WE ARE ALL ABOUT THE NUMBERS
One of our values is “We are all about the numbers”. And there are plenty of numbers around at the moment – numbers of people infected, numbers of people who have died, numbers of people who survived, big numbers for a problem that affects the nation and the rest of the world.
There are other numbers too – the number of people you can infect by refusing to socially distance from others, and not just numbers but graphics and pictures too. Numbers that demonstrate you matter. In the face of a global problem, it’s important to remember that you matter. Your sacrifice to stay at home has an impact on the national picture. So, first of all – thank you!
We are all about the numbers. Jesus spoke about not one sparrow falling from the sky being missed by God (Matt 10:29) and even one lost sheep being looked for, even though there were plenty left (Luke 15:5-7).
But would we dare to take this thought to prayer? Would we dare to consider what impact we have when we pray? We have always mattered to God. He knows our names, our lives, even the number of hairs on our head! He loves to hear from us; He is listening.
In Exodus 17:10-13, while the Israelites are wandering in the desert, we come across this story:
“So Joshua fought the Amalekites as Moses had ordered, and Moses, Aaron and Hur went to the top of the hill. As long as Moses held up his hands, the Israelites were winning, but whenever he lowered his hands, the Amalekites were winning. When Moses’ hands grew tired, they took a stone and put it under him and he sat on it. Aaron and Hur held his hands up - one on one side, one on the other - so that his hands remained steady till sunset. So Joshua overcame the Amalekite army with the sword.”
Moses, Aaron and Hur aren’t part of the frontline, but what they do changes the battle. When Moses holds up his hands to heaven, even on a hillside overlooking the battle, the Israelites were winning. When we pray – from our homes, from our isolation, even (and especially) when we pray from tough places – our prayers matter. They have the power to change the outcome of the battle.
You and I have always mattered. Your prayers matter.
I encourage you to keep going, keep praying and if you haven’t already, why not find some others today to pray with like Moses did?
