Maccabees - Prayer & Deliverance
When we left the Jews at the end of 3 Maccabees 5 ,we were at a cliffhanger: The Jews were in a coliseum with elephants and soldiers racing in to kill them.
One man, Eleazar, began to pray. He did it using the WAR method that we teach in the Every Man A Warrior study. He began by Worshipping God (W):
‘King of great power, Almighty God Most High, governing all creation with mercy, - 3 Maccabees 6:2
He went on to list several great deeds of God. Then, he moved on the the Admit (A) part, by admitting their sins. One requirement for answered prayer is no unresolved sin. Eleazar handled this part well:
‘Even if our lives have become entangled in impieties in our exile, rescue us from the hand of the enemy, and destroy us, Lord, by whatever fate you choose. - 3 Maccabees 6:10.
Finally, he makes his Reuqest (R). He mentions that the request isn't for him or the people, it is to show the Glory of God:
Let not the vain-minded praise their vanities at the destruction of your beloved people, saying, “Not even their god has rescued them. ”But you, O Eternal One, who have all might and all power, watch over us now and have mercy on us who by the senseless insolence of the lawless are being deprived of life in the manner of traitors. And let the Gentiles cower today in fear of your invincible might, O honoured One, who have power to save the nation of Jacob. - 3 Maccabees 6:11-13
As you can see, it follows the WAR (worship/admit/request) model perfectly.
How did God respond? He immediately sent 2 Angels to fight on their behalf:
Then the most glorious, almighty, and true God revealed his holy face and opened the heavenly gates, from which two glorious angels of fearful aspect descended, visible to all but the Jews.They opposed the forces of the enemy and filled them with confusion and terror, binding them with immovable shackles. - 3 Maccabees 6:18-19
After the soldiers were shackled, the elephants trampled them to death.
The King turned on his supporters, blaming them for his own decisions (sound familiar?). He fell down before God and was spared. He immediately ordered the Jews released and funded a 14 day celebration.
Prayer is a powerful thing. Use it properly and it will serve you well.