#127 Strategies in Prayer Warfare, Part 1

Dr. Wesley L. Duewel- As prayer warriors, we need to know well the weapons and methods of victory in our warfare. 

   We must not only be aware of Satan, his schemes, and his methods (2 Rom. 2:11), we must be wise and skilled in our God-provided means of defeating and routing him. God has available all the strategies we need for prevailing. (Google image, Prayers for Christ's increase).

      1. Put on the armor God provides: "Put on the full armor of God" (Eph. 6:11). Paul repeats these words because they are so urgent. We need to be fully armed before the battle, and the only armor that will be adequate is that which God provides. We are wholly dependent on Him. In the Ephesian passage, Paul lists six elements:

    a. The belt of truth. The truth about God—His sovereignty, almighty power, immediate presence with us, unchangeableness, infinite knowledge and wisdom, total opposition to Satan, and prophesied judgment of Satan—all that the Bible tells us of God is absolute truth.

   We can stake our lives upon it. It girds your waist so that you are ready to do instant battle, but you yourself must be premeated by truth.

    b. The breastplate of righteousness. The breastplate protected the vital organs extending from the neck to the thighs. It was sometimes called the heart protector. Righteousness, the transformed character only God can give, provides the absolutely essential protection in spiritual warfare.

   There is no prayer power unless there is full appropriation of Christ's righteousness. We will leave no unguarded vulnerability if we are possessed of the character of Christ.

   Only someone who is pure in heart and hates evil can move freely and unmolested into enemy territory. We must have not only a pure life but a pure heart—pure motives and desires. We must have total integrity. Pride can destroy all our power for warfare. Jealousy, negative criticalness, carnal anger, ill will—none of these can be tolerated in our heart if we are to engage in spiritual warfare.

   c. The army boots. In Paul's days, soldiers wore strong leather boots with the soles thickly studded with nails, says Josephus. Such boots gave the feet firm grip in fighting and durable protection on long marches. 

   The warrior could spring instantly into action. Wars have been won or lost because of footwear. The gospel of peace—peace with God and peace with all men—gives a firm foundation that will not slip or slide. Again this piece of the armor emphasizes that successful fighting depends on character.

   d. The shield of faith. Saving faith is absolutely essential, but this element goes beyond salvation to faith used in spiritual conquest and warfare. It is faith for action, for attacking the fortresses of Satan, for taking the prayer offensive to drive Satan back.

   It is faith that quenches every flaming arrow of Satan...He wants to disable us by doubt. Satan accuses us of weakness; we agree— 
our strength is in the Lord not in ourselves. He charges us with ignorance; we agree—the Lord is our wisdom.

   The Spirit is our guide and counselor. Satan charges us with not knowing how to pray; we agree—for that reason the Spirit prays within us and is Lord of our praying. Our shield of faith is big. It is adequate. It can quench every flaming arrow Satan shoots at us.

   e. The helmet of salvation. Our mind is guarded by the salvation of the Lord. He is our assurance of salvation. It is a present-tense deliverance from sin because Jesus saves us from our sins. Our head, so vital in the warfare, is totally protected. We see needs as God sees them. We see sin as God sees it. We have God's understanding, God's concerns, and God's attitudes. Salvation equips us to fight and pray wisely, courageously, and effectively.

   f. The sword of the Spirit—the Word of God. This Word is our mighty weapon in both defensive and offensive warfare, allowing us to ward off the attacks of Satan and to leap to attack all the powers of hell. What tremendously effective and universally applicable power is in the Word!

   Let me cite a few militant phrases to use at the appropriate point in your prayer:

   "thus says the Lord"; 
   "in the name of Jesus"; 
   "Your will be done"; 
   "get behind me, Satan"; and
   "by the blood of the Lamb." 

   Each one of these can be a piercing, slashing, sword thrust in your prayer warfare. Use Scripture in your praying. Use Scripture in the command of faith. Satan cannot stand against the Word of God when it is used in the power of the Spirit.

   All these are the armor and weapons of your warfare, but prayer is the actual warfare. 

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

   Used by permission of the author and Duewel Literature Trust, Inc., Greenwood, Indiana, (with Jean's impressions added)

Mighty Prevailing Prayer
#127 Strategies in Prayer Warfare, Part 1
by Dr. Wesley L. Duewel
(pp.238, 240) Zondervan)

Prayers for someone

Prayer-

    Father, we want to be faithful prayer warriors, so are thankful for the above list given us for victory in our praying.
   The means to defeat and to rout the evil one is provided for us by God, by applying the amour He's provided.
   Help me remember to cite some of the militant phrases given above, at appropriate points in my prayer, so I'll be more effective in my warfare praying.
   I ask this in Jesus' name. Amen.
   

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Today's Bible verses-

(Isaiah 29:14 a KJV) "Therefore, behold, I will proceed to do a marvellous work among this people, even a marvellous work and a wonder."
(Is. 26:3 KJV) Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee; because he trusteth in thee."

(Ps. 119:163 KJV) "I rejoice at thy word, as one that findeth great spoil."

Today's quote-

God is Doing What's Best for Us From You’ll Get Through This Listen to UpWords with Max Lucado at OnePlace.com  ~ God is at work in each of us whether we know it or not, whether we want it or not. Lamentations 3:33 says, “He takes no pleasure in making life hard, in throwing roadblocks in the way.”    He doesn’t delight in our sufferings, but He delights in our development. It’s what Paul pointed out in Philippians 1:6 when he wrote,  “God began doing a good work in you, and    I am sure He will continue until it is    finished when Jesus Christ comes again.”    Don’t see your struggle as an interruption to life but as preparation for life. No one said the road would be easy or painless. But God will use this mess for something good.     This trouble you are in isn’t punishment, it’s training. It is the normal experience of children. God is doing what’s best for us, training us to live God’s holy best!" Today's questions:    Are you aware that the Holy Spirit wants to help you live as you were designed to live? Do you live in expectancy of what He is up to? Or have you lost your expectation? Are you desperate to hear Him speak to you again?    God wants to meet your expectations in life, stir it afresh and make you see His moving in your life again. May you desire to see Him in everyday life, drinking again at His wells of salvation, and coming alive to all His plans for you. Recognize that God wants to do something through fellowship with other believers. Don't allow poor attitudes to rob you! (My notes taken from Pastor Rick Sinclair's message, Simeon, 12/18/16). Upcoming posts- #128 Accept and Adopt the Warrior Spirit 27th- Thursday's post by Dr. Wesley L. Duewel Your God....HE IS LORD 29th- Saturday's post by Ernie Miller #129 Plan and Take the Offensive Aug. 1st- Tuesday's post by Dr. Wesley L. Duewel #130 Strategies in Prayer Warfare, Part 2 3rd- Thursday's post by Dr. Wesley L. Duewel Jean's blog (Click to see snippets of the 7 recent posts) Samples of Jean's crafts http://twitter.com/jeanoathout http://facebook.com/jean.oathout Granny's Guide to Marriage in Verse