Prayer & Fasting • August 2026

The Battle Above the Battle

“Then Amalek came and fought against Israel at Rephidim. So Moses said to Joshua, ‘Choose men for us and go out, fight against Amalek. Tomorrow I will station myself on the top of the hill with the staff of God in my hand.’ Joshua did as Moses told him, and fought against Amalek; and Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill. So it came about when Moses held his hand up, that Israel prevailed, and when he let his hand down, Amalek prevailed. But Moses’ hands were heavy. Then they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it; and Aaron and Hur supported his hands, one on one side and one on the other. Thus his hands were steady until the sun set. So Joshua overwhelmed Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword.”

Exodus 17:8–13 NASB1995

It seems battles are won with swords, but as believers, we know the rest of the story.

When the Amalekites attacked Israel, Joshua led the army into battle while Moses climbed the hill with the staff of God in his hand. As long as Moses held up his hands in prayer, Israel prevailed. When his hands grew weary and dropped, Amalek gained the advantage. When Aaron and Hur recognized what was happening, they placed a stone beneath Moses so he could sit, and together they held up his hands until sunset. Israel won the battle.

At first glance, it appears Joshua won the victory on the battlefield, but God tells us to look higher. The outcome below was determined by what was happening above.

What a picture of prayer.

We often focus our attention on what we can see—the difficult conversation, the doctor’s report, the prodigal child, the financial pressure, the ministry challenge. We work harder, think longer, and try another strategy. Yet Exodus 17 reminds us that there is always a battle behind the battle. Victory is often determined not merely by what happens in front of us but by what happens on our knees before God.

This is one of the many reasons prayer and fasting matter so much.

Fasting is not an attempt to persuade God to care more. He already does. Rather, fasting positions our hearts to depend upon Him more fully. It is a tangible way of saying, “Lord, I recognize that this battle cannot be won by my strength alone.”

Perhaps you’re carrying a burden that seems too heavy. You have prayed for a spouse, a child, a friend, or our church. You have prayed for revival, for lost people to come to Christ, for God to move in ways only He can. Do not grow weary.

God never intended us to fight alone. Aaron and Hur stood beside Moses, which reminds us that one of the greatest ministries we can have is helping someone else persevere in prayer.

Sometimes the most significant thing you will do this month is hold up the hands of another believer who is growing weary.

As you participate in this month’s prayer and fasting emphasis, remember that your prayers are accomplishing far more than you can see. Every time you set aside a meal to seek the Lord, every time you quietly intercede for someone by name, every time you choose dependence over self-reliance, you are entering the battle above the battle.

We may never know this side of heaven how many victories God granted because someone faithfully prayed, but God knows.

So, as you pray, hold up the hands of others who are praying too. And if your hands begin to grow weary, allow a brother or sister in Christ to help hold them up.

The greatest battle is the battle we do not see—the battle to remain passionate and believing in prayer!