Ken Lloyd spoke on the role of prayer in spiritual warfare at the Chapel Hill Bible Church prayer training March 7, 2015. Below are some notes from his talk, followed by an audio recording of his presentation.
INTRODUCTION: Read Wright Doyle's newsletter
1. We will only begin to scratch the surface of this topic but its importance is incredible since it is the context in which we all live
2. As C. S. Lewis said there are two extremes when viewing Spiritual Warfare—one to become obsessed with it ---example from Nigeria –demon behind every bush to virtually disregarding Satan power as we look through our science based-rationalistic world views. Those least in the know are often the first casualties.
TRANSITION—All Christians are called to a lifestyle of spiritual warfare. Because we are citizens of the Kingdom of God we are in opposition to the god of this world and his plans to destroy mankind. We can expect opposition from Satan, our sinful nature and our own culture ---fallen world patterns. Ephesians 6:12, James 4:1, and Romans 12:2 and James 4:4. People often think of war as glamorous ----until they or someone they know becomes a casualty. The same is true in the spiritual warfare. Spiritual warfare is a very popular subject—but many believers are casualties of Satan's schemes.
EPHESIANS 6:10-20 READ –Putting on the Spiritual Armor is putting on Christ Himself –Romans 13:14. He is the one who fights Satan on our behalf. He has won the victory. See story about Napoleon.
1. Ephesians 6:10 is preceded by the rest of the letter especially chapters 4-6. We have one direct mention of Satan , the World and the Flesh in 2:1-4 We know that Satan captivates people through lies, and deceit and is always at work to disturb the our unity with our Father ad with each other.
2. Ephesians 4----6:9 focuses on RELATIONSHIPS . Read selected passages. 4:2;4:3-4, 4:25, 4:26 and 4:29 , 4:32
3. In Essence S.W. for the most part is a SIN PROBLEM—MANY OF OUR SINS ARE RELATIONAL. Satan uses sinful footholds like those mentioned in Ephesians 4 to enter the battle. ---that is why we do not wrestle with flesh an blood—read 6:12 Believers who view other people as the enemy will not be able to vanquish the true foe. We wrestle against the enemy and his minions –6 times in two verses—Think of a Christian rowing a boat against the current trying to make spiritual progress in one direction and Satan turns the current of the world in the opposite direction.
4. The stakes are much higher when Satan starts to exacerbates our sins against each other . –BECOMES A COSMIC BATTLE—THE INIVISIBLE WORLD. This is why we need to make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. . This unity was God produced through the reconciling death of Jesus Christ and by the Spirit we are called to maintain this unity.
5. We are also called to STAND against the devil schemes not in our strength but in His mighty power—6:10—11 ,13 and 14 . Paul describes Spiritual Warfare as an battle for the whole church not just for individuals . Christ 's people are meant to work together to defeat the powers of the darkness in this world by promoting ----briefly---truth and righteousness, evangelizing the world, exercising faith, resting under God's protection as his children, studying God's Word and applying it, AND PRAYING
A. PRAYER IS THE WORK AND SERVICE IS MERELY HARVESTING THE RESULTS OF PRAYER
B. AT the same time prayer is a battle –many distractions—hard to concentrate, sleeping etc. Satan trembles when he see the weakest saint upon his knees.
C. 6:18 --PRAYER IS THE OIL THAT PERMEATES ALL THE PIECES OF GOD'S ARMOR –BE ALERT
D. PAUL MILLER'S BOOK A PRAYING LIFE
1.Praying with your spouse or another friend
2. Pray as a group
3. Have a network of pray—ers
4. REMAIN CONSTANT IN PRAYER THROUGH THE DAY—PRAYER IS MORE THAN COMMUICATION IT IS COMMUNING WITH YOUR FATHER ----EXAMPLE --Jesus modeled this –he was engaged with people –teaching , healing , being with them but in His busyness he was always in communion with His Father –We will never reach this level be can move in this direction.
