Air Cover

 Sometimes in military campaigns arial assaults will bombard enemy targets below to prepare the way for ground forces to advance successfully. Strategic targets are taken out to make a path of least resistance for marching troops. Air cover is critically important to minimize casualties of a nation's own troops while maximizing the effectiveness of taking enemy ground. 

It dawned on me while I drove to the office this morning that prayer is providing air cover for people we care about. We may pray for aging parents, spouses, children, grandchildren, and friends. While those we love are going through various trials, we may be in a different part of town, in another city, or remotely removed in a different state, but we can still prayerfully cover them. 

This thought both comforts and challenges me. I am comforted knowing there are people who pray for me consistently. It is a joyous reminder that I am not in the fight of faith alone. There are people giving spiritual air cover to soften the enemy's hold that prevents me from gaining new ground. My great aunt and great uncle were two of those people. They prayed for me diligently until both died. There have been others. Very close friends and people in different churches we served. They covered the Edwards family in prayer in critical moments. 

I am also challenged that I must provide spiritual air cover for the people I care about. Like my wife. Like our four sons I covered this morning. Like the friend leading a youth camp this week. That also includes the flock I shepherd. Interceding for others is a high and noble calling. It is also a privilege to stand in the gap for people going through various circumstances. 

It might just be possible that somebody somewhere is praying for you today. In all the trials or triumphs that you are going through someone out there may be giving air cover for you. Describe how that makes you feel. Is it consoling, encouraging, or humbling. It reminds me that I am not in the battle of life alone. Nobody prays for me more than my wife Brenda. She is a tremendous woman of prayer for our family. She rises each morning between 3:30 and 4:30 to seek the Lord and pray. I am so thankful for her. 

If you think long enough I am sure somebody will come to mind that could use your prayers. I exhort you to set aside a little time and lift them to the Lord. Maybe go one step further and send them a text, email, or note that lets them know that you are praying for them. It might just inspire them to keep going even though their journey is difficult. You may never know what your air cover accomplishes, but it will not be done in vain.