Fellow Warriors and Friends - I have Prayed
A series of Bible commentaries sit in my store room gathering dust. They belonged to a preacher friend of mine, but he grew weary and hung up his shield and
laid down his sword. I keep these boxes, not as a morbid reminder of what once
was, but as “the substance of things hoped for.” Through eyes of faith I see
what can be once again.
I salute those who have been
captured and are prisoners of this invisible war. To those who once
wielded this sharp two-edged sword. To those who taught me what we were fighting for. I honor you for the years served, and pray you'll rise to fight once more.
You are missing in action, but one day I pray you’ll find the strength to take hold of that which once took hold
of you. You disappeared from the horizon where you once stood so tall. You’ve
stumbled, and fallen, barely able to crawl - your face is buried under the sands of time.
We fought side by side, you and I.
You held your shield high, even higher than mine. Yet now you lay on bloodied
fields, wounded and barely conscious. I know the Spirit that once reached me is the same Spirit that reaches out to you. I know the Breath of life that can breathe on these dry bones.
To those warriors who led in
song, your voice ascended as you praised your way through each day. David’s Psalms continue to be sung long after his season of sin. I will not discard the songs you sang. I believe your praise will rise again.
To the teachers and preachers I
have known. Men and women with divine insights that poured forth from your heart. It is God’s kindness that draws us home. In His presence is healing and strength. There is rest for your weary soul and an anointing of strength so you're able to fight once more.
You've been taken as a prisoner in this war - missing in action - perhaps you've forgotten what we were fighting for. Some were wounded by friendly fire, struck by bullets never intended for them. Other's took a direct hit from the enemy of our souls, for others the greatest enemy was hidden within your heart. The unforgiveness and bitterness grew too big for you to control, the hidden lust consumed a victimized heart.
But hope is not lost, as our savior said to Peter just before the tragic and glorious night of his crucifixion. "I have prayed for you that your faith will not fail." Fellow warrior, believer, friend let me assure you that me and mine have prayed for you. We pray for the germ of hope within this withered and dried seed to spring forth, so life will come from that which seems dead.
There is life beyond failure, rise up, the joy of the Lord is your strength. This life is just a blip on the screen of eternity. My friend I have prayed for you that your faith will not fail. Come forth - remove the grave clothes and pick up your dormant shield. Allow those stiffened hands to take the grip of your weary sword. God is on your side and if he is for us then who can be against us?
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| (borrowed from Getty's Images) |
But hope is not lost, as our savior said to Peter just before the tragic and glorious night of his crucifixion. "I have prayed for you that your faith will not fail." Fellow warrior, believer, friend let me assure you that me and mine have prayed for you. We pray for the germ of hope within this withered and dried seed to spring forth, so life will come from that which seems dead.
There is life beyond failure, rise up, the joy of the Lord is your strength. This life is just a blip on the screen of eternity. My friend I have prayed for you that your faith will not fail. Come forth - remove the grave clothes and pick up your dormant shield. Allow those stiffened hands to take the grip of your weary sword. God is on your side and if he is for us then who can be against us?
