1 Samuel 14:22. "Likewise, when the men of Israel who had hid themselves in the hill country of Ephraim heard that the Philistines were fleeing, they too followed hard after them in the battle." This rout of the Philistines began with just two men, Saul's son Jonathan and his armor-bearer, crossing over into the enemy camp. They caused so great a panic with their unexpected presence, it caught the attention of Saul and his army, who then swept in and routed the Philistines. As the battle was joined, Israelites who had gone over to the Philistine side turned back and fought with the Jews, and, as we learn here, the men who had retreated for relative safety into the hills came down to fight in the battle.

When you are fighting God's battles, and when the time is right, all it takes is one or two people to begin the battle that will be decisive. Before entering the Philistine camp, Jonathan said "[I]t may be that the Lord will work for us; for nothing can hinder the Lord from saving by many or by few." 1 Samuel 14:6. The Lord was with Jonathan that day, and his small action began an epic battle that scattered the Philistines. "So the Lord delivered Israel that day." 1 Samuel 14:23. Jonathan's act and the battle that followed also emboldened and called back the men who had gone over to the enemy's side and the ones who were hiding in the hills. This is how significant a single act against the enemy can be.

In the Mystical Precious Blood Prayers given by Jesus to Barnabas Nwoye in Nigeria in July of 1998, Jesus says that the coming chastisement will catch many people unprepared, and He asks "How many of you will fight and drive back my adversary, conquer and bring the captives home?" (Prayer for Endurance Through the Coming Chastisement - 13 July 1998). Later, Christ says "How large the number of my people who will lose hope and fall ... I say to you, my children, wake up and stand firm!" (Prayer for Fallen Sheep and Against a Fall in Faith - 22 July 1998). Through these prayers and messages to Barnabas, Jesus is asking us to be like Jonathan - to bravely confront the enemy and free the captives who have either gone over to the enemy's side or are hiding in false safety. None of us can escape this battle, and God wants all of his children fighting on His side. Right now, the devil is bold because he remains mostly unchallenged, but God has given us all we need to confront him. We have the entire treasury of the Catholic Church! We have the Mass, the Sacraments, the Eucharist, the Rosary, and so, so many devotions and prayers! 

So today, even if it is just you, and even if it is just one prayer, be like Jonathan and confront the enemy. You really don't know the panic you may cause in the enemy's camp by your single act of bravery. You don't know the people you may call back, the captives you may bring home! "Nothing can hinder the Lord from saving by many or by few."