As we have started this new year,
whats new. We all might be thinking about resolutions.
Some might want to cut down weight.
Some may want to get married, some want to get a new job.
Some might be looking for a new house.
Some might be looking for a breakthrough in their kids lives.
Some wants to be successful in college. Some might say my wife should at least respect me this year.
Some might say at least my wife will start cooking this year.
Some might want to see revival in their lives, in the Church.
But to see the manifestation of the true revival, the first step is prayer life.
Greater things have mostly humble beginnings.
Prayer is connection with God.
Just like Fasting is disconnecting with world.
Prayer is not about good words you say to impress people around you.
Prayer is not about good usage of English.
Prayer is not about saying repetition of the words. Some people think you repeat the most usage.
Matthew 6: 7 And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words.
Prayer is not a feeling.
if you prayed more words and more time - you feel like you prayed well.
if you prayed less time and less words - you feel like you prayed less
all these are feelings.
Prayer is not a performance.
Communion with God begins by communicating with God
communication with unseen God.
Just as you communicate to your family member or a friend, Prayer is communion with God by communicating with God.
you might say, i see a friend, i see a family member, so i can communicate, but how do i talk to Unseen God.
That is where faith comes in.
Faith is the evidence of the things that are not seen.
Today I will talk about Prayer as Church.
Exodus 17:
8 Now Amalek came and fought with Israel in Rephidim. 9 And Moses said to Joshua, “Choose us some men and go out, fight with Amalek. Tomorrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the rod of God in my hand.”
Amalek was one of the main enemies for Israel.
Last Sunday Pastor was sharing Amalekites , they wereone of the main enemies of Israel.
Egypt,Philstines,Amalekites.
Moses tells Joshua - Joshua you take some men with you, and go out and fight with Amalek.
Let me tell you the backdrop of the story
Amalekites -
Deuteronomy 25:17 “Remember what Amalek did to you along the way when you came out from Egypt, 18 how he met you along the way and attacked among you all the stragglers at your rear when you were faint and weary; and he did not [n]fear God.
Enemy attacks in your weakest moments. When you are in Church, when you get excited in a prayer meeting. you are strong, but when you go back , in your weekness, when you have .
When you goto the boss on monday morning, the words he speak might bring fear in you.
when you goto the doctor, the report he brings might bring fear in you.
Enemy attacks at the weakest moments of a believer.
All the stragglers at your rear.
All the 430 years, all they knew was making bricks. They don't know anything else.
Rephidim means resting place.
If Rephidim means resting place, it is very interesting that they have to fight.
Back to Exodus V17:V8
Moses was telling Joshua that you go to the battleground.
Enemy came to attack and enemy was in the battle ground.
So Joshua you go and fight the battle.
Tomorrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the rod of God in my hand.
In other words , Moses was saying - You do something at physical realm, at a physical level where people see, where flesh and blood can see.
But as for me, I go to the top of the hill, where people cannot see, I go to a higher ground, i go to something Spiritual, i go to a place where God is connected.
Church, there might be many people who might be doing the battle on the physical realm.
Some of the kids might be dealing with lot of things in the schools.
Some people might be battling at their work places.
Some people might be battling with family relationships.
Some might be battling with sickness.
Everyday you will see people around you battling on a physical realm.
Did you ever talk to youngster
Have you ever said to any youngster going for an exam or interview or someone going to doctor office - , you go to the physical battle field, it might be your work, it might be your schools, whatever it is you go there to the physical, but i am going to a higher ground , am going to the secret place where I commune with God. and
The community you are gathering here is not a simple social gathering like a club or friends group, where the people after having entertainment and meeting friends go in their own ways.
This is body of Christ.
Brothers Keeper
Do you know here you are responsible for your brother.
When God asked Cain , where is your brother, Cain said am i my brothers keeper?
Today if you are negligent about brother or sister in the Church, you might not say with words , but in your actions you say Am I my brothers keeper?
Bride of Christ.
This is body of believers washed by the blood of Christ.
There is nothing else like Church in the whole universe. This is the bride for Christ.
So, when we come here , we have responsibility about fellow believer.
I cannot simply turn a blind eye for my brother or sister.
V10 So Joshua did as Moses said to him, and fought with Amalek. And Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill.
So Joshua as an obedient servant went and fought with Amalek.
And as promised, Moses went up to the top of the hill along with Moses,Aaron and Hur.
everyone to their places - Joshua to the physical battle field
Moses, Aaron, Hur - went to the higher ground.
11 And so it was, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed; and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed.
Now comes the interesting part.
When Moses held up his hand, Israel prevailed.
But when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed.
Main work of Moses- Lifting up hands
So Moses came to the top of the hill, and his first work is lifting up his hands.
Lifting up his hands signifies Lord, I need you. Lord , I depend on you.
Lord with you , there is victory.
One day a small boy was walking up the steps and he is getting away from holding fathers hand and in getting away he fell down and when father quickly turned around, the son lifted his hands up. I need you.
Joshua might be doing the battle on physical ground.
Everyone might see whats going on the battlefield.
But nobody sees what goes on the hill.
But everything that happens on physical realm has a reason on the hill.
What does Moses see - David see
What on the hill Moses was doing?
Moses had seen what all the Israel had not seen.
On the physical realm we only see the problem, we only see the relationship issues, we only see the doctor report.
Everyone in the Israel camp saw Goliath as 9ft 6inch giant.
But David saw uncircumcised philistine.
What you see matters
One day a mom bought a son a smartwatch for his birthday and he lost it in his own home. he was searching for long time and he could not find it. he went to his mom and said mom i kept it at home and lost it. the mom searched for 5 minutes and she found it. The boy asked mom how can you find in 5 minutes something am not finding for long time.
Son, you are looking for a smart watch. I was looking for 300$ worth.
If you look at what everybody else is looking at, you will miss what actually has to be seen.
Take Offensive posture
The people have to take offensive posture.
Before God does a miracle, he wants us to take a offensive posture.
Before Jericho was defeated, Israel has to take an offensive posture,
Before Israel crossed red sea, Moses has to lift his staff.
Before Peter catch the fish, he had to let the net into the water.
Psalm 25:14
14 The [h]secret of the Lord is for those who fear Him,
[i]And He will make them know His covenant.
Are you praying?
When your kids are going to school/colleges, are you praying?
When your spouse going to work , are you praying?
Their success depends on your prayer.
Church was praying for Peter.
Acts 12: 5
5 So Peter was kept in the prison, but prayer for him was being made fervently by the church to God.
Moses held the hands high for some time, but when was tired he might took a break, but he might have realized from the top that as his hands were down, the amalek were prevailing.
So he again lifted his hands up.
Joshua had a sword- he did not have experience. he was a slave. But God gave the skill and he had the backing of the Moses prayer.
Tired.
there came a point where he was completely tired.
Then came Aaron and Hur to support Moses.
It is not few peoples job. When one person is getting weary, you come and support the weak hands.
that is the beauty of the Church.
There might be people in our lives praying. but their hands alone are not enough. you need a prayer support.
Daniel 2 : 16-18
16 So Daniel went in and asked the king to give him time, that he might tell the king the interpretation. 17 Then Daniel went to his house, and made the decision known to Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, his companions, 18 that they might seek mercies from the God of heaven concerning this secret, so that Daniel and his companions might not perish with the rest of the wise men of Babylon.
There is a battle here. King gave an order that he got a dream and the dream and interpretation should be revealed.
Now everyone who calls themselves as wise man are in trouble.
Don't call yourself as wise man unless God calls you. Otherwise there comes situations like this where your wisdom will be put to test.
Daniel himself was a man of prayer. He alone could pray.
In this battle, he went to his friends , and said let us pray together.
He needed prayer support. He needed few friends who can lift his hands and support you.
This is perfect picture of the Church.
How beautiful this is. Daniel, a might man of God , none like him in the bible. A man highly favored by God. A man of perfect nature. A man who can understand dreams, visions, and reveal interpreations.
In the Church, there will be people who are mightly gifted, annointed.
that does not mean that they can do it alone.
Don't think you can do it alone.
Are you better than Daniel?
Just like when Moses needed help Aaron and Hur came to support. Daniel said to his friends, let us pray.
That togetherness is what is required in Church.
"Our Father"
When the disciples asked Lord Jesus , teach us how to pray.
The very first word that Jesus said "Our Father"
He did not say you should do My Father. He says Our Father.
What the Lord is teaching here is its not just about you.
You alone is not an identity. But you are part of the Body. you are the member of the body and say Our Father.
These are the days where we hear many prayers My Father, Bless me, My Father I need this. My Father do this for me, My father .
But Jesus says pray and say Our Father.
If you see the whole passage
Give us this day our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our debts,
As we forgive our debtors.
13 And do not lead us into temptation,
But deliver us from the evil one.
How many times we have prayed selfish prayers. When Lord Jesus is teaching us about Church.
The Truth is that you come to Church is for prayer.
Church is place of Prayer.
Isaiah 56:7
Even those I will bring to My holy mountain
And make them joyful in My house of prayer.
Their burnt offerings and their sacrifices will be acceptable on My altar;
For My house will be called a house of prayer for all the peoples.”
Matthew 21: 13 And He *said to them, “It is written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer’; but you are making it a robbers’ [c]den.”
When you come to to Church - how should you come?
you can go before a kings or presidents like however you want.
But when you enter the Church - you should know that you are going for a prayer.
Some will be coming watching the games, some will be coming talking about the sports, some will be coming talking about politics.
But how you should come.
Psalm 100:4 - Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, into his courts with praise.
You don't have to wait for worship team to jump start for your worship.
Your worship should start even before you get into the car.
When you get into the car, it should not be arguments, your ride to Church should include songs of praise, when you get down, and when you enter, you should have praise on your lips.
Your praise will ever be on my lips.
What does Jacob say when he is running away from his brother.
Genesis 28:18
16 Then Jacob awoke from his sleep and said, “Surely the Lord is in this place, and I did not know it.”17 He was afraid and said, “How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven.”
He named that place Bethel - means House of Prayer.
19 He called the name of that place [o]Bethel;
You come here to pray- You come here to
Coming back to Exodus 17: V12
Exodus 17: 12 But Moses’ hands became [e]heavy; so they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it. And Aaron and Hur supported his hands, one on one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun
Coming - When both Aaron and Hur started supporting his hands, the hands became steady.
The hands that grew weary/ heavy became steady when the Church supported.
Your support to fellow believers steady them.
Have you ever shared the burden of others. Did you ever make some one steady.
Many times we hurt others with our words and make them more weary or heavy.
But here Aaron and Hur steadied Moses hands.
Exodus 17:
13 So Joshua defeated Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword.
You need a friend who can pray with you. it does not matter what the age is you need a friend.
I am not saying this to only adults, but even to the youth and younger generation, you need a friend who can support you in prayer.
Daniel was in his teens when he became a captive in babylon and in his teens he was having friends not just the people who can hangout with him , party with him, play some games. but Friends who can support you in hour of crisis.
Friends who can make you steady.
The essence of this story is this Gods power is revealed in the unity of the Church.
We should pray together.Church together praying
Joshua overcame enemy.God wins, Moses wins, Joshua wins, Israel won.
The celebration for this . Write and Read it .
What ? Celebration means partying, eating and drinking. hangout with friends.
cut a cake.
But what do you say. Write and Read.
In a victory, what God says is do something for remembrance.
Jehova Nissi - The Lord Is My Banner.
14 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Write this for a memorial in the book and recount it in the hearing of Joshua, that I will utterly blot out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven.” 15 And Moses built an altar and called its name, [f]The-Lord-Is-My-Banner; 16 for he said, “Because [g]the Lord has sworn: the Lord will have war with Amalek from generation to generation.”
whats new. We all might be thinking about resolutions.
Some might want to cut down weight.
Some may want to get married, some want to get a new job.
Some might be looking for a new house.
Some might be looking for a breakthrough in their kids lives.
Some wants to be successful in college. Some might say my wife should at least respect me this year.
Some might say at least my wife will start cooking this year.
Some might want to see revival in their lives, in the Church.
But to see the manifestation of the true revival, the first step is prayer life.
Greater things have mostly humble beginnings.
Prayer is connection with God.
Just like Fasting is disconnecting with world.
Prayer is not about good words you say to impress people around you.
Prayer is not about good usage of English.
Prayer is not about saying repetition of the words. Some people think you repeat the most usage.
Matthew 6: 7 And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words.
Prayer is not a feeling.
if you prayed more words and more time - you feel like you prayed well.
if you prayed less time and less words - you feel like you prayed less
all these are feelings.
Prayer is not a performance.
Communion with God begins by communicating with God
communication with unseen God.
Just as you communicate to your family member or a friend, Prayer is communion with God by communicating with God.
you might say, i see a friend, i see a family member, so i can communicate, but how do i talk to Unseen God.
That is where faith comes in.
Faith is the evidence of the things that are not seen.
Today I will talk about Prayer as Church.
Exodus 17:
8 Now Amalek came and fought with Israel in Rephidim. 9 And Moses said to Joshua, “Choose us some men and go out, fight with Amalek. Tomorrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the rod of God in my hand.”
Amalek was one of the main enemies for Israel.
Last Sunday Pastor was sharing Amalekites , they wereone of the main enemies of Israel.
Egypt,Philstines,Amalekites.
Moses tells Joshua - Joshua you take some men with you, and go out and fight with Amalek.
Let me tell you the backdrop of the story
Amalekites -
Deuteronomy 25:17 “Remember what Amalek did to you along the way when you came out from Egypt, 18 how he met you along the way and attacked among you all the stragglers at your rear when you were faint and weary; and he did not [n]fear God.
Enemy attacks in your weakest moments. When you are in Church, when you get excited in a prayer meeting. you are strong, but when you go back , in your weekness, when you have .
When you goto the boss on monday morning, the words he speak might bring fear in you.
when you goto the doctor, the report he brings might bring fear in you.
Enemy attacks at the weakest moments of a believer.
All the stragglers at your rear.
All the 430 years, all they knew was making bricks. They don't know anything else.
Rephidim means resting place.
If Rephidim means resting place, it is very interesting that they have to fight.
Back to Exodus V17:V8
Moses was telling Joshua that you go to the battleground.
Enemy came to attack and enemy was in the battle ground.
So Joshua you go and fight the battle.
Tomorrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the rod of God in my hand.
In other words , Moses was saying - You do something at physical realm, at a physical level where people see, where flesh and blood can see.
But as for me, I go to the top of the hill, where people cannot see, I go to a higher ground, i go to something Spiritual, i go to a place where God is connected.
Church, there might be many people who might be doing the battle on the physical realm.
Some of the kids might be dealing with lot of things in the schools.
Some people might be battling at their work places.
Some people might be battling with family relationships.
Some might be battling with sickness.
Everyday you will see people around you battling on a physical realm.
Did you ever talk to youngster
Have you ever said to any youngster going for an exam or interview or someone going to doctor office - , you go to the physical battle field, it might be your work, it might be your schools, whatever it is you go there to the physical, but i am going to a higher ground , am going to the secret place where I commune with God. and
The community you are gathering here is not a simple social gathering like a club or friends group, where the people after having entertainment and meeting friends go in their own ways.
This is body of Christ.
Brothers Keeper
Do you know here you are responsible for your brother.
When God asked Cain , where is your brother, Cain said am i my brothers keeper?
Today if you are negligent about brother or sister in the Church, you might not say with words , but in your actions you say Am I my brothers keeper?
Bride of Christ.
This is body of believers washed by the blood of Christ.
There is nothing else like Church in the whole universe. This is the bride for Christ.
So, when we come here , we have responsibility about fellow believer.
I cannot simply turn a blind eye for my brother or sister.
V10 So Joshua did as Moses said to him, and fought with Amalek. And Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill.
So Joshua as an obedient servant went and fought with Amalek.
And as promised, Moses went up to the top of the hill along with Moses,Aaron and Hur.
everyone to their places - Joshua to the physical battle field
Moses, Aaron, Hur - went to the higher ground.
11 And so it was, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed; and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed.
Now comes the interesting part.
When Moses held up his hand, Israel prevailed.
But when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed.
Main work of Moses- Lifting up hands
So Moses came to the top of the hill, and his first work is lifting up his hands.
Lifting up his hands signifies Lord, I need you. Lord , I depend on you.
Lord with you , there is victory.
One day a small boy was walking up the steps and he is getting away from holding fathers hand and in getting away he fell down and when father quickly turned around, the son lifted his hands up. I need you.
Joshua might be doing the battle on physical ground.
Everyone might see whats going on the battlefield.
But nobody sees what goes on the hill.
But everything that happens on physical realm has a reason on the hill.
What does Moses see - David see
What on the hill Moses was doing?
Moses had seen what all the Israel had not seen.
On the physical realm we only see the problem, we only see the relationship issues, we only see the doctor report.
Everyone in the Israel camp saw Goliath as 9ft 6inch giant.
But David saw uncircumcised philistine.
What you see matters
One day a mom bought a son a smartwatch for his birthday and he lost it in his own home. he was searching for long time and he could not find it. he went to his mom and said mom i kept it at home and lost it. the mom searched for 5 minutes and she found it. The boy asked mom how can you find in 5 minutes something am not finding for long time.
Son, you are looking for a smart watch. I was looking for 300$ worth.
If you look at what everybody else is looking at, you will miss what actually has to be seen.
Take Offensive posture
The people have to take offensive posture.
Before God does a miracle, he wants us to take a offensive posture.
Before Jericho was defeated, Israel has to take an offensive posture,
Before Israel crossed red sea, Moses has to lift his staff.
Before Peter catch the fish, he had to let the net into the water.
Psalm 25:14
14 The [h]secret of the Lord is for those who fear Him,
[i]And He will make them know His covenant.
Are you praying?
When your kids are going to school/colleges, are you praying?
When your spouse going to work , are you praying?
Their success depends on your prayer.
Church was praying for Peter.
Acts 12: 5
5 So Peter was kept in the prison, but prayer for him was being made fervently by the church to God.
Moses held the hands high for some time, but when was tired he might took a break, but he might have realized from the top that as his hands were down, the amalek were prevailing.
So he again lifted his hands up.
Joshua had a sword- he did not have experience. he was a slave. But God gave the skill and he had the backing of the Moses prayer.
Tired.
there came a point where he was completely tired.
Then came Aaron and Hur to support Moses.
It is not few peoples job. When one person is getting weary, you come and support the weak hands.
that is the beauty of the Church.
There might be people in our lives praying. but their hands alone are not enough. you need a prayer support.
Daniel 2 : 16-18
16 So Daniel went in and asked the king to give him time, that he might tell the king the interpretation. 17 Then Daniel went to his house, and made the decision known to Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, his companions, 18 that they might seek mercies from the God of heaven concerning this secret, so that Daniel and his companions might not perish with the rest of the wise men of Babylon.
There is a battle here. King gave an order that he got a dream and the dream and interpretation should be revealed.
Now everyone who calls themselves as wise man are in trouble.
Don't call yourself as wise man unless God calls you. Otherwise there comes situations like this where your wisdom will be put to test.
Daniel himself was a man of prayer. He alone could pray.
In this battle, he went to his friends , and said let us pray together.
He needed prayer support. He needed few friends who can lift his hands and support you.
This is perfect picture of the Church.
How beautiful this is. Daniel, a might man of God , none like him in the bible. A man highly favored by God. A man of perfect nature. A man who can understand dreams, visions, and reveal interpreations.
In the Church, there will be people who are mightly gifted, annointed.
that does not mean that they can do it alone.
Don't think you can do it alone.
Are you better than Daniel?
Just like when Moses needed help Aaron and Hur came to support. Daniel said to his friends, let us pray.
That togetherness is what is required in Church.
"Our Father"
When the disciples asked Lord Jesus , teach us how to pray.
The very first word that Jesus said "Our Father"
What the Lord is teaching here is its not just about you.
You alone is not an identity. But you are part of the Body. you are the member of the body and say Our Father.
These are the days where we hear many prayers My Father, Bless me, My Father I need this. My Father do this for me, My father .
But Jesus says pray and say Our Father.
If you see the whole passage
Give us this day our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our debts,
As we forgive our debtors.
13 And do not lead us into temptation,
But deliver us from the evil one.
How many times we have prayed selfish prayers. When Lord Jesus is teaching us about Church.
The Truth is that you come to Church is for prayer.
Church is place of Prayer.
Isaiah 56:7
Even those I will bring to My holy mountain
And make them joyful in My house of prayer.
Their burnt offerings and their sacrifices will be acceptable on My altar;
For My house will be called a house of prayer for all the peoples.”
Matthew 21: 13 And He *said to them, “It is written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer’; but you are making it a robbers’ [c]den.”
When you come to to Church - how should you come?
you can go before a kings or presidents like however you want.
But when you enter the Church - you should know that you are going for a prayer.
Some will be coming watching the games, some will be coming talking about the sports, some will be coming talking about politics.
But how you should come.
Psalm 100:4 - Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, into his courts with praise.
You don't have to wait for worship team to jump start for your worship.
Your worship should start even before you get into the car.
When you get into the car, it should not be arguments, your ride to Church should include songs of praise, when you get down, and when you enter, you should have praise on your lips.
Your praise will ever be on my lips.
What does Jacob say when he is running away from his brother.
Genesis 28:18
16 Then Jacob awoke from his sleep and said, “Surely the Lord is in this place, and I did not know it.”17 He was afraid and said, “How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven.”
He named that place Bethel - means House of Prayer.
19 He called the name of that place [o]Bethel;
You come here to pray- You come here to
Coming back to Exodus 17: V12
Exodus 17: 12 But Moses’ hands became [e]heavy; so they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it. And Aaron and Hur supported his hands, one on one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun
Coming - When both Aaron and Hur started supporting his hands, the hands became steady.
The hands that grew weary/ heavy became steady when the Church supported.
Your support to fellow believers steady them.
Have you ever shared the burden of others. Did you ever make some one steady.
Many times we hurt others with our words and make them more weary or heavy.
But here Aaron and Hur steadied Moses hands.
Exodus 17:
13 So Joshua defeated Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword.
Joshua defeated Amalek. Joshua might not have known whats hapenning on the hill. But he was doing the battle. He was seeing ups and downs , some times he was prevailing and sometime he was going down. But at one point, he knew that he was winning steadily. He might not have known at that time the Church came together.
You need a friend who can pray with you. it does not matter what the age is you need a friend.
I am not saying this to only adults, but even to the youth and younger generation, you need a friend who can support you in prayer.
Daniel was in his teens when he became a captive in babylon and in his teens he was having friends not just the people who can hangout with him , party with him, play some games. but Friends who can support you in hour of crisis.
Friends who can make you steady.
The essence of this story is this Gods power is revealed in the unity of the Church.
We should pray together.Church together praying
Joshua overcame enemy.God wins, Moses wins, Joshua wins, Israel won.
The celebration for this . Write and Read it .
What ? Celebration means partying, eating and drinking. hangout with friends.
cut a cake.
But what do you say. Write and Read.
In a victory, what God says is do something for remembrance.
Jehova Nissi - The Lord Is My Banner.
14 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Write this for a memorial in the book and recount it in the hearing of Joshua, that I will utterly blot out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven.” 15 And Moses built an altar and called its name, [f]The-Lord-Is-My-Banner; 16 for he said, “Because [g]the Lord has sworn: the Lord will have war with Amalek from generation to generation.”
