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The main problem with many Christians and Churches today is:
 
  1. Under-emphasis the spiritual realm – never think about or acknowledge the spiritual battle raging each and every day.
     
  2. Over-emphasis the spiritual realm – blaming every bad circumstance or event on the enemy (don’t give the enemy more credit than he deserves!)
 What you see with your eyes is not all there is …. There is a whole other world more powerful than the physical.
 
As Christians we need to have a healthy balance – we should recognize the spiritual war raging around us while realizing some things simply happen because we live in a fallen, sinful world.
 
Ephesians 6:12 says “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”

There are a few things I’m constantly reminding myself of:
 

  1. You are not alone in your battles!! 
When the servant of the man of God got up early the next morning and went outside, there were troops, horses, and chariots everywhere. “Oh, sir, what will we do now?” the young man cried to Elisha.  “Don’t be afraid!” Elisha told him. “For there are more on our side than on theirs!”  Then Elisha prayed, “O Lord, open his eyes and let him see!” The Lord opened the young man’s eyes, and when he looked up, he saw that the hillside around Elisha was filled with horses and chariots of fire.  2 Kings 6:15-16

God is with us at all times!  He promises that he will never leave us nor forsake us!  We can confidently walk through any battle knowing that God is walking with us.  He’s holding our hands, guiding us, strengthening us, comforting us.  Just like the story in 2 Kings, God can even open our eyes to see into the spiritual – to see God’s hedge of protection He’s placed around us – his horses and chariots of fire!
 

  1. Your prayers are for more powerful than you know!
If you’re anything like me, you often feel like nothing happens when you pray, but things are happening in the spirit world! 

And the man said to me, “Daniel, you are very precious to God, so listen carefully to what I have to say to you. Stand up, for I have been sent to you.” When he said this to me, I stood up, still trembling. Then he said, “Don’t be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day you began to pray for understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your request has been heard in heaven. I have come in answer to your prayer. But for twenty-one days the spirit prince of the kingdom of Persia blocked my way. Then Michael, one of the archangels, came to help me, and I left him there with the spirit prince of the kingdom of Persia. Now I am here to explain what will happen to your people in the future, for this vision concerns a time yet to come.”  Daniel 10:11-14

We often expect instant results when we present our requests to the Lord but things don’t always work that way.  God certainly hears us the moment we pray and things begin to shift in the spiritual even if we don’t see or feel anything different in the physical.  God heard Daniel’s prayer the first day he prayed; there were wars raging in the spiritual that delayed the angel for 21 days!  The enemy is constantly at work – prowling around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.  The enemy is trying to keep us from walking out in God’s purposes.  Remember that if God doesn’t answer immediately, there are things happening in the spiritual realm!  God will certainly answer every prayer request according to his perfect will and in his perfect timing. 

Here are several ways in which Satan works: 
 

  1. Satan loves the blind the minds of unbelievers!
“The god of this age (Satan) has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.” 2 Corinthians 4:4
 
Satan will work overtime blinding your mind from the truth if it prevents you from hearing the truth because he knows it is the truth that sets us free! 
 
The ONLY power Satan has over me is in the lies he gets me to believe. He’s scared to death of the truth. He doesn't want me believing the truth and spreading it to others. See what lies have been spoken over your life, uproot them, and replace with truth, then choose to speak truth to yourself and others instead of spreading Satan's destructive lies…..
 
  1. Satan loves to steal God’s word from you
“When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in their hearts.”  Matthew 13:19
 
  1. Satan loves to set traps to ensnare you
“And they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.”  2 Timothy 2:26

Satan knows us better than we know ourselves.  He knows our weaknesses and tempts us with them.  Learn how Satan tempts you and put safeguard in place; find accountability in others who will help you stand strong in the Lord!
 

  1. Satan fights to stop you, to stop the work of God in your life
“For we wanted to come to you – certainly I, Paul, did, again and again – but Satan blocked our way.”  1 Thessalonians 2:18

The enemy will do whatever he can to stop the work of God in your life.  Recognize the powers at work against you and seek refuge in God.
 

  1. Satan ultimately plans to destroy you!
“Be alert and of sober mind.  Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.”  1 Peter 5:8
 
He wants to devour EVERY part of you!  He wants to destroy your marriage, your kids, your testimony, your finances, your health, your relationship with God.  He wants to take you out!
 
The good news is that the Lord will rescue us from every evil attack and will bring us safely to his heavenly kingdom, according to 2 Timothy 4:18.
 
Jesus has given us HIS authority to fight the good fight!  He teaches us to fight in the battle with prayer, faith and by using God’s word.  We are not strong enough to fight in the battle alone; we need the Lord’s strength to overcome all attacks from the enemy.
 
Matthew 10:1 says: Jesus called his twelve disciples together and gave them AUTHORITY to cast out evil spirits and to heal every kind of disease and illness.
 
John 14:12-14 says: “I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father.  You can ask for anything in my name, and I will do it, so that the Son can bring glory to the Father.  Yes, ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.”
 
We’ve been given Christ’s authority and Jesus himself told us that we will do the same works he has done and even greater works! In Jesus name, all things are possible!

“Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.  Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.  In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.  Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.  And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.  With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all of the Lord’s people.”  Ephesians 6: 13-18

Each piece of the armor is intended to protect a certain part:

  1. Helmet of salvation – protects your mind
  2. Breastplate of righteousness – protects your deceitful heart
  3. Shield of Faith – helps you believe that you are who and what God says you are NOT the lies the enemy attacks you with
  4. Belt of Truth – the truth sets us free
  5. Shoes of the Gospel of Peace – peace surpasses all understanding
  6. Sword of the Spirit – the Word of God – Fight like Jesus!  The enemy tempted Jesus 3 times and Jesus fought the enemy by quoting scripture!
There is one disadvantage to the armor – it only protects our front side.  Therefore, we need other believers to protect our backs through prayer, words of encouragement, etc!  We can also stand in confidence knowing that God is our rear guard.
 
Remember, we do not fight FOR victory – we fight FROM victory!
“You have already won a victory over those people, because the Spirit who lives in you is greater than the spirit who lives in the world!”  1 John 4:4
 

Below I’ve attached some great information from Kingdom Ministries to help you fight in the battles.  There are two prayers, one to pray over the environment before all payer times and one to seal the prayer time.  There are suggested things to content for and against with suggested vocabulary.  By claiming the authority Christ has given us, we can confidently fight against all opposing powers and influences of the enemy! 

Before all prayer times, pray for the environment first!
"We (I) assert the Lordship and dominion of Jesus Christ over this place and the people who are gathered here. In Jesus' Name, IF, there are any influences of Satan and the unseen powers of darkness we bind and forbid them from affecting anyone and from interfering with God's purpose here. In Jesus' Name we command you to go where Jesus tells you and to be subject to His will. We claim the fulfillment of God's purpose here and in the lives of those gathered here. Lord Jesus, we invite Your Holy Presence to fill this place."

After all prayer times, close with:
"In the Name of Jesus we seal up all that Jesus has done here today and forbid the enemy from robbing (Name of the recipient) of the work that was accomplished in the Name of Jesus, we suspend any lingering areas that need to be resolved until the next prayer time. In Jesus' Name we cover all who have participated in this prayer session today and we forbid any retaliation against us and we now ask for God's blessing to remain with us as we leave. Amen."

While you are praying, contend against:
Lies (John 8:44b)
Anxiety (Philippians 4:6-7)
Fear (2 Timothy 1:7)
Influences/Attacks of the Enemy (Mark 8:33, Acts 13:11; 16:18)
Presence of the Enemy (Matthew 4:1-10, Mark 8:33)
Rule of Human Nature (Romans 8:5-6)
Vocabulary Suggestions:
"Therefore, in Jesus' Name, Satan, I command you to…"
"In Jesus' Name… I expose, forbid, reject, come against, separate…. etc"

While you are praying contend for:
Truth (John 8:32, 15:26)
Peace (John 14:27)
Clarity of Mind (1 Corinthians 2:16)
Revelation (Ephesians 1:17)
Freedom (Galatians 5:1)
Leading of the Holy Spirit (John 16:13-15)
Vocabulary Suggestions:
"It is written… (declare the truth of Scripture)… therefore… let it be so"
According to His will, His Word… (we claim, agree for, contend for)