Read Exodus 17:11-16
And it came to pass, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed: and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed. But Moses’ hands were heavy; and they took a stone, and put it under him, and he sat thereon; and Aaron and Hur stayed up his hands, the one on the one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun. Exodus 17:11-12 KJV
In the valley, Joshua and the people of Israel battled with the army of Amalek. It was a physical conflict with great intensity. However, the battle would not be won or lost in the valley. Actually, there was a far more important battle being waged on the hillside where Moses was standing. His was a spiritual battle, when Moses raised his hands the battle went well for Israel, but when he lowered his hands due to weariness the battle went poorly. Our battles are far more spiritual than we realize. To experience victory it takes prayer. Because we become weary with prayer, our battles are often lost. To help us tarry longer and not be overcome with weariness, it is good to have others who bear us up as we pray. Aaron and Hur held up Moses, while Moses held up Israel in the battle. This is a value of group prayer often missed; we are to hold one another up in the battles of life.
Lord, help me remember the battles I face are not against flesh and blood but spiritual forces, and to win they must be fought in the spiritual realm through prayer. Also, help me never to forget the value of others praying for and with me that I might maintain my spiritual strength in the battles of life.
A question to ponder as you sleep: Although private, personal prayer is important, why would praying with others strengthen our prayer life?
