I went to the front lines yesterday – the front lines of the battlefield, that is. I don’t recall being drafted. Then I remember that I enlisted and furthermore that I volunteered to go into battle on the front lines. And so it was that I found myself valiantly engaging the enemy along with other brothers and sisters who had shown up to do battle with the enemy just as I had. I was glad not to have to face the enemy alone. I was strengthened and encouraged simply by their presence. The presence of so many fighting beside me gave me hope that the battle could and would in time be won.

But at present the enemy seems to be gaining ground – so we gathered together to defend what we hold dear and to defeat the enemy who has taken so much from us. We wore no uniforms, we bore no combat gear, we brandished no weapons. We were to all appearances a peaceful gathering, come to fight for peace by praise, prayer and petition. Given that the phrase “fighting for peace” is a glaring oxymoron, we have determined to do battle in a daringly different way, with divine weapons and unconventional tactics.

Our instructions for battle are definitely not what one would expect, if our goal is to defeat our enemy. Here’s a sample of our marching orders –

“Do not repay evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: ‘It is mine to avenge; I will repay,’ says the Lord. On the contrary: ‘If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.’ ” (Romans 12:17-20)

The instruction to “live at peace with everyone” seems particularly relevant today as crime and violence continue to increase in our cities and our suburbs, resulting in many lives being lost while the battle continues all around us. But our Commander in Chief gives us this command –

“Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” (Romans 12:21)

So that’s the battle plan? Do good? Do only what is right? Definitely countercultural. Maybe our behavior will confuse and confound the enemy, giving us the upper hand. Maybe it will convert our enemy, turning our foes into our friends. Now that’s a revolutionary battle plan!

There’s something else that’s essential in battle and that is – correctly identifying the enemy. We don’t want to be aiming at the wrong target. But when we are under attack, in the heat of battle, fighting in the furnace for our very lives – sometimes our vision and our minds become clouded and we forget who our enemy actually is. This is a deadly mistake. Fortunately, our Commander in Chief tells us the truth about our situation – who we are fighting and how we are to engage in the fight. We are told concerning our enemy –

“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”

Knowing this changes how we do battle. What should be our plan? How do we suit up for battle? We have been given clear instructions –

“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.”

Well, the “day of evil” is definitely at our doorstep, so the time is now! It is time to –

“Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 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 saints.” (Ephesians 6:12-18)

So our battle plan is to put on God’s full armor, take up the sword of the Spirit and to pray? Yes, that’s it! And that’s exactly what I was doing yesterday with so many others whom I had never met before – we gathered to pray for peace. Interesting that our instructions above include the charge that we are to be bearers of “the gospel of peace.” And our battle plan, our action plan is to pray. Not to talk about prayer, not to strategize about praying – but to actually pray! And pray we did. We cried out to God. We worshiped Him, we praised Him, we petitioned Him with thanksgiving. We repented, we humbled ourselves, we invited His presence into our lives, into the life of our communities and into the life of our country.

Our only weapons were our swords – the sword of the Spirit, which is God’s Word.

“For the Word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” (Hebrews 4:12)

We came together in peace to pray for peace, to fight for peace by doing battle with the enemy of our souls. We came from all over, from different churches all over the city, we came together to petition God together for the peace of our city and for the lives of our children. We came together in unity believing God hears our cries.

“The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; He delivers them from all their troubles.” (Psalm 34:17)

“The Lord hears the needy and does not despise His captive people.” (Psalm 69:33)

The battle continues, necessitating that I and others stay engaged on the front lines – which means continuing in prayer and holding fast to the living Word of God. We have our orders –

“Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God – this is your spiritual act of worship.” (Romans 12:1)

prayer is the frontline of the eternal battlefield – to this we are called

“if My people, who are called by My name, will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” (2 Chronicles 7:14)

sincerely, Grace Day