Our little prayer group agonizes week after week over devastation, divorce, and sometimes even death. New requests pour in; sometimes to such an extent as to overwhelm even our boldest prayer warrior.
Yesterday, as we prayed, the Father reminded us to cast all our anxiety on Him, He cares. He called us to give thanks and embrace all He allows in our lives to aid our reliance on Him. We were to be sober in spirit and on the alert because, He said, “Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:7-8).
A roaring lion. Yes, we’d heard him often in our midst. A threat of cancer, a barrage of bankruptcy, a din of depression. Indeed, we were not ignorant of his schemes.
Then the Lord reminded one of us of an obscure story in Judges. Together, we turned to read an incident in the life of an Old Testament character. “Then Samson went down to Timnah…and behold, a young lion came roaring toward him. And the Spirit of the Lord came upon him mightily, and he (Samson) tore him (the lion) as one tears a kid…When he returned later, Samson turned aside to look at the carcass of the lion, and behold, a swarm of bees and honey were in the body of the lion” (Judges 14:5-6, 8).
The story resonated into prayer.
“Oh yes, Father,” we agreed. “May Your Spirit stand face to face with the roaring lion in each of these situations — against the growl of bankruptcy, brain cancer, and court battles. Our hope is not in our own might or power, but only in Your Spirit (Zechariah 4:6). You, O Lord must deliver these precious ones before the lion of depression and disease tears their souls apart (Psalm 7:2). Obviously the evil one is lying in ambush to seize these afflicted ones and drag them away (Psalm 10:9). Come break out the fangs of these young lions, O Lord (Psalm 58:6).
The Lord continued to speak; this time to another member of our little group. “I’m reminded of an African proverb, Lord: ‘A roaring lion kills no prey’. In the savannah, the oldest and weakest lion is sent to lie in wait opposite the rest of the pride. With his eyesight dim and his teeth broken or missing, his roar is far worse than his bite. When prey comes to his scent, the old lion begins a ferocious roar, frightening the herd away from him and directly into the jaws of the awaiting lionesses.
“May we not be afraid of our adversary’s roar, but instead run toward it, knowing that the battle is not ours, but Yours (2 Chronicles 20:15). Grant us faith, as we know that ‘faith…can shut the mouths of lions‘ (Hebrews 11:33). We can glorify You knowing that when we begin singing and praising, You will set up ambushes against these roaring lions meant for harm (2 Chronicles 20:22). Hallelujah!”
“Not only do we ask You to send Your Spirit to destroy these cougars, but that You actually bring sweetness out of the midst of death. The devil has intended these experiences for evil. But You O Father can turn it for Your good (Genesis 50:20; Romans 8:28). Reverse the outcome into opportunities for comforting others who have also walked these fearful roads (2 Corinthians 1:4). May we all taste and recognize that Your Word is sweeter than honey and the drippings of the honeycomb (Psalm 19:10).
As a song of unified praise lifted from our lips, we were corporately aware that the peace of God was guarding our hearts and minds from the hostile ravage of our adversary (Philippians 4:7). He would continue to fight for us, while we kept silent, feasting on His Word (Exodus 14:14; Psalm 119:103). Our eyes were refreshed (1 Samuel 14:29) to pray another day.
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