Called To Battle - Prayers For Peace

2023.10.15.Sermon Notes. Prayers for Peace - CALLED TO PRAY

William Akehurst, HSWC

SCRIPTURES: 1 Timothy 2:1-4, Psalms 122:1-9, Genesis 12:3, Psalms 23:1-6, Exodus 17:9-16, 1 Samuel 15:1-3, 1 Samuel 15:23, 1 Samuel 30:1-5, 1 Samuel 30:16-17, 1 Chronicles 4:43, Esther 3:1-6, Psalms 83:1-18

BIG IDEA: WAR in ISRAEL, PRAY FOR PEACE. Scriptures tell us to pray for the peace of Jerusalem. And that GOD will protect HIS OWN by coming against those who come against them. But that’s not all. GOD wants for all people everywhere to be saved and understand the truth; even by using War to bring the enemy of HIS people to HIMSELF.

I saw a recent report of 95-year-old Ezra Yachin, a reservist in the IDF, who was recruited into the reserves to give soldiers motivation and tell them that despite his difficult childhood in Jerusalem where he frequently experienced and saw riots and shocking sights, that he and his friends managed to be part of the establishment of a great country, and he wasn't about to give up on it now. Hoorah!

Just as Israeli Soldiers are being recalled from all over the world to return to Israel for battle, WE too as Believers are being called to the battlefield. We, however, do not battle with the physical, but with principalities and powers, in the Spiritual Realm. THIS IS OUR CALLING!

When we pray aloud using Scriptures, GOD's WORD is given flight to accomplish it's purpose. There's a Battle Cry calling us to engage in the Battle. Take up the Sword of GOD's WORD and Pray!

So when you pray:

Pray the scriptures; Pray out loud; Pray in the SPIRIT. Your audible voice sends forth GOD’s WORD into the atmosphere, to accomplish it’s purpose. When you pray out loud using Scripture, you are actually giving GOD’s WORD wings to go where it is needed. You’re literally giving HIS WORD flight on the wings of the Heavenly Armies to carry forth HIS judgments and commands.

GOD’s DESIRE for YOU.

First of all, PRAY. Pray for mankind. PRAY for our leaders, Pray for the unsaved to come to the TRUTH.

1 Timothy 2:1-4 (NKJV)

1 Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, 2 for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. 3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

NO MATTER WHO YOU ARE, GOD WANTS EVERYONE TO BE SAVED

(NLT) 2 Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity. 3 This is good and pleases God our Savior, 4 who wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth.

PRAY FOR PEACE IN JERUSALEM.

Psalms 122 (NKJV)

1 I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go into the house of the LORD.”

2 Our feet have been standing within your gates, O Jerusalem!

3 Jerusalem is built as a city that is compact together,

4 Where the tribes go up, The tribes of the LORD, To the Testimony of Israel, To give thanks to the name of the LORD.

5 For thrones are set there for judgment, The thrones of the house of David.

6 Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: “May they prosper who love you.

7 Peace be within your walls, Prosperity within your palaces.”

8 For the sake of my brethren and companions, I will now say, “Peace be within you.”

9 Because of the house of the LORD our God I will seek your good.

GOD WILL BLESS THOSE WHO BLESS THE LINEAGE OF ABRAHAM AND CURSE THOSE WHO CURSE THEM.

Genesis 12:3 I will bless those who bless you, And I will curse him who curses you; And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”

THE LORD HAS EVERYTHING WE NEED

Psalms 23 (NKJV)

1 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.

HE GIVES PROVIDES REST – AND CALMS THE STORMS

2 He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters.

HE RESTORES AND LEADS ME ON THE RIGHT PATH, BECAUSE I AM HIS CHILD.

3 He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake.

EVEN IN THE DARKEST HOURS, GOD IS WITH ME.

4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

GUARDING, AND GUIDING ME ALL THE WAY.