Page 39 - The Importance of Prayer Student Textbook

Study Section 6: Spiritual Warfare Biblical Truth for Victory

6.1 Connect

Again, in Timothy Keller’s book, Prayer Experiencing Awe and Intimacy with God, he points out
that most writers approach prayer from two positions. The first is that prayer is a tool that God
can use to move us into a deeper love relationship with Himself. We have already explored this
type of praying. He then recognizes a second group of Christian writers’ who approach prayer
from a position that, prayer is a spiritual warfare. Everyone recognizes that there is a spiritual
war going on but there is a wide variation of thought and interpretation of scriptures on this issue. I will
deal with some introductory thoughts on prayer and spiritual warfare at this time. However, as I
approach this topic, I am reminded of a prayer request I have in my prayer journal. I have written down
these words, Mark are you focusing more upon the mountain or the mover of the mountain. I want to
encourage you in this section on spiritual warfare and remind you that greater is He that is in you, than
He that is in the world. (I John 4:4)

6.2 Objectives

1. The student should be able to give a brief introductory explanation about what spiritual warfare
is once you complete this section.

2. The student should be able to explain why spiritual warfare is unique and use these truths to
encourage others.

3. The Student should be able to define what a power encounter is and what a truth encounter is.

6.3 Spiritual Warfare

Many view prayers as a weapon in our arsenal to defeat the enemy in spiritual warfare. There
will be an extreme amount of emphasis upon taking authority and declaring and decreeing our
authority in Christ. Yes, there are many passages that emphasize this aspect of prayer. However,
I am concerned that many Christians who claim to declare “what the Bible promises” aren’t
really declaring things that the Bible promises for them as individuals. The Bible is not a God-
given list of verses to declare over yourself. If it were, then why not declare over yourself,
Behold, I will make you small among the nations; you shall be utterly despised? (Obadiah 1:2) Or why not
declare over yourself, You have put me in the lowest pit, in the darkest depths? (Psalm 88:6) Of course
we wouldn’t declare such things over ourselves because they aren’t God’s promises to us. But all the
good things written in the Bible aren’t always God’s promises to us either. We must consider the
meaning of each Bible verse in context to determine if it is a general promise, or if it is something that
God intended for a particular person or group of people.

Consider, for example, the often-quoted text from Jeremiah 29:11. For I know the plans I have for you,
declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. This
verse is not a promise for each individual person. Instead, it was God’s promise specifically to Israel

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