READ: EPHESIANS 6:10-20; 1 TIMOTHY 2:1-8; JAMES 5:16

We see bad things happen all the time. We can’t help it; trouble is all around, and people are suffering. Maybe something hard is affecting your family right now, or your friends, or your community. Do you feel helpless when you see the sorrow and pain of those you care about? It often feels like there is nothing we can do. Sometimes people say, “The situation is hopeless. I guess all we can do is pray.” That makes it sound like prayer is the last resort, something we settle for because we can’t do any real work to make things better.

But the exact opposite is true! Prayer is actually a super powerful weapon! And when we pray—behind the scenes, under-cover—it’s like we are God’s Special Forces, called upon to wield the weapons of our warfare for good.

God has placed each of us right where He means for us to be, to affect real change and make real things happen, from a posture of prayer. When we pray, we are joining our Savior, Jesus, who is always interceding before the throne of God the Father (Romans 8:34). It’s not like we’re going in solo. No, we are joining His team—a team that He is working through every day to make a difference in the world.

It’s actually kind of fun. Here’s how it works: Where you see darkness, you pray in the light of Christ. Where you see captivity to sin, you pray for freedom and newness of life. Where you see rebellion, you pray for God’s Holy Spirit to open minds and soften hearts.

This is God’s heart for the world. He loves us, and He is eager to work on our behalf. What a joy it is to join His team! We get to pray for His will to be done, as a part of His Special Forces, under the cover of light. • Kristen Merrill

• Prayer is one of the most powerful things a Christian can do. Because of Jesus’s death and resurrection, we get to approach the almighty God of the whole universe and pour out our hearts before Him. We get to join in the work He is doing to bring healing and wholeness to broken places in our world. What are some ways you can spend intentional time in prayer this week, both by yourself and with other believers?

Therefore, he [Jesus] is able to save completely those who come to God through him, since he always lives to intercede for them. Hebrews 7:25 (CSB)