In those days, Amalek came and waged war against Israel. Moses, therefore, said to Joshua, “Pick out certain men, and tomorrow go out and engage Amalek in battle. I will be standing on top of the hill with the staff of God in my hand.”

So Joshua did as Moses told him: he engaged Amalek in battle after Moses had climbed to the top of the hill with Aaron and Hur. As long as Moses kept his hands raised up, Israel had the better of the fight, but when he let his hands rest, Amalek had the better of the fight. Moses’-hands, however, grew tired; so they put a rock in place for him to sit on. Meanwhile Aaron and Hur supported his hands, one on one side and one on the other, so that his hands remained steady till sunset. And Joshua mowed down Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword.

Exodus 17:8-13

Dear God, I really don’t give the power of prayer enough credit. This is the Old Testament reading for church today. The Gospel reading is from Luke 18:1-8. It’s the story of the widow who petitions the dishonest judge relentlessly about injustice done to her until he relents and addresses her issue. Both stories indicate to me that I need to take petitioning prayer—supplication—much more seriously. I’m good at praying to you about how I’m forming my faith. Like now. This topic. Thinking through how I view you and supplication. Praying to you about it. I’m good at that part. I’m pretty good at worshipping you in my prayers. I’m okay at repenting and confessing my sin to you. But supplication…well, I do it, but my expectations are limited.

I think one of the reasons I lower my expectations is because I don’t want to underestimate how your timing might be involved. You have a plan that is wiser than mine. You have a perspective that is complete while mine is partial. For some of the things for which I pray, the timing might not yet be right. If you did what I wanted you to do when I want you to do it then it might short-circuit the greater work you are wanting to do.

Holy Spirit, teach me to pray both more expectantly and patiently. Raise up people around me like Aaron and Hur. Not that I’m Moses, but when I’m praying, give me people who will strengthen me and help me persevere through the battle. For the cries of my heart, even as I sit here, please bring your healing. For physical issues. For relationships. For internal wounds that are bound as secrets, bring your healing.

I pray this through my Lord, Jesus,

Amen