In the midst of battle, most combatants would never think of dropping their weapons and folding their hands together. They would not want to kneel onto the ground on their knees, much less lie prostrate face down because it would put them in a position that they could not move quickly offensively or defensively. They also would never want to bow their head to the ground so that they could not see what is happening around them. The posture of prayer - folded hands, bended knees or prostrate, and bowed head - is the weakest defensive and offensive posture that a person can assume if you look at it from military theory. It is in this exact position, however, that the Christian assumes the greatest spiritual posture, offensively and defensively.
As Christians we are in a constant spiritual battle whether we realize it or not. Many times just because we are not at the front lines of the battle, we fail to remember that there is a tremendous war going on. We forget that we have an enemy who seeks to kill, destroy and disable us. We also forget that we are part of the Army of God and, therefore, He is our Commander-In-Chief. We neglect to follow His protocol and procedures laid out in the Scriptures. We fail to get our daily marching orders. Yet the war does not stop and the battles do not end because of our lack of awareness. The war constantly rages around us.
Eyes Closed - Faith Opened
Isn't it amazing that God asks us in the midst of this great war to do the exact opposite of what instinct and military theory dictate? Instinct and military theory would have us remain vigilant and always be aware of our surroundings and circumstances. It would also ensure that we were in a position to have the optimum range of vision. God, however, says that we are not to put our beliefs in what we see but, rather, we are to trust in what He says; therefore, we are not to focus on what we see around us.
The Christian has to follow God's Laws found in the Scriptures. The Bible is our military protocol handbook. It is also our policy and procedures guide. We must follow the Scriptures. They tell us that we must have faith in God. We must not look at the way things are now by using our natural eyes; we must look through our spiritual eyes with faith. This is what is means in the Bible when it says, Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. (1)
Does God really expect us to take our eyes off the battlefield? Yes, He does. He expects us to keep our eyes upon Him and not on our problems, circumstances or battles. The psalmist understood this concept and applied it to his own life. This is why he sang, The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower. (2)
The key during battle is not to worry about what the enemy is doing or how the battle is being waged. It is to keep our eyes upon God and trust Him. It is only through faith in God that we can keep our eyes upon Him during the battle. When we close our eyes in prayer, we acknowledge our faith in God regardless of our surroundings.
God - Our Weapon
The natural position of prayer is with folded hands. One hand clasping the other, not holding onto our weapons. Surely though God does not expect us to drop our weapons during the battle though. Right? Without our weapons, how can we defend ourselves?
We cannot defend ourselves against the enemy though. We are too weak against our strong adversary. It is only through God that we can conquer our enemy. As it says in Psalms 18:17, He delivered me from my strong enemy, and from them which hated me: for they were too strong for me. This is why the Scriptures tell us not to trust in our carnal weapons: For I will not trust in my bow, neither shall my sword save me. (3) As the psalmist stated more succinctly, Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the Lord our God. (4)
We have to understand that we cannot defend ourselves. We cannot defeat the devil with our own weapons. We must depend upon God and His strength. Then we can learn the lesson that life experiences taught David: But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest them: let them also that love thy name be joyful in thee. (5)
Prostrate Before God - Not Your Enemy
A warrior wants to remain on his toes. He wants to be able to move quickly in any direction. He often will remain on his toes by standing upright or by squatting. Both of these positions facilitate movement more so than other postures. If a warrior cannot respond quickly, he may not be successful offensively or defensively.
The hardest thing for a Christian to do is to lie prostrate before God. This requires the most discipline and trust. If you lay down your weapon, it is easy to pick it back up if the need arises. If you close your eyes, you can still remain somewhat alert by listening very closely and you can open your eyes very quickly if you want to do so. It is much harder to rise from a prostrate position though. You cannot react as quickly to things when you are lying prone on the floor. It is harder to grab your weapon. It is harder to see things even if your eyes are open. It is much more difficult - but not impossible. It is the truest form of faith in God.
Are you willing to lie prone on the floor? Will you voluntarily put yourself into a position that allows the least range of motion and also impairs your vision? If so, then you are certain to discover the Truth in Psalms 91:
He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust. Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence. He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler. Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day; Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday. A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee. Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked. Because thou hast made the Lord, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation; There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.
Next time you feel the battle closing in around you, remember that the position of prayer IS the most effective posture offensively and defensively.
.
As Christians we are in a constant spiritual battle whether we realize it or not. Many times just because we are not at the front lines of the battle, we fail to remember that there is a tremendous war going on. We forget that we have an enemy who seeks to kill, destroy and disable us. We also forget that we are part of the Army of God and, therefore, He is our Commander-In-Chief. We neglect to follow His protocol and procedures laid out in the Scriptures. We fail to get our daily marching orders. Yet the war does not stop and the battles do not end because of our lack of awareness. The war constantly rages around us.
Eyes Closed - Faith Opened
Isn't it amazing that God asks us in the midst of this great war to do the exact opposite of what instinct and military theory dictate? Instinct and military theory would have us remain vigilant and always be aware of our surroundings and circumstances. It would also ensure that we were in a position to have the optimum range of vision. God, however, says that we are not to put our beliefs in what we see but, rather, we are to trust in what He says; therefore, we are not to focus on what we see around us.
The Christian has to follow God's Laws found in the Scriptures. The Bible is our military protocol handbook. It is also our policy and procedures guide. We must follow the Scriptures. They tell us that we must have faith in God. We must not look at the way things are now by using our natural eyes; we must look through our spiritual eyes with faith. This is what is means in the Bible when it says, Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. (1)
Does God really expect us to take our eyes off the battlefield? Yes, He does. He expects us to keep our eyes upon Him and not on our problems, circumstances or battles. The psalmist understood this concept and applied it to his own life. This is why he sang, The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower. (2)
The key during battle is not to worry about what the enemy is doing or how the battle is being waged. It is to keep our eyes upon God and trust Him. It is only through faith in God that we can keep our eyes upon Him during the battle. When we close our eyes in prayer, we acknowledge our faith in God regardless of our surroundings.
God - Our Weapon
The natural position of prayer is with folded hands. One hand clasping the other, not holding onto our weapons. Surely though God does not expect us to drop our weapons during the battle though. Right? Without our weapons, how can we defend ourselves?
We cannot defend ourselves against the enemy though. We are too weak against our strong adversary. It is only through God that we can conquer our enemy. As it says in Psalms 18:17, He delivered me from my strong enemy, and from them which hated me: for they were too strong for me. This is why the Scriptures tell us not to trust in our carnal weapons: For I will not trust in my bow, neither shall my sword save me. (3) As the psalmist stated more succinctly, Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the Lord our God. (4)
We have to understand that we cannot defend ourselves. We cannot defeat the devil with our own weapons. We must depend upon God and His strength. Then we can learn the lesson that life experiences taught David: But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest them: let them also that love thy name be joyful in thee. (5)
Prostrate Before God - Not Your Enemy
A warrior wants to remain on his toes. He wants to be able to move quickly in any direction. He often will remain on his toes by standing upright or by squatting. Both of these positions facilitate movement more so than other postures. If a warrior cannot respond quickly, he may not be successful offensively or defensively.
The hardest thing for a Christian to do is to lie prostrate before God. This requires the most discipline and trust. If you lay down your weapon, it is easy to pick it back up if the need arises. If you close your eyes, you can still remain somewhat alert by listening very closely and you can open your eyes very quickly if you want to do so. It is much harder to rise from a prostrate position though. You cannot react as quickly to things when you are lying prone on the floor. It is harder to grab your weapon. It is harder to see things even if your eyes are open. It is much more difficult - but not impossible. It is the truest form of faith in God.
Are you willing to lie prone on the floor? Will you voluntarily put yourself into a position that allows the least range of motion and also impairs your vision? If so, then you are certain to discover the Truth in Psalms 91:
He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust. Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence. He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler. Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day; Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday. A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee. Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked. Because thou hast made the Lord, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation; There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.
Next time you feel the battle closing in around you, remember that the position of prayer IS the most effective posture offensively and defensively.
.
