Going to Battle Prayer... Part 2

Dear Jesus - Please open grant us effectiveness as we work with You to reclaim our loved ones, friends and colleagues...

Yesterday, in Part 1 of this mini-series, we looked at the power available to us through God's Word to reclaim those we love.  I have to say - since I've learned about this, I've had to start asking for more patience.  It has become increasingly difficult to listen to generic prayers!  Have you seen 5 year-old boys who happen upon toy swords?  Those boys immediately know what to do.  They pick them up, aim, WHACK!  No hesitation.

Let's say I'm at a church prayer meeting and someone requests prayer for a loved one.  Then the individual praying says:  Dear Jesus - please save so-and-so.  And in my head I go nuts.  I want to shout - YA GOT A SPAGHETTI NOODLE YOU'RE WAIVING AROUND THERE!  PICK UP YOUR SWORD - GO AFTER YOUR TARGET!

So - uh - pray for me?  (Really, could my need for your prayers be any clearer?!)
The Word of God is POWER!  So let's look at just a few more ways to use the Bible to power up our prayers!

I love this first verse - it gives us courage when we are praying by reminding us the very reason Jesus came to this earth was to deliver humans trapped by the devil and the fear of the 2nd death.  Let's face it - the only reason to fear death is because there is no confidence of what happens once you die.  The believer, through faith in Jesus - is not trapped by this.

Hebrews 2:14-15 (KJV)
Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.
Arguably one of the most powerful verses to pray - believing in faith - God WILL give life to those who commit sin!

1 John 5:16 (NASB)
If anyone sees his brother committing a sin not leading to death, he shall ask and God will for him give life to those who commit sin not leading to death. There is a sin leading to death; I do not say that he should make request for this.
Sometimes, the prayer journey is long and dry.  There seem to be no evidences of movement.  Particularly sweet during these times is the verse below:

Jeremiah 31:16-17 (NASB)

Thus says the LORD, 

“Restrain your voice from weeping 

And your eyes from tears; 

For your work will be rewarded,” declares the LORD, 

“And they will return from the land of the enemy.

“There is hope for your future,” declares the LORD, 

“And your children will return to their own territory

Beautiful glimpse into the character and heart of God!  God is rewarder!  There is so much we could say here - we could point out the verse where God says even the animal is worthy of his feed.  God rewards!  Satan has so corrupted this world, the age, society - that sometimes we buy into his lies just a little and begin to think our prayers are not worth anything.  At those times, let us boldly return to the Word!  God IS a rewarder!

Which brings us to this beautiful pair of verses in Hebrews...

Hebrews 11:1,6 (NASB)

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.

And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.

Let us pray with faith, in hope in the knowledge that our God sees, He hears, He rewards and He will act!

Thank You Jesus that You long to move on the hearts of the humans You created and You involve us in the process...