Whenever Moses held up his hand, Israel prevailed, and whenever he lowered his hand, Amalek prevailed. But Moses’ hands grew weary, so they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it, while Aaron and Hur held up his hands, one on one side, and the other on the other side. So his hands were steady until the going down of the sun. Exodus 17:11-12 (ESV)

I love this passage in Exodus. There’s a battle, it’s intense, but all the time Moses has his hands raised in prayer the Israelites prevail. Thing is, as you may well know, Moses’ arms gets tired and when they fall down, the Israelites start to lose. So along come Aaron and Hur and literally hold his arms up to support him until ultimate victory is secured.

My home church has a gift of hospitality. 100% it feeds, fetches, hugs and welcomes whoever you are in the best way. But what are you to do when self-isolation, quarantine and lockdown prevents you from meeting one another and providing practical help?! How are you to come alongside one another, show love and lift each other’s hands?

Moses was praying throughout the battle. It would be easy to think that the fighting was the hard work, but in reality, the prayer was hard work too. Paul tells the Colossians of Epaphras’ prayers for them, “Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ Jesus, greets you, always struggling on your behalf in his prayers, that you may stand mature and fully assured in all the will of God.” (Colossians 4:12, ESV, emphasis mine).

If you want to love and support one another at this time, the best, but not necessarily the easiest, way to do that is to pray. Because prayer changes things. “Pray diligently. Stay alert, with your eyes wide open in gratitude. Don’t forget to pray for us, that God will open doors for telling the mystery of Christ, even while I’m locked up in this jail. Pray that every time I open my mouth I’ll be able to make Christ plain as day to them.” (Colossians 4:2 MSG).

Aaron and Hur supported Moses’ physically to aid the prayer and their help was successful. Moses’ hands were able to remain raised until sunset and victory was secured. We are to support one another in prayer following Aaron, Hur and Epaphras’ example. We are to pray diligently. The good news is we’re not the only ones praying – Jesus is praying for you too (Romans 8:34, Hebrews 7:25) and He has the ultimate victory.

So. Wondering how to love people when you can’t bake, can’t hug and can’t visit?

Pray.