Toxicity

My window is flung wide open, this morning, appreciating the sweet scent of the past two days deluge.  Birds are chattering excitedly, while the distant hum of traffic in Suva floats up the valley.  It's a beautiful morning.

A rattling roar signals the arrival of the rubbish truck, unseen, down on the roadfront. Garbologists, my dad calls them.  Like a cloud of poison gas, my nose is gradually and aggressively assailed with the stench of mice or rats, hidden amongst the rubbish the compactor had swallowed.  The overwhelming, all pervading, blanket of vile wraps itself over the street and surrounding homes.  Particularly ones with windows open.

And then it's gone.  Like a child dragging a blankie behind him, the truck rattles further on it's route, taking the toxicity with it.   The sweet rain scent begins to waft back in, and the birds return to chirping.  We can all relax.

Toxicity (says Wikipedia) is the degree to which a substance is able to damage an exposed organism....or on larger and more complex groups, such as the family unit or society at large.

A light came on for me. Our prayers are toxic. Toxic to the enemy.  Toxic to strongholds.  
Toxic to sickness, disease, and lack.  They notice our prayer scent before they even see us.

acute exposure

a single exposure to a toxic substance which may result in severe biological harm or death; acute exposures are usually characterized as lasting no longer than a day.

chronic exposure

continuous exposure to a toxin over an extended period of time, often measured in months or years; it can cause irreversible side effects.  (Wikipedia)

Sometimes one prayer will do the job; other times, we need to continually apply the Word of God to a situation, to knock the wall down.  Our prayers can be toxic to the enemy.   Joshua walked around the wall of Jericho seven times.  The enemy thought them crazy.  But the wall fell, and Jericho was taken.

Lord, help my prayers be acute toxic radiation to the enemy.  

Don't let me waste Your time or mine.  Teach me, Lord.