Prayer Warrior

What does it mean to be a prayer warrior?

I have felt compelled to write about this since last weekend, yet I am just now writing it today. There is great purpose for this. Last weekend I did not know I would get to step into Baylor’s Army ROTC battle training this week. The definition of a prayer warrior gained greater depth because of the experience.

God assured me I heard right to write about being a prayer warrior when I received a message from a former youth ministry student last Sunday night asking, “What does it mean to be a prayer warrior?” Though the message encouraged me to hurry up and get this post written, I heard a soft whisper in my soul: “Wait.”

So here I am a week later, freely sharing what I have freely received from the Lord:

Churches have called on their prayer warriors. Friends have made late-night phone calls to those in their circle of influence they would deem prayer warriors. But who are these prayer warriors? What do they look like? How do they live? What sets them apart from those who have not yet been referred to as such?

Through the years I always imagined a prayer warrior to be like Anna the prophet from Luke 2:36-37:

“Anna, a prophet, was also there in the Temple. She was the daughter of Phanuel from the tribe of Asher, and she was very old. Her husband died when they had been married only seven years. Then she never left the Temple but stayed there day and night, worshiping God with fasting and prayer.”

Anna lived most of her life inside the Temple, praying to God. Translating that to 2012, I imagine the modern-day Anna would be nestled inside the walls of a local 24-7 prayer room, surviving by the Word of God and constantly interceding for His people around the world.

I have the utmost respect for Anna and each time I read this passage I am in awe of her devotion to the Lord. However, I believe there are prayer warriors today who are not hidden in prayer rooms 24-7, but are living and breathing amongst us outside the Temple.

From another perspective, how did the word “warrior” ever get paired with prayer?

Whenever I thought of warriors I always imagined the male lead in a box office hit stepping forth on a hill, the sun shining behind him, armed and ready for war. He throws up his right arm and runs onward toward battle.

But after this week, my idea of a warrior has been forever transformed.

During Baylor’s Army ROTC battle training I realized a warrior is not alone, nor is he self-centered. Rather, a true warrior sticks to the mission as he looks death in the eye, fighting off the enemy to protect his people.

In the midst of battle, a warrior is a picture of selfless love in its truest form.

“This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you. There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” –John 15:12-13

After taking all this and more into consideration, I believe a prayer warrior has many shapes and forms. I think a prayer warrior can look like you or me, man or woman, adult or child, American or African.

I believe once you have turned to the Lord and embraced His pursuit of salvation for your soul, you are able to enlist as a prayer warrior.

One does not become a prayer warrior overnight, but through the days and nights.

As we journey forth in faithful surrender to the Lord and His purposes, we lose sight of our former selfish perspective. With every confession, every moment of silence, every repentance, and every prayer of thanksgiving – we open our hearts to the light of God.

When Christ floods us with His Holy Spirit, we become prayer warriors.

For prayer warriors are those who are daily on the frontlines of this spiritual battle we live in.

Prayer warriors share their life with those around them so they might know the needs of this world.

Prayer warriors are those who see the hurt in the eyes of the unfamiliar.

Prayer warriors can make lists of prayer needs, but they do not need them, for they cannot help but cry out for the sake of the broken souls they encounter.

Prayer warriors look not to themselves, but into the face of Christ, and in doing so – into the heart of His creation.

Prayer warriors stick to God’s mission as they look death in the eye, fighting off the enemy to protect God’s people.

Prayer warriors are necessary for change to take place.

Prayer warriors are the soldiers God chooses to use in His battle because they are no longer fighting their own.

Prayer warriors breathe hope and peace, for their lives are hidden with Christ in God.

Prayer warriors are imperfect, but they yield to the redeeming work of the Holy Spirit.

Are you training to become a prayer warrior in God’s army? Prayers are our most powerful tactic in this battle and they require the utmost sacrifice.

Dance

I went home this weekend to watch my little brother sing and play the cello in three different performances for choir and orchestra.

Sunday morning my pastor mentioned how some people are trying to perform their way into favor with God. He said these people are living a works-based salvation because they have not embraced the fact that Christ has already won God’s favor for us.

Immediately God began to fill my soul with images and whispers He developed throughout the sermon, and even into communion. After taking the elements with my family in remembrance, I touched both hands to the altar and quietly cried to God, “It is finished!”

Several influential friends and family members have spoken the same message to me throughout 2011: Don’t be so hard on yourself, Meghan.

I heard their kind words and appreciated them, but my behavior remained the same. I tried to set myself free from my habit of striving to earn favor with God, and reprimanding myself for robbing Him of His glory or causing Him displeasure.

Do you see the problem with those “solutions”? Oh, I pray you do.

My eyes have been fixed inward instead of upward through all of this. It’s not about me. My salvation was not earned, but given. I have been covered by the blood of the Lamb – that means when God looks at me, He sees my forever High Priest: Jesus Christ – on whom God’s favor lies.

I cannot earn favor with God, nor can I displease Him. It is all finished in Jesus Christ. There is freedom in the cross.

I pray I never forget these precious words the Lord whispered to my soul Sunday morning:

I’m dancing on the stage of an empty auditorium when I hear my Father say, “The show is over, Meghan. My Son has brought it to completion. I am inviting you to step off the stage and dance with me through life into eternity. I know you don’t know the steps, but you do know the rhythm. Listen to my Spirit. Let me lead you in the dance. Freedom is here. Come, dance with me.”

Endure

“Yes, and everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.” -2 Timothy 3:12

Following Christ does not guarantee safety.

Following Christ does not guarantee happiness.

Following Christ guarantees danger.

Following Christ guarantees suffering.
Following Christ guarantees persecution.
Following Christ guarantees attacks.
Following Christ guarantees a constant battle.
Following Christ guarantees struggles.
Following Christ guarantees a fight.

But following Christ also guarantees salvation.
Following Christ guarantees forgiveness.
Following Christ guarantees redemption.
Following Christ guarantees hope.
Following Christ guarantees peace.
Following Christ guarantees joy.
Following Christ guarantees purpose.
Following Christ guarantees everlasting life.
Following Christ guarantees truth.
Following Christ guarantees love.
Following Christ guarantees His strength in our weakness.
Following Christ guarantees we will never be alone.
Following Christ guarantees He will forever hold us by the hand.

Following Christ is costly, but it is the only way.

“So I am willing to endure anything if it will bring salvation and eternal glory in Christ Jesus to those God has chosen.” -2 Timothy 2:10

Am I willing?

Right Now

I have a world map hanging on the wall in my apartment next to my dining table to help remind me to actively pray for the nations. Today, while I was studying over my finance notes, I looked up at the map for just a moment, but my gaze was frozen. All of a sudden my heart beats quickened, my breaths deepened, and the tears began to rain down my face. My mind was immediately filled with images of people from every country in the world. Usually, when I pray for a country, I specifically lift up any local believers and missionaries that are present in the nation. I pray their light would shine bright in the darkness. Today was different. Today my heart broke for the dead: those who will die today who lived their whole life dead in their transgressions. Today I mourned over those who have not heard what I have heard - those who have not seen what I have seen: the Gospel of Jesus Christ. God is just. God is fair. God is sovereign. God is good. God has shown grace to me, a girl who deserves death. I pray He uses me to display His grace, rather than hide it in my heart. This is the word the Spirit led me to write in my finance notebook as I wept over the souls represented by the map of the world:


This world is dying
and I’m studying finance.
I’m reading about risk and return.
But I am not taking risks.
I am not living knowing Christ will return.
What if He came back today?
What would He find me doing?
Right now. Right this second.
I’m studying finance.
Right now. Right this second.
There are people
of all colors
of all nations
dying
never knowing the name
above all other names:
Jesus.
That all the world
will know
His name.
For all who call upon the
name of the Lord
shall be saved.
This world is dying
and I’m studying finance.

Help

Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good!
His faithful love endures forever.

Has the Lord redeemed you?

Then speak out!
Tell others He has redeemed you
from your enemies…

Some wandered in the wilderness…

“Lord, help!”

they cried in their trouble,
and He rescued them from their distress.
He led them straight to safety,
to a place where they could live.
Let them praise the Lord
for His great love and for the
wonderful things He has done for them…

Some sat in darkness and deepest gloom,

Imprisoned in iron chains of misery…

“Lord, help!”

they cried in their trouble,
and He saved them from their distress.
He led them from the darkness
and deepest gloom;
He snapped their chains.
Let them praise the Lord
for His great love and for the
wonderful things He has done for them…

Some were fools; they rebelled and

suffered for their sins…

“Lord, help!”

they cried in their trouble,
and He saved them from their distress.
He sent out His word
and healed them,
snatching them from the door of death.
Let them praise the Lord
for His great love and the
wonderful things He has done for them…

Some went off to sea in ships…

“Lord, help!”

they cried out in their trouble,
and He saved them from their distress.
He calmed the storm to a whisper
and stilled the waves.
What a blessing was that stillness
as He brought them safely into harbor!
Let them praise the Lord
for His great love and for the
wonderful things He has done for them…

The godly will see these things

and be glad…

Those who are wise

will take all this to heart;
they will see
in our history
the faithful love
of the Lord.
                        -Psalm 107

Father,

I have been selfish.

I have turned away from your commands

and turned toward my selfish ways.

I am hurting.

My heart cannot long for you

whilst longing for what you
have already given.
My mind cannot contain
your visions from heaven
along with my world-centered thoughts
and self-centered ambitions.
 
I am lost.

I cannot hear your voice

when my whole self is
working so hard to listen
to the voices around me,
specifically, the voices above me.

I am wounded.

I cannot pick up my cross

and follow you
when my hands are reaching
for what is no longer.

I am desperate.

My deepest need for you

has surfaced
after I have sought sustenance
from nearly everything
apart from you.

Lord, help!

I am crying to you
in my trouble.
Rescue me from my distress.
Let all that I am praise you
for your great love and for the
wonderful things you have done
for me.

Thank you Lord,

for you are good.
Your faithful love
endures forever.
                        -Meghan

Nothing to Lose

"For you were buried with Christ when you were baptized. And with Him you were raised to new life because you trusted the mighty power of God, who raised Christ from the dead...
You have died with Christ, and He has set you free from the spiritual powers of this world."
-Colossians 2:12, 20

Can you imagine what life would look like if we grasped that we have already died with Christ? That we have already been raised to new life by trusting in Him? That through Christ we have conquered the grave and now experience life everlasting?

I imagine we would take more risks, pray with faith beyond measure, and dream BIG for the glory of His Name.

Let's live a life worthy of the calling God has placed on us. We have nothing to lose and everything to gain.

Praying His Word becomes our reality,
Meghan

Trust

Over the past few weeks the Lord has opened my eyes to see so much revealed truth – I could write a book about it (and maybe one day I will). But for now, all He is leading me to share with you is the prayer His Spirit laid on my heart as soon as He woke me up this morning. I pray God uses this prayer to draw you nearer to Him in unhindered adoration:

Wow Father, Psalm 105 is such a powerful testimony of your sovereign will and your care in every detail of your perfect plan.

Following you in obedience is sure to come with struggles and persecution, but your hand will guide me and protect me every step of the way.

You go before me and you follow behind me.

Your Spirit is with me wherever I go.

There is no place I can escape from your presence.

There is nothing that can separate me from your love.

You send your chosen people before me to accomplish your purposes.

You will send your chosen people behind me to further fulfill your plans.

God, I was orphaned in this world, alone in my sin, and you picked me and adopted me into your family when you called me your daughter.

You have chosen me because of your grace.

So out of your grace, I ask, Father, that you will send me as one of your chosen children to fulfill a piece of your greater purposes for your glory.

I want the rest of my life to be committed to one thing: TRUSTING YOU FOR THE GLORY OF YOUR NAME.

Whether my life concludes today, or if it extends further, I ask that out of your great wealth of strength and mercy, that you will reveal to me in every moment how to exist solely to TRUST YOU FOR THE GLORY OF YOUR NAME.

God, I believe that if my every breath brings forth that belief – all else will follow.

I will worship you.

I will tell of all the things you have done.

I will pray to you with faith.

I will daily pick up my cross and follow you.

I will love you, and therefore, love the world.

I will live justly, in a right relationship with you, and therefore, spread justice through righteousness in all I do around this earth.

When others see me – they will see Jesus.

When you see me – you see Jesus.

May my every step serve to TRUST IN YOU FOR THE GLORY OF YOUR NAME, meanwhile pointing others to you.

May the face of Christ, and the definition of grace – the Cross – be written all over me and all I do, speak, sing, pray, write, think, dream, and believe.

I am your masterpiece created in you to do good works which you have prepared in advance for me to do.

I want to forever trust in you with all my heart, and lean not on my own understanding. In all I do, speak, sing, pray, write, think, dream, and believe, I want to acknowledge you – for you alone make my paths straight.

You are the way, the truth, and the life – no one can come to the Father except through your Son, Jesus.

For it is by grace I have been saved, through faith, and this is not of myself – it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast.

I was bought with a price. I am no longer my own. I am yours.

SO HERE AM I. SEND ME.

I trust you Father,

Meg