As we begin a new year, many who have been overwhelmed by personal and private difficulties are probably looking to 2022 with much prayer and in need of hope. Many are believing for 2022 to be flooded with light, justice, and the arm of the Lord to be revealed in the midst of darkness. 

Personally the end of 2021 knocked the wind from me at times. A loved one hovered near death. “But God” is all I can say about that. In that same time frame another immediate family member was in an accident. Recently two other members needed emergency medical care on the same day. I spent half of Christmas in the hospital with another family member. Sometimes I couldn’t pray, just cry. 

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Sometimes I felt frustrated. Sometimes I felt weary. Not just for my family, but walking the hospital, I saw so many sick people who needed a touch from God. The needs overwhelmed my heart.

This week two intercessors who I am blessed to call friends were impressed by the Lord to reach out to me. 

One reached out just to pray, not knowing the totality of what was happening in my family. The other checked in and sent me a worship song–a word in due season. In fact, her sharing the song inspired me to write this article. It  reminded me of a scripture that I will share with you, in hopes to encourage you as it did for me. 

She sent me the song “Surrounded” by Michael W. Smith. Many of you are probably familiar with this song. 

“This is how I fight my battles.
This is how I fight my battles.
It might look like I’m surrounded,
but I’m surrounded by you.”

It was the word I needed to hear. It led me to the scriptures. Did you know the inspiration of this song came from the word of God?

Therefore the mind of the king of Syria was greatly troubled by this thing. He called his servants and said, Will you show me who of us is for the king of Israel? One of his servants said, None, my lord O king; but Elisha, the prophet who is in Israel, tells the king of Israel the words that you speak in your bedchamber.  He said, Go and see where he is, that I may send and seize him. And it was told him, He is in Dothan.  So [the Syrian king] sent there horses, chariots, and a great army. They came by night and surrounded the city. When the servant of the man of God rose early and went out, behold, an army with horses and chariots was around the city. Elisha’s servant said to him, Alas, my master! What shall we do? ( 2 Kgs 6:11-16 AMPC) 

Elisha the prophet revealed the king of Aram’s battle plans. So the king became furious and sent his armies to hunt and kill Elisha. Terrified at the sight of the Arameans troops and horses, the servant of Elisha cried out, “What will we do now?”

[Elisha] answered, Fear not; for those with us are more than those with them. Then Elisha prayed, Lord, I pray You, open his eyes that he may see. And the Lord opened the young man’s eyes, and he saw, and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha.

Do not fear.

The words “fear not” appear in the bible 365 times. That means for every day there is a word from God telling you not to fear. Fear is the opposite of faith. When we walk in fear our eyes are positioned on the problems. When we walk in faith our eyes are rightly positioned on the Lord. 

For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you. (Is. 41:3) (See also Is. 41:10, Ps. 23:4, Ps. 27:1, Ps. 118:6, Jn. 14:27, Heb. 13:6)

More are for you than against you.

Hell might be raging against you, but there are more for you. One-third of the angels were cast down when Lucifer rebelled, but two-thirds stayed with the Lord. You can do the math to see who has the greater army. God promised to protect us, not only with His presence, but with His angels and He is Lord of all angelic armies. 

God is in the midst of his city secure and never shaken. At daybreak his help will be seen with the appearing of the dawn. When the nations are in uproar with their tottering kingdoms, God simply raises his voice, and the earth begins to disintegrate before him. Here he comes!

The Commander! The mighty Lord of Angel Armies is on our side! The God of Jacob fights for us! (Ps. 46:5-7 TPT) (See also  Ps. 91:11, Ps. 104:4, Heb. 1:14, Heb. 1:7, Is. 37:36, Ps. 103:20, Jos. 5:13)

Open your eyes

The Lord opened the servant’s eyes supernaturally; he saw the armies of the Lord. God can do this again anytime He wants. It’s easy when we see with our natural eyes. It’s harder when we walk by faith, but the rewards are greater. We don’t have to see with our natural eyes to believe that God fights for us. We have to open the eyes of our heart to believe again. Opening your eyes spiritually is an act of faith. With faith, we say, “God, just because I don’t see it, doesn’t mean You are sitting idly by. I trust you. You will do what You promised.” This is faith and faith always gets God’s attention. 

Open your mouth and taste, open your eyes and see—  how good God is. Blessed are you who run to him. (Ps. 34:8 MSG) (See also Heb. 11, Jn. 20:29, Eph. 1:18, Prv. 20:12, Matt. 13:16)

Look up

You can usually tell when someone is having a rough time. If you pay attention to body language, a person who usually walks around with their head hung low is probably having a hard time. This is how they avoid contact with others and it’s a defense mechanism. Elisha’s final words to the servant were “look up.” The servant literally lifted his eyes to the heavens and away from the armies. We must look away from the armies we face and lift our eyes to the heavens in prayers, praise, and worship, in thanksgiving and adoration. 

I look up to the mountains and hills, longing for God’s help. But then I realize that our true help and protection is only from the Lord, our Creator who made the heavens and the earth. He will guard and guide me, never letting me stumble or fall. God is my keeper; he will never forget nor ignore me. He will never slumber nor sleep; he is the Guardian-God for his people, Israel. Yahweh himself will watch over you; he’s always at your side to shelter you safely in his presence. He’s protecting you from all danger both day and night. He will keep you from every form of evil or calamity as he continuously watches over you. You will be guarded by God himself. You will be safe when you leave your home, and safely you will return. He will protect you now, and he’ll protect you forevermore! (Ps. 121:1-8 TPT)

Have you been “surrounded” by your enemies? Are you overwhelmed by bad reports? Are you tired of seeing sickness overtaking you and your loved ones? Are you surrounded in debt or in lack? Are you surrounded by accusers, persecution, slanderers? Are you like that servant fearful of the “invading armies of the enemies?” 

It’s time to lift up your eyes once again! It’s time to remember. Remember who your God is. Remember His faithfulness to you in every situation. It’s time to worship again. I say again because fear will steal your worship, it will rob you of praise, and hinder your praying. It’s time to praise the chains off. It’s time to be thankful again, and again, every day. It’s time to pray again. If you have had trouble pressing through in prayer, it’s time for breakthrough! If you don’t know where to start, just begin by simply looking up. Become aware of the Lord God omnipotent, omnipresent, omniscient. The creator of heaven and earth has not forgotten you. He thinks of you. He knows what you’ve been going through.

When I view and consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars, which You have ordained and established, what is man that You are mindful of him, and the son of [earthborn] man that You care for him?  Yet You have made him but a little lower than God [or heavenly beings], and You have crowned him with glory and honor. (Ps. 3:3-5 AMPC)

Let’s pray together.

Oh Lord,

Thank You for letting me see another year. Thank You that through it all, from January through December of 2021 You kept me, You sustained me, You provided for me, protected me, and loved me. Thank You that though my circumstances change, You stay constant in my life. I lift my eyes to heaven and bless Your holy name! I lift my hands in worship and adoration and I declare that nothing will take Your praise out of my mouth. 

Let me never forget your goodness.

I pray for every Intercessor who has been blindsided by attacks whether spiritually, physically, financially, mentally, and for every family that has been targeted in the process. I pray the prayer of Elisha and say, “Lord open their eyes, so they can see.” Whether You let them see Your angel armies or not, may they see Your hand at work when they are fearful. Let them see Your goodness in the land of the living. Let them see beauty for ashes. Let them see Your glory instead of shame and dishonor. Let them see restoration of wasted years the locusts have eaten. Let them see reconciliation in hurting families and the salvation of the Lord revealed to our loved ones we have prayed over.

Lord, Bring a revival from the ruins! 

We cast off our disappointment, our hope deferred, our frustration in the waiting and instead we put on fresh garments of praise. We welcome You, King of Glory, into the New Year, not just for a day, but every day.  We live, move, and have our being in You. We want to walk closer with You than ever before.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Open up, O ancient gates, and let the King of Glory in. Who is this King of Glory? The Lord, strong and mighty, invincible in battle. Yes, open wide the gates and let the King of Glory in. Who is this King of Glory? The Commander of all of heaven’s armies! (Ps. 24:7-10 TLB)

Author Gloria Robles is a passionate intercessor with a prophetic voice for today. For more from Gloria, go to Spotify or Anchor to listen to her podcast Something To Share. Photo by Nathan Dumlao on Unsplash.