God Chooses To Work Through Our Prayers (2.12.14)

Moses said to Joshua, ‘Choose some of our men and go out to fight the Amalekites…I will stand on top of the hill with the staff of God in my hands.’ As long as Moses held up his hands, the Israelites were winning, but whenever he lowered his hands, the Amalekites were winning - Exodus 17:9, 11

GOD sometimes teaches us in surprising ways. 

When Israel faced a serious military threat, Joshua and the army went out to fight, 

but Moses went up on a hillside to pray.

When his praying hands were up, Israel was winning.
But when they were down, the enemy was winning.

Why, we may ask, would GOD allow his people to suffer defeat
when they don't pray?

The answer is that GOD teaches his people that he chooses to move,
in response to prayer, and that sometimes He will not move without it.

Although JEHOVAH is almighty, all-wise, and fully able to work without us,
GOD chooses to work through our prayers.

He calls us into a working partnership with Him.

We co-labor with him to accomplish His purposes.
Things will happen when we pray.
These things might not happen if we don’t pray.
The Lord our God has the final word.

Father, 
I give You praise for the wisdom of Your plan 
to govern the world through the prayers of Your people. 
Thank You for this amazing privilege 
that You have entrusted to me. 
In Jesus' name,
Amen

Praise the Lord as your rock and refuge, as a shelter, as a safe dwelling place (Psalms 31:3, 20). Give thanks that you have been rescued from the dark forces in this world that would have overwhelmed your soul. Confess those times when you have paid little attention to the safety and refuge GOD offers. Commit yourself to remaining under the shadow of his protection. Ask Him to shelter you this day.

Pray that GOD will be especially close to those Christians around the world who are imprisoned or persecuted for their faith. Ask that they may sense your prayers around them like a shelter or a cloak of protection.