Praying Through A Spiritual Battle

A Guide from Ephesians 6:10-19

Mamas are natural “fixers.” Too often, we try to fight spiritual battles with our own might. We try discipline. “If I just get up earlier in the morning, then…”

“I must keep my mouth shut more…”  or

We attempt to adjust other’s behavior by nagging or confrontation. “If they would just…then…”. “If my child would just…”

We seek our own solutions instead of asking the Holy Spirit to lead us, to give us wisdom, and to work out the situation the way God seems best. Prayer is the point of victory in every spiritual battle, regardless of the outcome. 

1 Chronicles 5:18-20

The sons of Reuben, and the Gadites, and half the tribe of Manasseh, of valiant men, men able to bear buckler and sword, and to shoot with bow, and skilful in war, were four and forty thousand seven hundred and threescore, that went out to the war. And they made war with the Hagarites, with Jetur, and Nephish, and Nodab. And they were helped against them, and the Hagarites were delivered into their hand, and all that were with them: for they cried to God in the battle, and he was intreated of them; because they put their trust in him.   

 Spiritual battles are not won by our might, but by His. God says, “Ask.” 

Matthew 7:7-8

Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.                

James 1:5

If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.                                

James 4:2-3

Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not. Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.                                                   

James 5:16

Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.         

Practically speaking, what does praying through a spiritual battle look like?

First, let’s talk about what a spiritual battle can be. A spiritual battle can be our flesh, the natural man that wants what it wants and not what God wants, warring against the Spirit of God attempting to do His work in us. Paul talks about this in Romans 6, if you would like to study that more fully.

A spiritual battle can look like an addiction, a stronghold, a difficult person in our life, a difficult circumstance, or even an apathy toward the things of God. This is by no means a complete list.

Paul writing through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit gives the believer a battle plan to follow when it comes to fighting the spiritual battles that come our way. I have followed his pattern to create a practical application for praying through the battle. I hope it is a help to you, as it has been to me.

I have been battling one thing in particular, since we moved to Michigan. In Kansas, I was much more faithful to hand out tracts. It has been a battle here, that I am losing more than winning. In this battle, I am praying through with Paul’s description of the armor.

Here are the verses I am reminding of myself of:

The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life;
and he that winneth souls is wise. Proverbs 11:30

And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. Galatians 6:9

I am thankful for the blood of Jesus, and confessing my unfaithfulness to do what I know that I should as sin.

Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin. James 4:17

I will put tracts in my purse and my car in preparation for the next opportunity.

I will be a doer of the Word, and leave the results up to God, trusting Him to do His part with His Word.

So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth:
it shall not return unto me void,
but it shall accomplish that which I please,
and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it. Isaiah 55:11

I will take time to meditate just where I would be without Jesus, and spend time thanking Him for saving me!

He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay,
and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings. Psalm 40:3

I will place post it notes of my verses of truth in my car and on my wallet for reminders.

As I come into contact with those the Holy Spirit prompts me to share a tract with, I will pray for help to follow through with His direction.

I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. John 15:5

I will let you know when the Lord helps me gain consistent victory in this area!

Update— Two days later, and when the opportunity comes it is no longer a fight. I have a tract ready to give the person, and it is almost an automatic response to do so. The victory was won in praying through that particular spiritual battle. Looking forward to praying through the next one!

If you are interested in printing this out to keep in your prayer journal, I have included a downloadable printable below. I pray it is a blessing!

Erica B.