This is one of those rainy nights when I find myself up praying. Praying for those specific needs I know and praying by the Spirit for needs that are beyond my understanding.
First of all, I prayed for myself that I would know God’s will for my life in the day that will break in the next few hours. I prayed that I would be able to minister to you and to others I’ve not yet met.
“‘Be sure you watch. Pray all the time so that you may be able to keep from going through all these things that will happen and be able to stand before the Son of Man.’
37 Everyday Jesus taught in the house of God. At night He went to the Mount of Olives and stayed there. 38 Early in the morning all the people came to the house of God to hear Him.” Luke 21:36-38 NLV
We all face difficulties. None of us experience the troubles, defamation, and persecution that Jesus did. He is our example of a prayer warrior. Notice the verse above says he went to the Mount of Olives at night – everyone else went home but He went to the mountain top to pray. He lived what the Apostle Paul wrote.
“Never stop praying. 18 In everything give thanks. This is what God wants you to do because of Christ Jesus.” I Thessalonians 5:17-18 NLV
The role of a prayer warrior isn’t glamorous. Every follower of Christ is commissioned to it, it’s our calling.
“You must pray at all times as the Holy Spirit leads you to pray. Pray for the things that are needed. You must watch and keep on praying. Remember to pray for all Christians.” Ephesians 6:18 NLV
The Old Testament prophet Elijah was a man of prayer. He prayed and the dead were raised. He prayed and the Lord sent him to a widow woman and her son during time of drought and he saw their provisions miraculously sustained. He prayed and God held back the rain for 3 1/2 years. He prayed and God sent fire from heaven to consume a sacrifice, proving to the unbelievers that our God was the only true God. Then he prayed again and the rain returned.
These instances weren’t the work of a super saint, but they were the outpouring of God on behalf of a man, a man like us, who believed God and prayed.
“The prayer given in faith will heal the sick man, and the Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven. 16 Tell your sins to each other. And pray for each other so you may be healed. The prayer from the heart of a man right with God has much power. 17 Elijah was a man as we are. He prayed that it might not rain. It did not rain on the earth for three and one-half years. 18 Then he prayed again that it would rain. It rained much and the fields of the earth gave fruit.” James 5:15-18 NLV
Never think your prayers don’t mean much. When you are praying for others and for your own needs, much power is released.
Thank you to all who have accepted the calling of the prayer warrior!