Our Weapons in the Prayer Battle
But apart from all these, there are some striking passages of Scripture which make it abundantly clear that in the unseen world there is a tense battle for supremacy in progress all the time (Daniel 10:12,21). That is a primary reason why prayer may be difficult—the devil opposes it. Read these sentences of Holy Writ and weigh every word: “Labouring fervently for you in prayers.” (Colossians 4:12) “Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints.” (Ephesians 6:18) “Strive together with me in your prayers.” (Romans 15:30) “The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” (James 5:16) “Continue in prayer, and watch.” (Colossians 4:2) “Watch unto prayer.” (1 Peter 4:7) “Pray, and not faint.” (Luke 18:1) “He… offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears.” (Hebrews 5:7)
There are many more, but look at the words: “labouring fervently,” “supplicating,” “persevering,” “watching,” “striving,” “strong crying,” and “tears.” These are expressions wedded to work and war. They indicate a situation of dire necessity. They suggest deep urgency, sustained effort, undaunted courage, and a persistence and faith that is supreme. Why? Because the man of prayer operates in a world where every inch of the ground has to be taken in the teeth of the opposition. Make no mistake about it, the devil knows when a man is really praying effectually, and he does his utmost to stop him.
In some parts of Scripture the language employed is of a distinctly military character and unmistakably descriptive of the existence of a tense battle for dominion. What else can be meant by such words as, “Put on the whole armour of God… stand against the wiles of the devil…. we wrestle…. withstand….” (Ephesians 6:11-14)? “Take… the sword of the Spirit… Praying always….” (Ephesians 6:17-18) “Though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons or our warfare are… mighty through God…).” (2 Corinthians 10:3-4) Here is the word war spelled out for us. Moreover, let us recognize the fact that the foe is so obstinate that he will let go only what he is compelled to let go, and he is so powerful that none but a God-endued man can overcome him. Even then the basis of that overcoming lies only in Satan’s having been conquered by Christ at Calvary.