I don’t have vast experience in fighting.  As a child, I got into arguments with different people.  Sometimes my mouth got to going, but not my fists.  I never fought with children at school, the neighbors, or anyone else…with the exception of one person.  Just one.  So, I really don’t have a lot of experience with anyone but just one sibling.  (I’ll leave her unnamed.) 

I was younger than she was and much punier.  Even though she was a girl, she could arm wrestle guys her age and win. My arms were always the skinniest part of me.  Once, she took what should have been one of my biceps in her two hands and told me, “I could break your arm in two.”  And she probably could have.  With just her bare hands!

Now she loved me (and still did until this was published, hee hee!) and was my fierce protector.  But there were times that we would have a disagreement that would turn into a fight.  I would try to punch her, and she would be amused.  Part of her response was to let me know how truly pitiful my efforts were!  So, I would hit her again.  And again.  She would laugh harder just to let me know that I was so pathetic that I couldn’t hurt her.

I learned that the strongest part of me was my legs, so I would switch my tactics and try to kick her.  She would use my weapon against me.  With her lightning-fast reflexes, she would grab my leg and jerk it, throwing me off balance.  I would go crashing!

One day, I figured out that if I would drop to the floor and kick like a mule, I would have the best success.  Whether it was hitting or kicking, she would laugh and laugh at me.  But every once in a while, something would change.  All the laughing would be gone.  Something was finally effective.

Even though I’m puny, the Scripture says, “Remember the Lord, which is great and terrible, and fight for your brethren, your sons, and your daughters, your wives, and your houses.” (Nehemiah 4:14)

 I am painfully aware that my children are in a time of change.  All four of them are teenagers, and I know this is the time to fight.  Fight for their souls and their future.  The devil has come in with confusion, temptations, and hopelessness.  The fighting has been difficult.

After a few weeks of having no services this spring, we finally started drive-in services.  We thanked the Lord for the time when we could gather inside our sanctuary to worship.  But honestly, we’ve been distracted. We’ve been trying to maintain social distance.  The pews have been spread out.  Handshaking has stopped.  We are trying to get used to each other in masks.  It’s been hard to feel freedom to pull in the services.  The devil has laughed.

Our denomination’s camp has been canceled.  Our fellowship meetings and special services have been shut down.  And yet, life has gone on with busyness and projects. 

This spring and summer as I have tried to fight, it hasn’t felt effective.  It seems like the devil is laughing, telling me how puny I am, how pathetic my prayers are.  “You don’t even know how to pray!  You’re not the prayer warrior your Mom was.  Nothing is changing.  Nothing is going to change.”  (Yes, I hear the laughter!)

But the Bible says, “The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.”  I’ve seen it before.  I’ve seen something change, and the enemy’s laughter stop.  So, I pray on.  I fight the good fight of faith to lay hold of the promises.  I keep on fighting in prayer.  How about you?