Prayers Against Spiritual Forces and Realms of Darkness
When conflicts arise across the globe, it draws our attention. We might feel concerned, yet the conflict is often ‘there’ and not here, we’re not often touched by what’s going on. But if things escalate and our troops are deployed, our concern grows and we begin to have a vested interest in what’s happening.
Once we have someone ‘in the fight’, though, we start praying differently, don’t we? We pray in earnest for their safety and for a quick resolution to the conflict. We pray against evil and for good to prevail. We think about it every waking moment and we plead with the Lord for their safety and deliverance. We want to see things resolve quickly and peacefully. But then, as things calm and normalcy returns we likely breathe a sigh of relief and return to our lives, glad that it’s over and we move on as if the danger is done.
Yet every day, EVERY DAY, our sons and daughters are walking around in a world that is rife with conflict of a spiritual nature and they are the target of the enemy. Satan is at work and he doesn’t rest. He has demons deployed throughout every inch of this earth…it is his kingdom, after all. He’s seeking to deceive and destroy. Believers are strangers and aliens living in the midst of his territory and he wants nothing more than to turn us to his side or destroy us and remove us from life here. Just look at the news… it’s horrifying to see what people are doing to one another in the name of ‘freedom’ and ‘rights’... but it’s clearly motivated by pure evil and the enemy’s desire to destroy image-bearers.
Exodus 15:9 “The enemy boasted, ‘I will pursue, I will overtake them. I will divide the spoils; I will gorge myself on them. I will draw my sword and my hand will destroy them.’”
Isn’t this what our enemy intends? Satan wants to overtake us and destroy us. He laughs at evil and delights in destruction. If he can make one of God’s children fall, he celebrates. If he can pull one away from the cross, he counts it a victory.
1 Peter 5:8 “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.”
Parents, we need to step up our game. We need to take this seriously and not just assume that our sons and daughters will ‘fight the good fight’. Are we praying as if our sons and daughters are at war? If not, we should, because they are. They face an enemy that is far more devious and dangerous than those we can see.
Ephesians 6:12 “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.
And how does Paul describe our enemy? Pay attention, he uses words and descriptions that should sober us and take us to our knees. Each word is shown in Greek with the corresponding definition.
Rulers- arche- “The beginning or origin, the first place, principality, rule, magistracy, the term is transferred by the apostle Paul to angels and demons holding dominions entrusted to them in the order of things.” (1)
Powers- exousia- “force, capacity, competency, delegated influence:—authority, jurisdiction, liberty, power, right, strength. The leading and more powerful among created beings superior to man, spiritual potentates; used in the plural of a certain class of angels.” (2)
World forces- kosmokratōr- “lord of the world, prince of this age: the devil and demons, the world-rulers of this darkness.” (3)
Spiritual forces- pneumatikos- “non-carnal, i.e. (humanly) ethereal, or (demonically) a spirit, belonging to a spirit, or a being higher than man but inferior to God, a wicked spirit.” (4)
Wickedness- ponēria- “depravity, iniquity, wickedness, malice, evil purposes and desires.” (5)
Heavenly places- epouranios- “the heavenly regions.” (6)
We, our sons and daughters, and all other believers are going up against the ruler of this world, all of the powers that work alongside him, throughout all time and across every inch of this earth, that are more superior to and more powerful than man; fallen angels, demons and potentates of regions and kingdoms that we cannot see but that we fall under as created men. Think about that. It is a darkness that is invasive and a wickedness that Jesus himself rebuked with scripture. It’s an enemy that masters legions, personifies depravity and seeks to accomplish evil purposes. How can we begin to think we should not be aware and on guard?!
And all of this takes place in the heavenly realms. Take note, friends. We live in more than just a tangible world. There is more to what we experience than the three dimensions we can recognize with our senses. We have a spiritual nature that supersedes this world and that, friends, is why we can enter the Throne room of God and plead with Him on behalf of our loved ones. We can intercede for them as His child, His beloved. We have access to the Almighty, the Maker of Heaven and Earth, the Great I Am who was, is and is to come. We can stand against these spiritual forces, but only when we put on the full armor of God and acknowledge the dangers and powers of the enemy. And we must.
We cannot go up against such opposition with a casual approach. Our sons and daughters must be aware and on guard. The family of God is under attack and the easiest target is the one who is unaware and unconcerned. Let’s not be easy prey.
We must daily lift up our families asking the Holy Spirit to guide, protect, and intervene on their behalf. Are we praying that our sons and daughters learn how to use the armor of God with skill and regularity? Friends, the war is unfolding all around us. We are foolish to think it won’t touch us….or that it hasn’t already.
This week, let’s pray Psalm 27 over our sons and daughters to specifically ask the Lord for protection and victory and for growth and fruit in their faith. Insert their names in the appropriate places. Pray often and with hope.
Psalm 27
The Lord is (name)’s light and (name)’s salvation—
whom shall they fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of (name)’slife—
of whom shall they be afraid?When the wicked advance against (name)
to devour (them),
it is their enemies and their foes
who will stumble and fall.Though an army besiege (name),
their heart will not fear;
though war break out against (name),
even then they will be confident.One thing I ask from the Lord,
this only do I seek:
that (name) may dwell in the house of the Lord
all the days of their life,
to gaze on the beauty of the Lord
and to seek him in his temple.For in the day of trouble
He will keep (name) safe in His dwelling;
He will hide (name) in the shelter of His sacred tent
and set (name) high upon a rock.Then (name)’s head will be exalted
above the enemies who surround them;
at His sacred tent (name) will sacrifice with shouts of joy;
(name) will sing and make music to the Lord.Hear my voice when I call, Lord;
be merciful to me and answer me.My heart says of You, “Seek His face!”
Your face, Lord, I will seek.Do not hide Your face from me,
do not turn Your servant away in anger;
You have been my helper.
Do not reject me or forsake me,
God my Savior.Though my father and mother forsake me,
the Lord will receive me.Teach (name) Your way, Lord;
lead (name) in a straight path
because of their oppressors.Do not turn (name) over to the desire of their foes,
for false witnesses rise up against (name),
spouting malicious accusations.[May] (name) remain confident of this:
(name) will see the goodness of the Lord
in the land of the living.Wait for the Lord;
be strong and take heart
and wait for the Lord.
Pray without ceasing.
G746 - archē - Strong's Greek Lexicon (niv). Retrieved from https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g746/niv/mgnt/0-1/
G1849 - exousia - Strong's Greek Lexicon (niv). Retrieved from https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g1849/niv/mgnt/0-1/
G2888 - kosmokratōr - Strong's Greek Lexicon (nasb95). Retrieved from https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g2888/nasb95/mgnt/0-1/
G4655 - skotos - Strong's Greek Lexicon (nasb95). Retrieved from https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g4655/nasb95/mgnt/0-1/
G4189 - ponēria - Strong's Greek Lexicon (nasb95). Retrieved from https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g4189/nasb95/mgnt/0-1/
G2032 - epouranios - Strong's Greek Lexicon (nasb95). Retrieved from https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g2032/nasb95/mgnt/0-1/
The Value of Discipline
“No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.” Hebrews 12:11
Ask any parent whose son or daughter has shipped off to boot camp and they’ll tell you… they don’t like to think about what their kids will face when they’re there. The yelling, the humiliation, the long days…and longer nights- it all makes a Momma’s heart ache with concern. We want to protect them from harm and to those looking on, the practices certainly look harmful. We’ve all heard the stories of excruciating exertion and the drills that tax body, mind and spirit - it’s something we’d rather not see our sons or daughters experience. But it’s all part of the training. We might look at it and think that it’s too much, it’s too harsh, it’s overkill. If we were there we might be tempted to step in and put a stop to it, give them all a break, give the drill sergeant the ‘stink eye’ for being too hard and unkind. We’d want to protect them…. But by helping them avoid the testing, we’d actually be doing them harm. All of those hard things are training them for hardship and building discipline that will carry them through. It’s preparing them for war. That’s even harder to think about.
If our soldiers are called upon to defend our country or to assist an ally, they will be stretched beyond their limits and will endure more than they imagined. They will be sleep deprived. They will be exhausted beyond their limits, but still pushed to give more. They will need to think fast, make life-altering decisions and pursue them with conviction. They will face the enemy and they’ll need to know how to respond. Then, we would be glad for the extreme training they endured because it would make us more confident in their ability to withstand the dangers of war and the advances of the enemy. Boot camp is hard and downright painful. But it’s necessary and it’s all designed with the intention of preparing the soldier to survive and to win the battle because the enemy doesn’t fight with compassion…the enemy fights to destroy.
The question is, do we want our sons and daughters to be comfortable or to be victorious? Our sons and daughters are not possibly headed to war, they’re already there. Do they have the spiritual discipline to be victorious?
Do we want our sons and daughters to be comfortable or to be victorious?
God tells us we have an enemy that seeks to destroy us, spiritually.
1 Peter 5:8-10 “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings. And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.”
He assures us that we will all face trials, hardships, and opposition, but these will come to test, strengthen, and build our faith so that we can resist the enemy and come out victorious. Without that testing, we wouldn’t be able to stand firm and without discipline, we wouldn’t produce fruit that gives evidence that we belong to Christ.
James 1:2-4 “ Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”
That word “produce” in Hebrews 12:11 is the word “apodidommi” in Greek and it means “to deliver again, give again, restore, reward and yield.” (1) If we accept God’s plan of discipline and training, it will pay off each and every time we go to battle! The training will make us strong and help us endure and come out victorious.
Are we spiritually prepared and strengthened to go up against the enemy?
Ephesians 6:12 “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.”
Friends, it’s not a scheduled conflict. We don’t ‘show up’ for a fight, this is guerilla warfare. The enemy stalks us while we’re unaware, he attacks us when we’re weak and unprepared. He seeks to lean into our weaknesses and bait us with those desires that are not of God. He has armies who advance against us, so we had better be prepared. No discipline is pleasant at the time, but when we’re in the midst of battle, we’ll be thankful for it, because it will produce a harvest of peace and righteousness. It will protect us from defeat. It will be the strength and preparation we need to be steadfast against the enemy and to be victorious in Jesus Christ.
We can’t balk if our sons and daughters are called into a spiritual boot camp, because that tells us God is preparing them to be stronger, more secure in their faith, and for a greater work for His kingdom. So, rather than worry about how WE can protect them, let’s get on our knees FOR them. Pray for their endurance. Pray for their strength. Pray that they can see, with spiritual eyes, what God is calling them to and preparing them for. Pray that they remain steadfast and see beyond the realm of the tangible to the spiritual realm where they will do battle with the enemy. And pray for victory.
“Almighty Father, You are Sovereign over all my son or daughter may face today. I pray that You would strengthen (name) to walk unwaveringly with You. Keep their steps firm and make their path straight. Give (name) confidence to trust You, even when life gets difficult. Don’t let (name) weaken or lose their grip, but help them cling tightly to You. Carry them through the hardships they may face today and in the coming days. Increase their faith. Call to mind Scripture that will encourage them and keep them focused on You. I pray, Father, that You would guard them in Jesus’ name. Protect them from the enemy. When they are pressed on every side, surround them with Your Presence. When they are burdened with difficulty, lift them up and train their eyes to look to You. When they are in deep waters, hold back the waves with Your mighty hand so they can see the Rock of Salvation to which they must cling. Lord, build in them the discipline they need to remain faithful to You. I pray this all in the name and through the blood of Jesus, amen.”
Pray without ceasing.
G591 - apodidōmi - Strong's Greek Lexicon (niv). Retrieved from https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g591/niv/mgnt/0-1/
Testing the Narrative
Philippians 1:20-21 “I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.”
As we watch events unfold globally, it’s both interesting and disturbing to see how often one side will choose to spin information in an effort to deceive and gain sympathy from those who will listen and believe the lies. The deception is often an effort to undermine the ‘underdog’ - those who are weaker and whose cause is often in the right, those who are defending their country and people. But the aggressor creates a narrative about the conflict in an effort to gain (or keep) the upper hand, to sway or intimidate others into support….or silence. Despite the fact that pictures and first-hand accounts of the victims are clear evidence against them, the aggressor continues to spin the story. They go as far as to celebrate their criminal actions and unjust ‘victories’.
Unfortunately, there are always some who believe the lies. Those supporters are convinced their leader is right and justified. They choose to listen to the narrative and they don’t look with discretion and critical thinking at the bigger picture that gives evidence of unjustified aggression, intentional deception, and a warped agenda. For those who stand apart, it’s easier to see the deep deception, but for those who are entrenched and surrounded, it’s blurry and difficult to discern.
Friends, this could be describing current events…but it can also describe spiritual warfare. Isn’t it interesting that both have similar qualities? Could it be that what we’re seeing play out in the news has a deeper, more sinister source and agenda? It seems so.
We live in a time when prophecy is unfolding. Current events are beginning to mirror scripture. It’s thrilling and terrifying all at the same time. What is it that God calls us to do? What is our role? Friends, we need to take an eternal view. We need to see the scope and nature of what is happening and understand that God is weaving His story and we are a part of it all. He doesn’t call us to build a bunker, hoard food and prepare for nuclear Armageddon. We already know Who wins and we need to rest secure in that knowledge! We need to step up and put our fear aside. We need to look, with clear eyes, at what our role needs to be. God is calling us to be salt and light to a world in desperate need of a Savior. We have work to do! Too many believe the deceptive narrative of the enemy. Satan is deceiving image-bearers and drawing them toward eternal death. It’s his agenda and his goal and he’s busy about his business.
“Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.”
1 Peter 5:8
As parents, we see what is happening and it’s not difficult to begin to fear the possibilities. We want, more than anything, to protect our sons and daughters from harm. We want to see them prosper and grow. We want to ensure their safety. We don’t want to imagine the ‘what ifs’, but as we watch and see what’s happening, we tend to think that way. But that way of thinking can become our ‘undoing’. And our fear can potentially hold our sons and daughters back from leaning in to obey the Lord and His call for their life. We don’t want to be a barrier.
As we read through Scripture, we see that God often uses young people in mighty ways by placing them in hard situations. Think about Daniel- taken hostage, led to a foreign country, impressed into the King’s service, learning a new language, new customs and, yet, mightily used by God to impact not only the nation of Israel, but the Kingdom of Babylon too. Then, there are his friends, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. They refused to compromise; they refused to bow to an idol. They knew that obedience to God had eternal blessings versus giving way to the King for a temporary moment of safety. Friends, there are SO many examples: Joseph, David, Ruth, Jeremiah, the list goes on and on. And then, there’s Esther., about whom Mordecai said “For if you keep silent at this time, relief and deliverance will rise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father's house will perish. And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” Perhaps God is raising up our sons and daughters for such a time as this.
God may bring difficult times ahead. And He may call our sons and daughters to do hard things. Are we ready? Are we willing to stand for Truth? Are we willing to pray that our sons and daughters choose Jesus over a moment of safety? Can we authentically pray Philippians 1:20-21 for them?
“I eagerly expect and hope that (name) will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in (name)’s body, whether by life or by death. For to (name), to live is Christ and to die is gain.”
Philippians 1:20-21
That’s a difficult prayer, isn’t it? So, how do we do this. How can we wrap our parent-hearts around what may come and yet, pray with peace, ‘Thy will be done”?
First, we need to pray that our sons and daughters evade deception. This is a battle of the heart and mind, and victory is gained through having firm wisdom and knowledge of Jesus. They ARE fighting an enemy, every day. Do we pray as if they are?
“I have not stopped thanking God for you. I pray for you constantly, asking God, the glorious Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to give you spiritual wisdom and insight so that you might grow in your knowledge of God.”
Ephesians 1:16-17
It’s important that we pray that our sons and daughters are alert to the nature of deception and how Satan works. Pray that they are not led astray, but stand firm in Jesus with an undistracted, undivided heart.
“But I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent’s cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ. For if someone comes to you and preaches a Jesus other than the Jesus we preached, or if you receive a different spirit from the Spirit you received, or a different gospel from the one you accepted, you put up with it easily enough.”
2 Corinthians 11:3-4
Next, we need to pray that our sons and daughters have keen discretion to identify false teaching, a false Spirit and a false Jesus. They’re out there friends, and they’re dangerous. They ‘sound good’. There is just enough truth to woo the unsuspecting mind. There is a smattering of ‘love’ to soothe the hurting heart. There is false hope that is dished out in plentiful portions, until the deception takes hold and the enemy rejoices. It’s dangerous and we’re not immune. Our sons and daughters are prey for the enemy and they’re headed to the front lines.
“For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.”
Matthew 24:24
“For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.”
2 Timothy 4:3-4
We need to ask the Lord to give our sons and daughters a strong grasp of Biblical knowledge and wisdom so they can test what they see and hear against the Truth of Scripture. Pray that they are always alert and on guard, ready to battle the enemy. Pray that they understand it’s not about ‘checking the boxes’ but living authentically. And friends, as parents we need to be intentional to live out that truth without compromise.
“Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world. You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.”
1 John 4:1-4
Finally, we must pray that our sons and daughters are ‘sold out’ for Christ. Pray that they value their relationship with Him and the promise of eternity over comfort and pleasure in this temporary life. Yes, I know, we’re praying hard things. We don’t want to imagine where this might lead, yet scripture tells us we will face hard times.
“In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
John 16:33b
Are we expending our energy and targeting our focus and worry on the “what if” or are we fully investing our hope and trust in What IS - the Great I Am, the First and the Last, the Eternal One. Intentional, targeted Scriptural prayer is the key that we must grab onto and not let go.
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”
John 14:27
Will we choose to pursue peace in Christ or allow our earth-bound focus to stir turmoil in our hearts by putting too much focus on the events and direction of this world? Hard times may come. Our faith may be tested. We need to love the Lord more than life itself, because He is the Giver of Life.
So how do we shift our focus? We need to pray that God would help us to have a “Hannah Heart”, a willingness to allow our sons and daughters to serve the Lord, wherever He may lead them…and to trust that He will care and keep them and use them for His glory.
“I prayed for this child, and the LORD has granted me what I asked of him. So now I give him to the LORD. For his whole life he will be given over to the LORD.” And he worshiped the LORD there.”
1 Samuel 1:27-28
It’s daunting to consider what may come. But we KNOW our God is sovereign and there is nothing that will happen that is out of His control. We need to trust Him. We can absolutely trust Him- He is Faithful and True.
Let’s pray with great commitment. And let’s not only pray over this in the coming week, but in the days, weeks and months ahead. God is working, but so is the enemy. We can’t grow complacent or comfortable. We, and our sons and daughters, must always test the narrative to determine whether it is of God or of the enemy. Pray without ceasing, friends.
“Father, you see the turmoil in our world…and in our hearts. What we see is distressing and sometimes it sinks so deeply into our hearts and minds that we’re distracted, disturbed and distressed. Our focus becomes our worry and fear and our efforts shift to ‘fixing’ and ‘protecting’. Help us to get our focus back onto You- to take every thought captive and bring it into obedience to Christ. Whether our sons and daughters are walking a hard path because of their profession, or because of their life choices, You are capable of defeating the enemy that threatens them physically and spiritually. Lord, You are mighty to save. Help me to rest in that. Help me to remember that He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. Remind me that You will cover them with your feathers and under Your wings they will find refuge. You will be their shield of defense and their rampart of offense. Your power can protect them so much more than my worry. Lord, I pray that they would be fully committed to Jesus, serving Him faithfully without wavering. Help them to identify deception and not fall victim to false teaching and those who would lure them from You. Protect them Lord. Make them mighty followers of You. Use them for Your glory and help me to pray faithfully. Bind my heart to Yours, Lord, so that I trust without wavering. Please help each of us to love You, the Giver of Life, more than this temporary life. You are our King and Savior. Keep us faithful, Lord. In Jesus’ name, amen.”
Are you questioning where you stand with God? Do you want peace and assurance that your eternity is secure? Do you want to know more about having a personal relationship with Jesus? Reach out! I would love to talk with you and share how to have hope in Jesus Christ!
“If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.”
Romans 10:9-11