"Pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests" (Eph. 6:18).
If praying in the Spirit is important in all prayer, it is specially urgent in prayer warfare. Only those who are consciously filled with the Spirit can know the continuous empowering of the Spirit for prayer. (Google image, Group praying).
Arthur Mathews writes concerning confrontation with the devil,
"Nor is it to be entered into under conditions in which the
individual is not filled with the Spirit."
S. D. Gordon adds, "We are never really men of prayer in the best sense, until we are filled with the Holy Spirit."
We need the Holy Spirit in order to love with the love that makes prayer truly prevail. "The love of Christ . . .that surpasses knowledge" (Eph. 3:18-19) is the result of "power through His Spirit in your inner being" (v. 16).
God's ability to do through our prayer "immeasurably more than all we ask of imagine" is "according to his power" working us (v. 20).
Prayer weaknesses can hinder effective prayer, but the Spirit's purpose is so to infill you that He can help you in your prayer weakness (Rom. 8:26). Only in total reliance on the Spirit can you prevail in prayer.
Therefore receiving the fullness of the Spirit, living in the fullness, and praying in the fullness are absolutely essential in all prayer warfare. This subject has been treated more fully in chapters 14 and 15. (Samples: #58 How to Increase Faith and #65 The Dynamic of the Spirit, Part 1).
9. Concentrate on prayer targets one after another. Prayer warfare is being so militant in Jesus' name that you seize from the enemy all that rightfully belongs to Christ. Christ is the victor, and prayer warfare takes from Satan the victor's spoils.
The early church sought to take the name of Jesus and plant churches of Jesus Christ in every stronghold of Satan. They wanted to rid the earth of all vestiges of Satan's power. They even built church buildings on spots where pagan shrines had been located. They did not want pagan and demonic rites ever to be performed there again. They were"occupying" for King Jesus.
It was Hudson Taylor's personal habit to cover with militant prayer each of their mission centers, every missionary, and every urgent circumstance that he knew about. It was deliberate, specific, aggressive prayer warfare, persisting until the spiritual victories were won.
Prayer warriors are called to be Christ's spiritual assault troops. Satan has assaulted us long enough. Let's turn the battle against him. Jesus wants to overthrow Satan's strongholds one by one through us.
Satan yields ground only when we compel him to. We must advance step by step, stronghold by stronghold, from victory to victory. Begin claiming one person after another for Jesus. Set the captives free. Begin claiming one place after another for Jesus.
As early European empires claimed territory in the New World of the Americas in the name of their sovereign, so we must claim places, situations and people for Jesus. Keep the aggressive, militant spirit; keep taking new prayer-warfare initiatives for Jesus.
10. Continue to cover past victories with prayer. Satan does not give up his lost territory readily. Often even after the victory has been won in the heavenlies, in the invisible, he continues to resist your prayer warfare and to fight on.
He knows it is hopeless, but he is so stubborn in his hatred of Christ that he holds on till the last minute, trying to do as much injury and damage as possible. Even after you feel sure the battle is won, he will attempt another attack upon you and your position of faith.
Satan refuses to accept defeat. Therefore, victories won must be covered with "occupying prayer" in order to maintain the victory.
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Mighty Prevailing Prayer
#132 Pray in the Spirit
by Dr. Wesley L. Duewel
(pp. 249-251) Zondervan
Prayer-
 |
| Reading the Bible |
Father, since praying in the Spirit is important in our warfare praying, may we become consciously filled, and have a continuous empowering of His Presence.
As You are willing to help us in our prayer weaknesses, may we totally rely on Your Spirit to help us become effective.
We prayer warriors are called to be Christ's spiritual assault troops. Let's turn the battle against Satan, for he has assaulted us long enough!
We're aware that he is stubbornly fighting against what we do, as he hates Christ Jesus, and holds onto people and situations till the last minute.
May we not give up, but be persistent in our efforts to dislodge him, giving freedom to people we know and love.
We ask this in the mighty name of Jesus! Amen.
Today's Bible verses-
Col. 3:1-2 (ESV) "Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things."
Jude 20- New Heart English Bible- "But you, beloved, keep building yourselves up in your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit."
Acts 2:4 New International Version "All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them."
Jean Oathout: When we give our hearts to the Lord Jesus to be saved and forgiven from all our sins, it's important that we know He desires to be lord of our lives.
Most folks do not understand . . . "
Today's question-
The Word of God is transformative and will enable you to "make it", if you'll prayerfully read it. Stir up your faith and look to the Savior who paid the price to reveal the Father's love for you. In your situation, ask, "Father, what can I do in this season to honor You?"
Do you need grace for the present "season" you're in? Do you think: "I can't do this!" ?
Today's quote:
Ron Hutchcraft- "One of life's most frequently asked questions is, "Why, God?" The only answer that fits all situations is this; This can make you more like Jesus than you've ever been. What happens in your life is either something your Heavenly father sends or He allows. But in either case, He only allows into your life what can make you more valuable, more Christ- like." (Taken from A Daily Word, with Ron Hutchcraft, Volume One, Food for your Soul, 31 Daily Devotions).
Upcoming posts-
The Power of Love
12th- Saturday's post by James H. Cagle
#133 Dangers in Prayer Warfare, 1-3
15th- Tuesday's post by Dr. Wesley L. Duewel
#134 Dangers in Warfare Prayer, 4-6
16th- Thursday's post by Dr. Wesley L. Duewel
A Reason to Sing
19th- Saturday's post by Amy Peterson
Jean's blog (Click to see snippets of the 7 recent posts)
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Granny's Guide to Marriage in Verse
Jean's published book
Jean's published book
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