And they were helped…for they cried to God in the battle

"The sons of Reuben, and the Gadites, and half the tribe of Manasseh, of valiant men, men able to bear buckler and sword, and to shoot with bow, and skilful in war, were four and forty thousand seven hundred and threescore, that went out to the war. And they made war with the Hagarites, with Jetur, and Nephish, and Nodab. And they were helped against them, and the Hagarites were delivered into their hand, and all that were with them: for they cried to God in the battle, and he was intreated of them; because they put their trust in him"(1 Chron. 5:18-20).

Like the 3 tribes mentioned above Christians need to be armed and ready for war. Paul wrote, "Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand." (Eph. 6:10-12).

We are in a war not only against the world and our own sinful nature but against demonic forces that seek to destroy us. In this war we are easy prey unless we have "cried out to God in the battle" (1 Chron. 5:20). Notice that the three tribes mentioned in 1 Chronicles 5:20 prayed "in the battle." These skillful warriors didn't just pray to prepare for the battle they fought the battle with prayer. They wielded their swords and they raised their shields but the secret to their success was that they cried out to God in the process. Prayer was the key to victory. "The one concern of the devil is to keep Christians from praying. He fears nothing from prayerless studies, prayerless work, and prayerless religion. He laughs at our toil, mocks at our wisdom, but trembles when we pray" (Samuel Chadwick). God will answer the urgent pleas of all those who trust in Him.