Prayer Warfare #1
Lance discusses the significance of prayer, particularly focusing on prayer warfare, as a vital aspect of the Christian life. He begins by referencing Psalm 2, which highlights the ongoing conflict between God and the forces of evil. This battle is not merely personal but spans all of history, representing a cosmic struggle between light and darkness. Lance emphasizes that every believer is born into this spiritual warfare, which requires understanding and preparation. He stresses the importance of recognizing that the true enemy is not flesh and blood but spiritual forces. The divine strategy involves training believers to become good soldiers of Christ, equipped with the full armor of God. Lance encourages believers to engage in prayer warfare, which is not just about personal requests but involves corporate prayer led by the Holy Spirit. He shares personal anecdotes illustrating the power of prayer in overcoming challenges and emphasizes that believers must be vigilant and proactive in their spiritual battles. Ultimately, he calls for a commitment to fight the good fight of faith, laying hold of the eternal life promised to them.
- Introduction to Psalm 2 and its relevance to spiritual warfare
- The nature of the ongoing battle between God and evil
- Every believer's role in this spiritual conflict
- The importance of understanding the true enemy
- Divine strategy: training believers as soldiers of Christ
- Engagement in prayer warfare as a corporate effort
- Personal anecdotes demonstrating the power of prayer
- Call to action: fight the good fight of faith
1 Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing? 2 The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD, and against his anointed, saying, 3 Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us. 4 He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision. 5 Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath, and vex them in his sore displeasure. 6 Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion.
7 I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee. 8 Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession. 9 Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.
10 Be wise now therefore, O ye kings: be instructed, ye judges of the earth. 11 Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling. 12 Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him.
7 And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, 8 And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven. 9 And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. 10 And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night. 11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.
12 Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.
3 Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. 4 No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.
18 This charge I commit unto thee, son Timothy, according to the prophecies which went before on thee, that thou by them mightest war a good warfare;
12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.
