Day 22: The Power of Prayer
Intention
The enemy believes in the power of prayer, and it’s about time we did too.
Scripture
“Now the king of Aram was at war with Israel. After conferring with his officers, he said, “I will set up my camp in such and such a place.” The man of God sent word to the king of Israel: “Beware of passing that place, because the Arameans are going down there.” So the king of Israel checked on the place indicated by the man of God. Time and again Elisha warned the king, so that he was on his guard in such places.
This enraged the king of Aram. He summoned his officers and demanded of them, “Tell me! Which of us is on the side of the king of Israel?” “None of us, my lord the king,” said one of his officers, “but Elisha, the prophet who is in Israel, tells the king of Israel the very words you speak in your bedroom.” “Go, find out where he is,” the king ordered, “so I can send men and capture him.” The report came back: “He is in Dothan.” Then he sent horses and chariots and a strong force there. They went by night and surrounded the city.”
—2 Kings 6:8-15
Reflection
The King of Aram—a great enemy against God’s chosen people—had made plans to attack and ultimately destroy Israel, but he could not have foreseen the trouble he would face in executing his agenda.
Time after time, his plans were foiled and undermined to the point where he thought there was a ‘leak’ in his administration. But the enemy’s plans were not undermined because of a leak in his administration—this was not some ‘Wikileaks’ saga.
No, the enemy’s plans were undermined by the prayers of a ‘man in Dothan’. In Dothan, the prophet Elisha was fighting the battle in prayer before it could be fought on foot.
Although the enemy had thousands of men on their feet for war, God had one man on his knees in prayer. In prayer, Elisha the prophet was told of the ‘very words the enemy spoke in his bedroom’. In prayer, Elisha stayed one step ahead of the enemy.
In fact, the enemy became so convinced of the power of Elisha’s prayer life that he sent his entire army to stop one man praying. Why? Because the enemy was convinced of the power of prayer. The enemy knew that one man on his knees was more powerful than a thousand on their feet.
Why do we find ourselves bombarded with army of distractions every time we go to pray? Why does it feel like everything works against us when we seek God in prayer? It feels that way, because it is that way. The enemy knows the power of our prayers.
It’s about time that we did too.
Prayer
Father, I pray today that You would awaken a powerful revelation in Your people of the true power of their prayers. I pray that You raise up a generation of believers, sure of their authority, convicted of the source of their power and steadfast in prayer. Open our eyes to see there are more with us than against us, and that the battle truly belongs to the Lord. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
31 Days Prayer Points
1. Pray for five people and share the Good News of Jesus with them.
2. Pray that God would use His people to reach one billion people this May.
3. Pray for an end to the coronavirus pandemic, both in Australia and globally.
Sam Long is the Lead Pastor of Nova Church in Adelaide. He is also serving as the Director of Youth Alive South Australia, a Christian youth movement reaching across the body of Christ.
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