A prayer warrior…

This one prays for a foster child leaving her family’s home to face yet another unknown. This one prays for her daughter to find a true friend who will be loyal and kind. This one prays for her husband whose health is declining and whose hope is waning. This one prays for her adult children as they seek God’s direction in addressing their child’s special needs. This one prays for her dear friend battling against anxiety and depression with all of the energy she can muster – which isn’t much.

A concerned wife prays for strength, wisdom, and peace for the love of her life as he navigates tight family finances. A godly dad prays for his son as he boards the bus on his way to basic training in the military. A teacher prays for a struggling student in her class as he heads to a house filled with conflict and possible abuse. A heartbroken brother prays for his sibling to recognize his sin and repent. A faithful mom prays for her precious child – that chains of addiction will finally be broken and fall away.

Fervent prayer to a God Who hears, sees, knows, cares, and acts in accordance with His perfect love is an incredible privilege given to the one who trusts Him. In fact, all people made in His image tend to reflexively cry out to Him in desperate times. The idea that “there are no atheists in foxholes” reveals that God has planted in every soul a recognition of our need for a Rescuer. Graciously, He provides that avenue of communication through the gift of prayer. He also gives us the responsibility and high calling to armor up as prayer warriors in light of the deep needs of others.

The nation of Israel had such an advocate in the prophet Isaiah. Isaiah’s name is translated “YAHWEH saves” or “YAHWEH is salvation.” Isaiah knew the saving power of the God of Israel, and he desperately wanted Israel to know it, too. He counseled the kings of Israel to trust the Lord rather than enter into alliances with idolatrous nations. He warned them of the consequences of their hollow religious activity void of the respect and reverential fear due a holy, sovereign God. He pleaded with them to repent and experience the grace and forgiveness of God. He spoke of hope in a Messiah that the Lord would one day send to save the remnant of faithful believers.

And he prayed to the God Whom he loved - for the erring nation that he loved. Isaiah 62 describes not only the new names God would bestow on the faithful of Israel; it also depicts Isaiah’s fervency and dedication to praying for Israel until that day would come to pass: “For Zion’s sake I will not keep silent, for Jerusalem’s sake I will not remain quiet, till her vindication shines out like the dawn, her salvation like a blazing torch…I have posted watchmen on your walls, Jerusalem; they will never be silent day or night. You who call on the Lord, give yourselves no rest, and give Him no rest till He establishes Jerusalem and makes her the praise of the earth.” (Isaiah 62:1,6)

Friend, do you have an advocate before the Lord like Isaiah? Someone who cares for you so deeply, they’ll persist in prayer day and night? Someone whose soul is restless until they see the hand of God at work on your behalf? My prayer for you is that He’ll provide someone who is obedient to 1 Chronicles 16:11 – “Look to the Lord and His strength; seek His face always.” May you have at least one prayer warrior always at the ready to drop to his or her knees, confidently bringing your needs before the throne of grace.