By Hannah Childs

April 22, 2017

 A Nuclear Weapon for the Believer

Napoleon Bonaparte was a gifted military leader, skilled at the art of war. Time and again he won battle after battle, taking ground in his ambitious conquests. Because of his amazing success, many historians say that he was brilliant in his strategic planning.

Until he got to Russia.

It wasn’t just that terrain conditions were bad or that supplies were low. In past battles he had always emerged victorious under difficult circumstances. In this case, his defeat was from not having the essential lines of communication. For the first time in his life, Napoleon was forced to retreat. He eventually ended up losing all he had gained. His ultimate defeat emanated from a communication failure.

We too are in a battle. In the life of a believer, Prayer is the essential line of communication to successfully navigating those battles. Jesus retreated to a quiet place to pray, and taught us how to pray, and prayed for us. And we don’t have to pass our messages (prayers) through the ranks or go through formal channels, we have continual access to the commander in chief. (Woo-hoo!)

All through the Bible are stories of prayer moving the hand of God.  Abraham, the father of faith, pleads with God for the righteous that remain in a wicked city and God responds. Job pleads with God for an explanation and God comes down in a whirlwind and reveals some things to Job. Moses asks to see God’s glory, and gets to see all that he can handle. Elijah prays for fire from heaven in one instance and for rain in another, and they both come accordingly. And there are countless other stories.

We know from Chronicles that if God’s people humbly pray God will heal the land. Thursday, May 4, was the National Day of Prayer here in America. We join with our faith family in praying for revival in our land, believing God can and will send His Holy Spirit across this Nation (and the world) to bring people to Himself.

And still sometimes, in everyday life, it can be difficult to really make time for prayer. Besides all the distractions that might keep us from prayer, there’s an enemy that would like to cut off the absolutely critical line of communication between a believer and his heavenly Father. Prayer is like a nuclear bomb in the enemy camp. We know from James that the effective prayer of a righteous man accomplishes much (and the enemy knows it too). Daniel’s prayer was immediately received,  but enemy resistance kept his answer from him for a time, which can sometimes discourage believers from the discipline of praying regularly, when there doesn’t seem to be an answer to a request in a timely manner.

Founder of the Vineyard Churches, John Wimber once said he could fall asleep in any prayer position. The disciples fell asleep when they were instructed to pray. I know I have laid down at bedtime and begun to pray only to be overcome by sleep myself.  Sometimes a different time of day works better. Sometimes having a journal to write down your thoughts to help keep you focused is a useful tool.  Although we can (and often do) talk to God all day long, there’s something about setting aside time to spend time completely focused on our wonderful Lord and Savior. Our King of Kings. The One of matchless worth, to whom no one can compare. Whose Presence is Heaven. The Prince of Peace. Our Wonderful Counselor.

So let me encourage you Beloved, take time today to pray!  To just sit and be with the Lord. Keep that powerful line of communication open so you can have continued success in all your battles. He longs to be with you, and He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.

But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

Matthew 6:6 ESV

Scripture Memorization Challenge – John 15:5-14 (continued)

A couple weeks ago we were working on memorizing verses 5-8, this week we’re working​ on verses 9-14, which are as follows in the ESV:

As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love.  If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love.  These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.  This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. – John 15:9‭-‬14 ESV

I’m still working on this, but Nate has it all memorized.  How are you doing on meditating and memorizing scripture?

Looking forward to corporately worshiping together tonight, sharing words and learning from the scriptures tonight starting at 6 p.m.  God’s Presence and peace has been amazing when we come together!  I’m continuing to praise him for the healings as well! Yay, Jesus!  #Grateful!

Blessings,

Hannah Childs