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        Essay - Warfare Prayer

Warfare Prayer
Pr. John Powell
Based on Ephesians 6:10-20
copyright 1993 First Evangelical Free Church of Las Cruces

For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against rulers, authorities, powers of this dark world and the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. - Ephesians 6:12



STAND strong in the Lord

Heavenly Father, since I have standing in Christ in the heavenlies, I choose to stand strong in His might (6:10). I recognize that the struggles going on around me are not really with people but with evil spiritual forces (6:12).

   I cover myself with the blood of Christ (1:7). I stand firm against the devil's scheme to keep me in the dark about God, myself and Satan. Open my eyes to see the strategies and tactics he is using against me (6:11).

   I take my place with Christ in the heavenlies. All the spiritual forces arrayed against me are under Christ and cannot maintain their ground in my life against His will (1:20-22; 2:6). I choose to submit to Christ and ask Him to expose any strongholds that I have cooperated with.

   I take up the armor of God and resist these strategies and strongholds (6:13). I put on the armor that Christ has already used to crush Satan at the cross. Thank You that I am an heir to the armor that Christ used to gain the victory for me (Isaiah 59:15-18).



DRESS for the battle

As I put on this armor, I affirm that it is His and He has already put Satan and his wicked spirits under my feet in Him.

   I choose to stand with Christ into all the truth and make it the belt that holds everything together, I come under the truth as it exposes the deception and lies that keep people in Satan's territory (6:14).

   Since I have been given Christ's righteousness, I put it on as a breastplate. I therefore reject all of Satan's accusations that attack my identity in Christ. I reject his temptation to quit acting on my new position and purpose in Christ (6:14).

   I put on the shoes of the gospel of peace. I will also take it to others as an ambassador of Christ's peace (6:15).

   I take up the shield of faith. I trust Christ as Satan's arrows try to break down my identity with Christ. I refuse distortions that would lead me to think that Satan's fiery darts are my own thoughts (6:16).

   I put on the helmet of salvation as protection for my mind. I choose to think like Christ today and take every thought captive to Him (6:17).

   I take up the double-edged sword of the Word to bring truth into my life and the lives of others, to expose error and to heal (6:17).



PRAY in the Spirit

Having put on this armor I take the offensive for Christ. I choose to be aggressive in intercessory prayer and take ground for Christ (6:18).

   I take back any ground Satan may have in my own life, whether through passivity, disunity, fear, chemical abuse, abortion, occult activities, divorce, false teachings, pornography, lust, ancestral curses, violence, materialism, slander, lying, hatred, pride, indifference, neglect of the Word of God, ...
 

  1. I confess my sin (4;26-27).
  2. I commit myself fully to Christ.
  3. I will reconcile with others.
  4. I command Satan and his wicked spirits to leave me.
   God, I ask You to destroy these strongholds in my life (or ____'s life). I refuse to accept an attitude of hopelessness about _____ any longer.

   I ask you, Heavenly Father, to bring this same authority into the lives of _____ and _____ that their eyes may be opened and that they may come under Your authority (6:19-20).

   I ask that You revive the Body of Christ and destroy Satan's plans to thwart the display of Your wisdom in the heavenlies through us (3:10).



Heavenly Father, for this day I bow in worship before You, because You are worthy of whole-hearted response to all You have revealed to me about Yourself.

   I claim the rest of the Holy Spirit's fulness as I step out in faith today. I choose to resist my own resistance, as well as Satan's. I call Your name over me and my loved ones today as I enter into prayer for victory.

edited by Michael DeAntonio


Last updated Jan. 1, 2002