How often do we find ourselves overawed by the power of prayer? I’ll be the first to confess that most of the time I pray halfheartedly, thinking God is going to do what He wants regardless of how I feel about it. And this is true. Jesus prayed that the cup of God’s wrath would pass from Him, but appended His request with, “…nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will” (Matthew 26:39). However, just because we may not get the answer we seek doesn’t mean we should water down the power of prayer. The cup did not pass from Jesus, but we find that God heard His prayers and strengthened Him to endure what was to come: “And there appeared to him an angel from heaven, strengthening him” (Luke 22:43). Yes, God’s will is always done, but far from being a footnote in His grand story, our prayers are the divine channel through which God’s power flows!
God is pleased to accomplish His will through His people — an arrangement we often don’t fully understand, but one that simultaneously humbles us while bringing God glory. Scripture illustrates this relationship between Almighty God and His human instruments in Moses’ prayer during the battle with Amalek. The Israelites had just passed through the parted waters of the Red Sea and watched as their enemies were swallowed up in a watery grave. They had witnessed plague after plague as God fought for their freedom from the Egyptians. They watched as God provided for them in the desert, turning the bitter waters sweet, delivering manna and quail, and bringing forth water from the rock. God was showing Himself faithful and gradually training the Israelites to depend upon Him, for though they didn’t know it, a fierce battle lay ahead.
God’s people were camped at Rephidim when Amalek launched an unprovoked attack against them. Moses ordered Joshua to choose men to fight against Amalek’s army while he would pray from the top of a hill overlooking the battle (Exodus 17:9). Maybe you’re wondering, Why the change in tactics? God fought for Israel against the Egyptians, surely He can miraculously defeat Amalek too? Of course God could sweep the armies of Amalek away as easily as He had Pharaoh and his chariots, but miracles often don’t produce the heart change we imagine they should. Over and over again the Israelites doubted God’s goodness (Exodus 16:3), His provision (Exodus 15:24) and even His presence with them (Exodus 17:70). We may be tempted as we read these accounts to shout in frustration, “Uh, hello?! A pillar of cloud by day and fire by night? Come on!” But all too frequently we are guilty of the same doubts. In His infinite wisdom, God has chosen to fight through us providentially as a means of growing our faith rather than impressing us with an all-you-can-eat buffet of miracles.
And so the Israelites went to battle with Joshua leading the way while Moses prayed, arms outstretched, the staff of God in his hand. The Bible tells us, “Whenever Moses held up his hand, Israel prevailed, and whenever he lowered his hand, Amalek prevailed” (Exodus 17:11). Let’s stop here for a moment. I want us to understand the gravity of this verse. The life or death of God’s people depended upon the success of Joshua’s army, and the success of Joshua’s army was inextricably linked to the prayers of Moses. But let’s take it further: The success of Joshua’s army also determined the Israelites' future as the nation from which the Messiah would be born. So, we could carefully say that the coming of Jesus Christ for the salvation of the world depended upon Moses’ perseverance in prayer at that very moment in history!
Wow. I don’t know about you but that causes me to want to pray in faith — that is, believing that God hears, God responds, and that my prayers actually matter. Now before you think I’m giving us fallible, fallen creatures too much credit here, remember that God “[declares] the end from the beginning” (Isaiah 46:10); He doesn’t leave anything to “chance.” He knew Moses would persevere in prayer and that Israel would endure before the world even existed. And though we often stumble and falter in our walk with the Lord, still He chooses to work through us to accomplish His purposes and unfold His glorious, eternal plan!
The battle against Amalek hung upon the power of prayer, but the power of Moses’ prayers also hung upon the practicality of the battle. Had Joshua and his men not fought, they would have been overcome. God wasn’t going to swing the sword for His people, but as they fought in faith He empowered them to achieve the victory. Beloved, our prayers are empty and hollow if we do not act upon them and employ the practical means which the Lord has provided! It is not “godlier” to pray and do nothing. Faith acts in partnership with God, moving forward in the strength and wisdom provided while ultimately trusting Him for the outcome.
The believer prays for a new job while sending out resumés, prays for healing while employing the use of medicine, prays for the lost while witnessing and sharing the gospel. Our actions as Christ’s followers are where the rubber of our faith meets the road of God’s divine power and preordained plan. We pray in faith and we act in faith; the two are inseparable: “So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead” (James 2:17). To say it another way, enlivened prayers are not just words; they move. Prayer is hard work. Determination. Persistence. And this is why we need others to come alongside us, supporting us when we grow weary and lifting our hands when they begin to drop, offering a place of rest that we might remain steadfast in the midst of the battle (Exodus 17:12).
The power of prayer is something to stand in awe of, my friend, and the knowledge that God uses the words we utter to influence the world in which we live should drive us to our knees in passionate, faith-filled communion with the God who parts the sea, brings water from stones, and saves souls from destruction through simple faith in Jesus Christ. Make no mistake, there are battles ahead. But the Lord is our Banner; we rally to Him! He knows the end from the beginning; He will see us through if we will but partner with Him through prayer and practical faith. His will will be done, and we can be a part of making it happen! So let’s cast off lukewarm, heartless petitions and light the fire of bold, passionate prayer — prayer that trusts God hears, God responds, and God works through us to bring about His perfect plan.