Why Paul wants men everywhere to pray.
Lifting our Arms up unto the Lord
11 And so it was, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed; and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed. 12 But Moses’ hands became heavy; so they took a stone and put itunder him, and he sat on it. And Aaron and Hur supported his hands, one on one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun.
As the battled raged on, one side was noticeably prevailing.
The Israelites were battling their long-standing enemy, the Amalekites, and getting the better of them. But, imperceptibly at first, then by more and more, the Amalekites began turning the tide. Nothing had changed in the ardor or demeanor of the Israelites on the battlefield.
But they began relenting.
Meanwhile, far away from the din of the battle, on a hill overlooking the struggle, were Moses, Aaron and Hur. Moses had been holding up his hands unto the Lord, but as they grew weary, he lowered them. It was at those times, when Moses grew weary in prayer, that the Amalekites would prevail. Eventually, Aaron and Hur put a stone under Moses and each held up one of Moses’ hands until the sun went down.
The result? “And Joshua defeated Amalek and his people with the sword” (Ex. 17.13).
Here is a powerful picture of prayer and spiritual warfare. Nothing changed among the Israelites or with Joshua that altered the course of the battle. But what did change were the prayers offered by Moses and then by Hur and Aaron, lifting up Moses’ arms.
The armies of the Lord prevailed when God’s people prayed and lifted up their arms.
We find ourselves called to both of these rolls, as we are to be soldiers engaged in spiritual warfare and to devote ourselves to prayer. Our propensity is to focus on being doers – to be on the battlefield fighting for the Kingdom and for righteousness.
But like the battle with Amalekites, the battles are won by God’s people lifting up their arms to the Lord.
Which is why Paul calls all men everywhere to lift up holy hands of prayer (1 Tim. 2.1-8).
Would that include you?
Ralph Lehman, Men’s Prayer Coordinator (voldawg47@gmail.com)
T. M. Moore, Principal (tmmoore@ailbe.org)
Prayer Resources for a Movement of Men at Prayer
“Men of the Church: A Solemn Call” can be downloaded for free by clicking this link. Hand this brief paper to every man you know, and urge them to join you in this movement of Men at Prayer.
Order additional copies of If Men Will Prayand begin challenging your friends to take up this daily work of seeking the Lord with greater consistency and power.
Finally, our latest resource for prayer is the book, Restore Us!It’s available at the bookstore, and is our guide and resource for enlisting you and your friends in praying daily for revival.Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
