Warfare Prayer: How to Pray Through
Prayer that changes the world and upsets the devil is WARFARE prayer. This type of prayer is not just for mature Christians, it’s for ALL believers. Warriors are strong. They lead people and cover those who are weak. They care for one another, and don’t back away from hard battles. In the early 1900’s a woman named Mother Dabney taught the concept of “Praying Through.” She lived out a mission to show people that real prayer doesn’t quit before it sees the end result. It believes all things and bears all things.
One of the best stories of warfare in the Bible is the story of Joshua. He led the Israelites into the new promised land, but the battles to overcome the enemies living in that territory were still ahead of him. Before they fought their first battle, Joshua called them to be circumcised at the landmark called Gilgal. It was a spiritual symbol of being set apart for God (see Joshua 5). Once they had healed, they were ready to fight.
Warfare Key #1: Before you rush into battle, you must be set apart by humility, commitment, and obedience. If not, you’re fighting your own battle, for your own agenda, in your own strength.
Joshua 8 describes a battle against the people of Ai. God assured Joshua they would defeat their enemy, but instructed Joshua to hold his spear towards Ai until the last person was dead (Joshua 8:26).
Warfare Key #2: We must keep our spear pointed towards the enemy. When it veers towards the wrong target, we’ve lost our way and the promise of God’s victory.
It’s easy to experience “spear veer” when we slowly move our spear off the target. Before we know it we’re fighting each other or even ourselves, rather than the true enemy. The devil attacks us through strongholds he gains through spiritual attack. Author Ron Phillips says, “The battle rages in the thinking process of the mind through lies, false assumptions, wrong traditions, and wrong ideas.” God gave Joshua and the warriors victory at AI, but they had to keep their spears facing the right way.
Joshua 9 explains a battle against the trickery of men from Gibeon. Through lies and deceit, these foreigners tricked Joshua into signing a peace treaty instead of being destroyed.
Warfare Key #3: The enemy will bring liars, imposters, or manipulators to trick us in certain seasons. The wisest thing to do is pray for discernment and not partner too quickly.
Finally, we see a battle of miracles as five kings rise up against Joshua and the land he was tricked into defending. In Joshua 10 we see God’s army winning the battle against these kings, but nightfall is approaching. Joshua screams a bold prayer as he asks God to make the sun stand still so they can complete the victory. God answers Joshua’s prayer, the sun stands still, and the Israelites defeat their enemies.
Warfare Key #4: We need to ask God for miracles while we’re faithfully fighting the battle. If we don’t enter the warfare, we’ll never see the miracle.
Gutsy Faith Challenge:
1. Pray with Gutsy Faith
2. Pray intentionally
3. Have action steps in prayer
4. Speak your testimony
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