Prayer

Prayer: Our Communication with Headquarters

It has been said that one well-trained soldier can defeat an entire enemy unit, as long as they have good communication with their headquarters. Through this communication, the soldier can obtain air and artillery support that would destroy the enemy. As a Christian we communicate with our “Headquarters” through prayer.

In March 2003, I was an aviation platoon leader participating in the invasion of Iraq. The day we flew across the border, our entire unit got delayed at a refueling point in the southern Iraqi desert. When we received approval to continue to our objective, our battalion commander decided that we would fly as one large formation of Blackhawk helicopters. My platoon had a special mission planned for that evening, so we were required to have our radios set up with a different encryption. The problem was that we would not be able to communicate with our commander – or anyone else in this massive swarm of helicopters. Knowing this would be an issue, our commander had us join in at the very end of the formation. That was when I learned the value of communication! We departed the refueling point flying about 50 feet off the desert floor. We knew that being at the end of the formation would leave us vulnerable because a wise enemy would wait until the swarm went by, and then pick off those who were at the end. Knowing this, my flight crew was being very diligent in scanning the area for the enemy. That was when it happened…… The dust from the desert floor began to kick up all around us! We were obviously receiving a heavy barrage of machine gun fire. We immediately began to initiate evasive maneuvers. Hard left! Hard right! Up! Down! Anything we could do to keep from getting shot up. Our adrenaline was pumping. But we weren’t being engaged by the enemy…... What was happening? The rest of the aircraft in our formation had decided to test fire their machine guns one last time. We did not know about it because we could not communicate with them. Boy, communication is important!

Because communication is so vitally important, it is one of the main tasks that a recruit is taught during “Basic Training”. In the Bible, this is also one of the basic tasks that the Lord Jesus taught His disciples. And they were anxious to learn! We never find recorded where the disciples asked Jesus to teach them to preach, witness, or study the Scriptures. But the disciples said, “Lord, teach us to pray” (Luke 11:1). The Lord’s response is what we commonly call, “the Model Prayer” (Read Matthew 6:9-13). We can all use some instruction in prayer, and here is the best lesson we could ever get – from the Lord Jesus Himself. This prayer was given, not as words to recite, but as an example of proper prayer (Matthew 6:7-8). From the Lord’s teaching, we learn several things about effective “communication with Headquarters”.

#1: We should report good news. Jesus said, “Our Father, which art in Heaven, hallowed by thy name” (Matthew 6:9). Any military commander wants to hear good reports from the battlefield and is pleased by his grateful soldiers. As Christians, we have much to be thankful for (James 1:17). If you ever want to pray but do not know what to say, just begin to praise and thank God for everything you can think of. The Bible says that we “Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise” (Psalm 100:4). This “Model Prayer” actually begins and ends with a note of praise towards God (See Matthew 6:9, 13).

#2: We should receive guidance. Jesus said, “Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in Heaven” (Matthew 6:10). Any soldier who does not value the guidance of his commander is a poor soldier. In prayer we are to seek God’s purposes on this earth – “Thy kingdom come”. As you study God’s Word and learn those things which are dear to God’s heart, begin to pray about those things. Prayer is not about seeking to get our will done in Heaven, but rather that God’s “will be done in earth”. God has chosen to accomplish His will through the prayers of His children.

#3: We should request provision. Jesus said, “Give us this day our daily bread” (Matthew 6:11). A military commander will always plan to provide the basic provisions for his soldiers (i.e. food, water, etc); however, the commander still requires that his subordinates submit their requests through appropriate supply channels. God has promised that He will supply our needs (Philippians 4:19). Here, Jesus instructs us that we are still to ask God for those needs. Why is that? Well, an earthly father may be willing to let their teenage son borrow their car; however, what would this father think if the son always takes the car without asking….. and then doesn’t even have the courtesy to thank him for it? We, too, have a tendency to take things for granted. By asking the Lord for our needs, we keep before us the fact that He is the One who has truly provided those blessings. If you have a burden or a need, remember that God cares for you. Do not hesitate to bring these requests to God (Philippians 4:6). He knows about them (Matthew 6:8), but He may just be waiting for you to ask (James 4:2).

#4: We should report bad news. Jesus said, “And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors” (Matthew 6:12). A military commander may be upset if his driver wrecks the command vehicle. However, he will be more upset if the driver wrecks the vehicle and tries to cover it up. As long as we are in this body we will have a struggle against sin. If we stumble and sin, we do not lose our salvation (Romans 8:38-39); however, we break our fellowship and closeness with God (Isaiah 59:2). God has promised that if we will confess our sins to Him that He will restore the fellowship (1 John 1:9 - “confess” means we will “agree with God” about that sin and turn from it). This should be great encouragement for us to quickly return to God if we fail.

#5: We should request protection. Jesus said, “And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil” (Matthew 6:13). After two years in combat, I have learned that the most dangerous time comes when the soldiers think they have everything figured out. The Bible teaches that we are not to think too highly of our own strength (1 Corinthians 10:12). We are battling against a spiritual enemy (Ephesians 6:12), therefore we need the spiritual power of God in order to have victory. As you begin each day, remember to ask God for His supernatural protection throughout the day – particularly in those areas where you seem to have the greatest weakness. That does not mean that temptation will not come. But, you can certainly expect God’s extra grace in helping you to resist the temptation (James 4:7) and to recognize the way of escape (1 Corinthians 10:13). Jesus would not instruct us to pray in this manner if God would not honor such a request.

Friends, this is top-notch prayer training directly from the Captain of our Salvation (Hebrews 2:10). Put the training into practice and be a good soldier of the Lord.

Additional Resources on "Prayer"

Prayer Fill-in-the-Blank Bible Study (KJV)