Prayer Warriors

The term, "Prayer Warrior", is an often used but seldom thought about. "Prayer" & "Warrior" in the same phrase--what is that about?

When you picture the "prayer warriors" of the church we often times we think of very old, gray haired ladies draped in Victorian lace as the ones who pray. They have time to pray since they have little else to do in life. That doesn't seem very warlike or muscular as one might envision with the term, "Prayer Warrior".

Yet prayer is powerful work. Some of the first prayer warriors are found in Exodus 17:8-13.
Their's was "manly work"! (I am not being sexist--it is just that women seem to have a natural propensity to prayer where men often dismiss it because there is not much sweat or work involved or we men or just too busy. But I beg to differ.)

The first prayer warriors were men--important men--leaders--men of power and influence. They were gathered around THE LEADER, Moses, as Moses' assistant led the Israelite army against the cruel Amalekites.

As long as Moses held up the staff of God Israel would win. When his arms grew tired and he would lower the staff to rest, the Amalekites would prevail. Oh to have that staff on Iron Bowl Weekend!

The solution to this problem was to roll a stone under Moses so that he was now sitting. Then his brother and nephew would take turns holding up his arm that held the staff. At this point, the staff never dropped and Israel won the day.

That is how prayer works as well--holding the staff of God over a loved one or situation. We often grow weary from holding it up by ourselves. But others came and joined Moses in the intercession. They got smart about prayer and it worked!

Those were the first prayer warriors. The actual, bloody, sweaty warriors below could not have won if the warriors above had not prevailed. The same is true today. Others you love and pray for cannot prevail unless you war for them in the heavenlies.

There is someting powerful and muscular about prayer. It is not just for sweet, elderly Victorian women....it is for the 12 Apostles--it is for Paul and Barnabas. It is for you and me.

Blessings,
Father Scott +