You Are Under Attack!

In Mathew 6 the Lord Jesus Christ gives the disciples a frame work around which to focus their prayers and petitions to God. In verse 13 He includes the specific instruction to pray for deliverance from evil.  The Amplified Bible reads, “…deliver us from the evil one”.  The message is clear, dear Christian you are not just under physical, mental or emotional attack you have an enemy who is looking for any and every opportunity to pull you down and trample you into the ground.  In 1st Peter 5:8 we read that satan is actively seeking, not just to hurt, but “devour” anyone he can, any time he can, any where he can, “Be well balanced (temperate, sober of mind), be vigilant and cautious at all times; for that enemy of yours, the devil, roams around like a lion [in fierce anger], seeking someone to seize upon and devour” (1^st Peter 5:8 Amplified Bible).  

Some people may think that this type of teaching is unnecessary and even offensive.  However, Peter presents it in the context of being well balanced, temperate and sober minded.  You have a vicious enemy but Christ has given you authority to pray against him.  To ignore either is at best irresponsible and in reality very dangerous. Follow Peter’s advice be sensible and learn how to pray against the devil and his demoniac forces as part of your overall prayer life.

 There is a great revelation and stark warning in Psalm 17:4.  In this verse “men” (people and the efforts they make to grievously hurt you) present themselves as the source of your problems. However, the end of verse 4 reveals that having set your faith to believe and apply the Word it is from the “destroyer” that you are delivered.  Paul underlines the reality of your battle when he declares, “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities…powers…rulers of the darkness of this world…spiritual wickedness in high places” (Ephesians 6:12).  When you don’t rebuke the “evil one”, the powers of darkness and demoniac forces from your family and your circumstances they will devour and destroy laying all the blame at another’s feet. 

It is important to note from Ephesians 6:12 that when a circumstance becomes a wrestling match (something that drags on and drains you relentlessly) this is often a sign that the demoniac is involved.  People may still need to be dealt with, decisions may still need to be made and work may still need to be done.  However, in this scenario nothing will work out as it should until, through prayer in the name of Jesus Christ, devils and demons are commanded to get out of your situation and interfere no more.  Don’t be too quick to blame them but neither too slow to deal with them. If in doubt you have a mandate from Christ to pray against them (Mathew 6:13) so don’t hesitate trusting your Saviour to do whatever is needed.

It is time to be “sober” and “vigilant” (1 Peter 5:8). It is time to understand that it is not just people but the “destroyer” that you have to contend with (Psalm 17:4). It is time to realize that your enemy is organsied and has a command chain of demoniac forces which devour and destroy (Ephesians 6:12).  That said, if you are a born again believer by simply, faithfully and repeatedly using the name of the Lord Jesus Christ to rebuke these forces you will remove them from your situation.  Can you really have this level confidence?  The immediate answer is, yes! For it was our Saviour that instructed us to pray for deliverance from the “evil one” and as such this prayer is in perfect zinc with the will of God and will be answered (1 John 5:14-15).  Remember, as it was the Lord Jesus Christ who made this part of our frame work for prayer frown upon it and / or ignore it at your peril. 

Prayer template: Like Christ’s example throughout the Gospels deal with the demoniac in a direct and uncomplicated way.  Simply rebuke them off your situation or from a person specifically using the name of Jesus Christ. If you are a novice in these matters do not prolong your prayer with complicated sentences or uncertain repetition.  Like the strike of any warrior against his enemy do so quickly and move on. This is after all, only one aspect of God’s pattern for prayer.  Be aware if the devil cannot defeat you he will try to preoccupy you. Selah!