Day 2: That we may see
And Elisha prayed, “Open his eyes, Lord, so that he may see.” Then the Lord opened the servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha (2 Kings 6:17).
Holy Father, Sovereign Lord, to You belong all the armies of heaven (Revelation 19:14). Yours, Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is Yours. Yours, Lord, is the kingdom; You are exalted as head over all (1 Chronicles 29:11).
You have promised, Lord Jesus Christ, that You will build Your church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it (Matthew 16:18). We cling to that promise in these perilous times when Your church is assaulted within and without by all the gates of Hades can unleash against it.
O God, give us the fortitude to face the campaigns mounted against us on every side:
Against our families—deliver them, Lord! Our children—our generations, are beset and besieged by violence and evil all around—subtle and overt. They are babes in the woods of treachery and deception, confusion and chaos. Rescue them from darkness and despair.
Against our leaders—help them Lord! Our pastors and shepherds, our stewards and overseers are waylaid and harassed, tempted and tried, seduced and enticed by all manner of evil. They are burdened and weary, lukewarm and listless, depleted and defeated. O rescue them, merciful Father. Restore and renew, strengthen and secure.
Against the body of believers—defend them Lord! We are sore oppressed; we are by schisms rent asunder, by heresies distressed.[i] But You, O Lord, remain our firm foundation, the Rock on which we have been built—by Your own hands. Surround us, Lord, be our shield and defense.
Against our communities—save them Lord! Our colleagues and friends, neighbors and circles are unnerved by crime, wearied by unrest, racked by anxiety, paralyzed by panic. They are hopeless and fearful, troubled and distressed. Show them, O Father, Your light and Your truth, Your peace and Your purpose.
O Lord, You have told Your church to watch and pray. Help us to pray unceasingly above the noise, the din, and the clamor. Silence the taunts of the enemy with the reminder that we come in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of heaven—the One that the enemy of Your people has dared defy (1 Samuel 17:45).
Give us courage. Give us focus. Let us hear Your voice of command as You assure us, “Don’t be afraid. Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” The armies of the Living God are all around us. Open our eyes that we may see (2 Kings 6:16-17).
[i] The Church Has One Foundation ~ Samuel J. Stone ~ Published 1866
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