Thoughts for Life: #2 WARFARE PRAYER Intro cont'd

C. Peter Wagner goes on with
the introduction of his book:

Certain subjects handled in some depth in this book have so far not found their way into print.

I have included more biblical material here than I have found in any other book, partly because many are questioning whether there is biblical warrant for strategic-level spiritual warfare at all.

The concepts of spiritual territoriality and the naming of the powers have received considerable attention here.

Holiness is frequently mentioned in the other books, but rarely is it analyzed in the depth I believe is required for effective warfare prayer.

Many other subjects I deal with have also been mentioned by others, but each of us brings a particular insight that adds to our collective knowledge.

My first awareness of the potential strategic-level spiritual warfare has for effective evangelism was first sparked by Pastor Omar Cabrera of Argentina.

His "Vision of the Future" is listed as one of the world's ten largest churches.

When I visited him in 1985, he told me his personal experience of identifying and binding the territorial spirits controlling cities in which he was pioneering new works.

I am deeply indebted to Omar and his wife, Marfa, for the inspiration and support they have given me in this project.

I was fascinated to read a recent letter from Bernie May, the director of Wycliffe Bible Translators...

Bernie Way tells of a veteran translator who visited his office and, among other things, said,

"I have two major goals
while I'm home. One, I need
to learn as much as I can
about spiritual warfare.

Our struggle out there is not against the climate,
the malaria, or the false religions.

Our struggle is against the principalities, against the
powers, against the world rulers of this present
darkness, against the spirit ritual hosts of this present
darkness, against the spiritual hosts of wickedness
in the heavenly places of Ephesians 6:12."

He went on.

"My other goal," he said, "is to find some more people
who will stand with us in prayer. The only way we are
going to break through the spiritual darkness in that
land is by prayer. I need intercessors to stand with me."

Needless to say, I was excited to find the top two agenda
items of this missionary were the subjects of the first two
books in the trilogy on prayer that I am writing.

But I was even more excited when Bernie May himself wrote,

"Like my friend from Asia, I, too, need to know about
spiritual warfare. And I need people to stand with me
in prayer."

I am convinced this is what the Spirit is saying, not only to Wycliffe Bible Translators, but to the churches throughout the nations of the world.

My prayer is that those who are hearing what the Spirit is saying will find this book an instrument in God's hands to help them draw closer to Him to open themselves in a new way to powerful warfare prayer.

Since 1990, my wife, Doris, and I have made many ministry trips to Argentina to observe firsthand and participate in what amounts to a laboratory for relating strategic-level spiritual warfare to evangelism.

For us, Argentina has been the front line in a highly significant experiment helping us to learn more about the spiritual dimensions of world evangelization.

At this point I will suggest three generalized levels for which there is a fairly broad consensus among Christian leaders who are specializing in this type of ministry.

I have found it helpful to distinguish the following;

1. Ground-level spiritual warfare
2. Occult-level spiritual warfare
3. Strategic-level spiritual warfare.

{I (Jean) will be posting these as separate posts 9/30, 10/2, and 10/7}

Warfare Prayer

#2 PRAYER WARFARE
Introduction cont'd

By C. Peter Wagner

(pgs. 12 -14) Regal Books

(Google images and emphasis added)
Pray for your pastor: "Protection. Thank You that no weapons formed against my pastor will prosper. As ______dwells in the shadow of the most high, deliver him/her from terror, darts of doubt, and diseases. Set Your angels around my pastor, and let no power of the enemy harm him/her. Turn aside rumors, gossip, criticism, abuse, and ungratefulness. May inordinate expectations, stress, and fatigue be cast into the see, and may every need and vision of _____'s be fulfilled (Ps. 91:1-11; Luke. 10:19; Mark 11:22-24). (Scripture-Based Prayers to Pray for your Pastor by Terry Teykl)

Let’s pray:

Father, I need to know
more about spiritual warfare,
so am asking for help in my
understanding of it.

I see that the only way
we are going to break through the spiritual darkness in our land is by prayer.

Help me open myself in a new way to this powerful

warfare. I pray this in Jesus' name. Amen.

Today’s Bible verse: Rom. 4:20 "He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God."

Today’s quote: Randy Kilgore “God offers His presence to us in life’s darkest moments, which enables us, in turn, to be His presence to the hurting. Crying out for help — from others and from God — may be the strongest moment of our lives.”

Some thoughts today: Intercession is taking time for the Presence of God. Refreshing and stimulating.

- Before we start being "Mr. Fix it", we need to spend time in God's Word, the Bible, and praying for guidance.

- When we are facing discouragement, we need to be in the presence of other believers.

27th- Saturday’s post: The Jungle

Max Lucado

28th- Sunday's post: The Power of One Single Act

James Cagle

30th- Tuesday's post: #3 Ground-level Spiritual
Warfare C. Peter Wagner

Oct. 2nd- Thursday's post: #4 Occult-level Spiritual
Warfare C. Peter Wagner

A popular post: #8 Intercession
in the New Testament

C. Peter Wagner shares
with us: "In the New
New Testament, Jesus is the
intercessor par excellence.

His prayer for his people in John 17 reveals the loving heart Jesus had for the people and His desire to stand in the gap between them and the Father."

When folks pray, watch out!
Things happen!
God loves it, and longs
to respond!

Elaine W. Miller

We All Married Idiots: Three Things You Will Never Change About Your Marriage And Ten Things You Can by Elaine W. Miller

"Thanks for encouraging me and being a part of this testimony. This is why we write:

Andrew Payack writes: I can't say enough about the content of this book and how it changes lives but most importantly, hearts. I was in the worst place in my life with my wife of 26+ years when she wanted a divorce, not to mention 6 beautiful children. My friend and pastor, lent me this book and it changed me, but most of all it was ALL the scripture I needed to overcome the sadness. Also, I got my christian wife to read it as well. She read it and I believe that she was convicted by the holy spirit, and our marriage was saved. Praise God! we are in love now more that at our wedding! Thanks for writing such a powerful book. I have to give the book back to my pastor, but I will definately be buying on for myself and my wife. We plan to read it from time to time to keep our marriage strong and filled with Christ!"

jowildflowers@gmail.com

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