Spiritual Umbrella

Florida is soon to re-enter our rainy season.  Daily showers will come and go with the heating of the atmosphere and sea breezes colliding.  You never know when one will pop up but one thing is sure, someone’s going to get wet somewhere.  We regain a good friend in this time, our umbrella.

Do you know the origins of the Umbrella?  The word "umbrella" comes from the Latin word "umbra", meaning shade or shadow.  It wasn’t until the start of the 16th century that the umbrella would become popular to the western world, especially in the rainy weather of northern Europe.  At first it was considered only an accessory suitable for women.  Then the Persian traveler and writer, Jonas Hanway (1712-86), carried and used an umbrella publicly in England for thirty years and popularized umbrella use among men. English gentleman often referred to their umbrellas as a "Hanway."

Not a very spiritual thought but informative none the less.  Now what’s that got to do with prayer?  

There is a term used by some to describe their desire to be under the spiritual umbrella of others.  They call this a spiritual “covering.”  This occurs when people want the prayers of others to become a force-field of protection (to use a science-fiction motif.)

Moses had it with Aaron and Hur.  They supported Moses who interceded for Israel’s army by supporting his arms heavenward (Ex. 17).  The enemy could not be defeated any other way.  So these three teach us our prayer lesson for today, no battle, no victory of any kind spiritually can be won apart from prayer and praise.

You can count on this:  there will be times when you will not have what it takes; ability, strength, will power, faith, or steadfastness to pray for ourselves and there needs to be an Aaron and Hur in your life to pray with you!

Who’s in your life that holds up your arms in dangerous times?  Don’t pray alone, have others standing with you.  My mother Irene gets up with me every morning and we pray together.  No phone is needed but just our spirits colliding before God’s throne.  She’s part of my covering and I’m part of hers…who’s apart of yours?

This 40 day prayer journey to Easter isn’t a piece of cake.  Its serious warfare and you and I must take it seriously.   Keep yourself before God and He will keep you covered.

I’ll meet you at the throne,

Pastor George