Do we engage in battle without weapons? Do we go out to the desert without water?
Do I go to Help in desperate pleading? Do I run to get relief only when I have exhausted my own abilities, ideas and solutions? Is it MY ways first and then I’ll try yours or His when mine don’t work?
I am talking about a weapon for the warfare; A drink for thirst. A conversation, a discussion, perhaps a debate or an argument, an exchange of ideas, thoughts and words; with Someone bigger than myself. PRAYER.
WHAT DOES PRAYER LOOK LIKE IN MY LIFE?
I was looking at my folded hands as I was in prayer last night. The clasped hands speak of agreement. I am agreeing with myself in the words and feelings that pour out. My spirit is saying YES. My mind is saying AMEN (so be it).
So the clasped hands say, “I mean these words, my whole self is together on this; Mind, will, emotions.”
Many times, my hands are not folded politely…
The path is fraught with struggle in the battlefield of my mind. There are obstacles in the road, a BIG one being my ‘self.’ She’s a big, beautiful, messy, complicated being. She thinks she has to have everything figured out, often does, and frequently gets bossy. Before prayer is even thought of, she has to have exhausted all abilities and thinks there is no solution. ‘If I can’t do it, no one can… ‘
hehehehe. “Oh! Prideful, much?”
The struggle also contains grief. I’m grieving loss and inability. The wrestling includes desperate surrender, a ‘‘giving up’. Hope and expectation are silent. I am tussling with familiar ‘friends’ of fear and worry and they move in to try to govern my emotions, which seem to fly all over the place in the midst of heated confrontation. I am muttering and whining and supposing and complaining and planning and….
THEN. GOD.
He comes. He envelopes me with deep trust. He wraps loving arms around me. He listens when I am screaming. He understands the sorrow and disappointment. He sees my tears. He feels my heartache. He shares in my joy and celebration. He sings to me and enters into confidence with me. I can’t explain the science. I can’t describe a formula. I can only say it’s a ‘knowing’ in my soul. I feel Him! I hear Him speak in my ear. I see Him move all around me. In the miraculous and the mundane… He is there.
“Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s… Take up your positions and stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you…”. 2 Chronicles 20:15
So … those clasped hands represent to me, in my praying, AGREEMENT. I agree with Father God.
His plans, His ways, His unconditional Love, become mine in that moment my hands gather together. The result? I am flooded with peace. I have supernatural wisdom. Suddenly there is clarity. Miraculously, wounded souls are healed. The lame walk. The blind see. Not MY doing. I just get to hang out and help. I am partnering with the Mighty God of the universe. The creativity that bursts forth and the things that are built speak of the Creator!!! What fun in the midst of the battle!!
I take up my instrument, my paintbrush, my pen, my weapons.
WHAT DOES PRAYER LOOK LIKE IN YOUR LIFE?
Take up YOUR weapons. Hold YOUR position. Praise, Confession, Intercession, Petition, Thanksgiving! You will be well suited to war.