Exodus 17:8 Then came Amalek, and fought with Israel in Rephidim. 9 And Moses said unto Joshua, Choose us out men, and go out, fight with Amalek: to morrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the rod of God in mine hand. 11 And it came to pass, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed: and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed. 12 But Moses hands were heavy; and they took a stone, and put it under him, and he sat thereon; and Aaron and Hur stayed up his hands, the one on the one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun. 13 And Joshua discomfited Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword.
This passage of scripture presents to us in graphic form, the winning formula that must be employed when battling our foes. After the war between the Hebrews and the Amalekites had begun, it was observed that when Moses' hands were lifted heavenward, that the Hebrews triumphed, but when on account of tiredness, his hands were let down, the enemies of Israel gained ground. And therefore it was decided that Aaron and Hur would help him to keep his hands lifted to the skies throughout the day, so that the victory God was giving them could be maintained and completed. God could have wiped out in an instant the entire Amalekite army, but if He were to do this, then we may come to the wrong conclusion that deliverance from God is something that is achieved without any input or effort on our part, and thus we can sit back on our lees while God does all the work.
Now it is true that in some instances we are commanded to "Stand still and see the salvation of the Lord", however, in the overwhelming majority of circumstances, we are required to lift our hands heavenward through prayer and watching, while God does what we cannot do for ourselves. Another very important aspect of gaining the victory, is the issue of supporting those who are praying, just as Aaron and Hur supported Moses, whose voice was lifted to God in prayer. It's important during times of peril for us to pray individually, but there are also times when only collective, corporate prayer will do. This fact was confirmed by God Himself, when His approval rested upon the Hebrews after they engaged in corporate prayer and thanksgiving. Let's read:
2nd Chronicles 5:13 It came even to pass, as the trumpeters and singers were as one, to make one sound to be heard in praising and thanking the Lord; and when they lifted up their voice with the trumpets and cymbals and instruments of musick, and praised the Lord, saying, For he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever: that then the house was filled with a cloud, even the house of the Lord; 14 So that the priests could not stand to minister by reason of the cloud: for the glory of the Lord had filled the house of God.
During the times of persecution, when the members of the newly formed Christian church were being hunted by the enemies of righteousness, Peter was taken prisoner by Herod, with the intention that he would be executed just as James was. But everyone started to pray for Peter, and God did hear and respond in a manner that signally defeated His foes. But it was important for everyone to pray. Let's read:
Acts 12:1 Now about that time Herod the king stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the church. 2 And he killed James the brother of John with the sword. 3 And because he saw it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to take Peter also. 5 Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him. 6 And when Herod would have brought him forth, the same night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains: and the keepers before the door kept the prison. 7 And, behold, the angel of the Lord came upon him, and a light shined in the prison: and he smote Peter on the side, and raised him up, saying, Arise up quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands. 8 And the angel said unto him, Gird thyself, and bind on thy sandals. And so he did. And he saith unto him, Cast thy garment about thee, and follow me. 10 When they were past the first and the second ward, they came unto the iron gate that leadeth unto the city; which opened to them of his own accord: and they went out, and passed on through one street; and forthwith the angel departed from him.
When as a body of believers we are engaged in spiritual warfare against principalities and powers, let us remember that individual prayer may not be sufficient, for it is at times like these that we need to pray collectively. We therefore end with a passage of scripture which calls us to corporate prayer, and we have the assurance that God will hear and answer according to His will. Let's read:
2nd Chronicles 20:4 And Judah gathered themselves together, to ask help of the Lord: even out of all the cities of Judah they came to seek the Lord. 6 And said, O Lord God of our fathers, art not thou God in heaven? and rulest not thou over all the kingdoms of the heathen? and in thine hand is there not power and might, so that none is able to withstand thee? 9 If, when evil cometh upon us, ....... we stand before this house, and in thy presence, .... and cry unto thee in our affliction, then thou wilt hear and help.
May these passages be a source of strength and motivation for us to pray without ceasing, so that God's good will may be done. God bless!