Praying for others - Exodus 17-20

The story in Exodus 17 about Moses praying for Joshua as he and the nation of Israel fought the Amalek is a great lesson for us in praying for others. As the account is recorded in Exodus we find Joshua ready to go into battle in the valley against the Amalek. He was to destroy them as a command of the Lord. God would send Moses with Aaron and Hur up on the mountain to watch the battle and to pray over the battle. Moses was to lift the infamous staff up over his head. When he lifted it over his head Joshua and the nation would prevail. When Moses began to tire and his arms lowered the staff Joshua and the army would begin to lose ground. The lesson we have here is obvious: Intercessory prayer matters. Prayer behind the scene is not just an empty exercise but the canvas that holds the scene. God is in the process of doing great work and He uses prayer in the background to accomplish the work. God could have destroyed the Amalek with one breath of air, like He did the Egyptians. But, God choose to use the skills of the Joshua and the army and the intercessory prayer of Moses. But, Moses could not do it alone. Aaron and Hur stood by holding Moses' arms so they wouldn't get tired. Here we have Aaron and Hur interceding for Moses while he is interceding for Joshua. I think I can even get the lesson here! God is going to do a great work on the earth "with us" and that great work includes intercessory prayer for others. We may not be able to see the battle in the same sense that Moses, Aaron and Hur did, but the battle still rages on and on. We need to find a way to be more consistent in our prayer life for others. Making a list; having a prayer schedule; having a prayer partner; having an accountability partner are all ways to make sure we pray. Whatever your need get it done. We need others praying for others. The battle is won or lost on the prayers of the saints for others.