To win the war for souls, there are some basic things that we need to do. The first is to use our God-appointed weapons. "For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds" (2Cor. 10:4) Combat is prayer -we fight by praying. When we are not praying, Satan is winning by default, but when we pray, he is losing because he has no defense for prayer. The apostles gave themselves "continually to prayer" (Acts 6:4), we are instructed to "pray without ceasing" (1Thes. 5:17)
Our most powerful weapon is the blood of Christ, "And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb." (Rev. 12:11),"that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil." (Heb. 2:14) Another words, to make void. All the legal claims which he secured upon earth and man through Adam's Fall are completely cancelled; since the cross, he has no right upon anyone. It means all the power which he now exercises he exercises by deception.
Since the shedding of Christ's blood on Calvary paid the sin-debt for all mankind (1John 2:2) it is especially significant in the battle for souls to plead the blood of Christ.
The name of Jesus is another powerful weapon. "Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through your name". (Luke 10:17)
The word of God is a mighty weapon to use in prayer. The word of God is called "the sword of the Spirit' (Eph. 6:17)
Praise is also powerful, for when we begin to praise God, He comes into the situation (Psalm 22:3)
The weapons in prayer are designed to pull down strongholds. Strongholds are mind-sets that are against the will of God.
The strongest of all strongholds is UNBELIEF. In the unsaved it will keep one from believing in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.
The stronghold must be torn down by prayer before anyone will be able to receive the good news of God's love. We usually get discouraged and quit praying before the victory is won.
The stronghold of unbelief is the armor on which the strong man depends, but when his armor (stronghold) is destroyed, he is defeated and that person is ready for salvation. (Luke 11:21-22)
We must exercise our authority in Christ. He has given unto us His incredible authority (Matt. 16:19) but we must use it. The powers of darkness find their strength is broken through the blood of Jesus Christ; and when we exercise our authority in Him, they can no longer withstand us. God has called us to be instruments through which He can exercise His authority.
Legally, all souls belong to Christ because He paid for our sins on Calvary (1John 2:2). Announce to the strong man, "My commander-in-chief has defeated your commander-in-chief. I demand the immediate release of this illegally-held captive."
The last but incredibly important element in praying for souls is to continually resist the devil. To resist the devil means that you do not let the negative reactions, circumstances, etc. stop your continued fervent effort of prayer. Satan cannot continue to hold out against bold, fervent, warfare praying!
The ultimate strategy is to give oneself continually to prayer. "These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication" (Acts 1:14) with amazing results -"and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls" (Acts 2:41).
If my people which are called by my name shall humble themselves and pray...
(2Chronicles 7:14)
Our most powerful weapon is the blood of Christ, "And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb." (Rev. 12:11),"that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil." (Heb. 2:14) Another words, to make void. All the legal claims which he secured upon earth and man through Adam's Fall are completely cancelled; since the cross, he has no right upon anyone. It means all the power which he now exercises he exercises by deception.
Since the shedding of Christ's blood on Calvary paid the sin-debt for all mankind (1John 2:2) it is especially significant in the battle for souls to plead the blood of Christ.
The name of Jesus is another powerful weapon. "Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through your name". (Luke 10:17)
The word of God is a mighty weapon to use in prayer. The word of God is called "the sword of the Spirit' (Eph. 6:17)
Praise is also powerful, for when we begin to praise God, He comes into the situation (Psalm 22:3)
The weapons in prayer are designed to pull down strongholds. Strongholds are mind-sets that are against the will of God.
The strongest of all strongholds is UNBELIEF. In the unsaved it will keep one from believing in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.
The stronghold must be torn down by prayer before anyone will be able to receive the good news of God's love. We usually get discouraged and quit praying before the victory is won.
The stronghold of unbelief is the armor on which the strong man depends, but when his armor (stronghold) is destroyed, he is defeated and that person is ready for salvation. (Luke 11:21-22)
We must exercise our authority in Christ. He has given unto us His incredible authority (Matt. 16:19) but we must use it. The powers of darkness find their strength is broken through the blood of Jesus Christ; and when we exercise our authority in Him, they can no longer withstand us. God has called us to be instruments through which He can exercise His authority.
Legally, all souls belong to Christ because He paid for our sins on Calvary (1John 2:2). Announce to the strong man, "My commander-in-chief has defeated your commander-in-chief. I demand the immediate release of this illegally-held captive."
The last but incredibly important element in praying for souls is to continually resist the devil. To resist the devil means that you do not let the negative reactions, circumstances, etc. stop your continued fervent effort of prayer. Satan cannot continue to hold out against bold, fervent, warfare praying!
The ultimate strategy is to give oneself continually to prayer. "These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication" (Acts 1:14) with amazing results -"and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls" (Acts 2:41).
If my people which are called by my name shall humble themselves and pray...
(2Chronicles 7:14)