KNOW YOUR WEAPON
When
the HOLY SPIRIT inspired Paul to describe our heavenly armor, he listed only
one common weapon--the Sword, identified as the Word of GOD. Other defensive
means are revealed as well, but they are all dependent on the Word, and the fellowship
we have with our Commander, for their power and effectiveness.
Every
soldier, from the least to the greatest in the armed forces of the world, knows
the following three facts can mean the difference between staying alive or
being killed. The first is "Know your weapon"; the second, "Know
how to keep your weapon in tip-top condition", and the third, "Know
how to use your weapon." If any of these are ignored or neglected, the
soldier's life, and possibly other lives as well, will be at risk
These
three facts apply to Prayer Warriors even more so, for not only is the physical
life of a prayer burden at risk, but the spiritual and eternal are as well. The
only way we can prevent loss of any kind is to saturate ourselves in GOD's Word.
1.
KNOW YOUR WEAPON. For Prayer Warriors to know their weapon means we must be immersed in the Word. Prayer
Warriors will love GOD's Word,
they will not find other things to do that will delay their opening the Bible.
We
must constantly and consistently feed on the Word. To use our weapon
effectively we must know it intimately. Our prayers depend on how much
nourishment we're getting. JESUS promised, "If you remain in Me and My Words remain in you, ask whatever you will, and it
will be given you. This is to My Father's glory, that you bear much fruit,
showing yourselve to be My
disciples." ~John 15:7,8. And John 1:1,2 says: "In the beginning, going further back in time
than can be imagined, the Word of God was there. The Word stood by the side of
God, and the Word was fully God. There never was a time when the Word of God
was not with God." ~The Clear Word. (used
by permission). Spiritual power is inseperable from knowing the Word.
2. KNOW HOW TO KEEP YOUR
WEAPON IN TIP-TOP CONDITION. Prayer Warriors, the Intercessors, must
spend time with their Bibles. Quality time. It
involves more than studying the
To
be sure our weapon is always cleaned and sharp, we must be saturated with
Scripture, daily. Joshua was told to meditate on GOD's
Word day and night, this was his secret as a great warrior for the LORD, we
dare not do less.
Learn
to memorize Scripture. Hide it, as David said, in your heart. Remember our
Commander's actions in the wilderness. His first words to the devil were:
"It is written." All three temptations brought this response.
This is how we are to keep the Sword sharp and ever ready for battle.
3.
KNOW HOW TO USE YOUR WEAPON. Knowing Scripture is just the first step. Now we
must learn how to use our weapon against the many different and varied attacks
and conflicts the evil ones bring against those we're fighting for.
So,
how do we use GOD's Word militantly? It means daring
to claim His promises for conquests against our enemy. It means quoting it with
determined insistence.
It
means for us to say with Paul, "I have faith in GOD that it will happen
just as He told me." ~Acts 27:25.
a. Use
the Word to remind the Father of what He has already done. It is not irreverent
to hold Him to His Word. Moses quoted GOD's Word back
to Him (Numbers
b. Use
the Word to force the devil and his evil cohorts to flee. Remind them they were
defeated at
c. Quote
the Word to strengthen yourself, and your prayers. Fill your prayers with
verses and texts of Scripture. GOD's Word will renew
and refresh during a prayer battle. When a Prayer Warrior is fatiqued from the conflict, quoting Scriptures or singing hymns saturated with Scripture are
spiritually refreshing and uplifting.
d. He
said, so we can say. Anything GOD has said, we can confess our confidence in
and affirm the action we intend taking in our conflicts. Hebrews 13:5,6 says: "He hath said, I will never leave you,
nor forsake you." So we may boldly respond, "If GOD is for me,
who can be against me." (Romans 8:31)
Keep
in mind that JESUS is called the Word, which means when we have our Bibles, He
is always with us in our conflicts. We cannot use our weapon unless we have it
and know it; nor is it of any value until we start wielding it.
Study
the Bible, and speak its words in every crisis you face. Scripture pierces and
slashes the enemy in our prayer warfare.
Stop
bemoaning the enemy's attacks! Demonstrate that you are ARMED...& DANGEROUS! That you have planned for
victory, you are armed for victory, that you are trained for victory...then go
forward daring to do the seemingly impossible for CHRIST's
glory, in accordance to the Father's will, by the HOLY SPIRIT, and victory will
be yours!