Spiritual Warfare
Below you will find a summary of this week’s teaching, along with daily prayer prompts. You can also download a printable version of the daily prompts.
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For the final week of our Summer of Prayer, we're looking at spiritual warfare. Spiritual warfare is petitioning God for kingdom outcomes over whatever situation we are facing. This is our privilege as children of the King, to participate in releasing His Kingdom on earth!
When Jesus taught the disciples how to pray in Matthew 6, part of that prayer says: "Deliver us from evil"... this is spiritual warfare!
The spirit realm is as real as the natural realm. Ephesians 6:12 reminds us: “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.”
The truth = the devil is a defeated foe! Jesus made a spectacle of His enemies at the Cross, and we now battle FROM victory, not FOR it!
We must be alert and aware of the devil’s tactics (1 Peter 5:8-9), submit ourselves to God… and THEN resist the devil (James 4:7).
All the different kinds of prayer we’ve learned this summer play a part in spiritual warfare: praying the Word, praise & thanksgiving, petitions, rest, repentance, fasting, tongues, & intercession.
Spiritual warfare is primarily a battle of perspective—we remind ourself who He is! “Little children, you can be certain that you belong to God and have conquered them, for the One who is living in you is far greater than the one who is in the world.” 1 John 4:4
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Ephesians 6:10-18
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 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. 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 the Lord’s people.Read the passage above slowly aloud.
Ask God to illuminate the words by His Holy Spirit.
Begin to pray in tongues, or ask God for even more revelation of what He is speaking to you today in this passage.
Continue in this place for as long as you can.
God may bring to mind areas of your life where you must stand firm. Declare the different parts of the armour of God over your own life, and ask God for His help to stand firm.
Continue to pray in the Spirit.
You may find others come to mind to be praying for as well. Make the same declarations over their lives.
Repeat and continue in steps 2-7 as long as you can.
Thank God for meeting you in your time of prayer today.
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Psalm 91:1-2
Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”Read the passage above slowly aloud.
Ask God to illuminate the words by His Holy Spirit.
Thank God for being your refuge today.
Take some time in silent prayer, waiting on the Lord.
Don’t be quick to leave. Some of the most powerful times of intercession are spent silently before God.
As you wait on God remember that He is fighting your battles for you. We can rest knowing that He is on His throne and we are seated in heavenly places in Christ Jesus.
Thank God for meeting you in your time of prayer today.
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Psalm 91:3-8
Surely he will save you from the fowler’s snare and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday. A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you. You will only observe with your eyes and see the punishment of the wicked.Read the passage above slowly aloud.
Ask God to illuminate the words by His Holy Spirit.
Declare the truths found in this passage over yourself, your family, and anyone else who God puts on your heart.
Imagine yourself in a position of intercession between God and those you are praying for. Continue to ask God for breakthrough on behalf of others.
Repeat steps 3-4 as many times as needed.
Thank God for meeting you in your time of prayer today.
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Psalm 91:9-16
If you say, “The Lord is my refuge,” and you make the Most High your dwelling, no harm will overtake you, no disaster will come near your tent. For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone. You will tread on the lion and the cobra; you will trample the great lion and the serpent. “Because he loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. He will call on me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation.”Decide on something you will fast today (food, entertainment, phone, etc.).
Read the passage above slowly aloud.
Ask God to illuminate the words by His Holy Spirit.
Say “The Lord is my refuge.” Purpose in your heart to make this a reality in your own life and ask for God’s help.
Thank God for His protection over you and your family.
If anyone comes to mind, pray for God’s protection over them.
Thank God for meeting you in your time of prayer today.
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Thank God for all of the wonderful promises found in His word.
Thank Him for being such a good Father, who longs to give good gifts to His children.
Ask for the Holy Spirit to reveal any areas in your life where you need to come to Him in repentance. Ask God’s forgiveness, and rest assured that there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.
Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal any areas of unforgiveness in your heart. You may need to reach out to someone at this point in order to make things right. Do it and trust the prompting of the Holy Spirit.
Thank God for His forgiveness and praise God for who He is, that He meets with us and is not far off at a distance.
Declare the goodness of God over your family, friends, and those around you.
Ask God for breakthrough over any area of your life where it is needed.
You may find it helpful to pray in the Spirit or make declarations of the promises of God.
If a song comes to mind, sing it out to God—praise Him as you meet with Him in prayer.
Stay in this place for as long as you can, and carry this praise atmosphere with you wherever you go next.
Thank God for meeting with you in your time of prayer today.
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Find a consistent time and place to set aside 20-30 minutes daily.
Print out the prayer prompts and Scriptures.
Invite family or roommates to join in, or find your own quiet space without distractions.
Put your phone on “Do Not Disturb” and put it in the other room.
The prompts provided here are just a guide. Feel free to adjust and adapt during your prayer time.
Don’t worry if you miss one day. Just pick it up again the next day and keep going!