We Need Intercession.

Easter weekend described our family’s vibe perfectly. Since our permanent move stateside we have been living in one long Saturday. We went to Potsdam, in July, to experience the metaphorical death and burial of our life and ministry there. Since that funeral we have been waiting and longing for the glory of a resurrection. Honestly, the transition has taken a toll on our family, especially our kids. Their notable resilience and adaptability have been overcome with sadness, hurt, and anger.

A friend’s encouraging text drove me to Exodus 17. As I closed my eyes to intrench my inner thoughts around these verses, I saw myself standing in a full body of armor while war waged around me. My breast plate heaved up and down, indicative of my gasps for breath. My right arm cast down from the weight of my sharp, heavy, battle-worn sword. My other arm rub-burned from the leather straps of my shield; evidence of a long-waged battle. My feet, covered in earth’s mud that cloaked the difference between skin and sandal. Finally, droplets of sweat and tears exposed on my face under a cast iron helmet. “You have everything you need for this battle. You lack nothing.” A heavenly voice declared over me.
 
I lingered in those verses, willing myself to be Moses. I yearned to be on the hill, with prayerful arms raised over the battle as it raged in the valley below. But I was not Moses. I was Joshua. I was in the battle.  
 
Then the Lord said to Moses, “Write an account of this victory, so that it will be remembered. Tell Joshua that I will completely destroy the Amalekites.” (v. 14)

Over the next 90 days we are asking for intercession for our family.  In every earthly battle, there is an unseen spiritual battle at work – a clash in the spiritual realm.

You are Moses. We need you on the hill, unwilling to lower your hands in prayer, until God completely destroys our enemy. The Lord tells Moses to write down how he won, so there would be no confusion as to who was in power and how the victory was gained. We too need you to tell us what you hear. We need you to write an account of this victory for us.
 
Friend, your prayers assure us: "The Lord will go before you, and the God of Israel will be your rear guard" (Isaiah 52:12 ESV). They remind us we are surrounded with songs of deliverance (Psalm 32:7). And that Jesus is "interceding" for us at the "right hand of God" (Romans 8:34 NIV).