“Raise your arms up…………….and pray!”
The children of Israel were attacked by the Amalekites at a location called Masah on their journey out from Egypt to the Promised Land. Joshua, the head of the Israelite army led the battle against the Amalekites and as he and the men went to war, Moses, Aaron and Hur went to the top of a hill overlooking the battle ground. (Exodus 17)
There Moses prayed for victory with his arms in the air for Joshua and the soldiers of Israel as they fought with the Amalekites below. As Moses hands were high in the air the battle went Joshua and Israel’s way. But as Moses arms tired and began to drop the Amalekites would begin to prevail.
So Moses sat on a rock and Aaron and Hur stood on either side of Moses and held his arms high in the air and kept them there until the sun set and the Amalekites were defeated by Joshua and the army of Israel. And the battle was won!
Now in the New Testament Paul tells us that (2 Thessalonians 2:6-7), that there is a power, a force holding back the works of darkness in the very time in which you and I now live. Holding back those evil forces until it is time for them to be revealed and not until God’s timing or release is ready. – 6 And you know what is holding him back, for he can be revealed only when his time comes. 7 For this lawlessness is already at work secretly, and it will remain secret until the one who is holding it back steps out of the way.
The church powered by the Holy Spirit through prayer is the instrument holding back the lawless one from his work. The church is in the way of evil doing its worst at this time.
As we read of the events occurring in our nation, our state and community that just seem to be an amplifying of things getting worse. Yes, the Bible says that in the last days these violent and tragic events would be on the increase. But – could it be also that the very battles that are happening around us – spiritual battles – are on the increase because the churches arms have dropped limp by its side?
Do you recall when Abraham interceded with the Lord on behalf of Lot before the destruction and judgment fell upon Sodom and Gomorrah? Do you remember what the Lord’s response was to Abraham?
You remember Abraham started with the intercession… “if there were fifty righteous and on down to 10 righteous people being in those cities then judgment would not fall! The Lord replied – Genesis 18:32 Finally, Abraham said, “Lord, please don’t be angry with me if I speak one more time. Suppose only ten are found there?”
And the LORD replied, “Then I will not destroy it for the sake of the ten.”
The Holy Spirit works through you and I and He works through us as we pray and intercede on behalf of those who are lost, on behalf of people who do not know Christ! This is why the Church is still present at this time! Both to preach the Gospel and to pray for God’s work to be done in and through us.
May I beseech you as you read this note to take up the challenge, to obey the very command of God and pray now like you have never prayed before. By your praying the battle will turn. By your praying evil will be held in obeyance. By your praying God’s power is released through His church.
Finally, in what position are your arms, have you been lifting them high in intercession for those souls who are in the battle? Or have they been limp by your side as you have watched the battle being lost?
We don’t have an Aaron or Hur to hold our hands up but we now have the very power of the Holy Spirit available to us, willing to strengthen us and guide us as we pray. Romans 8: 26 And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words. 27 And the Father who knows all hearts knows what the Spirit is saying, for the Spirit pleads for us believers in harmony with God’s own will.
It’s God’s will we pray and we pray for God’s will to be done here on earth. It’s time to pray – because the time is growing short.
Let’s see the battle turn to the glory of God! Will you lift your hands, will you pray? For the battle is raging!
Will you go to the top of the hill and raise your arms and pray until the battle turns?