A Guide To Intercessory Prayer
by Rev. Richard W. LaFountain

You Are A Soldier Now...Act Like It!

Ephesians 6:10-18 / Is.59:16-17

Like it or not, you are in a war. We did not start it, and we are sure not going to finish it. Nonetheless, we are in it, and it affects us. We are soldiers in Christ's army. He has no civilian followers. All who follow him and live godly must suffer persecution, or shall we call it "attacks from the enemy." We have been given a uniform, and weapons, and skills with which to fight.

Act Like A Soldier

This is not a passive army. We cannot excuse ourselves from the fray by claimingwe are consciencious objectors. The Lord makes it quite clear that his people are in the midst of the fray and are required to put on their armor and use it.

I. BE STRONG!...In the Lord and power of His might! (verse.10)

  1. Strong in the Lord - Ephesians 1:19 and 6:10
    Many words are used of "power" in New Testament Greek. Each of them has significant nuances of meaning for the believer.
    • Ephesians 6:10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power <2904> of his might.
    • Ephesians 1:19 And what is the exceeding greatness of his power(dunamis) <1411> to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power (ischus) <2479>,

  2. The Name of Jesus - Luke 10:17 / Acts 16:18

    Daniel said, "The people that know their God will be strong and do exploits." (Daniel 11:32) Solomon said, "The name of the Lord is a strong tower. The righteous run into it and they are safe." (Proverbs 18:10)

    The Lord through Malachi commends those who "think on His name." Jesus taught to ask anything "in his name" and it will be done for us. Jesus’ name is a powerful name. It is a "name above every name" so that "at the name of Jesus every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God." (Philippians 2:9-11)

    • Proverbs 18:10 The name of the Lord is a strong tower. The righteous run into it and are safe.
    • Acts 16:18 But Paul, being grieved, turned and said to the spirit, I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And he came out the same hour.
    • Luke 10:17 And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name.

  3. The Blood of Christ - Rev. 12:11
    • Ephesians 2:13 But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.
    • Colossians 1:20 And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.
    • Hebrews 10:19 Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus,
    • 1 John 1:7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.
    • Revelation 12:11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.

  4. The Word our Testimony - Rev 12:11
    • Revelation 12:11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.

  5. The Authority of Christ - Matthew 28:18 / Luke 9:1-2/ Luke 10:19-20
    • Matthew 28:18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.
    • Luke 9:1-2 Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases. And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick.
    • Luke 10:19-20 Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you. Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.

  6. The Word is our Sword - Eph 6:17
    • Ephesians 6:17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
    • Matthew 4:1&4 Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil...But he answered and said, It is written
    • Zechariah 3:2 And the LORD said unto Satan, The LORD rebuke thee, O Satan; even the LORD that hath chosen Jerusalem rebuke thee: is not this a brand plucked out of the fire?
    • Jude 1:9 Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee.

  7. The Prayers of Saints - praying always with all prayer... Eph 6:19
    • Ephesians 6:18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
    • 2 Corinthians 10:4-5 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;
    • Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

II. BE CLOTHED...Put on...whole armor of God! ( verse. 11 )
  1. Full armor of God. - Zech. 4:6/ 2 Chron 20:15
  2. Stand in the armor. - Is. 54:17
  3. Helmet of salvation - Eph 2:8-9 / Ps 34:2
  4. Vest of righteousness - Zech. 3:1-5
  5. Belt of Truth - 1 Peter 1:13
  6. Boots of Gospel - Romans 16:20 / Is 52:7/ Is 40:31
  7. Sword of Spirit/Word of God - Hebrews 4:12
  8. Shield of faith (Shield and Buckler) Psalm 91:4

III. BE AGRESSIVE...Wrestle in prayer...(verse 12)

  • Is.59:16-17 Wondered there was no intercessor
  • Is 64:7 None that stirreth self to take hold of thee
  • Ezekiel 22:30 He looked for an intercessor in the gap
  • 2 Chron. 20:21-22 Appointed singers to praise (until victory)
  • Exodus 17:11-12 He lifted up rod and prevailed (JehovaNissi)
  • Is 59:19 Spirit of Lord will lift up standard (banner)

IV. BE FIRM...Stand up to the devil! (verse 13)
Boldness is courage to stand up to those who would overpower you. We are to use boldness before the throne of grace to obtain mercy and find grace to help in the time of need.

  • -See the strong man Eph 6:13 / 2 Kings 6:16-17
  • -Resist the strong man James 4:7
  • -Rebuke the strong man Jude 1:9/ Matt 17:18
  • -Bind the strong man Matthew 18:18-20/ 12:29
  • -Command the strong man Matthew 10:1/ 16:23

V. BE PERCEPTIVE...Pray down his strongholds (verse 14)
Don't be a shadow boxer who does not really fight at all. He just goes through the motions. Be a real fighter. Fight for real things. There are very real enemies around us in spiritual realms. God commands us not allow the hidden things of darkness to go unopposed. We are to expose the enemy's whereabouts and tactics.

  • -Thoughts & imaginations 2 Corinthians 10:4-5
  • -Angels of light 2 Corinthians 11:14:-15
  • -People ensnared & captive 2 Timothy 2:25-26
  • -Things/nature Mark 11:23-24 / Matt 8:26
  • -Diseases Luke 4:39 / 2 Corinthians 12:7