You Need a Battle Plan

Using a Prayer Strategy for Victory in Spiritual Warfare — Part 1

Spiritual warfare requires spiritual weapons.

Ephesians 6:12 tells us that we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, powers and spiritual forces of wickedness. This means one of the enemy’s greatest victories occurs when he convinces Christians to fight the wrong battle.

We fight people.

We fight circumstances.

We fight through anger, frustration, arguments and human strength.

But 2 Corinthians 10:4 reminds us that “the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds.”

The Enemy Uses Strategy

Ephesians 6:11 tells believers to put on the whole armor of God so that we can stand against the “wiles” or schemes of the devil.

The enemy uses deception, temptation, accusation, fear, discouragement, offense and division. His strategy is often designed to move our attention away from God’s truth and onto our circumstances.

That is why prayer must become more than an emergency response.

We need to learn strategic prayer.

Strategic prayer begins by asking:

What is happening spiritually?

Instead of immediately blaming another person, ask God for discernment.

What lie is being presented?

Fear may say God has abandoned you. Condemnation may tell you your past defines you. Discouragement may tell you nothing will ever change.

Then ask:

What does God’s Word say?

Jesus answered Satan’s temptations in Matthew 4 repeatedly with the words, “It is written.”

God’s Word exposes Satan’s lies.

Prayer and Obedience Work Together

James 4:7 gives believers an important spiritual order:

“Submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.”

Submission comes before resistance.

We cannot deliberately live contrary to God’s Word while expecting spiritual authority to compensate for disobedience.

Sometimes our prayer strategy must therefore begin with repentance.

Other times it requires forgiveness.

Sometimes God calls us to worship while everything around us looks impossible.

Sometimes He tells us to remain silent instead of defending ourselves.

Sometimes He calls us to confront something boldly.

The key is allowing the Holy Spirit to direct our response according to Scripture.

Prayer Must Become Our First Response

Before reacting, pray.

Before making the decision, pray.

Before responding to criticism, pray.

Before allowing fear to dominate your thinking, pray.

Before walking into the difficult conversation, pray.

Ephesians 6:18 tells believers to be “praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit.”

Prayer is not merely something we do during spiritual warfare.

Prayer is part of how we stand.

And we stand from the victory Jesus has already accomplished.

Colossians 2:15 declares that Christ disarmed principalities and powers and triumphed over them.

The Cross was not a defeat.

The resurrection proved Christ’s victory.

Jesus is Lord.

Therefore, when the enemy attacks, don’t panic.

Get into God’s presence. Open God’s Word. Ask the Holy Spirit for discernment. Identify the lie. Find God’s truth. Pray specifically. Obey completely.

Then stand.

Declaration

I declare that Jesus Christ is Lord over my life. I will not fight spiritual battles with fleshly weapons. I submit myself completely to God and resist the schemes of the enemy. My mind belongs to Christ. My home belongs to Christ. My future belongs to Christ. I reject fear, condemnation, deception and confusion. I receive the wisdom and discernment of the Holy Spirit. The Word of God is my truth, prayer is my weapon, and Jesus Christ is my victory. Having done all, I will stand!

Prayer

Father, in the mighty name of Jesus, open my spiritual eyes and give me discernment concerning the battles around me. Forgive me for the times I have fought people instead of recognizing the spiritual battle behind the situation.

Holy Spirit, teach me how to pray. Show me where the enemy has attempted to establish fear, deception, division, temptation, condemnation or discouragement in my life.

Expose every lie with the truth of Your Word.

Father, reveal anything in my life that needs repentance, forgiveness or surrender. I submit every area of my life to You.

I resist the devil according to Your Word. Guard my mind. Strengthen my faith. Give me wisdom and teach me to recognize the voice and leading of the Holy Spirit.

I declare that Jesus Christ has already triumphed over the powers of darkness. Therefore, I will not live intimidated by the enemy. I will stand clothed in the armor of God, filled with the Holy Spirit and established upon the Word of God.

Teach me to pray strategically, obey immediately and stand faithfully.

In the mighty name of Jesus, Amen.