1 Thessalonians 5:17 “Pray without ceasing.”

(Some believe, if all the Christians would be praying…..each in their part of the world……that all the world would be covered in prayer.

Wouldn’t that be a wonderful thing for the strengthening of our faith!)

We are all called to prayer….

…..some as prayer warriors: fighting on their knees for the Lord’s Will done in His people….specifically.

But most to pray for themselves, their family, their church and for the church around the world.

These are basic prayers for the furtherance of the gospel…for souls to be saved, and then made disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ.

…for specific battles for friends and church fellowship.

…and against the enemies around the world which would destroy the faith of believers.

To be faithful in prayer is one of the hardest things…..for the devil would always give us something to do….when we should be praying.

“Doing” is easier than praying….even though the battle be hot, we can at least see we are doing something.

But prayer, is unseen….often unappreciated. We are not sure if it is doing anything! Especially when our prayers are not answered….quickly.

An example:

Exodus 17:8 “Then came Amalek, and fought with Israel in Rephidim.”

God had just given water from the rock for the supply of Israel.

Water was so precious in the desert, that when it was discovered, then usually there would be a fight over who could have it.

This is what happened here.

I want to mention that this is the first battle Israel has had to fight! God has delivered them without a battle so far,….

….but as with all of us, there comes a time when we must stand for what God has given us.

So Israel is called to do here.

Exodus 17:9 “And Moses said unto Joshua, Choose us out men, and go out, fight with Amalek: tomorrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the rod of God in mine hand.”

“Choose us out men”…..all Israel was to be represented, even though not all would fight. They would be under Joshua as their leader, and fight.

This they would do….

…..and we should be ready also, to stand and fight with the Lord in the battles that come to us.

“I will stand on the top of the hill with the rod of God in mine hand”….Moses would take the same rod God told him to use in delivering Israel from Egypt….

….and lift it up before the Lord in prayer…..

….and we should also be ready to wait before the Lord, in prayer, lifting up the promises the Lord has given us….that the victory we need, might be given.

Exodus 17:11-12. “And it came to pass, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed: and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed.

But Moses hands were heavy; and they took a stone, and put it under him, and he sat thereon; and Aaron and Hur stayed up his hands, the one on the one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun.”

Notice, it is not Moses standing, or standing alone…..that brought victory, but the lifting up of the rod, in his hands.

It was what God ordained and promised to use…..not the strength of Moses…(or us, either.)

But God’s Word and promises….lifted up to Him that make the victory

This battle was was from sun up to sun down…..Not something of a few moments.

Both men felt the weight of the battle….each in his place…..as they needed to be.

Without Moses lifting up his rod,….the battle would not have been won.

Without Joshua and the sword, the battle would not have been won.

The Amalek’s may have been more concerned with the men fighting in the field….but God, from the first battle….ordained the means of prayer.

What we are considering is to “Pray without ceasing”.

To do our duty where the Lord’s battle is concerned….and pray….that victory may be ours.

To be in an attitude of prayer…all the time.

To easily come before the throne of grace, because we are seeking the Lord’s Will….all the time.