You may remember Miss Clara in the movie War Room. I don’t know about you, but I loved the way she prayed. With power. With authority. With passion. And with fervency.
With that kind of praying, the enemy surely doesn’t have a chance. Sometimes he needs a good kick to the curb. A HARD kick. Don’t you agree?
I have a situation in my life right now that needs my immediate attention. Not verbal attention. Or time attention. But PRAYER attention.
My new word is fervent. And that’s what I’m committing to – FERVENT PRAYER.
On my little table next to my prayer chair sits a book called “Fervent.” This is a powerful book on prayer written by author, actor, and Bible teacher, Priscilla Shirer. She played alongside Miss Clara in War Room.
Priscilla writes: “Fervent prayer is fueled by passion. By faith. By fire.”
She also said, “Make prayer your lifeline and your lifestyle.” Wowweee! Good stuff!
A few synonyms for fervent are: earnest, emotional, heartfelt, intense, zealous, burning.
Jesus was very direct when He said, “Satan comes to steal, kill and destroy, but I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full” (John 10:10). It’s true! Our great enemy comes to destroy our peace of mind, our morals, our confidence, our relationships, our families…etc. And he will stop at nothing to get what he wants.
So since Jesus has power over Satan, I will NOT let the devil take anything else from me. I will FIGHT with everything inside of me. I will battle it out.
Here’s my game plan for this situation:
- Pray every day!
I will make sure to pray every day, beginning first thing in the morning. I did say I was serious, right? I will not let one day slip by without praying for this situation.
I’m pretty sure that Satan stays awake all night thinking up evil strategies. Well, I’ll make sure to come fervently before the throne of grace when I’m awake. Two can play this game. Only this game is serious business with only ONE winner. But thank goodness I love, serve and worship the One who wins every time.
He is the ONE I will appeal to. Day after day!
- Use Scripture to pray!
God ALWAYS honors His Word. It NEVER returns to Him empty (Isaiah 55:10-11). So, I will use it at every juncture to pray. Oh, how God loves to hear His Word recited back to Him.
I will translate verses into my prayer. Like…
Lord,
I find rest in you alone. My salvation comes from you. You are my stronghold and I will never be shaken (Psalm 62:1-2). Lead me to the rock that is higher than I. You are a strong tower for the enemy (Psalm 61:2-3). You are my hope and confidence (Psalm 71:5).
Oh Lord, save my loved one from the clutches of your enemy. Reach down from heaven and rescue them. Draw them out of deep water. Lead them to a place of safety. And show them your faithful love (Psalm 18:3, 16, 19, 25).
- Write out my prayers!
I will write out prayers. Long ones. Short ones. Intense ones. I will post them in my prayer room, in my closet, on the bathroom mirror, and in my car. That way I’ll be sure to see them not just when I’m in my prayer room, but when I’m getting dressed, when I’m brushing my teeth and putting my makeup on, and when I’m driving.
I did say I was serious, right?
I will write them on napkins if I have to. When the Spirit leads me, I’ll write them out and post them somewhere.
This is one sure way that I will remember to pray for the situation every day.
And lastly…
- Get in Satan’s face and command his removal!
Satan CANNOT stand up in the face of truth. So I will hit him between the eyes with the Word of God. And, of course, with a burning passion.
I will NOT cower in fear. Satan CANNOT grab me or my loved ones out of God’s hand. He will pull hard. Really hard. But I will push back with the Word of God. That will make him flee.
I will not sit down for this one. Stomping on the ground, I will remind Satan of what the Bible says. And then I’ll shout it out…
- You are a liar and the father of lies (John 8:44), and I WILL NOT believe a word you say.
- Jesus prayed for my loved ones’ safety (John 17:15), so I claim it today.
- I come against you, the devil, with God’s weapons to break down EVERY stronghold binding my loved ones (2 Corinthians 10:4).
- In Jesus Name, I destroy every obstacle that keeps my loved ones from knowing God (2 Corinthians 10:5).
- I claim their minds and their souls for Jesus.
- I come against a prideful and critical spirit.
- They are God’s children and His plans will be revealed in their lives (Jeremiah 29:11).
- God is holy and righteous and I claim His good character over them.
When it’s a spiritual battle, the war is always in the spiritual realm. And the only weapons that can win those battles are the ones God gives to us: His Word and prayer.
What are you going through right now? What is the battle raging in your life, your home, your situation? Will you join me to FERVENTLY pray?
I hope I’ve given you some food for thought and some practical ways to pray.
Let’s get serious and do it.
Ask God to put a warrior spirit in you. And then walk down to the battlefield and start fighting.
