MANY BIBLICAL NARRATIVES ILLUSTRATE how steadfast persistence in prayer, unwavering trust in God's omnipotence, and joyous expectancy of the triumph of Spirit over material resistance result in healing. One story that never fails to inspire me when I need to prayerfully persist in seeking healing is the Old Testament account of the battle of Jericho. See Josh. 6:1–16 .
We read in the book of Joshua, "Now Jericho was straitly shut up because of the children of Israel: none went out, and none came in." Like most cities in Biblical times, Jericho was surrounded by walls as a defense against invasion. Its formidable defenses consisted of an inner wall 12 to 15 feet thick and an outer wall 6 feet thick. Fearful of the approach of the Israelites, the inhabitants of the city stayed within the security of its walls.
Joshua's mission as the God-appointed successor to Moses was to take the children of Israel into the Promised Land of Canaan and possess it. The stronghold of Jericho with its massive walls barred their passage into Canaan. An angelic messenger from God appeared to Joshua assuring him that Jericho would be given into his hands, and the angel imparted a plan whereby the city would be captured: Each day for six days the armies of Israel were to compass the city, whose circumference was small, marching around its walls in silence. The armed men would go first; then seven priests bearing trumpets of ram's horns; then priests bearing the sacred ark of the covenant; then more armed men. Joshua commanded the people, "Ye shall not shout, nor make any noise with your voice, neither shall any word proceed out of your mouth, until the day I bid you shout; then shall ye shout."
