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Pray in the Spirit at all times in every prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert and always persevere in supplication for all the saints.
-Ephesians 6:18
This verse comes right after the description of the FULL ARMOR OF GOD. The author uses symbolism to get us ready for spiritual war.
- A belt to hold your sword
- Truth
- A breast plate
- Righteousness
- Sandals
- To share the Gospel of Peace
- A shield.
- Faith
- A helmet.
- Salvation
- A sword.
- The Holy Spirit
- The Word of God
for our struggle is not against blood and flesh but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.
-Ephesians 6:12
Spiritual warfare. That’s on the block tonight. But it’s more than that. Tonight we will be discussing our response to it.
Have you ever experienced spiritual attacks? What was the situation? How did you feel? What did you do? Did you pray? What happened during and after prayer?
Here at Christ’s Redemption Church (CRC) we experience spiritual warfare pretty frequently. Especially when we gain more visitors or successes. Grow in faith. We are attacked at our weak points. Areas we care tremendously about. It makes us feel like giving up sometimes. Bares down on us. Creates friction. But then God makes a way. He will cause moments or situations to happen that remind us WHY we were called out for this work. This anointing. You. You ALL are our reason why. And those yet to join us. If we can help just ONE person. That will be enough.
Our response to spiritual warfare is what matters. That is HOW we FIGHT.
First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for everyone,
-1 Timothy 2:1
This verse is our HOW. Supplications. Prayers. Intercessions. Notice that it says “made for everyone”. This isn’t a self-centered action. This isn’t just about you. No. This is for everyone in the community. Let’s look at each of these words mentioned:
- Supplication
- Asking God for something with full confidence of His abilities and grounded in Scripture. God’s Word.
- Prayers
- Umbrella word for all communication with God.
- Intercessions
- Requests we make on behalf of others.
- The needs of others are in our prayers.
Jumping back to Ephesians 6:18, it says “for all saints”. Make supplication on behalf of all saints. That is, believers in Christ Jesus. This is the very definition of intercessory prayer. Battling on behalf of others. We as soldiers aren’t only worried about our own safety. We protect and step out into battle for our siblings in God’s Kingdom.
I remember the most powerful experience with God was when I entered into intercessory prayer. Especially as a group. Elder Chris, Elder Curtis, and I have prayed long into the night. We’ve received answers that came to pass. Prophetic. Things we had no way of knowing. Warnings. Healings. Visions. Things that would make us sound insane to the outside world. Breakthroughs. Intervention for others. Ourselves. Praying for a hedge of protection around our church and the people in it. We stood in the doorway. Between heaven and earth. Putting ourselves in between the evil ones and those within these walls. Loved ones. Begging the Lord to be our guide. To light the way. Drawing near to God.
The word “intercession” is never casual in Scripture. It is earnest. Deliberate. Purposeful. Intercession is an activity associated to priests in the Bible. In the Old Testament. Before Jesus we needed a priest to make an animal sacrifice once a year to intercede on our behalf. To cover our sins. But as we learned during Easter, we no longer need this. And yet. Intercession of prayer is alive and well. WE are now the priesthood in light of the New Covenant.
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own people, in order that you may proclaim the excellence of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.
-1 Peter 2:9
As priests it is our responsibility to battle in prayer for one another. Intercession.
I remember a mentor once told me. If everyone is praying up. If everyone is stepping up on behalf of others. This creates a prayer covering. If everyone is praying for their sibling in Christ then no one slips through the cracks. So, let us build up that covering. Let us make the atmosphere so thick that the Enemy can’t even THINK about touching our people! God’s people! RISE UP! Get into your prayer closets! Your prayer alters! Get down on your knees! Block the evil before it creeps in!
AMEN.
