Prayer is a Weapon

He that committeth sin is of the Devil; for the Devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the Devil. 

(1 John 3:8)

When you do not understand God's purpose and plan, you may be tempted to become discouraged in the conflicts of life. This is why many Christian soldiers fail in warfare; they do not understand the divine purpose behind the battle.

So in the present case, I tell you, keep away from these men and let them alone; because if this plan or this undertaking is of human origin, it will fail; but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them—in that case you may even be found fighting against God!" They were convinced by him,  (Acts 5:38-39)

From the beginning of time, every natural battle that has been fought always had a purpose for which it was waged. Before we examine God's battle plan, it is important to understand the purpose of spiritual warfare. This involves understanding the purposes of God the Father and God the son, Jesus Christ.

It is God's purpose that...

That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:  (Ephesians 1:10)

From the beginning of time, Satan has battled against the fulfillment of this purpose. Your own warfare in the spirit world is related to this purpose of God. Satan battles to bring your heart, mind, spirit, and soul into allegiance to him instead of the Lord Jesus Christ.

God works in you to accomplish His purpose:

For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do His good pleasure. (Philippians 2:13)

God also works through your life to accomplish His purposes:

Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God. (Romans 6:13)

There are many different Scriptural strategies that can be used in spiritual warfare, but the basic battle plan for believers is revealed by observing how Jesus dealt with the enemy. The basic battle plan for spiritual warfare is based on six major points. These are:

            -    The Word Of God

            -    Delegated Power And Authority

            -   Prayer

            -    Fasting

            -    Keys Of The Kingdom

            -    The Name Of Jesus

During the earthly ministry of Jesus, His disciples once came to Him with an interesting request:

And it came to pass, that, as he was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples. (Luke 11:1)

The disciples did not ask how to preach or perform miracles. They did not seek lessons on how to build lasting relationships. They did not inquire regarding the wonders of physical healing. They asked to be taught how to pray.

What created this desire? It was the visible effects of prayer in the life and ministry of Jesus. The disciples had witnessed the powerful results of this spiritual strategy in action.

Read the model prayer and observe the various types of prayer found in the word of God:

Our Father, which art in Heaven,                                           Praise and worship

Hallowed be thy name.

Thy kingdom come.

Thy will be done in earth, as it is in Heaven.                         Commitment

Give us this day our daily bread.                                              Petition

And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.           Confession and Intercession

And lead us not into temptation,                                              Petition

but deliver us from evil;

For thine is the Kingdom, and the power                               Praise and worship

and the glory, forever. Amen.

(Matthew 6:9-13)

Utilize the following references in your Bible to learn how you should pray:

-   Prayer is to be made to God:                                      Psalms 5:2

-   Empty repetition is forbidden,but earnest repetition is not:    Matthew 6:7; Daniel 6:10; 
                                                                                                                    Luke 11:5 13;18:1-8     

-   You sin by neglecting to pray for others:                 I Samuel 12:23

-   Pray with understanding (in a known tongue):     Ephesians 6:18

-   Pray in the Spirit:                                                         Romans 8:26; Jude 20

-   Pray according to the will of God:                             I John 5:14-15

-   Pray in secret:                                                                Matthew 6:6

-   Quality rather than quantity is stressed.   
     Prayer is not successful because of "much speaking":    Matthew 6:7

-   Pray always:                                                                    Luke 21:36; Ephesians 6:18

-   Pray continually:                                                           Romans 12:12

-   Pray without ceasing:                                                   1 Thessalonians 5:17

-   Pray to the Father in the name of Jesus:                  John 15:16

-   With a watchful attitude:                                             1 Peter 4:7

-   According to the example of the model prayer:      Matthew 6:9-13

-   Pray with a forgiving spirit:                                         Mark 11:25

-   Pray with humility:                                                        Matthew 6:7

-   Sometimes accompany prayer with fasting:             Matthew 17:21

-   Pray fervently:                                                                 James 5:16; Colossians 4:12

-   Pray with submission to God:                                      Luke 22:42

-   Use the strategies of binding and loosing in prayer:     Matthew 16:19

What we should pray for:

-   The peace of Jerusalem:                                           Psalms 122:6

-   Laborers in the harvest:                                            Matthew 9:38

-   That you enter not into temptation:                       Luke 22:40-46

-   Them that despitefully use you (your enemies):  Luke 6:28

-   All the saints:                                                               Ephesians 6:18

-   The sick:                                                                        James 5:14

-   One for another (bearing each others burdens):  James 5:16

-   For all men, kings, and those in authority:            1 Timothy 2:1-4

-   For daily needs:                                                           Matthew 6:11

-   For wisdom:                                                                 James 1:5

-   For healing:                                                                  James 5:14-15

-   For forgiveness:                                                           Matthew 6:12

-   For God's will and Kingdom to be established:    Matthew 6:10

-   For relief from affliction:                                            James 5:13

Pray the promises:

Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts. (James 4:3)

God answers prayer according to His promises. When you do not ask on the basis of these promises, your prayer is not answered. It is similar to how a father relates to his children. No parent commits to give his youngsters anything they want or ask for. He makes it clear that he will do certain things and not do other things. Within these limits the father answers his child's requests.

It is the same way with God. He has given promises and they form the proper basis for prayer. Learn what God has promised and pray according to the promises of God. One way to do this is to go through the Bible and mark all the promises God has made. Use your Bible as you pray and base your prayers upon these promises.

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