What Would a Warrior Do?

All the nations surrounded me, but in the name of the LORD I cut them down. They surrounded me on every side, but in the name of the LORD I cut them down. They swarmed around me like bees, but they were consumed as quickly as burning thorns; in the name of the LORD I cut them down. I was pushed back and about to fall, but the LORD helped me. The LORD is my strength and my defense; he has become my salvation. Psalm 118:10-14

The melodies of a popular song weaved through the fog in my brain, as I struggled to get out of bed. Familiar aches and pains gnawed at my spirit with a cynical attitude. Yet the reminder of how I fight my battles continued to sing over me as I made a choice.

I could either cave into the comfortable pattern of despair and listen to the nagging monsters urging me to grab a cup of coffee and visit with complaint and annoyance. Or I could bend my knees and fight my battles surrounded by the God of the Universe.

What would a warrior do? I am often tempted to take the easy road, to give up before the hard parts affront me. I lack the self-confidence to believe I can do hard things. Boy would the devil love for me to believe the battle is all mine, and I am going to fight alone.  

If you are in a battle right now, if the enemy is taunting you, please know you are not alone. You are not left to fight on your own. As the Great Commander of the battle, God has prepared weapons for us to fight and defend, created a map for us to avoid land mines, and developed a strategy to guarantee victory.

When we gave our lives to Christ, God immediately enlisted us into His army. You are a warrior. And as we choose to spend time with the Commander of the army, we will actually spend less time in battle. Taking a knee on the battlefield at the start of the day will ensure you stay out of the foxholes in the afternoon.

Using the P.R.A.Y. method of prayers is one weapon we can use in our daily battles.

Isaiah 61:3 tells us to put on a garment of praise. As I got ready for the day, I concentrated on praising God for who He is. As I cleaned up the kitchen from my teenager’s late night snacks, I remembered to ask God to forgive me for any sin that was messing up my heart.

Morning coffee with Jesus is the best! Sitting in my favorite chair, watching the sun filter through the drapes, I went through my prayer binder and covered my family, self, and others in prayer for God’s best in our lives.

I woke up that morning feeling surrounded by the heaviness of another day on the battlefield, but when I yield myself to God, in an act of worship and prayer, I became confident in the mighty weapons provided me in prayer and in the name of Jesus Christ. This is what warriors do!

Heavenly Father, I love that you are my Commander and I am your soldier. Thank you for equipping me with weapons that yield success, for your Word as a map, and your truths as strategies for my daily battles. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Relevant Bible Verses

Ephesians 6:18–And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. (NLT)

Isaiah 61:3a—And provide for those who grieve in Zion—to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of despair. (NIV)

Reflect and Respond

Do you find it difficult to do hard things? Do you believe you can do anything God asks of you? Why or why not?

According to Ephesians 6:18, how often should we pray? Is there ever an occasion where prayer should not be our first response? 

Can you think of a time where praise, whether a song or Bible verse, pulled you through a tough situation?

Related Resources

If you would like a free printable for using the P.R.A.Y. method of praying, click HERE.

If you would like to join me in worship this week with the song that inspired this devotion, watch, This is How I Fight My Battles Video HERE.