"I love you my sister, I will raise your hands to victory when you are weak."
My friend's comment obviously made me think of the battle between the Israelites and the Amalekites (Exodus 17:8-16). As I started studying the passage I thought that the intercessions might focus on remembering that the "battle belongs to the Lord" or supporting one another as Aaron and Hur did for Moses, but I just scrapped that whole post because I think the truly important message for us this week is the ABSOLUTE IMPORTANCE OF YOU PRAYING. Since you are visiting a prayer blog, you may already be a diligent, faithful pray-er...but you may be like me, a weak, undisciplined pray-er who desires...and needs...to grow in this area.
Exodus 17:8-16 shows us this absolute importance of prayer. Life and death for the Israelites, as well as the course of history itself, depended upon prayer. The prayer of ONE man: Moses. We know this because the passage says when Moses' hand was raised, Israel prevailed, and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed. "It can be difficult to reconcile this with knowing God has a pre-ordained plan. But God didn't want Moses to concern himself with that - he was to pray as if it really mattered. Just because we can't figure out how our prayers mesh with God's pre-ordained plan never means we should stop believing prayer matters. We can conclude that many times the people of God are defeated today because they will not pray, or their work is not supported by prayer." -David Guziki.
It is interesting that the passage does not note that Joshua's hands were heavy in fighting but that Moses' hands were heavy in praying. Do you find it easier to write out a donation check to a charity than to engage in intercession for those whom the organization will aid? Do you find it easier to drop off used clothes at a shelter than to pray for those who will wear them? Do you find it easier to do a nice deed for your unbelieving neighbor than to set aside time every day to plead for his salvation? I'm not asking you any questions that I am not asking myself!
Israel depended on the prayers of one man. And what about America? Just like the Israelites, we are in a battle. Are you willing to be the one to pray for victory? This question is not intended to guilt you into praying...but to make us all realize the importance that God places on our obedience to pray and the opportunity that is before us to be used by God. "Moses prayed as we should pray - with passion, believing that life and death - perhaps eternally - depended on prayer." - David Guzik
INTERCESSIONS:
That Christians will plead fervently and passionately for our nation just as Moses did for Israel believing that God hears and will answer.
Epaphras, who is one of you, a bondservant of Christ, greets you, always laboring fervently for you in prayers, that you may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.- Col 4:12
Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. James 5:16
That Christians will not grow weary or apathetic in praying for salvation for our friends, family, and countrymen. May we be encouraged that our God is always working!
And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. Gal 6:9
That Christians will make prayer a priority and -- before engaging in any service, ministry, or charitable giving -- go before the Lord in intercession for souls.
Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving - Col 4:2
"Moses was not only a standard-bearer, but an intercessor, pleading with God for success and victory. Note, When the host goes forth against the enemy earnest prayers should be made to the God of hosts for his presence with them. It is here the praying legion that proves the thundering legion." -Matthew Henry
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