Battles Lost

Even the mighty cannot stand against the attacks of the enemy unless God's weaponry is used. The children of Ephraim carried bows, but turned back in the day of battle (Psa. 78:9). We must use the bow, not simply carry one. "Lord, teach us to pray." Luke 11:1.
We may be of help to others by using the sword of the Spirit, but we must have some type of contact with them. But the bow, prayer, can be used effectively without the recipient of our prayer even having knowledge of it. So Paul in prison rejoiced that through the Philippians' prayer, his situation would result in positive spiritual gain even if others were preaching Christ of contention and strife. Paul did not point to their visits or letters of encouragement, which were extremely few, but to their prayer. Their prayer resulted in Christ being magnified in His servant. What a valuable, untapped resource we have in prayer.
We must confess we know little of correctly using the sword or the bow. The sword of the Spirit is living, powerful and sharper than any two-edged sword (Heb. 4:12), so we must use it with wisdom and self-judgment (2 Cor. 4:2). But let us not lay it aside as the enemy continues to make inroads into the lives of God's people. Rather, let us take it up in earnestness and in the fear of God. The Word of God is infinitely better than the best of human wisdom. Nor let us hang up our bows as if prayer is an outdated form of warfare. Instead, let us continue in prayer and watch in the same with thanksgiving (Col. 4:2). "The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much." James 5:16. As Paul looked onward to what would come in after his decease, he said: "And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of His grace" Acts 20:32. We have these same resources today. May we avail ourselves more of them.
W. Brockmeier