“Fight your battles on your knees.”
I have been privileged to sit under Dr. Charles Stanley’s teaching at First Baptist Atlanta for the past 19 years. This quote is one of “30 Life Principles” that he wrote, all based on Scriptures and his life experiences as a Christian for over 70 years.
I was reminded of that principle one day during my morning walk. Both my children had experienced bad experiences with friends who have proven to be unfaithful at the time.
As my oldest daughter shared her experience, I thought about my own battles as a teenager. I remember feeling left out, less than, as some girls who I thought were my friends isolated me or betrayed my trust. I remembered the hurt, pain, and how much it affected my self-esteem.
As I started thinking about how I could help, how I should put on the Super Mom cape and do something to rescue and vindicate my child, I heard that tested and proven “Life Principle” ringing in my heart: “Fight Your battles on your knees.” While thinking about what I should do, God reminded me of the many battles He has fought for me when I did not lean on my own understanding, and, instead of taking matters into my own feeble hands, simply prayed.
I just finished studying the book of Joshua again. Although I have read Joshua’s last words to the Israelite on the 23rd chapter several times before, they echoed in my heart in a fresh way this morning. Just before Joshua breathed his last, he assembled the people to remind them of the faithfulness and power of their God.
He reminded them that it wasn’t their weapons that won battles against much stronger people as they entered the Promise Land. It certainly wasn’t Israel who defeated Egypt, the greatest army of their time. It wasn’t by their own hard labor that manna fell from the heavens every morning for 40 years. It was because, even though they turned from God and rebelled time and again, He was always faithful to forgive, protect, provide and defend them, every time their leaders prayed.
As I reflected on what made Israel a great nation, and the many times God came to her rescue, I couldn’t help but smile. Because I have seen the same sovereign Hand in my life, time and again. As a teenager, when I felt betrayed and lonely, it seems as if God would always send me a better friend. When I moved 6,000 miles away from home, leaving behind my country, my entire family and friends, I prayed and watched God’s faithful hands planting new, wonderful people in my life.
As I reflected on what made Israel a great nation, and the many times God came to her rescue, I couldn’t help but smile. Because I have seen the same sovereign Hand in my life, time and again. Click To TweetAs I remembered these and other times, when I watched God act on my behalf, even when all hope and material resources were gone, I realized that one thing indeed stood above all else: I have always fought the fiercest, yet most successful battles on my knees, in submission and humble prayer.
And so I decided to pack my Super Mom cape, and chose instead to spend the rest of my morning walk praying for my children. As I came back home, my heart was full of confidence in the lesson I would convey to them. Instead of coaching them on what to do or how to respond to their enemies, I chose to spend some time reminding them of our pastor’s tested and proven principle: Before you do anything, say anything, or choose any weapon and tactics to battle against those who wrong you, remember — fight your battles on your knees. For God will always be our defender and mighty warrior, so long as we choose to obey his word, and trust his mighty hand.
Before you do anything, say anything, or choose any weapon and tactics to battle against those who wrong you, remember — fight your battles on your knees. #LifePrinciples Click To TweetLINKUP PARTY opens at 6 am EST!
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Patricia,
What an awesome reminder! I’m so quick to want to try to “fix” things that I can’t fix. The most powerful battle position is one of humility – going down on our knees in prayer to God. He will fight out battles, we need only to be still. Loved this!
Blessings,
Bev xx
Thank you, Bev! He fights our battles!
Such a wonderful reminder for today! Grateful you shared your lesson and Dr. Stanley’s Life Principle. Blessings!
I love him… His Life Principles Bible is a must-have!
Thank you, Joanne!
Prayer is warfare, but it’s hard to measure, quantify, and certainly the results are out of our hands. Trusting God is always a matter of obedience without all the facts I’d like to have. And that’s why it’s called trust…
Life long lesson there for me!
For me too, Michele! It’s a life-long journey, for sure!
Blessings to you!
Amen, Patricia! His principle and your recounting of all God Did for Israel as for you bolstered my faith this morning. Thank you!
I am so grateful, Bethany! It is a wonderful exercise to recount His faithfulness through the generations!
Blessings to you!
I wish I made your acquaintance when I moved to Atlanta. I visited Dr. Charles Stanley’s church. I’ve heard him say we fight best on our knees and we reap what we sow, more than we sow and later than we sow. He’s a man of wise sayings. Thanks for the reminder to talk to God before talking to anyone else. Prayer is powerful!
Oh, I wish we had met as well, Yvonne! Let me know if you ever come visit again – would love to meet you in person! He has been a wonderful pastor to me!
Blessings,
Oh, how I need to remember this. I often go to my knees as a last desperate resort. But God is so patient with me. And I’m grateful!
He is patient, Rebecca! It’s a life-long process…
Thank you for participating!!
Patricia, thank you for this powerful post and reminder about where the battle begins…in prayer and on our knees. It’s so easy to want to sport a cape for our loved ones and attempt to fix their issues instead of going to bat for them before God’s very throne. This line sums it up so well, “I have always fought the fiercest, yet most successful battles on my knees, in submission and humble prayer.” Amen, my sister, Amen!
Thank you so much, sweet friend! You are a blessing to me!
Patricia, what I appreciated about your experience and mine is the peace that comes when we take our battles to God. Thanks so much for this encouragment.
Thank you, dear Debbie! He is our Defender! Love to you,
So true. I am going to fight on my knees right now. laurensparks.net
Praise God, Lauren! He is near!
Blessings,
I love this Patricia! Such a beautiful reminder of the importance of prayer, and what our first line of defense should be in any conflict. Many Thanks! 8)
So grateful you stopped by, Debra! Come back often!
Blessings to you!
Our pastor illustrated this very point in his sermon on Sunday, getting down on his knees. It’s a powerful lesson and one we all need reminding of. Thanks for sharing!
Wow. Isn’t it amazing that sometimes we hear the same message several times in a matter of days? I always find it that it’s because God wants to either teach us something we will need soon or someone we know will need soon!
Always grateful for your participation on our linkup, Lisa! Blessings,