WEEK 5:[THE WAR SERIES, DRESSED TO KILL]: Issued Uniform [Part 7]
Welcome back to The War Series, Dressed To Kill which is our 2nd Golden Series on the website, and our first series of this year. So glad that you can join me today for another blog post about this war series. We are on the last armor that a believer in Christ needs to wear to fight this spiritual battle. We have discussed so many things so don’t be afraid to go back a second or third time to reread and jot some things down. You should already know it’s praying time!
Spiritual Warfare Prayer: Father God, thank you for this amazing day that you have made. Thank you for the people who are coming back to read your Word to gain a deeper understanding of it. Thank you for blessing us with the tools and equipment needed to fight the scheme/s of the devil. We know that he is a prowling lion that is waiting and watching to devour us but we also know that we serve a God that can do all things. We serve a God that will always be by our side in times of trouble and will equipt us with what we need according to your will. Father, we thank and praise you. Let your will be done in all of us. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Let’s Get Into It!!
Emergency Prayer Frequency
Uniform Details: Our Emergency Prayer Frequency a.k.a Prayer is our 7th equipment armor that we will be issued. We will wear this armor correctly according to the Word of God. We will be covered and fully protected with this armor.
And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.
Ephesians 6:18
Have you ever heard of the expression, “Call in the Calvery”? To “Call in the Calvery” was often used as an expression to rely on reinforcements to finish and resolve a situation at hand. The Calvery was literally a group of soldiers who fought on horseback that would ride into a given battle at a specific time. Within minutes the battle would shift, determining who would win or lose the battle. This tactic was critical when both armies were slowing down in momentum or when one army was overpowering another.
Today’s military has this same tactic in battle. Generals or high-ranking officials and personnel usually have the authority over the use of this operating command; using this extreme strategic tactic was vital because they have to get the timing just right to make it effective.
Our Lord and Savior preached this same defense tactic to his people. When the battle begins to get too heavy and you become weary in fighting; don’t give up, you have one weapon that will change the playing fields of your defined warfare. Prayer changes things!
Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.
Mark 11:24
What is Prayer?
Prayer is a spiritual relationship that involves talking and listening to God. This is essential when we choose to follow Christ as His disciples. Prayer comes in many forms like Adoration, Supplication, Thanksgiving, Confession, and Intercession. All of which I will break down even further so don’t you worry!
One thing I loved about the disciples was that they asked a lot of questions, one, in particular, was about prayer. In the Gospels, there were numerous scriptures speaking of Jesus slipping away to pray. Jot these Scriptures down and read them at your convenience.
Matthew 14:23
Luke 6:12
Mark 1:35
Luke 5:16
Luke 9:18
Matthew 26:36
Matthew 26:42
Matthew 26:44
Strategic Intel:
Prayer is a strategic discipline because it requires effort and consistency on our part. This is not a common practice that is a one-and-done kind of thing. We are talking about our Heavenly Father after all; put some respect on His Holy Name! He is the one who created you or did you forget!
Over time, prayer takes time to develop, it may seem awkward at first but the more you do it the more it becomes second nature. It took me years to realize that all prayer is - is a conversation with God who longs to be your best friend. In its simplest form, God wants to talk to you and be there for you if you let Him.
Prayer is strategic because prayer can reach places and people that we can’t physically reach or be present for. Prayer, meaningful and humble prayer can and will attract the right people, and even better, God will be pleased. We cannot do anything with faith and prayer.
Prayer: Effective Attacks
Prayer is one, if not the most powerful tool to have, period. So why do people not use it effectively over their lives? For instance, your friend has a problem and asks you for some advice. Let’s say you asked them, “Hey, I know your going through, but have you prayed about it?” 9 times out of 10, their answer will be no.
If prayer is supposed to change things, Why don’t we actively do it?
It’s simply because we are not effectively or intentionally using our prayer efficiently. I was, and at times, still, have trouble with this habit. Remember prayer is the lifeline to God, to your relationship, and to your faith. Prayer serves as an offensive and defensive strategic tactic. For Roman soldiers, the sword was used to protect them from enemy blows in hand-to-hand combat. So it was imperative that they were proficient in wielding a sword and anticipating potential blows.
In this manner, we have to be using our Assault Rifles efficiently and effectively in order to strategically defeat the enemy. This takes practice and help from our Heavenly Father. This is how you defend yourself. Praying over yourself and always keeping yourself prayed up and lifted up is your defensive tactic when handling this weapon.
TAKE NOTE: Defense Tactics:
- Reading your bible at the top of the morning before starting your day. Setting the tone of your day in the presence of God.
- Praying immediately when trouble arises. Program yourself when trials come that your 1st response is prayer.
- Reach out to your spiritual mentors/leaders/ or support groups to intercede on your behalf. There’s power in numbers and standing together can do more damage.
TAKE NOTE: Offensive Tactics:
- Praying over your situations and circumstances with authority. Relying on the Word of God to speak into and on the problems at hand. To decree and declare in Jesus’ name.
And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.
Matthew 6:5-8
Jesus became our Model, in order to give out the Instructions
if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.
2 Chronicles 7:14
Why Should We Pray?
Prayer helps you develop a relationship with God
Prayer helps you find direction in your life/ Your Purpose/ Your Callings/ Your Spiritual Gifts
Prayer gives you the strength to avoid temptation, error, and falsehoods
Prayer invites the Holy Spirit into your life
Prayer aligns you with God’s will & Plan
Prayer keeps you focused on God
Prayer Strategies: Establish your Prayer Tactics
There are so many prayer strategies that you can learn or adapt too. I mentioned before the different types of prayers praying types. Here is a breakdown of each other.
1. Adoration: having a deep love and respect for God. Giving him praise and honor for who he is.
I will exalt You, my God, the King,
And I will bless Your name forever and ever.
2 Every day I will bless You,
And I will praise Your name forever and ever.
3 Great is the Lord, and highly to be praised;
And His greatness is unsearchable.
Psalm 145: 1-3
2. Confession: To recognize or acknowledge our sins to God because we are sinners.
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous, so that He will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
1 John 1:9
3. Thanksgiving: The act of giving thanks to God for what he has done and will do on your behalf and in your life. An expression of thanks and gratitude, kindness and favor.
I will give thanks to the Lord with all my heart;
I will tell of all Your]wonders.
Psalm 1:9
4. Supplication/ Intercessory: Supplication is a form of prayer in which one kneels down and makes a humble request or petition. The act of praying to God on behalf of someone else or others.
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication
with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
Philippians 4:9
Call To Action:
How do we use the Assault Rifle properly and in everyday use?
The more you read, the better you become. What helped me become more interested in the bible was 1st learning and reading about what God thinks of me. Despite what others thought of me, I wanted to know what my Creator thinks of me. His option is the only thing that matters. If you would just lean on what the Word of God says, I promise you, you will gain confidence and self-worth, because God’s word is true.
Golden Words of Wisdom:
God was intentional about creating you; so we should at least be intentional about connecting with Him in prayer.
Consistency in Prayer trumps occasionally in prayer
Answered Prayers are Prayers that have been prayed for. Keep praying until something happens; and when it happens remain praying.
You have to read the Word to shape and change your mindset through prayer
Questions To Consider: Ask yourself these questions and try to answer them to the best of your ability.
1. How is my prayer life? Does it need improving?
2. Do I lean on my Assault Rifle in times of trouble?
3. How effective is my Assault Rife?
For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
Hebrews 4:12
Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.
Jeremiah 29:12
Stay tuned for the next blog post!!!
WEEK 6:[THE WAR SERIES, DRESSED TO KILL]: Basic Training Details [Part 2]