PRAYER FOR SPIRITUAL WARFARE

Transcription

1 1 PRAYER FOR SPIRITUAL WARFARE Dr. Kenneth W. Jones, Pastor, Practical Living Ministry

2 Scripture 2 2 Chronicles 7:14 - If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. If Ecclesia means called out ones then we are the ones that scripture relates to Although God s invitation is initially given to my people (2 Chronicles 7:14), God has made it clear that anyone who acknowledges His name and authority may pray with the same confidence of a hearing. (2 nd Chronicles 6:32,33)

3 We Have Acceptance & Access 3 Adoption: Romans 8:15 Acceptance: Ephesians 1:3-8 Approved: 2 Corinthians 10:18 Access: Ephesians 2:18; Eph 3:12 & Romans 5:1,2 By faith, by grace and by His Spirit

4 Prayer Ready: 2 nd Chronicles 7:14 4 Humility in prayer recognizes that the answers are not in self or others, but they are in God. Humble themselves and Pray Humility comes first And turn from their wicked ways: This great promise of answered prayer also includes the condition of repentance. When you stand praying.. Forgive (Mark 11:25) If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me (Psalms 66:18)

5 War Room 5 The Movie War Room is an excellent movie concerning the power of prayer as a weapon in spiritual warfare. It also speaks to the attitude of prayer as well as the necessity of prayer in relationships

6 Focus on 4 Major Areas 6 Repentance Before God can change things, He sometimes has to change you Responsibility We must take responsibility for our own actions Transformation Prayer not only changes things, but should change you Mentoring Just as Jesus taught the disciples to pray, one day you should be mentoring and instilling spiritual discipline in others

7 Spiritual Battle 7 While watching the movie, I was coming to terms on issues Who are Fighting Against? What are you fighting for? What are you fighting with? Who s Fighting For you? Pass the Banner

8 Who Are You Fighting Against 8 Ephesians 6:12 - For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Our greatest threat is not our loved ones, it is satan s evil, invisible horde that are determined to steal, kill, and destroy Satan wants to steal your time that should be spent in prayer and Word meditation He wants to kill every opportunity for spiritual growth and experiencing God s best He wants to destroy all good and blessed relationships in your life

9 Who Are You Fighting Against? 9 Many of us fight ourselves we struggle with our shortcomings and tormented by guilt from failed expectations The answer: take it out on your loves ones has been one medium We struggle against our carnal desires Galatians 5:17: (ESV)For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do.

10 Who Are You Fighting Against? 10 James 4:7 - Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Submit - to submit to one's control; Are you willing to submit your life, your marriage, your job, your family, your ministry to God s control? Before Victory Comes, Surrender must take place to the One who is able to cause you to overcome Our biggest struggle is submitting ourselves to God s will We feel better if we took the fight to ourselves or towards someone

11 11 Friendly Fire Taking Our Fight Towards Others In War, there are times when one is taken out by his own troops, either by accident or on purpose Wherever there is conflict there will usually be Friendly Fire Galatians 5:15: When Wild beasts fight amongst each other, sometimes both are slain Many time we war against one another, seeing our spouse, family member, friend as the source of our issues and we lay into them with or wrath, unforgiveness, and bitterness

12 Friendly Fire 12 We overcome attacks in our homes by loving and serving one another (Galatians 5:13,14) Satan can accuse us all he wants to one another, but if we stay in an attitude of love and service, he cannot win So many times in the fog or confusion of war, we find ourselves fighting the wrong enemy Believe it or not that PERSON is not your Enemy Satan is

13 Conclusion 13 We have access to the Father God in prayer because we are adopted into the Family of God, we are accepted as the beloved, and approved of God We have Victory through prayer if we understand who we are truly fighting against the key to winning any war is knowing your enemy God wants to heal our land, transform us, give us peace and it comes as we humble ourselves to pray

14 Practical Living Ministry 14 Practical Living Ministry mission is to impact the lives of God s people by providing biblical concepts for practical, spiritual, living. To fulfill the Great Commission appointed to us by the Lord Jesus Christ through witnessing, discipleship, and equipping the saints of God. You can reach us on our website at:

15 Scriptures 15 Ephesians 1:3-8: Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, 4 just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him. In love 5 He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will, 6 to the praise of the glory of His grace, which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved.7 In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace 8 which He lavished on us. Romans 8:15 - For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.

16 Scriptures 16 2 Corinthians 10:18 - For not he that commendeth himself is approved, but whom the Lord commendeth. Ephesians 2:18 - For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father. Galatians 5:15 - But if you bite and devour one another, take care that you are not consumed by one another. Galatians 5:13 - For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. 1 Timothy 6:12 - Fight the good fight of faith; take hold of the eternal life to which you were called, and you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.

17 17 Psalms 66:18 - If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me: