Pray In Times Of War

When the enemy is near, what do people generally do? Well, there are a few scenarios I can think of right away. If a person can physically see a person coming to make war with their country, people would rise up and fight against them, no questions asked. Now, some may not and find a place of refuge instead, where they can hide out from the enemy. Other times, the enemy comes and people willingly accept it. This is when the devil comes with his slew of temptations, and because they look so appealing, people often give in to them. However, as Christians, we are not to do any of the above. Since we are different and the Holy Spirit is in us now, we go to God first in prayer when the enemy is near. We don’t just do what we think is best, but pay close attention to God, that we may act out under His guidance instead. Now, if we are in a war, this may be hard for some to comprehend, but did you know that God is bigger than any war? He sure is. And Hezekiah, the king of Jerusalem, along with Isaiah, the prophet, knew this. For this reason, the king said this to the people when the Assyrians were coming to war against them. He said, ¹“be strong and courageous, be not afraid nor dismayed for the king of Assyria, nor for all the multitude that is with him: for there be more with us than with him: With him is an arm of flesh; but with us is the Lord our God to help us, and to fight our battles. And the people rested themselves upon the words of Hezekiah king of Judah.” (2 Chronicles 32:7,8) Praise the Lord, that the king trust in God, and that the people also rested in what He said to them. This is exactly what they needed in times of war.

Who do you think won the battle between Jerusalem and the Assyrians? The people of God or the enemy? This is important to know, so we will read that rest of this account. It is said that the Assyrian king ¹“wrote also letters to rail on the Lord God of Israel, and to speak against him, saying, As the gods of the nations of other lands have not delivered their people out of mine hand, so shall not the God of Hezekiah deliver his people out of mine hand. Then they cried with a loud voice in the Jews’ speech unto the people of Jerusalem that were on the wall, to affright them, and to trouble them; that they might take the city. And they spake against the God of Jerusalem, as against the gods of the people of the earth, which were the work of the hands of man. And for this cause Hezekiah the king, and the prophet Isaiah the son of Amoz, prayed and cried to heaven. And the Lord sent an angel, which cut off all the mighty men of valour, and the leaders and captains in the camp of the king of Assyria. So he returned with shame of face to his own land. And when he was come into the house of his god, they that came forth of his own bowels slew him there with the sword.” (2 Chronicles 32:17-21) Wow, God is powerful. He answered their prayers and an angel of the Lord did fight the battle for them. And this is not just something that happened then. God still cares about every believer in Him now. Even his angels are here round about us, as they were of old. You just never know when they are the ones giving you the strength you need. So continue in prayer. Allow the Lord to give you the strength to fight against the enemy and not give in to his temptations.

Let us pray:
Oh Lord, I pray that more people will confide in You in prayer and lean not unto their own understanding. Too many people get into trouble because of their reliance on what they think they know. Even the desires of the flesh come ahead of seeking You. I do not wish people’s lives to be wrecked because of the wicked choices they are making, but find the strength that comes from You in prayer. I wish more people would understand the need to really pray and not just recite something during lunch, dinner, and other times in the day. Our times with You are real and when people understand this fact, they will truly cry out to You. Even all their confessions will begin to come out, as their tears stream down their faces. Nothing would be held back, for You are the God of the heavens and nothing can compare to what You can offer us. Even our trials we are facing can all be turned right-side-up again, because You are so good and can do anything for us, because of our faith. So, God, I am grateful to have You in my life. I love the opportunities I have to pray. This is when I am more at peace than anytime else in the day. I just wish that You could be with me at all times and in all places. Then, I would never be afraid. Lord, I love You. Thank You for forgiving a wretch like me. I was so undeserving of Your mercy, but You extended it to me anyways. You heard my cries and had compassion for my soul. No longer was I tormented by the enemy, but made strong in your presence. Surely, I do not fear death or any wars that may fall upon this land, for I know that You will be with me through it all. Even Your angels will fight for me because I trust in Your promises. I give You glory and praise, this day and forever. Keep me strengthened each day. Help me to never fall victim to the enemy again. I love You more than anything he offers. Amen.

Let us read the Bible:
Note: Any Numbered References, found above, are listed below.

2 Chronicles 32

¹2 Chronicles 32 (KJV)
1 After these things, and the establishment thereof, Sennacherib king of Assyria came, and entered into Judah, and encamped against the fenced cities, and thought to win them for himself.
2 And when Hezekiah saw that Sennacherib was come, and that he was purposed to fight against Jerusalem,
3 He took counsel with his princes and his mighty men to stop the waters of the fountains which were without the city: and they did help him.
4 So there was gathered much people together, who stopped all the fountains, and the brook that ran through the midst of the land, saying, Why should the kings of Assyria come, and find much water?
5 Also he strengthened himself, and built up all the wall that was broken, and raised it up to the towers, and another wall without, and repaired Millo in the city of David, and made darts and shields in abundance.
6 And he set captains of war over the people, and gathered them together to him in the street of the gate of the city, and spake comfortably to them, saying,
7 Be strong and courageous, be not afraid nor dismayed for the king of Assyria, nor for all the multitude that is with him: for there be more with us than with him:
8 With him is an arm of flesh; but with us is the Lord our God to help us, and to fight our battles. And the people rested themselves upon the words of Hezekiah king of Judah.
9 After this did Sennacherib king of Assyria send his servants to Jerusalem, (but he himself laid siege against Lachish, and all his power with him,) unto Hezekiah king of Judah, and unto all Judah that were at Jerusalem, saying,
10 Thus saith Sennacherib king of Assyria, Whereon do ye trust, that ye abide in the siege in Jerusalem?
11 Doth not Hezekiah persuade you to give over yourselves to die by famine and by thirst, saying, The Lord our God shall deliver us out of the hand of the king of Assyria?
12 Hath not the same Hezekiah taken away his high places and his altars, and commanded Judah and Jerusalem, saying, Ye shall worship before one altar, and burn incense upon it?
13 Know ye not what I and my fathers have done unto all the people of other lands? were the gods of the nations of those lands any ways able to deliver their lands out of mine hand?
14 Who was there among all the gods of those nations that my fathers utterly destroyed, that could deliver his people out of mine hand, that your God should be able to deliver you out of mine hand?
15 Now therefore let not Hezekiah deceive you, nor persuade you on this manner, neither yet believe him: for no god of any nation or kingdom was able to deliver his people out of mine hand, and out of the hand of my fathers: how much less shall your God deliver you out of mine hand?
16 And his servants spake yet more against the Lord God, and against his servant Hezekiah.
17 He wrote also letters to rail on the Lord God of Israel, and to speak against him, saying, As the gods of the nations of other lands have not delivered their people out of mine hand, so shall not the God of Hezekiah deliver his people out of mine hand.
18 Then they cried with a loud voice in the Jews’ speech unto the people of Jerusalem that were on the wall, to affright them, and to trouble them; that they might take the city.
19 And they spake against the God of Jerusalem, as against the gods of the people of the earth, which were the work of the hands of man.
20 And for this cause Hezekiah the king, and the prophet Isaiah the son of Amoz, prayed and cried to heaven.
21 And the Lord sent an angel, which cut off all the mighty men of valour, and the leaders and captains in the camp of the king of Assyria. So he returned with shame of face to his own land. And when he was come into the house of his god, they that came forth of his own bowels slew him there with the sword.
22 Thus the Lord saved Hezekiah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem from the hand of Sennacherib the king of Assyria, and from the hand of all other, and guided them on every side.
23 And many brought gifts unto the Lord to Jerusalem, and presents to Hezekiah king of Judah: so that he was magnified in the sight of all nations from thenceforth.
24 In those days Hezekiah was sick to the death, and prayed unto the Lord: and he spake unto him, and he gave him a sign.
25 But Hezekiah rendered not again according to the benefit done unto him; for his heart was lifted up: therefore there was wrath upon him, and upon Judah and Jerusalem.
26 Notwithstanding Hezekiah humbled himself for the pride of his heart, both he and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so that the wrath of the Lord came not upon them in the days of Hezekiah.
27 And Hezekiah had exceeding much riches and honour: and he made himself treasuries for silver, and for gold, and for precious stones, and for spices, and for shields, and for all manner of pleasant jewels;
28 Storehouses also for the increase of corn, and wine, and oil; and stalls for all manner of beasts, and cotes for flocks.
29 Moreover he provided him cities, and possessions of flocks and herds in abundance: for God had given him substance very much.
30 This same Hezekiah also stopped the upper watercourse of Gihon, and brought it straight down to the west side of the city of David. And Hezekiah prospered in all his works.
31 Howbeit in the business of the ambassadors of the princes of Babylon, who sent unto him to enquire of the wonder that was done in the land, God left him, to try him, that he might know all that was in his heart.
32 Now the rest of the acts of Hezekiah, and his goodness, behold, they are written in the vision of Isaiah the prophet, the son of Amoz, and in the book of the kings of Judah and Israel.
33 And Hezekiah slept with his fathers, and they buried him in the chiefest of the sepulchres of the sons of David: and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem did him honour at his death. And Manasseh his son reigned in his stead.