By Robert J. Hawkins, Jr. General World Mission Coordinator
“For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds)” (2 Cor. 10:3, 4).
We must take the down time that we have because of the coronavirus restrictions to get down on our knees and earnestly seek God! From what I see on the news and in the streets, the devil has ramped up his activity! While Satan is blatantly wreaking havoc in our cities, we must remember what one man once said, “More things are wrought by prayer than this world dreams of. Wherefore, let thy voice, rise like a fountain for me night and day.” It is time for war, and we must fight on our knees or we will be locked in eternal chains! The time is short, and the window of opportunity is closing fast. We must fall on our knees and cry out to God to obtain the power we need! Young and old!
“And when he was come into the house, his disciples asked him privately, Why could not we cast him out? And he said unto them, This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting” (Mark 9:28, 29). Nothing else will do! When we get on our knees, the enemy will tremble because he realizes the battle is no longer ours, but God Almighty’s! Young people—at times meet solely for prayer. Pray together for 30, 45, or 60 minutes until the tears, power, direction, and refreshing come down from God! And then get on your feet and be witnesses for Jesus Christ!
Author E. M. Bounds said in his book, Power Through Prayer, “What the Church needs today is not more machinery or better, not new organizations or more and novel methods, but men whom the Holy Ghost can use—men of prayer, men mighty in prayer. The Holy Ghost does not flow through methods, but through men. He does not come on machinery, but on men. He does not anoint plans, but men—men of prayer.” Bounds also said, “Talking to men for God is a great thing, but talking to God for men is greater still. He will never talk well and with real success to men for God who has not learned well how to talk to God for men.”
On March 23, 1775, an important meeting was held in St. John’s Church in Richmond, Virginia, to discuss how the American Colonies would deal with their oppressor, the British Empire. Among the 120 in attendance were two future Presidents of The United
States, George Washington and Thomas Jefferson. After several delegates had spoken on the issue, Patrick Henry, a well-respected lawyer in the area, rose from his seat in the third pew and took the floor. A Baptist minister who was watching the proceedings would later describe him as having “an unearthly fire burning in his eye.” In a speech that changed the course of history, Patrick Henry spoke:
“They tell us, sir, that we are weak; unable to cope with so formidable an adversary. But when shall we be stronger? Will it be the next week, or the next year? Will it be when we are totally disarmed, and when a British guard shall be stationed in every house? Shall we gather strength by irresolution and inaction? Shall we acquire the means of effectual resistance by lying supinely on our backs and hugging the delusive phantom of hope, until our enemies shall have bound us hand and foot? Sir, we are not weak if we make a proper use of those means which the God of nature hath placed in our power. The millions of people, armed in the holy cause of liberty, and in such a country as that which we possess, are invincible by any force which our enemy can send against us. Besides, sir, we shall not fight our battles alone. There is a just God who presides over the destinies of nations, and who will raise up friends to fight our battles for us. The battle, sir, is not to the strong alone; it is to the vigilant, the active, the brave.
…There is no retreat but in submission and slavery! Our chains are forged! Their clanking may be heard on the plains of Boston! The war is inevitable–and let it come! I repeat it, sir, let it come. It is in vain, sir, to extenuate the matter. Gentlemen may cry, Peace, Peace—but there is no peace. The war is actually begun! The next gale that sweeps from the north will bring to our ears the clash of resounding arms! Our brethren are already in the field! Why stand we here idle? What is it that gentlemen wish? What would they have? Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!”
We have no choice but to fight! The time is now, and the time is late, so let us get down on our knees and fight this war. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God….