And Elisha prayed, and said, “LORD, I pray, open his eyes that he may see.” – 2 Kings 6:17a
We are living in one of the most divisive and turning points in our nation’s history. It is a time where Jesus is outcast and men dressed in women’s clothing are invited to entertain our children, in our schools, AND IN SOME CHURCHES! A large part of our nation is suffering from the ravages of two major hurricanes and limited help is coming from our nation because we have spent on a war in Ukraine on the other side of the planet. Israel is at war with predatory nations that surround her. There are rumors the United States, China, and Russia are contemplating thermonuclear options. Rioting and words of revolt are on our horizon based on the outcome of the upcoming election. Yes, there are a lot of reasons to cower under the cloud of impending calamity.
The Bible says, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made know to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7). This is one of the most important verses in all of the Bible because there is always something that has the potential to cause us anxiety.
Here we have a prayerful solution for “anxiety.” “Anxious” (Greek merimnate – Present/Active of merimnao) means to be anxious about, to be concerned about, to worry. Such a prayer targets anxiety where “nothing,” no situation or circumstance is excluded. The target of this prayer is “everything” that might cause us anxiety.
“Supplication” (Greek deesis) refers to a prayer that begs. The idea conveyed by this word is a prisoner begging for mercy. This is a type of praying where we throw ourselves on the mercy of the Judge of the High Court of God. This is no casual prayer, it is on your knees, face planted on the ground, pour out your heart praying. Prayer should flow from the heart. This is no flippant afterthought type of prayer. This is not an, “Oh Lord, bless this mess.” This is a teary, lump in the throat, heart pounding, prophetic type of prayer. This is like Jeremiah praying, “Ah, Lord God! Behold, You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and outstretched arm. There is nothing too hard for You” type of prayer (Jeremiah 32:17).
This is a prayer of faith. We don’t see the word “faith” in these two verses, but we see the word “thanksgiving.” “Thanksgiving” (Greek eucharistia) means thankfulness, gratitude, to show favor. What makes such a word insinuate faith is that it is included in our prayer before the answer arrives. So we fervently pray over our anxious situation thankful ahead of time before God’s response or answer to our prayer. To be thankful before there is reason to be thankful is an expression of faith and trust in God and His will for our lives.
This prayer is a “request” (Greek aitema) something we ask for, a petition, a request. While it is the word used when the mob demanded Pilate crucify Jesus (Luke 23:24), when used with God it is an expression of humble consideration. When we pray we shouldn’t be like a nasty cutthroat riotous mob, we should be humble servants making a request of our Almighty King. It’s a request made that is thankful for the opportunity itself to make the request.
When we pray like that in such anxiety producing situations, the promised result will be “the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard our hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” We have “peace with God” when we accept Jesus as Savior and are justified by faith through God’s grace (Romans 5:1). But “peace with God” does not always mean we will have the “peace of God.”
“Peace” (Greek eirenei) means peace, harmony, tranquility, health. This peace is a settled, satisfied, safeness that God is in control, and He will take care of us. Such “peace” is particularly “the peace of God.” This is not the product of some mantra or self-delusionary practice. This is not a pie-in-the-sky misconception. This is a supernatural work of God in us that “surpasses all understanding.” It is a peace that goes beyond our attitudinal, intellectual, thinking (Greek nous). Such peace is of God and can’t be explained or received outside of God. It is a peace you just can’t explain. The world can be falling apart around you and everything that could be going wrong is going wrong, but you’re at peace, because of the God provided kind of peace.
This peace will “guard” us (Greek phroureo) or keep watch over us, protect us, keep us. It will protect our “hearts” (Greek kardia) or our innermost being. It will protect our “minds” (Greek noema) thoughts, mind activities, purposes, perceptions, conceptualization, ideas, designs. Such prayer and God’s answer is the perfect solution for our mental health.
Notice this prayer is corporate. It says “hearts” plural and “minds” plural. There is immense value in prayer, but there is even greater value in praying together with someone. In Acts 4 when the apostles were persecuted they returned to the church after their ordeal, and they all prayed. It says when they did that, “And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled tougher was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness” (Acts 4:31).
Lastly, all of this is received “through Christ Jesus.” Jesus is the One who makes such prayer possible and feasible. We need our eyes opened to such truth. “Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:14-16). Do you see how that all fits together? Do you see how important and valuable prayer is?
Christian are you anxious about the upcoming election. Early voting is upon us. The outcome is already in the balance. With our nation coming apart at the seams and the world literally ready to explode, we might be tempted to anxiety and despair. But we need to have our eyes opened, not only to see what’s around us politically or otherwise, but to see what is normally unseen, the unseen realm. We see this in an Old Testament passage where Elijah has spiritual sight, but his servant does not. Without spiritual sight we will fear or be anxious. With spiritual insight, we will be courageous and hopeful.
The account is found in 2 Kings 6 where it states:
2 Kings 6:8-23 (NKJV) – 8 Now the king of Syria was making war against Israel; and he consulted with his servants, saying, “My camp will be in such and such a place.”
Like Israel, we are under attack (2 Kings 6:8). We are in a spiritual war (Ephesians 6:12). The “flesh and blood” Syrians we see are only instruments of demonic forces that are unseen. We are in a temporal tumultuous battle with eternal destiny consequences.
9 And the man of God sent to the king of Israel, saying, “Beware that you do not pass this place, for the Syrians are coming down there.”
God sends a “man of God” (Elisha – v. 12) to warn us in such situations (2 Kings 6:9). A godly man will have insight received through the word of God:
2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NKJV) – 16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.
The “man of God” is made complete and thoroughly equipped by God’s word. Good examples today of such men are Pastor Jack Hibbs, Pastor Gary Hamric, and Charlie Kirk. There are others. Maybe your lock pastor at your church is one of those men. But God is faithful to send a “man of God” to direct us.
10 Then the king of Israel sent someone to the place of which the man of God had told him. Thus he warned him, and he was watchful there, not just once or twice.
Receive the warning, be watchful and take precautionary action (2 Kings 6:10). Teachability, watchfulness, and applying what is learned is essential to victory. In the Garden of Gethsemane, at the height of spiritual war, Jesus instructed Peter, James, and John:
Mark 14:38 (NKJV) – Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
They slept, missed a great opportunity, and suffered shame, don’t do the same. Pray and proceed in faith whatever befalls us.
11 Therefore the heart of the king of Syria was greatly troubled by this thing; and he called his servants and said to them, “Will you not show me which of us is for the king of Israel?”
Understand the enemy is not as confident as we might think they are (2 Kings 6:11). The enemy may prowl around like a roaring lion, but he is no match for the people of God who trust in the Lord (1 Peter 5:8-11). The demons believe in God, AND TREMBLE (James 2:19). They know the God of peace will soon crush the devil under our feet (Romans 16:20). They know the Holy Spirit within us makes us greater than anything or anyone the devil throws against us (1 John 4:4). All we have to do is resist the devil and he will flee from us (James 4:7) Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. When we are close to God, in prayer, our eyes are opened to such glorious truth. That is comforting and melts anxiety away.
12 And one of his servants said, “None, my lord, O king; but Elisha, the prophet who is in Israel, tells the king of Israel the words that you speak in your bedroom.”
God-informed godly prophets provide us information to thwart the plans of the enemy (2 Kings 6:12). The Holy Spirit will give us the spiritual gifting needed for the battle (cf., Ephesians 4:10-12; 6:10-18; Romans 12; 1 Corinthians 12:4-11; 14). God gives us all we need to see and handle what we see and need to handle.
13 So he said, “Go and see where he is, that I may send and get him.”
And it was told him, saying, “Surely he is in Dothan.”
14 Therefore he sent horses and chariots and a great army there, and they came by night and surrounded the city. 15 And when the servant of the man of God arose early and went out, there was an army, surrounding the city with horses and chariots. And his servant said to him, “Alas, my master! What shall we do?”
When the enemy attacks if we look at only the physical realm we will fear (2 Kings 6:13-15). God has not given us a spirit of “fear” (Greek deilia – lit. cowardice) but of power, love, and a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7). What we see is not all there is. There is more to life and our existence than what we see on the surface of life.
16 So he answered, “Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.”
The “man of God,” person of God, prophet of God will know the truth that those on our side outnumber those who can be seen and will comfort those with immature limited sight (2 Kings 6:16). The spiritual gift of prophecy is in part a gift to edify, exhort, and comfort (1 Corinthians 14:3).
17 And Elisha prayed, and said, “LORD, I pray, open his eyes that he may see.” Then the LORD opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw. And behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.
Prayer is eye-opening (2 Kings 6:17). It is through prayer that we gain insight and understanding. It is through prayer that we see things as they really are. We must pray so we can see. We must pray that others may see. When you get anxious and tempted to give up, pray, and God will open your eyes and give you the peace you need. God has great resources in the unseen realm. We need to prayerfully be privy to such realities.
There was a time when Jerusalem was surrounded by the Assyrian army. The Assyrians were a terrorist empire. They punished cities who resisted their demands by cutting off the heads of their leaders and leaving a pyramid of heads outside of the city gates. They were intimidating and demonic. When they surrounded Jerusalem king Hezekiah, and his leaders summoned the prophet Isaiah. They prayed. That night the LORD sent an angel, not an army of angels, but one angel, and in the morning one hundred and eighty-five thousand (185,000!) Assyrians lay dead in their camps. Truly, nothing is too difficult for God to handle. Keep this in mind next time you feel surrounded and pray for God’s deliverance.
18 So when the Syrians came down to him, Elisha prayed to the LORD, and said, “Strike this people, I pray, with blindness.” And He struck them with blindness according to the word of Elisha.
God is able to blind the enemy so they walk into a trap that will defeat them; we need to pray for this (2 Kings 6:18). Prayer is so important because it expresses our dependence on God and calls on Him to fight against the enemy. Prayer can be imprecatory. We can pray against our enemies. We do not pray for their damnation. We pray for their eyes to be blinded to minimize the evil they intend to do. God, I believe, will answer such prayers.
19 Now Elisha said to them, “This is not the way, nor is this the city. Follow me, and I will bring you to the man whom you seek.” But he led them to Samaria.
In war it is acceptable to lure your enemy into a trap (2 Kings 6:19). Psalm 35 is a plea to God to fight on our behalf and reverse the enemies intended evils back on themselves. “Plead my cause, O LORD, with those who strive with me; fight against those who fight against me” (Psalm 35:1). That is a viable prayer we should be praying. Pray God thwarts the evil plans of the devil and his instruments.
20 So it was, when they had come to Samaria, that Elisha said, “LORD, open the eyes of these men, that they may see.” And the LORD opened their eyes, and they saw; and there they were, inside Samaria!
21 Now when the king of Israel saw them, he said to Elisha, “My father, shall I kill them? Shall I kill them?”
22 But he answered, “You shall not kill them. Would you kill those whom you have taken captive with your sword and your bow? Set food and water before them, that they may eat and drink and go to their master.” 23 Then he prepared a great feast for them; and after they ate and drank, he sent them away and they went to their master. So the bands of Syrian raiders came no more into the land of Israel.
When the enemy is caught, pray for their eyes to be opened, then show them mercy with an understanding they will raid no more (2 Kings 6:20-23). Remember the instructions we receive in scripture about handling the enemy:
Romans 12:14-21 (NKJV) -14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. 16 Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion.
17 Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. 18 If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. 19 Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. 20 Therefore “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; If he is thirsty, give him a drink; For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
If you take vengeance on an enemy, you will be doing them a favor because your vengeance is nothing compared to the righteous vengeance and recompense of God.
As we draw to the end of our study I would like to add that prayer is not a substitute for acting in faith. Unless the Lord specifically instructs us not to act, we are to put feet on our prayers. Actively implement scripture truth like that found in Romans 12. Or, for instance, with our nation’s destiny hanging in the balance of this election, it’s not enough to pray, we must get out and vote too. Yes pray. But also get out and vote. You will have to vote for the lesser of two evils but get out and vote as well. Pray. Vote. Then pray some more.
O LORD, open our eyes! Help us understand the importance of prayer. Help us to rest in You. Help us to not procrastinate instead of praying. Bring us to our knees in prayer. Move our hearts and minds to call out to you. I pray that for those in churches. I pray for our nation. LORD, help us to trust in Jesus. I pray that for those already saved and in churches. I pray that for the sinner and our nation. Our life and everything around us tempt us to see our mission of life as daunting and intimidating. We may feel surrounded by the enemy. That may make us feel fearful and hopeless. But we need to pray the LORD would open our eyes to see Him and His army. O LORD, open my eyes! O LORD, open our eyes! O LORD, open our nation’s eyes! In Jesus’ name. Amen.