How to Fight Spiritual Battles for the People You Love

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I recently reread Priscilla Shirer’s book – Fervent.

This time I added a journal . . . taking notes and writing prayers.

I have felt the need to go to battle in my war room more often lately because everywhere I look it seems like the enemy is ramping up his attacks on the people I love.

But rather than getting anxious and discouraged over his efforts to…

• deceive and distract us with lies and distortions
• make us doubt and forget who we are in Christ
• make us selfish and destroy our unity
• keep us focused on past failures with guilt and shame
• magnify our problems and make them seem insurmountable
• taunt and tempt us with our weaknesses
• keep us overwhelmed and busy with no time to rest
• keep us from forgiving those who have hurt and betrayed us
• destroy relationships and break apart families

I want to pray “fervent” prayers and give it all to God . . . asking Him to give us, and the people we love, everything we need to stand with strength and courage and to fight our spiritual battles.

In the prayer Jesus taught, He told us to pray…

Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.

Don’t let us yield to temptation, but rescue us from the evil one.

Matthew 6:13 (NIV and NLT)

You see…

Our struggle is not against flesh and blood [what we can see] but against spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places [what we can’t see]. (Personal Paraphrase of Ephesians 6:12)

Jesus knew we would need the Holy Spirit’s help daily to fight the temptation of the evil one. So much so, that the night before His crucifixion, He asked the disciples to…

Keep watch and pray, so that you will not give in to temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak!”

Matthew 26:41 and Mark 14:38

The way to fight the enemy and his temptations is to “stay alert and pray.” (LAB Notes) STAY ALERT by remaining aware of our areas of weakness and wise to satan’s techniques. And PRAY for the Holy Spirit to give us all we need to stand strong on God’s Word of Truth.

We fight spiritual battles through prayer for ourselves and for the people we love.

This has been a really hard year for most of us. And many of us are feeling anxious about the year ahead. What will it mean for our nation, our communities, our churches, our families? But rather than giving in to worry . . . it’s time to fight back. It’s time to stay alert and pray!

Because my friend, remember this is just a battle . . . Jesus has already won the victory. What ultimately lies ahead for His followers is glorious!

I know, sometimes the battle feels overwhelming but God has given us everything we need to fight spiritual battles both for ourselves and for the people we love.

Be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil.

Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.

Ephesians 5:10–11, 18

Are you ready? Let’s Pray!

Fight Spiritual Battles
for the People You Love

I pray that from His glorious, unlimited resources He will empower you with inner strength through His Spirit. Then Christ will make His home in your hearts as you trust in Him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep His love is.

Ephesians 3:16–18

Father, I pray that you will pour out your strength on __________. I love that Your Word says You have glorious, unlimited resources of strength to give Your children. It’s so easy for us to focus on the world’s problems to feel like the enemy is at times—winning. But Your Word says, “Don’t be afraid. Those who are with us are greater than those who are with them.” (2 Kings 6:16)

I pray that Jesus will make His home in __________’s heart. May __________ trust You completely. May Your love keep him (her) strong and to KNOW that Your love is wider, longer, higher, and deeper than anyone can fully grasp or imagine. By Your grace, please give __________ all that is needed to live full of faith and hope he (she) might be filled overflowing with Your love.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart;
    do not depend on your own understanding.
Seek His will in all you do,
    and He will show you which path to take.

Proverbs 3:5–6

Father, I pray __________ will SEEK You above all else. Please make the desire of her (his) heart a longing to know Your will. Please guide and direct her (him), showing her (him) the path You want her (him) to take. And by Your grace, please help __________ to KNOW with confidence that she (he) can trust You and depend on You to bless her (him) with all that is needed moment by moment.

Your ways are perfect! Please place a hedge of protection around __________ and keep her (him) safe and strong as she (he) faces any or all temptations and attacks from the enemy. Bless her (him) and fill her (him) with faith and Your perfect love.

[Jesus prayed] Holy Father, You have given me Your name; now protect them by the power of Your name so that they will be united just as we are.

I’m not asking You to take them out of the world, but to keep them safe from the evil one. 

Make them holy by Your truth; teach them Your word, which is truth. 

John 17:11, 15, 17

Father, I love this prayer Jesus lifted to You for His disciples of all generations. It’s so easy for us to focus on the world and its temporary problems but Jesus prayed about eternal things that last. He prayed about the things that are most important. So, Father, I am joining Jesus and praying for ________, asking You to protect him (her), to give him (her) all that is needed to be united to Your family and theirs.

Please keep him (her) safe from the evil one. Give him (her) a hunger and thirst for Your Word and teach him (her) the TRUTH by the power of Your Holy Spirit. Your Word points out our sin, moves this to repent, assures us of Your love and forgiveness, renews our relationship to You through Jesus, and helps us trust and obey You in the future. (LAB notes) With all my heart, I pray _________ will live those truths with the help and power of Your Spirit. And I pray that will all be true in my life as well.

I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”

John 16:31

Lord, I know trials and sorrows are inevitable because we live in a world plagued by sin but I pray for __________ that she (he) might live each surrounded by Your peace that goes beyond all understanding. (Philippians 4:7) Please help her (him) remember that You are always with her (him) and that You have overcome the world. The enemy has been defeated and our future is secure in You.

Although, he attacks Your followers with trials and temptations . . . You, Lord, are with us and promise that when our hearts and mind are focused on You we will have all we need to have victory over his tactics. So, I pray that __________ will come to You that You might give her (him) patience and peace.

‘May the Lord bless you
    and protect you.
May the Lord smile on you
    and be gracious to you.
May the Lord show you His favor
    and give you His peace.’

Numbers 6:24–26

Father, I pray this blessing will cover ________.

I ask that You will protect __________.
Please smile on and be gracious,
merciful, and compassionate toward. __________.
May You show __________ Your favor
and grant __________ Your perfect peace.

Father, Your Word is full of hope and I pray that this hope will fill __________.
Please surround him (her) with love and encouragement and give everything needed that they might live each day for Your glory.
In Jesus holy name, I pray. Amen.

I am so thankful God has given us all we need to fight our spiritual battles.

He’s given us a battle plan and the tools we need in His Word and He has given us His Spirit to guide and help us fight. May you and I boldly and faithfully fight for our loved ones. And may we most of all praise God for Jesus who fought and won the victory for our souls.

God bless you!

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