As we pray more, we begin to see darkness at work in many places, structures, cultural attitudes, national conflicts, personal hearts, and relationships. We need to be alert to the battle all around where Satan is trying to lie, steal, kill, destroy, blind spiritual eyes, or divide believers. Wherever we see spiritual confusion, promotion of sin, lies, self-destruction, addictions, pride, abuse, violence, resistance to Jesus, distortion of Scripture, or broken relationships, we need to ask Jesus, “What is really going on here?”
Instead of despairing or being fearful, we need to pray in the confidence that Jesus has already defeated Satan at the cross and teaches us to pray “deliver us from the evil one” (Matthew 6:13) because he has power to deliver us. We can take up “the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God” (Ephesians 6:17), using Scripture and praise as powerful weapons in our prayer. Reading Scripture aloud and then praying it is a powerful way to welcome God’s presence, hear his voice, and let him guide our prayer. Here are some helpful ways to pray:
Ephesians 1:20 Worship Jesus and praise him that he is lifted, higher than any people, leadership structures, religion, sin, or spiritual power. (Worship drives out the enemy and welcomes the presence of God to fight.) John 1:4 Pray that the light of Christ will destroy the darkness. Revelation 5:9 and Hebrews 7:25 Praise Jesus that his cross and resurrection has bought forgiveness and freedom for the people and the place you are praying for. Praise him that he is mighty to save them. Colossians 1:20 and Isaiah 53:5 Pray the blood of Jesus for God’s cleansing, saving, healing, protection, and ownership over leadership structures, ministries, churches, hearts, and minds. John 10:10 and I John 3:8 and Matt 6:10 Welcome Jesus to rule as Lord and King over people, structures, attitudes, and places; pray for his kingdom to come. 2 Corinthians 3:17 and Psalm 31:20 Pray for the Holy Spirit to come, bringing the presence of the Lord in that place or situation. Ephesians 6:12 “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.” Ask the Holy Spirit to show you what is “really there” and listen to how he leads you to pray.
Adapted from an article by OMS missionary Fiona Richardson
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