Warriors for the Faith, Series 2, Lesson 1: A Warrior on Their Knees

Authorized Sword Ministries

Audio narrated with an AI voice. Read along below.

Hello, friend. Welcome to Authorized Sword Ministries.

We're so glad you're here.

Where We Left Off

In Series One we learned to stand in the Lord's armour, to have courage under fire, to know our weapon, and to lead by example. Those four lessons are for men and women alike, and so is what comes next.

Today we begin Series Two, The Warrior's Walk. These four lessons look at the inner life of a warrior for the faith: prayer, a clean heart, fasting, and forgiveness. Today is Lesson One. It's called "A Warrior on Their Knees."

Our Key Verse

When Paul finished listing the armour of God, he did not stop at the sword. He kept going:

"Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;"
— Ephesians 6:18 (KJV)

A soldier can have every piece of gear and still lose the fight if he never calls in. Prayer is how a warrior stays in communication with the Captain.

Jesus Prayed

If anyone could have walked through life without prayer, it would have been the Lord Jesus. He is the Son of God. And yet the Gospels show Him praying again and again.

"And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed."
— Mark 1:35 (KJV)

"And it came to pass in those days, that he went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God."
— Luke 6:12 (KJV)

The night before He chose His twelve disciples, He prayed all night. Before the cross, He fell on His face in the garden:

"And he went a little farther, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt."
— Matthew 26:39 (KJV)

The writer of Hebrews says He offered up "prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears" (Hebrews 5:7). As an application, if our Lord prayed with tears, we are not weak when we do the same.

Hannah Poured Out Her Soul

Prayer is not only for quiet mornings. Sometimes it comes from a hurting heart. Hannah wanted a child, and her grief was heavy. She did not hide it from God.

"And she was in bitterness of soul, and prayed unto the LORD, and wept sore."
— 1 Samuel 1:10 (KJV)

When the priest thought she was drunk, she told him the truth:

"And Hannah answered and said, No, my lord, I am a woman of a sorrowful spirit: I have drunken neither wine nor strong drink, but have poured out my soul before the LORD."
— 1 Samuel 1:15 (KJV)

The Lord heard her. He gave her Samuel, and she gave that boy back to the Lord. The psalmist invites every one of us to pray the same way:

"Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. Selah."
— Psalm 62:8 (KJV)

Men and women both are called to pour out their hearts. God is a refuge for us.

The Church Prayed, and God Answered

In the book of Acts, Herod put Peter in prison, and it looked like the end. But the church did not fold her hands.

"Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him."
— Acts 12:5 (KJV)

God sent an angel, the iron gate opened, and Peter walked free. The people inside were still praying when he knocked at the door. God hears the prayers of His people, even when the situation looks shut tight.

"The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much."
— James 5:16 (KJV)

Pray, and Don't Faint

Jesus told a parable for one simple reason:

"And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;"
— Luke 18:1 (KJV)

"Men" here is people — every believer. Paul said it in four words:

"Pray without ceasing."
— 1 Thessalonians 5:17 (KJV)

That does not mean we never do anything else. It means we live in a spirit of prayer. We keep the line open. We bring the worry, the decision, the temptation, and the person we love, and we leave them with the Lord:

"Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."
— Philippians 4:6-7 (KJV)

"Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need."
— Hebrews 4:16 (KJV)

You do not have to wait until you feel strong. You come boldly, because Jesus has opened the way.

Closing Thought

A warrior for the faith stands in the Lord's armour, and then gets on their knees. Prayer is not the extra. It is how we fight. Next time, in Lesson Two, we'll talk about keeping a clean vessel, meet for the Master's use.

Let Us Pray

Father, teach us to pray and not to faint. Help us pour out our hearts before You, and to come boldly to the throne of grace. Keep us in communication with You every day. In Jesus' name, amen.

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