Sometimes, as Christians, we allow western thinking to affect our spiritual practices by attributing everything that happens in our lives to a natural cause and effect. The western worldview emphasizes that the only real things are what can be known or experienced through our five senses—hearing, seeing, smelling, tasting, and touching.
Most intercessors are familiar with the Matthew 16:18 passage, indicating that the gates of hell will not prevail against the church. However, did you know that through their actions, Christians can establish in their lives the very gates of hell that they should be prevailing against, and these gates give Satan a legal entrance? Let me give an example.
In our spiritual warfare, we frequently employ many defensive tactics which can be successful in holding our enemy at bay—while he seeks other opportunities to ensnare us. Having a solid defense may be good, but moving on the offensive is better.
When a strongman, fully armed, guards his own palace, his goods are in peace. But when a stronger than he comes upon him, he takes from him all his armor in which he trusted, and divides his spoils. – Luke 11:21-22 (NKJV)
As you read the previous scripture, what picture leaps to your mind? What or who is the strongman spoken of in this passage?
“God’s Word is an indispensable weapon. In the same way, prayer is essential in this ongoing warfare. Pray hard and long.” (Eph. 6:17-18, MSG)
As believers, we are engaged in a spiritual battle—whether we want to be or not—which makes it critical that we put on the whole armor of God. The enemy wants to stop the fulfillment of God’s promises. Passivity on our part does not bring peace; essentially it means we’ve surrendered without a fight.
I like to watch professional football and to see a well-executed game. Occasionally, however, you notice even professionals getting sloppy regarding fundamentals, like blocking or tackling, which is why coaches at all levels must constantly remind their players that you can’t execute the basics poorly and still expect to be successful.
This past month, Mike and I participated in one of the most powerful conferences we have ever experienced in Cartersville, Georgia, outside of Atlanta. It was sponsored by two regional leaders for our 50-state prayer network, Lynn Alderson of Georgia and Mark Hawkins of Alabama. Other speakers included Dutch Sheets, Will Ford, and Matt Lockett of Bound4Life.
For the past five years, the Apostolic Council of Prophetic Elders (ACPE) has repeatedly brought up the number of dreams and visions they have received concerning the cities of America on fire with riots. As far as we could trace, some were as far back as 1983 when Elizabeth Alves had gone away for a season of fasting and prayer. During this time she had a very disturbing vision with similarities to the current situation in Ferguson, Missouri that erupted following the grand jury’s decision after a young African-American was shot by a white policeman.
When we realize that the transforming work God has done in us is not only for us, but also for the community around us, we begin to see our families, jobs and relationships as opportunities for God’s kingdom to be displayed.
Cultivating a relationship with the Holy Spirit and an understanding of the supernatural is an exciting part of our spiritual journey.
