Returning to the theme of the place of prayer in our spiritual warfare, this week we consider one phrase from a great hymn written by William Cowper:
What various hindrances we meet
In coming to a mercy seat!
Yet who that knows the worth of prayer,
But wishes to be often there?
Prayer makes the darken'd cloud withdraw,
Prayer climbs the ladder Jacob saw,
Gives exercise to faith and love,
Brings every blessing from above.
Restraining prayer, we cease to fight;
Prayer makes the Christian's armour bright;
And Satan trembles when he sees
The weakest saint upon his knees.
While Moses stood with arms spread wide,
Success was found on Israel's side;
But when through weariness they fail'd,
That moment Amalek prevail'd.
Have you no words? Ah, think again,
Words flow apace when you complain,
And fill your fellow-creature's ear
With the sad tale of all your care.
Were half the breath thus vainly spent
To heaven in supplication sent,
Your cheerful song would oftener be,
"Hear what the Lord has done for me."
The hymn has much to teach us about prayer and our attitude to it - it is useful to meditate on the words and to examine our hearts in the light of them.
Why does Cowper believe that Satan trembles when he sees even a weak Christian praying? It is precisely because, as we saw last time, prayer makes the Christian's armor bright. If it is bright, it is more effective and this means two things as far as Satan's kingdom is concerned:
First, that the believer who prays will not be such an easy target as he was before. Suddenly, all the gaps in the armor through which Satan could drive home his attacks are closing up. This believer is not so easy to defeat any more. Satan's flaming arrows are extinguished by the shield, his attempts to crush the believer's head are deflected by the helmet of salvation and so on. Formerly, this believer was a pushover for Satan and his forces and he or she was used to bring dishonor and disrepute upon the name of Christ. But not any more. Now, they stand firm in this shining armor, and Satan trembles at the sight!
But second, this believer who is now praying is becoming a much more potent offensive combatant in the war. Now he is learning afresh the power of the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God. Now he is learning that the weapons God has given can be used to demolish the fortresses of Satan, whether they are in his heart, or out in the world. Rightly wielded, Satan has no defense against the Christian armor once it is made strong and powerful through prayer. Satan knows this, and he trembles!
Our question this week, then, is this - how often do you make Satan tremble by being upon your knees? And since God is present to bless His church especially when she meets for prayer, how often do you join your brothers and sisters at the prayer meeting, to engage in the battle to which the Lord has called you?
