Revelation 12:10–12
Some believers get jumpy at the mention of spiritual warfare. They say they’re just not comfortable with that kind of aggressive, authoritative prayer. But, comfortable or not, we must all engage in it because we are living in a world at war.
We wake up every morning on a spiritual battlefield where there is no such thing as neutrality. Even though Jesus defeated Satan 2,000 years ago on a cross at Calvary, hell is still operating an outlaw army and waging guerilla warfare on the earth. Until Jesus returns to put those forces out of commission once and for all, we as believers must be His occupational army. We must spiritually police this planet by enforcing Satan’s defeat.
To do that, we must utilize the weapons God has given us (even if we feel awkward about it), because unused weapons do not inflict casualties on the enemy nor win wars. Wars are won by fighting, and fighting involves using our weapons—not stashing them in the corner of our hearts or parading them around, but using them.
The Bible sitting on our nightstands or carried under our arms will not overcome the enemy. Even the Word stored in our minds and hearts will not thwart him. Satan must hear the Word coming out of our mouths.
We must thrust it at him like a dagger to his utter defeat. We must overcome him by actively applying the blood of the Lamb and speaking the word of our testimony. We must take our place as more than conquerors in Christ Jesus and occupy this planet until He comes.
Scripture Reading: Matthew 4:1–11
Source: Devotions for the Praying Heart by Lynne Hammond.
Excerpt permission granted by Lynne Hammond Ministries
On the chilly March night in 1972 when Lynne Hammond took her first step into a life of Spirit-led prayer, she had no idea what was about to happen. All she knew was the hunger in her heart for God wouldn’t let her sleep. In the few short months she’d been born again, her desire to fellowship with Him had grown so strong she could hardly contain it. “Help me, God!” she cried. “I want to know you. I want to be able to talk to you. Please, teach me to pray!”
Suddenly, a heavenly presence flooded the room. Lynne sensed waves of spiritual fire sweeping over her and a beautiful language began to flow like a river from within her. Although she’d never heard of the baptism of the Holy Spirit, she knew instantly, without a doubt—this was God!
What began that night soon blossomed into a life of prayer that ultimately became a ministry of prayer when, in 1980, Lynne and her husband, Mac, founded Living Word Christian Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Under Lynne’s leadership, the prayer ministry at Living Word has become an internationally recognized model for developing effective pray-ers in the local church.
A teacher and an author, Lynne publishes a newsletter called Prayer Notes, has written numerous books, and currently serves as the national prayer director for Daughters for Zion. Her passion for inspiring and leading others into the life of Spirit-led prayer continues to take her around the world to minister to believers whose heart cry, like hers, is “Lord, teach me to pray!”