A Call to Prayer
Christmas is just around the corner. Songs of joy and cheerfulness fill the air. Children, young and old are being extra nice. I can smell the aroma of fresh baked cookies. The multi-colored lights, the evergreen trees decorate our homes. Yes, Christmas is just two days away. And, there is joy in the air. Or at least we think there is joy.
Christmas is just around the corner. Songs of joy and cheerfulness fill the air. Children, young and old are being extra nice. I can smell the aroma of fresh baked cookies. The multi-colored lights, the evergreen trees decorate our homes. Yes, Christmas is just two days away. And, there is joy in the air. Or at least we think there is joy.
The month of December has been filled with pain, hurt, darkness and many, many tears. There are stories of marital discord and talk of separation; some have heard the painful news about their health; others have experienced near death and life changing moments, not once but twice. Depression and suicide—aspects of poor mental health—are evident in some, while others cover it up. A community is rocked by the multiple murders that happened at a mall, while others seek to end the violence that happens every day in their community. Domestic abuse increases along with drunk driving. A family struggles with addiction; another struggles with losing a job at Christmas.
These are just of few of the places where pain, hurt, darkness and tears have entered into the lives of people you know— or perhaps even yourself. As I sat at my desk this week, giving praises to God that my daughters were not seriously injured in a car – train wreck, I know of many who are hurting and are in need of prayer. I asked myself, “How can The Church help?”
When the Israelites escaped from their oppressors in Egypt, they continued their journey under the guidance of Moses towards Canaan. At Rephidim the Amalekites suddenly and unexpectedly attacked them. (Sounds familiar...the pain of life.)
However, the victory did not depend merely on Joshua and his weapons. Rather, it depended on prayer. Moses had taken up his position on the hillside overlooking the battlefield, where his only weapon was prayer. Here, Moses was totally dependent upon God alone to win the battle. He was holding his staff. By holding it up to heaven, Moses was appealing for God to defend his people.
As he watched the battle, Moses saw firsthand the importance of his gesture of prayer. When he raised his staff and prayed, Israel had the better in the fight. But when he lowered his staff, the Amalekites gained the upper hand. In desperation, Moses lifted his staff even higher, appealing to God for victory. But soon his arms grew tired. When he could not hold his arms up by himself, two men, one on each side, held up his arms.
In the same way, our spiritual battles against the world, the flesh, and the devil are won and lost through the weight of our prayer. If we do not pray, we start losing the battle. We can arm ourselves with truth, righteousness, and faith. But if we do not ask God to assist us, we will not be able to make our stand. We will be dragged down into doubt and discouragement.
Therefore, on Sunday, January 6th we will gather to have a Service of Prayer, Healing and Anointing at 5:00 p.m. Please save the date, circle your calendar, watch for more information. Invite others, come yourself, come to pray for yourself, come to pray for others. Come!!
Connected and Strengthened through our prayer,
Pastor William
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