Accountability
Were you successful in spending time each day in prayer and in His Word this week?
Did you sense in your times with the Lord that God was making you prepared for what the day would bring?
Can you say that God was your #1 passion and pursuit this week?
Sermon Recap
This week the story was told out of Exodus 17, about the time when the Amalekites attacked Israel. If you remember the story, Moses sent Joshua to lead the warriors of Israel into battle against the Amalekites, while he climbed up the tallest surrounding hill to pray and watch the battle. Moses took with him two other men, Aaron and Hur. During the battle Moses discovered something profound. He discovered that when he lifted his hands in worship and prayer the Israelites seemed to be taking care of business. It was obvious that they were winning the battle. But when Moses relaxed, put his arms down, and stopped praying, the battle seemed to turn in the Amalekites favor. What Moses discovered was you fight battles with swords, but you win battles with prayer. As Moses lifted his staff and hands above his head in prayer, the battle would decisively turn. Aaron and Hur even had to come alongside to support Moses and keep his arms up when he became weak. Everybody needs Aaron’s and Hur’s, but that is another message all its own.
How do you respond when a battle comes your way, that you weren’t expecting to fight? The common response of most people and unfortunately most Christ followers today when we face battles and challenges outside our control is worry, anxiousness, dread, crippling concern, and we react to those emotions with panic. What God is trying to teach us is don’t panic, PRAY! God provided everything Israel needed to survive in that wilderness. He provided food in the form of manna and quail, he provided water from the rock and He would provide victory in every battle as long as Israel always turned to God and relied on Him and prayed!
When the armies of circumstance and challenge come against us and it seems like all hope is lost, it’s not! We have God on our side, the Creator of the heavens and earth. Not only do we have God, but He has given us direct access to Him through prayer!
Key Scripture
Read through these passages together:
Exodus 17:8-16 (Story of the Battle with the Amalekites)
Psalm 121:1-2
Psalm 27:1
Psalm 28:7
Psalm 34:1-8
Discussion Questions
Discuss together, pushing yourself toward transparency. The more we are authentic and humble with one another, the more we can grow in Christ.
How have you reacted in the past when faced with unexpected battles?
What are some battles you are facing right now, that you need to change your strategy to the strategy God gave us to fight our battles - PRAYER?
It’s important to remember that when we fight our battles, we don’t fight from a place of defeat, we fight from a place of Victory. God can do anything and already has the victory. When we lift our hands in prayer over our battles God will move as we stay consistent in our prayer and dependence on Him! Have you been fighting from a place of victory and dependence on God? Tell us how?
Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father, whenever I face trials, challenges, and battles of any kind, please remind me that my strength to overcome comes from you and through prayer. Remind me often of your presence in my life throughout each day. Remind me that you are always with me and that I face nothing alone. I declare the truth today that you are the Way the Truth, and the Life. I declare that you hear my prayers and are always for me! I declare that I can overcome anything through the blood of the Lamb. I declare that I already have the victory in Christ and through Christ who loves me and gives me strength. Amen!
Life Application
This week don’t panic or worry about anything. Instead whenever those feelings try to surface simply take the situation to God in prayer. Pray, listen, and put your full confidence in the Lord!
Pray for someone else you know who is facing a battle. Pray what you are learning in this lesson over them. Even write them a note with some scriptures attached, encouraging them with God’s truth, reminding them that they are not alone and already have the victory in Christ.
Pray about who you are going to invite to Easter Services. This invite could change someone's life forever when they encounter the presence of God.
Don’t Forget!
Spend an hour in prayer each day
Additional Resources
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