Prayer’s power

By thunder and lightning

Without sword, without spear, without shield and bow and arrow, the Israelites crushed the Philistines at Mizpah.

The mighty enemy army quickly mobilized and blitzkrieged the Jews while they held a service with the Prophet Samuel. Surprise-attacked, the defenseless Israelites resorted to their only option at hand: prayer.

While Samuel was sacrificing the burnt offering, the Philistines drew near to engage Israel in battle. But that day the LORD thundered with loud thunder against the Philistines and threw them into such a panic that they were routed before the Israelites. — 1 Sam. 7:10 NIV.

Other battles were won with weapons — that is, human weapons. This battle stands out in the whole Bible for the wild delivery wrought by God. It shows us to trust more in prayer than human mechanisms. God responded with a terrifying display of the elements of nature.