For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms

Ephesians 6:12

Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.

James 4:7-8

Prayer Points

Ask God whether you have unwittingly been a tool in the hands of the enemy: by accusing falsely, by spreading gossip,by bringing damage to others’ lives. Confess this and, if need be, go and make peace.

Break a stronghold in your mind! Bring a despairing mind set to God who transforms and brings hope!

Resist the devil in regard to areas of your life or your church that have been in conflict. Take your stand against him clothed with the armour of God.

Pray about an issue in our nation where Satan has been seeking to gain a foothold
by stealing, killing and destroying (John 10:10).

     DAY 24 : OPPOSITION

We pray ‘Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven...’ but often we experience conflict that stems from people’s opposition to God. It occurs in several arenas. Many Christians have found conflict in places that they considered to be the most secure: at church, home, even family or friendships... places they believed to be outside the battle-zone. Not so!

It is in the unseen world where our real enemy lies. Though defeated at the cross, Satan still prowls around accusing, deceiving and leading the world astray. He will try to damage wherever he can, so we need to be alert. James 4:7 doesn’t say, ‘Ignore the evil one and he will flee from you’, but ‘Resist the devil and he will flee from you’.

The Bible is full of encouragement for us as we resist opposition. Joshua, when facing an impregnable city, used the strategy God gave him and became a history-maker at Jericho. David stood against an enormous giant with a simple sling and confidence in God. Daniel would not compromise his faith and paid for it by spending a night with the lions. He showed us that God can shut both the mouths of lions and the mouths of those who falsely accuse.

But perhaps the greatest arena of spiritual warfare occurs in our heads: the space between our ears! In 2 Corinthians 10:4,5 Paul talks about strongholds. A stronghold is an ‘attitude or mindset, impregnated with despair that accepts as unchangeable anything that is contrary to the will of God.’ Such strongholds are situated in our reasoning, our knowledge and our thoughts. With God there is no difference between an impregnable city and a wounded mind. That is why Paul encourages us to, ‘Take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.’

Perhaps here, if nowhere else, we should pray, ‘Deliver us from evil.’

Pray

*    Pray for your ‘big issue’

*    Pray for your ‘three friends’

*    Pray for a new wave of revival.