Praying Mantis #2

Other praying mantis facts talk about how mantises survive in their habitat. "Because their natural color is in shades of either green or brown, some lighter and some darker in color, they can blend in well and camouflage with the environment they live in. This is of great advantage for them since being carnivorous predators, they can quietly stalk and watch over their prey while waiting for the perfect timing to attack."

 

Because of the anatomical uniqueness of the mantis’ striking and very defined front legs that are bent at a particular angle resembling a praying position, this genu is most commonly referred to as the praying mantis. This is a strength for an intercessor. Watching over things around me and praying as led by the Spirit. Now the attack part does not translate so well, except in terms of the battle as led by The Lord.

ASV says 2 Corinthians 10:4 for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but mighty before God to the casting down of strongholds, or as The Amplified version says: For the weapons of our warfare are not physical weapons of flesh and blood, but they are mighty before God for the overthrow and destruction of strongholds.

 

Environmentalgraffiti.com says: "Interestingly, the name ‘mantis’ is derived from the Greek for ‘prophet,’ while the scientific name for the European praying mantis is Mantis religiosa. The praying mantis seems to have been associated with things divine for quite some time – surely due to its distinctive stance.

 

"In most mantids there is one ear in a form of a small slit near the legs and has two eardrums and tuned to 25-60 kHz, which allows them to hear the ultrasonic sounds of bats as they near so they can dodge them quickly." Now that is really nifty! Tuned to hear and avoid bats which want to eat them. While I am not likely to examine a mantis with a magnifying glass, I was curious about just where that ear is located!

Are we this wary in terms of our spiritual health? Are we watchful of things that want to destroy us? Here is the location of that ear.

 

 

Michael Card wrote a song called "Chorus of Faith" in which he says

"Sing it with your life, sing with your heart
Make melody with the words of your mouth
But mind that you listen, tell it to others
Live the chorus of faith."

It has been said that God gave us two ears and one mouth to emphasize the importance of LISTENING. As Card says we are to listen and tell it to others! These bugs do not chirp or squeak as many others do. "As an extra warning display, some species can make a hissing noise by releasing air from their abdomens."

I hope as you listen to the voice of the Almighty you will not tell it with hissing, but with the holiness that is apparent when it is spoken to you.

So may you be blessed with this image of the Christian intercessor and I hope you see one in the wild soon!

 

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