Chariots of Fire
We have been encouraging moms (and dads!) to complete a 30 Day Prayer Challenge to pray specifically and intentionally for our children every day for 30 days. It is our hope that this prayer challenge is a reminder of why, for Jesus followers, prayer and parenting are inextricably linked. Daily prayer is life-giving, but to successfully create a habit of daily fervent prayer, it is important to believe it will make a difference. Over a period of 30 days, in addition to suggested prayers for our children, the challenge offers 30 reasons we should make it a priority to pray every day. The following is an excerpt that is especially relevant now.
DAY 17: Because in a crisis, we need to be looking for the chariots of fire that are surely filling the surrounding hillside.
““Don’t be afraid!” Elisha told him. “For there are more on our side than on theirs!” Then Elisha prayed, “O Lord, open his eyes and let him see!” The Lord opened the young man’s eyes, and when he looked up, he saw that the hillside around Elisha was filled with horses and chariots of fire.”
2 Kings 6:16-17 NLT
The Israelites were plagued with conflict from warring nations. In one instance, the King of Aram was at war with Israel. Israel had a secret weapon in the prophet Elisha. Each time the King of Aram would plan a strategy with his officers, Elisha would warn the King of Israel of the plans. This happened so many times that the King of Aram thought he had a traitor in his midst. When he learned it was the Hebrew prophet Elisha, he sent an army to Dothan to find Elisha and seize him. He sent so many troops and chariots and horses that the entire city was surrounded.
Early the next morning, when Elisha’s young servant got up and saw this spectacle, he panicked. Elisha, however, was calm, reassuring his servant that “there are more on our side than theirs!” 2 Kings 6:16. Let’s pause here and put ourselves in the sandals of this servant. A huge army is surrounding the entire city looking for his boss, who has frustrated their king over and over again. One can hardly blame him for panicking. But Elisha prayed for his eyes to be opened, and then the servant saw that the hillside was filled with horses and chariots of fire. When I read this passage I love to sit in this scene for a few minutes, marveling at the power of our awesome God, who filled a hillside with chariots of fire to protect His man! The story gets better, too. As the Aramean army began to advance, Elisha asked God to strike them all blind and then he went out and pointed them to a different city entirely.
If you are in a tight spot, and cannot see a way out, read this story and put yourself in the story so that you get an idea of the power of God. Sometimes I am praying for others, as they are like Elisha’s servant, with eyes unopened to the power of God. And then sometimes I am praying for God to open my own eyes to His power and to keep them open and focused only on Him.
Lord, train my heart to focus on You and open my eyes to Your chariots of fire surrounding me. Give me a renewed vision of Your massive protection and provision. Teach me to fear You alone. Amen.
The complete prayer challenge, Leading From Your Knees, is available as a free ebook at www.relayexchange.com.