OUR WORLD: How To Grow in Strategic Prayer · How To Grow in Strategic Prayer 1. Theme: Christ is applying His victory world-wide ... Christ‘s authority to these levels. ―Praying

Session 4

OUR WORLD:

How To Grow in

Strategic Prayer

1

Theme:

Christ is applying His victory world-wide

through praying Christians.

2

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 NKJV™

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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.

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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 NKJV™

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2. These evil spirits operate at four

administrative levels.





wickedness in the heavenly places.‖

Ephesians 6:12 NKJV™

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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.‖


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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.‖


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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.)

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‗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 NKJV™

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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 NKJV™

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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 NKJV™

B. Scout your enemy:

Identify the spiritual level of your

demonic opponent.





wickedness in the heavenly places.‖


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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 NKJV™

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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 NKJV™

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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.‖


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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.‖


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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, self-

condemnation

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

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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).

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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.‖


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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.

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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 NKJV™

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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 NKJV™

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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 NKJV™

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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 NKJV™30

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,…‖


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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 NKJV™

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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 NKJV™ 33

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 NKJV™

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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 NKJV™

*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.‖


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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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Documents

OUR WORLD: How To Grow in Strategic Prayer · How To Grow in Strategic Prayer 1. Theme: Christ is applying His victory world-wide ... Christ‘s authority to these levels. ―Praying