THE PRAYER OF WARFARE (Part -2)
III. THE POSITION OF GOD’S ENEMY:-
Speaking of the spiritual warfare, Ephesians 6 tells us that God’s enemy, the power of darkness, is in the air. Both in Ephesians and Colossians there are several places which tell us that the rulers and the authorities are in the air. So the position of God’s enemy is in the air. On the other hand, the Bible also shows us that the sphere of the activities of God’s enemy is on earth. Satan usurps the air as his dwelling place and controls the earth as the sphere of his activities. So the Lord Jesus wants us to pray that God’s kingdom may come and that God’s will may be done on earth as it is in heaven.
The whole earth today, on the one hand, is under God’s rule. But on the other hand, if we observe the situation everywhere, we will sense that no one cares for God’s will and God’s authority, for the whole earth has been usurped by Satan.
- THE POSITION OF PRAYER:-
The position of prayer is the position of ascension. All who do not pray from the position of ascension fall under the control of Satan. Genuine prayers are always uttered in the heavenly realm. Once we fall to the earth we are under Satan’s hand, and we will not be able to deal with him.
Daniel’s prayer was, on the one hand, on earth, and on the other hand, in the heavenly realm. His condition and nature were entirely heavenly, so his prayer was able to deal with the enemy. This is the principle of prayer, not only when we pray for big things such as God’s will and God’s work, but even when we pray for ourselves—our health, our family, and our business. Always we need to keep in mind that Satan’s position is in the air. Therefore, if we pray on the earth, we will be under his control. But if we move to the heavens and pray, we pray down from above.
- PRAYER ON THE THRONE:-
A prayer such as that just referred to is a prayer on the throne, even a reigning prayer. Man’s emotion, temper, flesh, opinion, and grievance need to be thoroughly dealt with in such a case. Whenever we have a grievance or anger, we fall from the heavens to the earth and immediately lose our position of ascension to pray. Thus, we have no way to pray.
- PRAYER OF WARFARE:-
All prayers that are expressed in the heavenly realm and from the throne of God are prayers of warfare. He who prays in this way is one who has passed through the cross, resurrected, and ascended. He is on the throne, far above the earth, and is not touched by any earthly thing. The prayers which he expresses from such a realm are prayers that can defeat the Devil in the air and bring down God’s authority.