Session 4

OUR WORLD: How To Grow in Strategic Prayer 1

Theme: Christ is applying His victory world-wide through praying Christians.

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Biblical Foundation: ―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…praying always…‖ (vs. 12, 18a) Ephesians 6:10-18

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The Purpose of This Session is to learn how to overcome evil strongholds.

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Introduction: Satan is [defeated], but sinful humanity is retaining him as the god of this world. 5

1. God is allowing Satan to use demons in his evil work. ―And war broke out in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon and his angels fought.‖ Revelation 12:7

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2. These evil spirits operate at four administrative levels. ―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.‖ Ephesians 6:12

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3. Strategic prayer identifies and applies Christ‘s authority to these levels. ―Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints.‖ Ephesians 6:18

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4. God revealed a battle plan to the Apostle Paul (Ephesians 6:10-18).

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A. Grow strong in the Lord: ―Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.‖ Ephesians 6:10

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1. Drink in the life of Christ by [worshiping] Him like the elders mentioned in Revelation. ―Now when He had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each having a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. And they sang a new song, saying: (cont.) 11

‗You are worthy to take the scroll, and to open its seals; for You were slain, and have redeemed us to God by Your blood out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation, and have made us kings and priests to our God; and we shall reign on the earth.‘‖ Revelation 5:8-10

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2. Partake of the power of His might through [prayer]. ―But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.‖ Isaiah 40:31

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3. Pray Scripture back to God. ―Let my supplication come before You; Deliver me according to Your word.‖ Psalm 119:170

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B. Scout your enemy: Identify the spiritual level of your demonic opponent. ―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.‖ Ephesians 6:12

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1. Identify the evil spirits that are energizing the problem that confronts you. (Read Acts 16:16-18.)

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2. Identify also any superior demonic authority that is giving aid to your immediate opponent. ―For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds.‖ 2 Corinthians 10:4

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3. Apply the supreme victory of Christ Jesus to each problem by prayer. ―But if I cast out demons by the Spirit of God, surely the kingdom of God has come upon you. Or else how can one enter a strong man‘s house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man? And then he will plunder his house.‖ Matthew 12:28,29

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C. [Put on] your spiritual armor: Prepare for counter-attacks.

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―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.‖ Ephesians 6:13

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Your Spiritual Armor 1. Each piece of armor is part of Christ‘s life in you, protecting a vital area of your life. 2. Prayer energizes and activates your armor. ―Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints.‖ Ephesians 6:18

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3. The following chart lists six pieces of spiritual armor, the enemy‘s weapons, and ways in which to use them.

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Spiritual Armor

Enemy’s Weapons

Spiritual Actions

Belt of truth

Lies

Pray Scripture

Bulletproof vest of righteousness

Tolerated sins, selfcondemnation

Practice spiritual breathing*

Shoes of outreach

Fear in witnessing

Be filled with the Holy Spirit

Shield of faith

Self-sufficiency

Cast cares on Christ

Helmet of salvation

Human reasoning

Ask for God’s wisdom

Sword of the Spirit

Neglect or distortion of the Bible

Memorize, obey Scriptures 23

Spiritual Breathing: What is it? Spiritual breathing is a scriptural way to keep one‘s heart fresh, clean, and victorious. It is like natural breathing. We breathe out ―impure air‖ by confessing our sin (1 John 1:9) We breathe in God‘s ―pure air‖ by asking and receiving a fresh infilling of the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 5:18). See the booklet, Have You Made the Wonderful Discovery of the Spirit-Filled Life? By: Dr. Bill Bright (Orlando, FL: New Life Publications). 24

D. Launch your weapon: ―Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints.‖ Ephesians 6:18 NKJV™

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1. Identify the unseen evil force that opposes your service to God (see Section B). Then, bring that problem before the Lord in prayer. 2. Ask God also to disable higher levels of evil power that may be feeding your problem. For example, a false religious movement may be energizing a local wave of violence. 26

3. Use prayer to bring Christ‘s victory into evil strongholds. ―Casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.‖ 2 Corinthians 10:5

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4. Sustain this prayer connection [until] the strongholds yield to Christ Jesus, and He grants to you His peace in the matter. ―Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.‖ Philippians 4:6,7

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Note: Sustained, persistent prayer is a challenging part of intercession. Delayed answers can allow God time to effect His will while we pray. Ask God for endurance in prayer, until you can cast all your care on Jesus, your mighty Lord. ―…casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.‖ 1 Peter 5:7

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5. Use God‘s ammunition by prayer: a. Worship and praise: the mighty presence of God. ―Let the saints be joyful in glory; let them sing aloud on their beds. Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, and a two-edged sword in their hand, to execute vengeance on the nations, and punishments on the peoples; to bind their kings with chains, and their nobles with fetters of iron; to execute on them the written judgment—this honor have all His saints. Praise the Lord!‖ Psalm 149:5-9

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b. The Name of Jesus: authority over the enemy. ―Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth,…‖ Philippians 2:9,10

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c. The Blood of Jesus: victory over Satan. ―And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death.‖ Revelation 12:11

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d. The Word of God: praying and obeying Scripture. ―For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven, and do not return there, but water the earth, and make it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; it shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.‖ Isaiah 55:10-11

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e. Prayers of agreement: unity with other saints ―Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.‖ Matthew 18:19,20

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The stronger the conflict is, the more intercessors you may need to enlist.

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f. Fasting and praying*: battle intensification.

―So He said to them, ‗This kind can come out by nothing but prayer and fasting.‘‖ Mark 9:29

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*For helpful information on prayer and fasting, see 7 Basic Steps to Successful Fasting and Prayer by Bill Bright, Bright Media Foundation (Orlando, Florida), 1995.

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g. Thanksgiving: our expression of faith. ―Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.‖ Philippians 4:6,7

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Conclusion: Strategic intercession is the fuel of God for the Great Commission. ―The history of missions is the history of answered prayer.‖ –Samuel Zwemer

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End of Seminar 3 Session 4

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