Are you utilizing one of our greatest weapons as followers of Jesus Christ?

Yesterday, my classmates and I, were finishing up Officer Survival by helping the academy staff put back into storage all of the equipment we used during the past week. Myself and about 5 other classmates ended up using the academy’s elevator to bring up several heavy pieces of equipment. We all squeezed into the elevator and pressed the button for the 2nd floor. As the door to the elevator closed someone said jokingly, “I hope this doesn’t break because of the weight”. In response one of my classmates standing near me said, “I think we’ll be alright as long as Clark’s in here with us”. We all laughed and continued on. Even though this was obviously a joke I was reminded of it as I spent my time with the Lord this morning. 

I was studying Acts 27 which describes the Apostle Paul’s voyage to Rome. Prior to this chapter, Paul had been arrested for preaching the gospel and was now being transported to Rome by ship to stand trial before Caesar. During this trip Paul’s boat is caught in a terrible storm. For days this storm beats against their boat causing them to eventually toss overboard all of the boat's equipment and furniture. It says in vs. 20 that the storm was so bad the sun and the stars couldn’t be seen for days and that all hope of being saved had been lost by those on the ship.

In the midst of this hopeless situation Paul receives a word from the Lord. In vs. 23 and 24 Paul tells everyone on the ship, “For there stood by me this night an angel of God to whom I belong and whom I serve, saying, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul; you must be brought before Caesar; and indeed, God has granted you all those who sail with you.’” Notice how the angel said that God had granted Paul safety for all those who sailed with him. I believe Paul had been praying not only for himself but also for all those who were with him on the ship. The end result was that all 276 soldiers, crew members, and prisoners on that ship survived despite there ship sinking. As long as Paul was with them and they did what Paul said, not one person was lost.

You might be asking yourself why I’m sharing this with you. This passage of scripture made me think of the fellow officers/deputies that work with us on our shifts. Do you pray for them in the same way I believe Paul was praying for those who were on the ship with him? Do you believe in the power of prayer? Are you interceding for the protection of those on your shift?

One of the greatest weapons we have to defend against any spiritual or physical attack of the devil is prayer. We need to be covering ourselves and those who work with us with prayer, but not passive prayer. Use your mouth to wield the sword of the Spirit which is God’s word and speak out the promises of God.

The following is an example of what I pray out loud as I drive into work. You don't have to use these exact words but I would encourage you to find promises in the word of God to stand on. Confess them out loud over yourself, your family, and those who you work with. Just like the apostle Paul, your prayers and confessions can place divine protection over those around you.

My prayer:

Father, I declare divine protection over myself and those working on my shift. Hide us from the evil schemes and plans of those who practice lawlessness. I believe therefore I speak that no weapon formed against us will prosper in the name of Jesus. For You have trained our hands for war and our fingers for battle. Guide our eyes, hands, and feet today, Lord Jesus. Preserve our lives from fear of the enemy. We receive Your discretion, Your protection, Your wisdom, and Your strength today, Lord Jesus. Use us as weapons of righteousness for Your kingdom. In the name of Jesus I pray, Amen.