Attention, Prayer Warriors!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As we touchdown from our final descent into the spiritual battlefield, we’re shifting gears from training to deployment. Having learned the priority of prayer, assembled our prayer squad, and trained with the Nick Fury of prayer, we’re not just here for a leisurely stroll in the park. We’re here for a search and rescue mission, and the stakes couldn’t be higher:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n19<\/sup>My dear brothers and sisters, if someone among you wanders away from the truth and is brought back, 20<\/sup>you can be sure that whoever brings the sinner back from wandering will save that person from death and bring about the forgiveness of many sins.<\/p>\nJames 5:13\u201320 (NLT)<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
The spiritual warfare is real and brutal. The enemy doesn’t play fair, and the casualties can be devastating. Even if you can’t fall off the boat of salvation, you can still fall on the boat, break your neck, and be paralyzed in the Medical Ward for the rest of the trip.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Many of our comrades “wander away from the truth” while they are still within our ranks. They might be sitting next to us in the pews, serving in the ministry, or even leading a Bible study group. But without the support of a prayer squad, they can easily fall prey to the enemy’s tactics. By the time they need to be “brought back”, they have committed “many sins”, The stakes are high. We’re not just talking about a minor scrape or bruise here. We’re talking about “saving a soul from death”, rescuing a comrade who’s more than halfway dead, according to the stages of backsliding based on Hebrews<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The “whoever” James was calling out must be a prayer warrior and need the support of their prayer squad to succeed. We need to be prayed up. We can’t expect to win any battles if we’re not communicating with our Commander. Prayer is our lifeline, our direct line of communication with God. It’s our spiritual radar, helping us detect those who have wandered off and need to be brought back. Prayer is the spiritual armor and weaponry we need to face the enemy and bring our brothers and sisters back from the brink.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Only then, we can move out in gentleness (Galatians 6:1, 2 Timothy 2:24-25), like a shepherd guiding his sheep with a gentle hand (Isaiah 40:11). We then speak truth in love (Ephesians 4:15, 1 Timothy 4:16), like Jesus did when he spoke to the woman at the well (John 4:1-26). And we need to seek to restore them (2 Corinthians 2:5-8) like the father welcoming back his prodigal son (Luke 15:11-32).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So, Prayer Warriors, let’s gear up and get ready for the mission. Let’s be prayed up and prepared to show gentleness, speak truth in love, and seek restoration. The spiritual battlefield is a harsh and brutal place, but with prayer as our foundation and the support of our prayer squad, we can succeed in our mission.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How can you apply these rescue strategies in your own life?<\/strong> Who can you pray for and support them in their spiritual journey? Maybe even invite them to Harvest Crusade<\/a>?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n