Prayer Wars

I have been through quite an intensive of ministry, reading and assisting friends through difficult situations over the last month or more and it has highlighted to me how much we need to always stay vigilant and attentive to what is going on around us each and every day so that our PRAYERS may be affective in the fight for souls and Jesus Christ’s return.

My Parents were always great avid prayers, and our upbringing was always filled with – “God Answers Prayer”.  When I was sixteen years old my parents took us all out on a family outing to the movies to see the very first ‘Star Wars’ movie (awesome memory from 1977).

Although it may not be very ‘spiritual’ I was enjoying watching some Star Wars again of late and it occurred

to me how many of the characters portrayed, dismissed the ‘force’ as a nothing through the different movies (as there are more than 9 of them) but then there are other characters who were very much aware of the ‘force’ and knew what it was capable of, if harnessed!

movie No VII there is a fight scene where Rey (female) is almost at her end over In a crevasse and closes her eyes, I guess connecting to the force and then comes back to beat Kylo Ren into the ground and just when she has the opportunity to do him in, the ground opens up to divide them.  (see my take on that portion of the movie in picture clips attached)

Because of its visual implications, this has now prompted me thinking more, that we are not ‘harnessing’ the authority that God has given us strongly enough to combat what the enemy is throwing at us!

Jesus called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to cast out evil spirits and to heal every kind of sickness and disease. – Matt 10:1 TLB

“And those who believe shall use my authority to cast out demons, and they shall speak new languages. – Mark 16:17 TLB

And I have given you authority over all the power of the Enemy, and to walk among serpents and scorpions and to crush them. Nothing shall injure you! – Luke 10:19 TLB

It has also occurred to me as well that at almost every intense situation in the movies they would always say to one another, as they were about to step out – ‘may the force be with you’!  But do we bother at all in our every day, ask those around us – “can I pray for you?”.

Princess Leia was considered a ‘General’ (in later movies) in the Rebellion and over time I have heard it bantered around Christian circles of ‘Generals in the Faith’ (I do believe that the Salvation Army call their International leader a General) so I decided to ask ‘google’ what a ‘General in the Faith’ would look like… this is what I found…

• Not a Formal Title:

"General in the faith" is not a recognized position within church hierarchy or denominations. 

• Strong Influence:

It refers to individuals who have a significant positive impact on the lives of others through their faith and actions. 

• Spiritual Authority:

These individuals often possess a deep understanding of scripture and are seen as having spiritual authority, guiding others in their faith journey. 

• Examples:

While not a literal military general, the term is often used in Pentecostal circles to describe individuals in the forefront of spiritual battles. It can also be applied to those who have demonstrated unwavering faith and service over many years.  

• Focus on Service and Humility:

Importantly, the New Testament emphasizes servanthood and humility in leadership, so a true "general in the faith" would likely embody these qualities, even while demonstrating strength and influence

• Examples in Scripture:

While not explicitly called "generals," figures like David, who defeated Goliath with faith, or Joab, a valiant warrior in David's army, could be seen as examples of individuals demonstrating strong faith and leadership. 

• Not Necessarily Famous:

A "general in the faith" isn't defined by fame or age, but rather by their genuine calling, faithfulness, and impact on others

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The list above does seem like a very high calling upon Christians to stand up to.  Are we up to the challenge and do we live it out in our every day to day!

·       Have an understanding of the word of God so we can speak with authority

·       Do we embody servanthood and humility in all we do

·       How are we demonstrating to others as examples

But what we really need to understand too is that we are not doing it all on our own!

The word says that we need to be in unity and because we have the Holy Spirit with us, we are not doing it in our own strength.

My prayer for all of them is that they will be of one heart and mind, just as you and I are, Father… - John 17:21 TLB

…we all come to the unity of the faith… - Eph 4:12-13 NKJV

But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be ^[a]witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” – Acts 1:8 NKJV

If we are prepared to stand our ground and be all Jesus asks of us then we can show the way forward to others, leading them into the same powerful encounters, testimonies, supernatural and miracles God desires for us.

Not sure if you’re aware but we are definitely in the throws of a battle – BUT, ‘Praise the Lord’, we are on the winning side!

⁵⁷ But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. – 1 Cor 15:57 NKJV

The Lord also sees what we are doing and participating in here for His Kingdom purpose so has a reward in store for us…

your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you – Matt 6:4 NKJV

¹² “And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to everyone according to his work. – Rev 22:12 NKJV

Our Heavenly Father is a gracious and abundant Father who only wants us to be blessed and share His love and forgiveness onto others as that is what Jesus came to do for us by sacrificing himself on the cross for us.  Individually we need to understand that and thank him by inviting Him to come live within us.

Lord Jesus Christ,

I am sorry for the things I have done wrong

in my life (take a few moments to ask his

forgiveness for anything particular that is on

your conscience). Please forgive me. I now turn

from everything which I know is wrong.

Thank you that you died on the cross for me so

that I could be forgiven and set free.

Thank you that you offer me forgiveness and

the gift of your Spirit. I now receive that gift.

Please come into my life by your Holy Spirit to

be with me forever.

Thank you, Lord Jesus. Amen.

If you have said the above prayer for the first time, I would love to chat more with you at kim.stanfield@bigpond.com as it is important to tell someone in order to underline the decision you have just made.

Also, it is important to start a conversation with your Heavenly Father on a regular daily basis, and I find the following is very helpful for this…

A – Adoration

Praising God for who he is and what he has done.

C – Confession

Asking God’s forgiveness for anything that we have done wrong.

T – Thanksgiving

Thanking God for health, family, friends and so on.

S – Supplication

Praying for ourselves, for our friends and for others.