Sun Stand Still

 Tucked away in the tenth chapter of Joshua in verses twelve and thirteen is a prayer that is hard to fathom. I have never heard anyone preach on this passage. I read a book written on it once some years ago. The prayer and the answer to that prayer truly boggle my mind. It is definitely an Eph 3:20 prayer. God answered in powerful fashion. 

Let me set the context. Joshua and Israel are taking possession of the promised land and are in a fierce  battle. Joshua asked God for victory over the Amorites. That is not the mind boggling prayer. That prayer follows when Joshua asked the Lord to make the sun stand still so they would have more daylight to win the victory. This would defy the natural order of the universe. It had never been done before. 

Who prays like that? This prayer surprises me and inspires on three fronts. First, to even imagine such a prayer is impressive. Have you ever even imagined asking God to make the sun stand still in the sky and not go down for an extended period of time? I didn't think so. His God inspired imagination dreamed something bigger than anyone ever prayed or dreamed in the history of the world or had ever experienced before. 

I want that kind of imagination fired and inspired by God to think bigger. Too often we think small and pray small. God is capable of doing so much more. Exceedingly more. Too often small minded people control the flow of ideas. D.L. Moody, the famous evangelist, once expressed, "If God is your partner, make your plans large." We need to think sun stand still thoughts. Not to limit God with our small mentality. God is capable of such more. There is not an idea, a prayer we can offer, nor a dream we can dream that is bigger than what God can do. He created the sun with just a spoken word. Making it stand still was no tall order for our Creator. 

I am also inspired by the faith of Joshua. It is one thing to dream and think large. It is another matter to really believe in the core of your soul that can and will do the big thing. Joshua truly believed that God had the power to make the sun stand still and would make it stand still to accomplish the impossible feat. That was more than mustard seed faith praying. Joshua's faith moved God to do something He had never done before. Can our faith move God to also do things He has never done before? He certainly gets glory for doing such powerful things. 

The other thing about Joshua's prayer that encourages me, is that he prayed with authority. I am not saying he demanded God do make the sun stand still. None of us are in a position to demand anything from God. God does give us authority to pray with confidence. See Hebrews 4:16. We are invited to come with confidence and boldness. We are given authority in Jesus' name to pray prayers that change circumstances and outcomes. Joshua prayed with an authority I have never known, but long for down in the depths of my soul. The only way I know to pray with this kind of authority is to pray God's word, and to pray in His will. I John 5:14-15. 

What is your sun stand still prayer? That prayer that sounds so audacious and outlandish to people, but moves God to supernatural action? I hope you have something. Something that fires the imagination, stretches faith, and encompasses your God given authority to pray. I can't wait to see the answers to those prayers.