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Unpacking Prayer. Part 3: Prayer is Warfare. 2 Chronicles 20. - Jehoshaphat is the king of Judah. - The huge armies of Ammon and Moab come up against Judah. - Jehoshaphat leads all of Judah turning to the Lord in prayer.
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Unpacking Prayer Part 3: Prayer is Warfare
2 Chronicles 20 - Jehoshaphat is the king of Judah. - The huge armies of Ammon and Moab come up against Judah. - Jehoshaphat leads all of Judah turning to the Lord in prayer. - Jahaziel the priest prophesies God’s answer, saying they are to do nothing and watch God fight the battle. - Jehoshaphat encourages the people to praise God. - Ammon and Moab attack and destroy each other. - Judah collects the spoils of the battle.
Praise is prayer and prayer is praise, and praise is the frontline of God’s warfare.
“Your kingdom come…….” Kingdom = basileia (βασιλεíα), the rule of a king, the place of a king’s authority. This prayer could be the battle cry of an advancing army.
“Your will be done…….” Will = thelema (θελήμα), what one wishes or has determined to be done, commands, precepts, choice. This prayer could be the social cry of a people who loves their leader.
Ephesians 6:10-18 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints.
The tools of our warfare(Eph. 6:10-18) Armour: ▪ the belt of truth ▪ the breastplate of righteousness ▪ the footwear of peace DEFENSIVE ▪ the shield of faith ▪ the helmet of salvation Weapons: ▪ the sword of the Spirit ▪ the prayers of the saints OFFENSIVE ▪ the diligence of the saints
We are in a battle. Praise is the best preparation… And prayer is a powerful weapon... Because the battle is the Lord’s.