13 Joshua did as Moses had told him, and fought against Amalek, while Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill. While Moses held up his hand, Israel prevailed, but whenever he put his hand down, Amalek prevailed. 12 When Moses’s hands grew heavy, they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat down on it. Then Aaron and Hur supported his hands, one on one side and one on the other so that his hands remained steady until the sun went down. 13 So Joshua defeated Amalek and his army with the sword.
So here we are… You and I… hands raised to God, and we are fighting the battle.
“While Moses held up his hand, Israel prevailed”
But our arms get tired. “but whenever he put his hand down, Amalek prevailed”
It isn’t easy to fight these battles with our arms outstreached to God.
Does he strengthen us? Absolutely! Psalm 46:1 God is our refuge and strength, a helper who is always found in times of trouble.
He ALSO puts people in our lives to help strengthen us. 1 Thessalonians 5:11 Therefore encourage one another and build each other up as you are already doing.
When Moses hands got heavy, Aaron and Hur came aside Moses and held up his hands. “Then Aaron and Hur supported his hands, one on one side and one on the other so that his hands remained steady until the sun went down. “
THIS is what praying for each other looks like!
We help stablize our sister's arms so she can continue to worship, continue to stand, continue to fight the battle set before her. Ephesians 6:13-14 …and having prepared everything, to take your stand. Stand, therefore…
Even when it looks like we are not winning, we have our sisters standing beside us to comfort and strengthen us. Galatians 6:2 Carry one another’s burdens; in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. 2 Corinthians 1:4 He comforts us in all affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any kind of afflication, through the comfort we ourselves receive from God.
We learn from Ephesians 6: 6:10-18 prayer is necessary to stand against the schemes of the enemy and to resist in the evil day.
Finally, be strengthened by the Lord and by his vast strength. 11 Put on the full armor of God so that you can stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this darkness, against evil, spiritual forces in the heavens. 13 For this reason take up the full armor of God, so that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having prepared everything, to take your stand. 14 Stand, therefore, with truth like a belt around your waist, righteousness like armor on your chest, 15 and your feet sandaled with readiness for the gospel of peace. 16 In every situation take up the shield of faith with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit—which is the word of God. 18 Pray at all times in the Spirit with every prayer and request, and stay alert with all perseverance and intercession for all the saints.
Prayer begins at home, but ends in church- with the Body of Christ. Isaiah 56:7 I will bring them to my holy mountain and let them rejoice in my house of prayer. Peter 2:9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his possession, so that you may proclaim the praises of the one who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Ephesians 2:18 Pray at all times in the Spirit with every prayer and request, and stay alert with all perseverance and intercession for all the saints.
Here is a promise from God:
2 Chronicles 7:14 and my people, who bear my name, humble themselves, pray and seek my face, and turn from their evil ways, then I will hear from heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land.
Do we need healing in this land? Do we need forginveness? Do we need to hear from heaven?
I invite you to get connected to the Body of Christ. Getting connected to a body of believers is one of the best things I have done next to giving my life to Christ. It is imperative we get connected! It helps us to fight the good fight of faith. 1 Timothy 6:12 Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of eternal life to which you were called and about which you have made a good confession in the presence of many witnesses.
Within the church there will be prayer warriors who would love to join forces with you in holding up the people of God, fighting for our community, praying for the lost souls that need Jesus and standing in the gap for our brothers and sisters. Standing in the gap for you and your family.
Matthew 18:19-20 Again, truly I tell you, if two of you on earth agree about any matter that you pray for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. 20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, I am there among them.”
If you can’t find a church, begin to pray on your own. God will lead you to the church he wants you to be planted in. John 16:24 Until now you have asked for nothing in my name. Ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be complete. Psalm 92:13-14 Planted in the house of the Lord,
they thrive in the courts of our God. 14 They will still bear fruit in old age, healthy and green,
Be patient and continue to pray. It took us a lot of Sunday services to find where God wanted us to be. Ask friends and family where they go to church. They are a good place to start.
And again I say, be patient. Romans 12:12 Rejoice in hope; be patient in affliction; be persistent in prayer.
What would happen if you made a sacrifice of praise and begin to sow prayers for the kingdom of God?
What will you reap? Galatians 6:7 Don’t be deceived: God is not mocked. For whatever a person sows, he will also reap.
Prayer is a huge step in seeking first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, So that all these things will be provided for you. ALL THINGS!!
Matthew 6:33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you.
Give your time to prayer. Give your attention to prayer, and His attention will be given to you. Given above and beyond all that you ask or think.
Luke 6:38 Give, and it will be given to you; a good measure—pressed down, shaken together, and running over—will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you.”
Ephesians 3:20 Now to him who is able to do above and beyond all that we ask or think according to the power that works in us— 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
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