A few days ago we looked at one of the interruptions in the list of names in 1 Chronicles 1 – 9: the Prayer of Jabez, a vignette that occurs nowhere else in scripture. And there’s another, also about prayer, in the very next chapter:
The families of Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh had 44,760 men trained for war—physically fit and skilled in handling shield, sword, and bow. They fought against the Hagrites, Jetur, Naphish, and Nodab. God helped them as they fought. God handed the Hagrites and all their allies over to them, because they cried out to him during the battle. God answered their prayers because they trusted him. They plundered the Hagrite herds and flocks: 50,000 camels, 250,000 sheep, and 2,000 donkeys. They also captured 100,000 people. Many were killed, because the battle was God’s. They lived in that country until the exile. (1 Chronicles 5.18 -22, MSG)
“God handed over the Hagrites…because they cried out to him during the battle.”
“God answered their prayers because they trusted him.”
“…the battle was God’s.”
One obscure battle, but it’s recorded in scripture. Why? Because they prayed.
Again,
You have not because you ask not. (James 4.3, KJV)
If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. (John 15.7, ESV)
Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full. (John 16.24, ESV)
And remember, we, too, are in a battle:
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. (Ephesians 6.10 – 12 ESV)
Then the dragon became furious with the woman and went off to make war on the rest of her offspring, on those who keep the commandments of God and hold to the testimony of Jesus. (Revelation 12.17, ESV)