Jesus has given you the authority to serve as warriors in God’s spiritual army, and He has given the authority to use His name.
John 14:12-14 (NKJV)12 "Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father.13 And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.14 If you ask anything in My name, I will do it.
John 16:23-24 (NKJV)23 And in that day you will ask Me nothing. Most assuredly, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you.24 Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.
You have spiritual armor to protect you.
Ephesians 6:13-18 (NKJV)13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness,15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace;16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God;18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints--
You have spiritual weapons to engage the enemy. Your weapons are the Word of God, our worship, your faith in God, God’s grace, and prayer.
Jesus has defeated Satan but He has not yet destroyed him. The war will continue until God ends it with Jesus’ return to the earth for the Church.
1 Thessalonians 4:16-18 (NKJV)16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first.17 Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.18 Therefore comfort one another with these words.
God doesn’t want to just save you.. He wants to save everyone. He wants to save your family. He wants to save your friends. But he also wants to save your enemies. God cares about everyone. And so should we.
2 Peter 3:9 (NKJV) The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.
That’s our mission in spiritual warfare.
A Prayer for Those Who Are Battle Weary
By: Debbie McDaniel
Exodus 17:15-16 NKJV And Moses built an altar and called its name, The- Lord -Is-My-Banner; for he said, “Because the Lord has sworn: the Lord will have war with Amalek from generation to generation.”
Some days get hard. We feel exhausted. Worn. Tired of fighting. About ready to give up. Feeling like we can’t go on. Struggling through defeat. The enemy seems to be hot on our trail. And we wonder if we’ve been left on our own.
For those who are battle-weary, His Truth over us for this day…
John 8:31-32 ESV So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, "If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."
We’re not alone. Not ever. God won’t let go, though we may struggle with the lies that He’s left us fending for ourselves in hard times.
Deuteronomy 31:6 ESV Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you."
His Word is filled with reminders that He fights for us still today. It never says this life will be easy.
John 16:33 ESV I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world."
He never promises that we won’t get weary, or that we won’t face an enemy or a giant. But He does say we can come to Him and He will give us rest.
Matthew 11:28-30 ESV Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."
He does promise to fill us with the power of His Spirit and that His joy will be our strength.
Nehemiah 8:10 ESV Then he said to them, "Go your way. Eat the fat and drink sweet wine and send portions to anyone who has nothing ready, for this day is holy to our Lord. And do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength."
Romans 14:17 ESV For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.
He does remind us that the battle is not ours but the Lord’s.
2 Chronicles 20:15 ESV And he said, "Listen, all Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem and King Jehoshaphat: Thus says the Lord to you, 'Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed at this great horde, for the battle is not yours but God's.
He does say that we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against the spiritual forces of darkness in this life.
Ephesians 6:12-13 ESV 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. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.
None of us are immune. Life is hard some days. And often there’s not even just one “big” thing, but just lots of little battles that can drain us dry. Parenting, marriage, job, relationships, fears, worries about the future, experiencing loss, discouragement, illness, money problems – it all can leave us beaten down and worn. But, praise God, He gives us one another to help in times when we just feel like, “I can’t anymore…”
Galatians 6:2 ESV Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.
We’re all in this life thing together; let’s help each other today. Give an encouraging word, smile at someone, write a note, send a text, buy someone a coffee, pray for another soul and let them know that you’re praying, anything, just to remind a fellow believer that you’re holding up their battle-weary arms. And that you’re with them.
And God is with us.
Exodus 17:12-13, 15 ESV But Moses' hands grew weary, so they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it, while Aaron and Hur held up his hands, one on one side, and the other on the other side. So his hands were steady until the going down of the sun. And Joshua overwhelmed Amalek and his people with the sword. And Moses built an altar and called the name of it, The Lord Is My Banner,
Dear God,
The battle feels intense some days. We get tired and weak, weary and worn. It’s hard to keep going in the face of defeat. But help us to remember that you will never leave us, that you’re our Refuge and our Strength, an ever-present help in trouble. We know that the enemy wouldn’t be fighting so hard against us, if we weren’t making a difference for your Kingdom. He wouldn’t be trying so hard to stop us, if he didn’t think you had so much good still in store. Remind us that the battle belongs to you, and whatever we’re up against can be taken down in one fail swoop by your Mighty Hand. Help us to trust you more, to never waste time spinning our wheels and wrestling or fighting in our strength. Please forgive us Lord for the times we’ve failed to lift our hands to you, for the days we’ve forgotten to come to you first. Fill us with the Power of your Holy Spirit this day. Fill us with your joy, fill us with your wisdom and discernment, fill us with constant reminders that Your Presence will go with us, and you will give us rest.
A Prayer for God's Strength When You Feel Under Attack
By Debbie McDaniel
Isaiah 54:17 (ESV)17 no weapon that is fashioned against you shall succeed, and you shall refute every tongue that rises against you in judgment. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD and their vindication from me, declares the LORD.”
Some days get hard. Attacks get hurled our way that we didn’t even see coming. The enemy loves to stir up strife and division, he does his best to heap on insults and kicks us while we’re down. But be assured, whenever you are afflicted, attacked, ridiculed, or abused, God takes notice. He rises up strong on your behalf. For you are His precious child. As believers, we can know, God Himself has the final say over our lives. No
His Word reminds us that no weapon or cruel accusation is able to stand over us for long. It will fall away, for His Power rises above all. He brings light straight to darkness, and what is hidden in the dark, He brings out into the light. We are His children and He can’t help but to come to our rescue and defense.
Sometimes it may seem too long in coming. We start to feel forgotten, betrayed, rejected, and afraid. We wonder why we’ve been left on our own. Maybe some have stirred up lies against you. Maybe the enemy seems to be breathing down your back, hot on your trail, trying hard to bring you down. Maybe the obstacles seem too hard to hurdle anymore. And you feel like giving up.
Know that He is close, He sees your pain and is aware of every attack. And He is building greatness and deep perseverance from within. Shake it off my friend. Every last bitter, cruel word and fiery dart. Take it to the One who sets you free from the strongholds of darkness, from sin and shame. Leave it at the feet of the One who covers you with His favor and blessing so that your strength is renewed day by day.
Listen to His whisper today down deep in your soul. He is with you. You are greatly loved. Be still, He fights for you today.
Dear God,
We thank you for the Power of your Word and your Presence over our lives. We thank you that no weapon formed against us will prosper, for greater are You who is in us, than he who is in the world. We pray that you will cast down every threat and accusation, every abusive word and cruel attack hurled our way. We praise you that nothing is impossible with you, that You are loving and gracious, full of mercy and might. We trust in you alone, to rise up strong on our behalf. Thank you that you are our Defender and Strong Tower, our Refuge and our Strength. Thank you that you fight for us today, and in our weakness, you make us strong.