Earlier in the summer, my friend Darren and I were the designated prayer team for a week at a Youth for Christ camp for middle schoolers designed for kids to encounter their Savior. Preparing for this week, we knew we were entering into a war over these young lives. We knew the week would be hard fought. We understood going into this that we would be prayer warriors for a week. We weren’t surprised by this at all, but we didn’t think about the battle starting even before our trip even began.
With an early flight out of an airport two hours away, I planned for us to leave around 4:30 in the morning. I had let Darren know that I would be there at that time to pick him up for the trip. I texted him at 4:15 to let him know I had a cup of coffee for him and that I would be there in 15 minutes. I didn’t think much that he didn’t reply, I figured that he was getting ready. I pull up at 4:30, but no Darren. I give him a couple of minutes and still no Darren. I call and there’s no response, it goes to voice mail. Ugh… He slept through his alarm. We’ve all done it at some point, but this was not the best morning to sleep in. I see his roommate’s light is on so I text the roommate and ask him to wake him up and he does. Our week started with a little bit of frustration on my end.
Fifteen minutes into our trip I see a pheasant on the road in front of us. It saw me as well so it took flight to avoid getting run over. The problem is that it flew right into my windshield resulting in one big crack (and a big jolt to wake us up).
When we got off the plane in Chicago we immediately located a flight departure screen and saw what gate our next flight was departing from. We went to the gate and since we were there more than a couple of hours early, we settled in. At one point they decided to change the gate for our flight and switched it to the exact opposite end of the terminal. We realized too late and missed our flight. Five hours into our journey and we’re already on frustration number three.
Once we get the flight details arranged we make it to our destination city in Grand Rapids. While at the desk at the car rental company, the clerk helping us notices that my drivers license expired six months ago. What?!?!?! (Being a somewhat recent transplant to Iowa, I didn’t realize the state didn’t warn you your license was about to expire.)They couldn’t rent a car to either myself or Darren. Ugh… How were we going to get to camp? Frustration continued to build. I asked them if they could rent to me if I could show proof of online renewal. They said that would work and the heavenly wisdom that was poured upon me worked as it always does.
Here’s the thing. I whole-heartedly believe that Satan knows the power of our prayers. He knows that when we pray, when our requests are lifted to The One Who Hears, incredible things can happen. Lives can be restored. Transformation occurs.
Satan didn’t want us praying for those young lives who feel like misfits to be embraced by their Savior.
He didn’t want us to lift our petitions for the kids who have been cutting and self-harming to the God Who Heals for restoration and health.
He didn’t want us to pray for the God Who Loves to reveal Himself to the kids who feel alone or abandoned because they’re parents aren’t there.
All of these roadblocks that the enemy brought forth were designed to stop us from praying a heavenly fortress around the camp, around the cabins and around the kids. What’s beautiful is that it resulted in the exact opposite. All of these situations continually reminded us that this is a battle. We were going into war and we need to be continually wearing our heavenly armor.
What about you? Be forewarned and know that you will come under attack regardless of whether you’re interceding for a specific group or living your daily life in the shadow of our Savior. Satan will try to derail and discourage you. But be encouraged because you know in advance that the One who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world!
