Warrior of The Word - Ephesians 6:12

 

Ephesians 6:12

For we wrestle not against flesh and

blood, but against principalities, against

powers, against the rulers of the 

darkness of this world, against spiritual

wickedness in high places.

2 Corinthians 10:3-5

For though we live in the flesh, we do not wage war according to the flesh. (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.

    The Lord's people do not fight against anyone with weapons that can harm or kill one's opponents. Remember when Peter attacked the high priest's servant Malchus? He thought he was defending Jesus against being arrested. But Jesus told Peter to put his sword away; then he healed Malchus. ~John 18:10-11 & Luke 22:51~ 

    We do not retaliate against the people who have wronged us. We are to love them just like Christ loves us. We are to pray for them; not to bring divine judgement, but to bring divine mercy. It is this message of love and forgiveness which the sermon on the mount reveals to us. ~Matthew 5:21-26;38-48. 

    When we pray heaven's blessings onto the heads of our enemies, we enter the realm of darkness. We should only enter here knowing ahead of time who it is we are really fighting against. Not only our spiritual eyes need to be open, but our perspective needs to be changed in how we view our enemies. 

    For the enemy of our soul is directing the hearts of those who knowingly and unknowingly follow his lead. People who don't know Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior yet, are a people living in darkness. They are bound in their sins just as surely as you and I were. Until someone prayed us out of the darkness that surrounded us and led us to The Light, Who then filled us and surrounded us with Himself. 

    The arena of darkness is the heart and the award is the soul. Whoever wins the battle, wins the soul. We pray against every evil thought in the hearts of our families, our friends, our acquaintances; in the hearts of the strangers among us and the enemies of our faith. 

    We pray the Peace of Christ for every heart. We pray the salvation of God for every heart. We pray the Joy of The Holy Spirit be known in every heart. 

    We pray forgiveness to replace bitterness, revenge, malice, murderous thoughts and intents, judgements. We pray contentment to replace envy and jealousy. We pray that the knowledge of the holy be sought after; praying against the strongholds of darkness laid out in Galatians 5:19-21. We pray Ephesians 3 into our families, friends, strangers, acquaintances, enemies. 

    We pray for ourselves: to maintain our walk in The Spirit, to keep ourselves grounded in The Word of God. We pray Galatians 5:22, 23 be our hearts and our minds. We pray 1 Corinthians 13 over ourselves. We pray to be faithful witnesses, carrying The Light of Christ into the darkest corners of the world, until Jesus returns or calls us home by way of the grave. 

How To Pray For Our Leaders

 

First of all, then, I urge that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgiving be offered for everyone—for kings and all those in authority—so that we may lead tranquil and quiet lives in all godliness and dignity.

This is good and pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who wants everyone to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself as a ransom for all—the testimony that was given at just the right time.

1 Timothy 2:1-6

These verses tell us how we should be praying for the authority and leadership of our nations, our states, our cities, our towns, our communities, our churches, our homes.

1. Petitions:

Pray for a specific need - a heart-felt deep personal need

2. Prayers:

Directed God-ward - both on an individual and congregational level: in a quiet place and in a meeting together place

3. Intercessions

Intervention led by God, marking intersection between heaven and earth as it reflects the Lord's specific will.

4. Thanksgivings

Thankfulness, gratitude for God's grace

With the end result being that we 'lead tranquil and quiet lives in all godliness and dignity.' (verse 2)

Verses 3-4 denote why we should pray in such a manner, while verses 5-6 emphasize the omnipotence and sovereignty of God and His Mediator Jesus Christ.

Mediator: an arbitrator ("mediator"), guaranteeing the performance of all the terms stipulated in a covenant (agreement). A reconciler.

Romans 5:9-11 & Colossians 1:21-23

Reconciled by Christ Jesus through His death and His life

How can we love one another like Christ loves us, if we do allow the love of God through Christ Jesus to change us? We can't. Nor can we have faithful to God's Word leaders if we do not pray for them in this manner.

Self-love is not the way to a better life. A self-oriented lifestyle is not a God-oriented lifestyle. Submission to God is a wonderful way to live our lives. It is a life lived in joy. Even though trials and grief are a part of life, joy is still evident when we abide in Christ as He lives in us.

And so we pray for our leaders. We pray to God for His *good and acceptable will: *Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

* Romans 12:1

*Matthew 6:10