In the book of 2 Kings chapter 13, while the prophet Elisha was on his death bed, a very distraught king of Israel came to see him. The Israelites were about to be attacked by a people from a country called Aram. The prophet Elisha brought him to a window facing east and had him shoot an arrow while placing his hand on the king’s hand and boldly proclaiming victory for the Israelites. He then told him to strike the ground with the arrow and the king struck the ground 3 times causing Elisha to become extremely angry! He went on to scold the king. Verse 19 reads, “You should have struck the ground five or six times; then you would have defeated Aram and completely destroyed it. But now you will defeat it only three times.”

“That’s strange”, I thought. “Was he overreacting because he was sick?” In my estimation, the king handled the situation in a very “reasonable” way. My thoughts soon changed.

Why be reasonable? Elisha expected full victory from God and settled for nothing less. He radically expected from God and if you’ve ever read about him, God radically and powerfully answered his requests.

Why don’t we pray more like Elisha? Why do We settle? Why not reach for the “unreasonable”?

Let’s start striking the ground 5-6-100 times! God’s ready to give victory…Are we expecting to receive it?

When do you pray the most? Is it when things are going well or when you’re having problems?

Luke 5:15-16 says, “The report about him spread all the more, and great crowds assembled to listen to him and to be cured of their ailments, but he would withdraw to deserted places to pray.”

Isn’t it interesting that in the height of Jesus’ ministry, when things were going well — lives were being changed, people were being healed — he would withdraw to pray! Why would he pray then? Jesus knew something many of us tend to over look.

If you’re like a lot of people, you tend to pray more when things are not going well. It’s at that point we cry out to God for help, for grace, for direction.

Our prayers should rise up to God just as much when life’s going well as when it’s not! As a matter of fact, when we’re not experiencing hard times, Satan will target us the most. Our eyes are often not on God and our defenses are down. In I Corinthians 10:12 we are given this encouragement: “So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall!”

Begin to understand the blessing of a life of prayer. Meeting with God in prayer is much more than just reaching out for help during tough times, it’s connecting with our creator God on an intimate level and being used by him to change not only our lives, but the world around us.

When should we pray the most? When life is up and when it’s down!

Question: Why do you think we tend to pray less when things are going well?

“Prayer does not fit us for the greater work; prayer is the greater work.”
– Oswald Chambers

“Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.” Eph. 6:13

Do you scramble to take on the armor of God when you’re experiencing spiritual attack? During difficult times, are you frantically reaching for your Bible trying desperately to find a passage that will give you some comfort and strength? Ephesians 6 tells us to take the  armor of God on now; we’re to be spiritually prepared ahead of time for times of trial.

How do we take on the armor and prepare for the day of evil? By studying God’s word and praying daily; by continually taking steps in faith, making right choices, sharing the gospel with others and living out our eternal lives with Christ in confidence and assurance of faith.

And what are we to do during the battle? We’re to stand! That’s what Ephesians says. We can’t possibly stand if we’re reaching for whatever we need to get us through the hard times. Let’s not be caught off guard. Let’s be prepared daily!