Thoughts for Life: #4 Does God Need Our Prayers?

~ Alvin Vandergriend- God sometimes teaches us in surprising ways. When Israel faced a serious military threat, Joshua and the army went out to fight, but Moses went up on a hillside to pray. When his praying hands were up, Israel was winning. But when they were down, the enemy was winning.

Why, we may ask, would God allow His people to suffer defeat when there was no prayer? The answer is that God was teaching His people that He chooses to move in response to prayer and that He will not move without it. (Google image, Moses lifting his hands in prayer)

Though He is almighty, all-wise, and fully able to work without us, God chooses to work through our prayers. He calls us into a working partnership. We co-labor with Him to accomplish His purposes. Things happen when we pray that won't happen if we don't pray.

When God first taught me this important principle of prayer, it had a simple but pointed application for me. It was as if God said,

"Alvin, when your children go to school each morning, they are heading into battle. If you as a parent keep your hands uplifted, they will be winning. But, if your praying hands come down. they will be losing." I have never forgotten that lesson.

Since that time I have come to see that as church leaders and faithful Christians "lift up holy hands in prayer" (1 Timothy 2:8), the church grows strong and is able to break down the gates of hell. When believers in neighborhoods and workplaces life up praying hands over those around them, the powers of darkness are pushed back.

The most common testimony of Lighthouse* keepers as they pray over neighborhoods is that of transformation. They speak of crack houses closing, crime rates falling, marriages being restored, families coming back together, and people being converted.

What's happening as God's people pray over their neighborhoods is the same thing that happened as Moses prayed over the battlefield. The forces of evil go into retreat.

What we need most for solving the problems in our society is not more money, more education, more ideas, books, or strategies. Our prime need is hands lifted up in prayer. "We can accomplish far more by our prayers than by our work. Prayer . . . can do anything God can do! When we pray, God works" (The Kneeling Christian).

Where are your hands right now?

*A Lighthouse, as referred to in this devotional, is a person, family, or small group that commits to praying for, caring for, and sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ with their neighbors, co-workers, friends, or family members.

(Love to Pray- 40 Day Devotional for Deepening Your Prayer Life by Alvin Vandergriend)

Let's pray-

Father, make us aware of those who are winning against the powers of darkness because of our prayers. Reveal places where it appears as though they're losing due to our lack of prayer.

Show us how we can make a difference by faithfully praying for those on our street, at our workplace, and for those in our churches, to make a difference through our prayers. Please help us understand why it is so important to You that we pray in answer to Your urgings.

May we respond with gratefulness that You're even choosing us to help you bring about the changes that are needed. Make us see that our family members, friends, neighbors and coworkers need our prayer support!

We pray this in the Mighty name of Jesus. Amen.

Today's Bible verses-

Exodus 17:9, 11 "Moses said to Joshua, "Choose some of our men and go out to fight the Amalekites . . . I will stand on top of the hill with the staff of God in my hands". . . As long as Moses help up his hands, the Israelites were winning, but whenever he lowered his hands, the Amalekites were winning." (To read the full story, read Exodus 17:8-16.)

Colossians 3:23-24 “And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ.”

Eph. 6:16-18 (NKJV) "Above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. (v. 17) And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; (v. 18) praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints."

Quote for today-

~ Ken Ebright- "Although I can’t afford a fancy diner or the finer things of life, I can help support a missionary in a foreign country who will bring eternal life to the lost. We need to value the things of Jesus with our money and build our treasure in heaven. Let God help you re-evaluate what you are spending your money on."

Words of wisdom-

~ The Word of the Lord God is true, and all His works can be depended on. He is ready, willing and Able to save and sanctify all those who come to Him. Our part is to continue to live lives that are examples of grace that’s working to change us into Christ’s likeness.

Today's question-

Will Christ find faith when He comes?

Jesus looked for faith when He first came, finding it only in those who accepted His teaching, not in the religious leaders. Our question today is about our faith, and what it is we put our faith in.

Do we have complete faith and trust in the Savior, Who gave His life for us, suffering the punishment we deserve for our sinfulness? What Jesus accomplished on Calvary on our behalf, has proven to be what we needed for salvation, peace and provision for any and all of our needs.

We tend to believe our doubts, and doubt what it is we believe. Let's examine what we believe, and not be like Peter, who looked at the dangerous sea he was walking on, as he was going to Jesus at His invitation. The Lord took hold of him and they walked the rest of the way on top of the water to get into the boat with the other disciples.

Our battle is to keep our eyes on Jesus, the One who can walk us through any situation, problem or need, not allowing doubt to have influence on our faith in Him.

He wants to demonstrate the Father's power in and through us as believers. We can get through what confronts us, even though our faith at times may be only as small as the size of a grain of mustard seed.

God will give us what we need, as He always has for those who trust in Him. Today, may we find that He is enough to help us "walk on our waters." When Jesus comes again, will He find our faith strong, having made us ready to meet Him face to face? Let's not hear Him say to anyone of us, "Oh ye, of little faith, why did you doubt that I could be enough for your every need?"