On Becoming a Prayer Warrior

            In Christian circles, the term prayer warrior is frequently used to identify those Christians who are seemingly more adept at prayer than others. Perhaps they have an ‘in’ with God unlike their contemporaries or are somehow in higher standing because they are prayer warriors. I’ve often heard the term and have even used it myself. When a situation occurs, a diagnosis is made, or the need arises, the call to the prayer warriors is made. It’s the Christian version of sending in the Marines.

            As I thought about this, I pondered the term and wondered what a prayer warrior really was. What does it mean to be a prayer warrior? How does one become a prayer warrior, and what is the criterion that separates prayer warriors from non-prayer warriors? With these questions in mind, I set out to define the term and become a prayer warrior myself.

            My first order of business was to ascertain why we pray. Sure, we pray because it’s our Christian duty – to give thanks before a meal, for the well being of the sick and needy, to commence and adjourn a Bible study, or as part of structured worship service. But that’s not why we’re supposed to pray. We’re supposed to pray because commands us to pray, to talk to Him and seek His will, and because prayer is effective at knowing and achieving the will of God. Simply stated, God answers prayers!

One of the first references to prayer can be found in Genesis 20:7 when God said to Abimelek in a dream, “Now return the man’s wife, for he is a prophet, and he will pray for you and you will live.” This is a declaration by God himself that prayer has a purpose and is in fact effective. The implication is that if the wife is not returned and Abraham does not pray for him that he would die. A bit further in Genesis 25:21 we read, “Isaac prayed to the LORD on behalf of his wife, because she was childless. The LORD answered his prayer, and his wife Rebekah became pregnant.” Prayer is effective and it is a requirement of all believers.

The first word in the term is prayer. A simple definition of prayer is talking to God. But what are we to say, and how are we to say it? A Google search for the words pray and prayer resulted in over two-hundred occurrences in the Old and New Testament, so I narrowed my focus and concentrated on what Jesus had to say about prayer. In the Gospels, Jesus commands us to pray for those who persecute us; to pray privately, not for show or formal recognition; and not to babble incessantly. We are to be sincere and organized in our requests. Perhaps what is known as the Lord’s Prayer says it best:

“This, then, is how you should pray:

“‘Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from the evil one.’

We are to honor, that is hallow, God’s name and seek His will; we are to rely on Him for all of our needs; we must seek forgiveness and forgive others; we are to ask God’s assistance when it comes to temptation; and we must rely on Him to deliver us from the wiles of Satan. The ending of the Lord’s Prayer serves to remind us we are indeed in a spiritual battle. In Matthew 26:41 Jesus reiterates the importance of prayer for resisting temptation: “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation.”

            Now we know what it means to pray and how we are supposed to pray. So what is a warrior? A quick search in the dictionary reveals the following definition: “a brave or experienced soldier or fighter.” Therefore, to be a prayer warrior is to be an experienced soldier and fighter. I have to admit, I never considered prayer to involve or be part of fighting, but if we examine the prayers of Jesus, it becomes readily apparent we are indeed in a spiritual fight. In Matthew 26, Jesus said, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will,” and “My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done.” Jesus revealed His humanity and prayed for God to remove the cup from Him. That is, He prayed to avoid the cross and the taking upon Himself the sin of the world. But at the same time, He prayed that God’s will would be done. His death on the cross is evidence of the spiritual battle that continues to rage. Indeed, Jesus was a warrior.

            To be a prayer warrior is to realize the importance and value of prayer and to take the time to pray regularly. Notice I didn’t say make time to pray. The difference may be subtle; however, it’s what separates prayer warriors from non-prayer warriors. Jesus took the time to pray. That is, it was a regular part of His life. He didn’t squeeze it in between miracles and parables. It was integral to His life and ministry. It was a priority! Sure, Jesus was God incarnate, and we can assume, perhaps, that all He merely had to do was think to Himself in order to pray. Maybe there is a grain of truth in that assumption, I don’t know. However, the point is that prayer was an innate part of Jesus’ life. He was our example, and we are to emulate His life.

            So, why isn’t every believer a prayer warrior? I recall a sermon by my pastor some years ago in which he told a story about a stranger in a town that was full of people who didn’t wear shoes. The stranger inquired of those barefoot people with whom he interacted, “Don’t you believe in shoes?” to which they all replied, “Yes.” They believed in them, but they didn’t wear them. The story is intended to illustrate that many Christians believe in the power of prayer, but few actually take the time to do it.

            As I gave thought to what it means to be prayer warrior, I examined my own prayer life. I realized I wasn’t taking time to pray; I was making time to pray. Often, and perhaps like a lot of believers, I pray right before I go to sleep. I’m already in bed, lights out, and ready to sleep when I give God five or ten minutes of my time. I promise myself I’ll pray more the next day, but I rarely keep that promise.

            So, I decided what I needed to do is make prayer a priority in my life. As the head of the household, I must serve as the example. If ever there were a situation that required leadership, prayer is one of them. It is the duty and obligation of husbands and fathers to lead their families in prayer and groom the next generation of prayer warriors. With that in mind, I set my plan of action. First, I begin my days with prayer, after coffee, of course, because I’m just not at my best without it, and I want to give God my best. And I pray several times a day. Second, my wife and I pray with our daughters each night, teaching them how to pray. Third, I pray with and for my wife. We will take time each day to hold hands and pray together. Fourth, I keep a prayer diary – a battle plan, if you will – of things and people to pray for – the sick, the grieving, the needs of others, friends who are non-believers, the church, my pastor, the elders, friends, family, my fellow Christians, our nation and its leaders, and above all, God’s will.

            In the end I realized any believer can become a prayer warrior. All it really involves is taking the time to pray! Take the time today and every day to pray.