by Rev. Thomas E. Steele W e would think it rather strange today if in a military battle the commander in chief were to send the choir of a local church out to meet a fully equipped and highv trained ene my with nothing in their hands and no weapons of any kind, having instructed them to sing as they went to meet the foe. Yet this is exactly what happened in Jehoshaphat’s day. The story is re corded in II Chronicles, chapter 20 and teaches such a striking lesson concern ing prayer, that I would like to devote this month’s PRAYER message to a consideration of this passage of Scrip ture. It might be helpful if you have your Bible open to the text so that you can follow very carefully as we point out certain important spiritual lessons. The text again, II Chronicles, chapter 20 . In order to help us better under stand this important passage, I shall divide it into five sections. First, the PROBLEMr Notice verses one and two. “It came to pass that after this also that the children of Moab, and the children of Ammon, and with them other besides the Ammonites came against Jehoshaphat to battle.” Israel’s old nemesis Moab, and Ammon had gathered themselves together with highly trained and equipped armies— the capture of Judah as their goal. Permit me to pause here just long enough to point out that this story very definitely parallels the Christian’s situ ation today. Our ad' ^rsary, the Devil, we are told, “goeth aoout as a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour”
(I Peter 5:8). That we are opposed by a very powerful enemy with a host of fallen angels assisting him in his dia bolical work is also indicated many times over in the Word of God. But "Willing to Pray?" Sometimes I have so much to do I think it must be done. I'll work so very, very hard From morn till set of sun. But here is something I have found: This really doesn't pay, I always found I've weaker grown If I have failed to pray. Sometimes 'twas something for myself, Sometimes It was for God, Sometimes it was for other folk That many steps I trod. But 'tis no matter who 'twas for, I truthfully must say, My faith and trust had smaller grown Because I failed to pray. So I am trying hard to learn That nothing's really great If It must take my praying time, So praying has to wait. It's praying makes me fit to work: It is my staff and stay, And work will never be my best. If I have failed to pray. note the third verse of our text . . . “and Jehoshaphat feared, and set him self to seek the Lord, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah.” Consider with me secondly, the PRAYER. Jehoshaphat knew the help- (continued on next page) 9
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