If we really want to overcome our worries and burdens, we need to become warriors.
That’s right!
Not worriers BUT warriors.
We have to believe in God.
We have to believe that God is for us and not against us.
We have to believe that in God, all things are possible.
In essence, we have to trust in an unseen God, whom the world so often disregards, but whom we know in our heart is mighty and awesome and willing to work a wonder in your life.
And …. we need to be prepared to go to war – with God riding out before us, and forging our way.
Our weapons will be prayer and praise and fasting!
Prayer is your direct line to God. What a privilege we have that we can speak directly to the creator of the whole universe.
And He hears us.
And He loves us.
If you go to God in prayer about something, you need to trust whole-heartedly that God is at work, even if you cannot see anything happening. You need to trust that God has heard your prayers and you need to rest in that.
You need to take you position in confidence, trusting that He will make a way – no matter what the circumstances.
Praise and worship may seem like a meek action for warfare but it is quite the opposite. It is extremely powerful and highly effective.
The definition of meek is not ‘weak’ but rather ‘strength under control’
That is what worship is all about.
Praising God in all circumstances, because you know that ultimately, He is in control.
Here is an incredible account of an army that never even got to battle. Because of the praises of the people, the battle had already been won. Powerful!
2 Chronicles 20:20-24 (NLT)
Early the next morning the army of Judah went out into the wilderness of Tekoa. On the way Jehoshaphat stopped and said, “Listen to me, all you people of Judah and Jerusalem! Believe in the Lord your God, and you will be able to stand firm. Believe in his prophets, and you will succeed.”
After consulting the people, the king appointed singers to walk ahead of the army, singing to the Lord and praising him for his holy splendor. This is what they sang:
“Give thanks to the Lord; his faithful love endures forever!”
At the very moment they began to sing and give praise, the Lord caused the armies of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir to start fighting among themselves. The armies of Moab and Ammon turned against their allies from Mount Seir and killed every one of them. After they had destroyed the army of Seir, they began attacking each other. So when the army of Judah arrived at the lookout point in the wilderness, all they saw were dead bodies lying on the ground as far as they could see. Not a single one of the enemy had escaped.
Fasting helps us to clear our minds and prepare us for warfare.
It helps us to dial in. To put aside all those daily distractions and focus on God and His awesomeness.
Fasting isn’t about bargaining with God. It’s about saying “Lord, here I am, vulnerable before you, my father, and imploring you to intervene.”
Ezra 8:23 (NLT)
23 So we fasted and earnestly prayed that our God would take care of us, and he heard our prayer.
Worship, Fast and Pray. And then trust for the day, when the work is done and the battle is won.
1 Chronicles 16:34
Give thanks to the Lord for He is good; his faithful love endures forever!