Held Up

The Power of Prayer When Facing the Enemy

After coming home from a life-changing experience in a social justice residency in Guatemala, I felt compelled to consider if my calling was more intentionally to Global missions.  As I wrestled and prayed specifically about whether or not I could/should join fellow friends and church members on a trip to a woman's home in Ghana, Africa, I sensed the Lord give me a vision of how to engage the global mission field.

The image comes from Exodus 17:9-13, which says that Moses told Joshua, "Choose some men for us and go out; fight with Amalek. Tomorrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the staff of God in my hand." So Joshua did as Moses told him and fought with Amalek, while Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill. Whenever Moses held up his hand, Israel prevailed, and whenever he lowered his hand, Amalek prevailed.  But Moses's hands grew heavy, so they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it. Aaron and Hur held up his hands, one on either side, so his hands were steady until the sun set. And Joshua defeated Amalek and his people with the sword.”

Given this image and scripture, my calling came to accompany the women going to Africa by hosting weekly prayer sessions, writing blessings for the girls in the home, and setting up a 40-day prayer chain that would start before the team left and finish as they returned home. The peace I had about my role allowed me to engage in the mission trip to Africa without physically needing to be there. As I led the women on this trip, I learned about the power of prayer and the discipline, community, and grace needed to engage the enemy on the front line.

As a follower of Jesus, I sometimes have difficulty reading the Old Testament. War and violence in light of the new covenant Jesus offers the world is challenging for me to understand. As I read this text, I wanted to focus solely on Moses, lifting his hands and the power of the physical act of praying; however, I could not ignore that this act of obedience defeated the enemy.

Names are important to me, so I looked up the meaning of Amelek.  In doing so, I learned that the word Amalekite comes from the root word Amalek, which means to engage in a painful and laborious effort while being in a state of frustration or worry while displaying deep distress.  The Israelites were fighting a people that symbolized the condition of their hearts on the journey to the promised land. It was hard, painful, and full of unknown, worry, and sorrow.

In Hebrew, the name of the enemy, Amalek, means doubt.

After Joshaua defeats Amalek, In Exodus 17:14-16, "The Lord said to Moses, "Write this as a remembrance in a book and recite it in the hearing of Joshua: I will utterly blot out the memory of Amalek from under heaven." And Moses built an altar and called it, The Lord is my banner. He said, "A hand upon the banner of the Lord! The Lord will have war with Amalek from generation to generation."

The command in the scripture above is to write and remember.  Moses takes it a step further by building an altar and calling it "The Lord is my banner," reminding us that the Lord is the source of protection for the Israelites and for us. The instruction to remember Amalek is for every believer. The proclamation to Moses from the Lord saying, I will have war with doubt from generation to generation, is our hope as we fight enemy battles of fear and anxiety, which continues to cast doubt our way, eroding our faith.

When we go into battle of any kind, we must recognize the power of prayer and action. As we consider our different roles in sharing that the Lord through Christ Jesus has defeated our enemies, allowing us to enter the promised land, we can not underestimate the power of those who hold others up in prayer. We need those with a calling to be on the ground, and those led to move to higher ground to defeat the enemy with prayer.

Through the practice of spiritual direction, over the last five years, I have had the privilege of walking alongside and holding up many women and men who serve in mission fields globally. It has been an honor and joy to see firsthand how the Lord calls people to serve in countries and places many of us would not go to. The acts of faith and grace I have witnessed as one who holds space for others in prayer encourages my faith as I wrestle with doubt and fear that daily keeps me drawing near to the Lord. Through the promise of the resurrection and aligning with Christ, prayer can bring healing and restoration to our world today.

Quiet Moment Reflection

Spend a few minutes quietly reflecting on the story in Exodus 17.  As you consider Moses holding Joshua up in prayer, where do you see yourself in this story?

What are you being encouraged to remember today as you consider the battles in your life that you have overcome in the past?

Who are you partnered with for prayer in the battle over doubt and fear?

If you would like prayer or companionship on your faith journey, please connect with us at Lifepoint. Any team member would be honored to come alongside you to listen and pray.