Man’s Secret Weapon

ByJeff Casillo
Man's Secret Weapon

Good day to each of you reading this column for this column may bring some insight on a very special subject that is not used enough in many of our lives.

Here are strange but true facts from the Lexington County Chronicle:

  • Koi Fish have been known to live up to 226 years. Any named Methuselah?
  • Dueling is still legal in Paraguay, as long as both parties are blood donors.
  • In Chinese, the KFC slogan “finger lickin good translates to “eat your fingers off” in its literal interpretation.
  • Early astronomer John Herschel reported seeing winged people inhabiting the moon through his telescope.
  • 1912 saw the last Olympics gold metals made entirely out of gold.
  • And, during a game, Babe Ruth would place a cabbage leaf under his cap to keep cool under the sun, replacing it every inning or two.
  • Did you ever notice that when you blow on a dog’s face that he gets mad at you? But when you take him in a car, he sticks his head out the window.
  • “You want a friend in Washington? Get a dog.” – Harry Truman
  • And, I feel sorry for people who don’t have dogs. I hear they have to pick up food they drop on the floor.

I hope you enjoy the above tidbits as this may bring a bit of laughter and happiness to you and those you may share this article with.
Man or woman’s secret weapon? Hmmm, what comes to mind? Nuclear arms, the computer, the charge card, wealth and prosperity, wisdom or what would you say?

What is the one action that many Christians utilize only in the time of trouble? A simple six letter word, Prayer.

Let’s look at the word prayer—This word is used 114 times in the Strong’s exhaustive concordance—82 times in the Old Testament, 32 times in the New Testament, and seven times used by Jesus.

Simple as it sounds, Prayer is used when one or a multitude is in trouble, but what about the rest of the time? All throughout the Bible, prophets, men and women of God and the multitudes cry out to God when trouble arises.

Turn to 1Kings 8:37-40 (NIV) and read about our Israelite brothers and sisters calling upon the Lord when famine or plague comes to the land, or blight or mildew, locusts or grasshoppers, or when an enemy besieges them in any of their cities, whatever disaster or disease may come, and when a prayer or plea is made by any of your people Israel— each one aware of the afflictions of his own heart, and spreading out his hands toward this temple— then hear from heaven, your dwelling place. Forgive and act; deal with each man according to all he does, since you know his heart (for you alone know the hearts of all men), so that they will fear you all the time they live in the land you gave our fathers.

I ask that you take some time to read the book of Nehemiah—Why? Because Nehemiah was a prayer warrior—Here are some wonderful examples of how Nehemiah used prayer.

Nehemiah 1:4-11 (NIV) – Nehemiah prayed to God by pouring out his heart and by asking for a specific request. Nehemiah asked, seeked and knocked for God’s advice of approaching the king.
Nehemiah 2:3-8 (NIV) – Nehemiah went before the King as the cupbearer to ask him about rebuilding the city. Nehemiah had put this meeting into God’s hands for the result and gave God the credit for what was to happen.
Nehemiah 4:4,5 (NIV) – Nehemiah and his brothers are despised by Sanballat the governor and Tobias the Ammonite for building the wall. Nehemiah could have taken matters into his own hands against the men, but he prayed to God asking God to deal with these men.
Nehemiah 4:9 (NIV) – Again, Sanballat, Tobias, the Arabs, the Ammonites and men of Ashdod plotted to stir up trouble and fight against Jerusalem and Nehemiah. Nehemiah, not taking matters into his own hands, prayed to God, posted a guard and trusted in God to protect them.
Nehemiah 6:1-9 (NIV) – Nehemiah faced the pressure of lies coming from Sanballat and his evil people. Sanballat was trying all he could to stop the building which included attacking Nehemiah personally with rumors, deceit and false reports. Nehemiah prayed to God asking God to strengthen his hands or strengthen him against these pressures.
Nehemiah 13:29 (NIV) – Nehemiah, reflecting on the actions of his people, uses Solomon as an example of not marrying foreign women. Instead of taking matters into his own hands, Nehemiah asks God to deal with those that have evil plans and that God take away any thought to get personal revenge.
Nehemiah 13:14,22,31(NIV) – Remember me with favor, O my God. Don’t actions speak louder than words and with those actions, will they be done with the purpose of pleasing God?

As I close, take time to reflect on your efforts to serve God and utilize PRAYER no matter what time of day nor what you may face in life.
Remember Ephesians 6:17,18 (NIV) Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.

May God bless you in all that you do and May you bless God in all that you say and do.