prayerstrategists.net · Prayer as Spiritual Warfare Discovery Bible Story Set
Spiritual Warfare
Prayer as Spiritual Warfare Discovery Bible Story Set
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Prayer as Spiritual Warfare:
Team Evaluation, Discovery Bible Story Set, & Resources
Introduction to FPS’s Prayer Strategies Discovery Bible Studies Set:
Prayer—or engagement with God—is integral to every aspect of the lives of the team members and the corporate team, as well as to the strategy and approach they use. Within this document, you will find the following: a definition and explanation to the Prayer strategy, a set of questions to help you diagnosis the status of your team’s use of this strategy, a Discovery Bible Story Set to help you understand Scripture’s view on this strategy, and links for further re-sources related to this Prayer strategy. We recommend completing the team’s diagnostic first then adapt the Discovery Story Set to meet your team’s needs. Feel free to use the typical DBS questions, however, in addition we’ve tried to suggest you ask these much deeper questions to elicit specifics regarding this strategy. The Fellowship of Prayer Strategists have a set of nine-teen different prayer strategies. These are not intended to be the complete picture of this strategy but a glimpse at the use for this strategy. You can find more strategies at www.prayer–strategists.net. We hope these tools will prove helpful in considering ways you and your team can increase your capacity for extraordinary prayer for the sake of the King and His Kingdom.
Prayer as Spiritual Warfare
Definition: Taking authority over spiritual powers and strongholds hindering the advance of God’s kingdom.
Explanation: “Until we know that life is war, we won’t know what prayer is for.” John Piper Believers live in war zones! However, our warfare is not against flesh and blood but principalities, powers, spiritual forces of wickedness and rulers of this present darkness. (Ephesians 6:12) We need corresponding spiritual weapons that enable us to be victorious in this intangible yet real battle. The Bible clearly enumerates our spiritual armor and gives many examples of the waging of this spiritual warfare. Jesus, as He sent out the seventy-two disciples two by two, warned them that He sent them out as lambs among wolves. Our battle IS prayer and prayer maintains the victory Jesus bought at the cross and resurrection. In obeying His command to go into all the world, we battle forces of darkness that stand against the successful accomplishment of this mission.
“It is important to remember that it is not by our might or power but by His Spirit that God gets things done. (Zechariah 4:6) Cultivating an intimacy with Jesus that enables constant working with and dependence on His Spirit is, therefore, the first order of business. Spiritual authority is, I believe, in direct proportion to spiritual intimacy. Our power comes from the indwelling Holy Spirit. Our authority comes from keeping on good terms with our Lord” notes Charles Kraft. Jesus gave authority to believers to minister in the power of the Holy Spirit (see Luke 9:1; John 14:12; Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 1:8).
As we engage in this battle it may be helpful to briefly understand our foe. Dave Butts lists Satan’s names describing his purposes so we can gain some understanding of whom and what we are fighting:
1. Satan – Job 1:6; Zechariah 3:2; Mark 4:15; 2 Corinthians 11:14; 12:7; Revelation 12:9; 20:2, 7
2. Accuser – Revelation 12:10
3. Morning star (“Lucifer” in Latin Vulgate) – Isaiah 14:12
4. Dragon – Revelation 12:7, 9; 20:2
5. Devil – (33 times in 32 verses) – e.g. Revelation 12:9; I Peter 5:8
6. Ancient serpent – Revelation 12:9
7. Murderer – John 8:44
8. Liar – John 8:44
9. Deceiver – Revelation 20:8, 10
10.Prince of this world – John 12:31; 16:11
11.Ruler of the kingdom of the air – Ephesians 2:2
12.Tempter – Matthew 4:3; I Thessalonians 3:5
13.Evil one – Matthew 5:37; 13:38; Ephesians 6:16
14.God of this age – 2 Corinthians 4:4
As we begin our study, let’s remember God has already defeated Satan, and his host, and placed them all “under the feet of Jesus.” Ephesians 1:15-23 Praise God, He always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ Jesus!
Diagnostic Questions for You & Your Team:
1. What are the strongholds that you and your team have discerned in the land, region, people of your focus?
2. What are the spiritual disciplines and weapons of Biblical warfare that you are weak and strong in practicing?
3. Ask the Lord what He would like to strengthen and how to go about it?
4. Ask the Lord what, when, and how to join His Spirit in waging warfare?
Discovery Bible Story Set:
1. Weapons we fight with – 2 Corinthians 10:3-5
- A. Pray as a group before beginning that God would speak to us and open our hearts to hear Him.
- B. Read the entire passage aloud at least 2 times or listen to an audio version twice through. If your group uses storying, present the scripture in this way. Then, have the group practice re-telling the story together.
- C. Discussion questions: •
- What do you like about the story? What is difficult or what don’t you like?
- What do you learn about people from this story? What do you learn about God?
- What is the power that we have at our disposal?
- What is demolished as we activate our spiritual warfare?
- What is the enemy fighting against?
- D. Take a few minutes to quietly listen to God. What is He instructing you to do from what you’re hearing? Share with each other what you’re sensing. Are some of His instructions quite different than you might have imagined? How?
- E. Who is God asking you to share this story with? When will you do it? Share with the group.
- F. What key principles about prayer can you draw from this passage?
2. The armor of God – Ephesians 6:10-18
- A. Pray before beginning that God would speak to us and open our hearts to hear Him.
- B. Read the entire passage completely through.
- C. Discussion questions:
- What do you like about the story? What is difficult or what don’t you like?
- What do you learn about people from this story? What do you learn about God?
- What is our struggle against?
- Describe the armor of God. List each piece of armor and it’s corresponding spiritual quality.
- What does it mean to ‘take your stand against the devil’s schemes?’
- When do we engage in prayer? For whom?
- D. Take a few minutes to quietly listen to God. What is He instructing you to do from what you’re hearing? Share with each other what you’re sensing. Are some of His instructions quite different than you might have imagined? How?
- E. Who is God asking you to share this story with? When will you do it? Share with the group.
- F. What key principles about prayer can you draw from this passage?
3. Daniel’s vision of a Man – Daniel 10:1-11:1
- A. Pray before beginning that God would speak to us and open our hearts to hear Him.
- B. Read the entire passage completely through.
- C. Discussion questions:
- What do you like about the story? What is difficult or what don’t you like?
- What do you learn about people from this story? What do you learn about God?
- Describe this ‘man’ in verses 5-6.
- When was he sent to Daniel?
- Who was resisting ‘the man in the vision’ and for how long?
- Who came to assist ‘the man in the vision’?
- Who would he battle after leaving Daniel?
- What do you learn about spiritual warfare from these verses?
- D. Take a few minutes to quietly listen to God. What is He instructing you to do from what you’re hearing? Share with each other what you’re sensing.
- E. Who is God asking you to share this story with? When will you do it? Share with the group.
- F. What key principles about prayer can you draw from this passage?
4. War in heaven and earth – Revelation 12:7-12
- A. Pray before beginning that God would speak to us and open our hearts to hear Him.
- B. Read the entire passage completely through.
- C. Discussion questions:
- What do you like about the story? What is difficult or what don’t you like?
- What do you learn about people from this story? What do you learn about God?
- Who won and who lost the war in heaven?
- Where was Satan and his angels sent?
- What is Satan doing on earth? Vs. 8, 10, 12
- How do those on earth triumph over Satan? Vs. 10-11
- D. Take a few minutes to quietly listen to God. What is He instructing you to do from what you’re hearing? Share with each other what you’re sensing.
- E. Who is God asking you to share this story with? When will you do it? Share with the group.
- F. What key principles about prayer can you draw from this passage?
Further Resources on Prayer as Spiritual Warfare:
The Evangelical’s Guide to Spiritual Warfare, Charles H. Kraft – Chosen Books – 2015
The Devil Goes to Church: Prayer as Spiritual Warfare, David Butts – Covenant Publishing – 2003
Let the Nations be Glad!: The Supremacy of God in Missions, • John Piper – Baker Books – 1999
Further resources and connection with other prayer strategists are available through the Fellowship of Prayer Strategists and their website www.prayerstrategists.net.