Serious. Specific. Strategic.
September 2015
Seldom do I write about movies, but I feel led to do this one. First and foremost, let me apologize for my lack of posts. This summer has been extremely busy for me, but I'm back and full of things that the Lord has both shared with and taught me. So please, do be on the lookout for new posts. With that being said, I'm actually going to start with the most recent lesson learned….
As you all know, God has been heavy on my heart in the area of prayer and intercession. We’ve talked about praying God’s Word and journaling our prayers. We've talked about spending time with God daily. Together, in February 2015 we did “A Call To Prayer” and last, but certainly not least we studied countless people who prayed and asked, “Lord, teach us to PRAY.” But friend, I don't know about you, but I’m still stirred, still motivated, and still challenged to PRAY. And “War Room” encouraged me even more to do so. Although, I most definitely recommend this movie, this post is not so much about the movie, but about the message of it. What message? Two words: Strategic Prayer.
Or should I say, “Serious, specific, strategic prayer.” Priscilla Shirer
Friend, it's great to pray prayers like, you know, “Lord, thank you for saving me. Thank you for delivering me. Thank you for my family, my friends, my etc.” Matter of fact, we should always give thanks in prayer……
"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:6-7
“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
It's also great to pray and ask God for the things that you have need of. We serve a good, good Father whose good pleasure is to give us the kingdom (Luke 12:32).
"Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you." Matthew 7:7
"And whatever you ask for in prayer, having faith and [really] believing, you will receive." Matthew 21:22 AMP
"But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:19
.....but friend, in this season God is looking for more. He knows the power of prayer and desires for you to experience it. Not only does God know it, and desires for us to know and experience it, but guess what? Our enemy, the devil, knows it too. That's why he fights it so much, because it is kryptonite to him and all his ploys against you! That's why it's time that we get serious, get specific, and get strategic in prayer.
The enemy has been serious, specific, and strategic against you, against me….against the body of Christ. Although nothing is new under the sun, and although he is not all powerful or all knowing, best believe he has studied you and tailor-made every attack against you.
(Thank God that no matter what weapon has, is, or will be formed….it hasn’t, nor will it prosper)!
So what do WE do? Do we sit around and fear him or worst yet, be complacent and act like he doesn't exist? No! We stand in the power and authority that Christ has given us and we PRAY! Pray believing that we will receive what we ask for. Pray believing that God hears and will manifest what He promised us. Pray knowing that satan is a defeated foe and that in the end we win!
So let's get serious, specific, and strategic.
What areas of your life have been under attack lately?
Your emotions?
Your faith?
Your health?
Your family?
Your marriage?
Your purity?
Your esteem?
Your focus?
Your singleness?
Your trust in God?
Your identity?
Your love and passion for God and His Word?
Whatever it is….get serious, get specific, get STRATEGIC!
Get the sword of the Spirit….the Word of God….and go to war.
Is Satan attacking your faith? Get your Bible and dig in! Find scriptures on faith and anytime you feel like fear is knocking on your door…..instead of letting it in, entertaining it, and making friends with it….get those scriptures out, incorporate them into your prayer, and drive the spirit of fear out of your life!
A few scriptures to start with:
Genesis 18:14
Genesis 21:1-2
Numbers 23:19
2 Corinthians 5:7
James 1:5-8
Psalm 37:4 AMP
Mark 11:22-25
Hebrews 11:1
Matthew 17:20
Hebrews 11:6
Is satan attacking your focus?
Isaiah 43:18-19
2 Corinthians 4:18
Hebrews 12:1-2
Philippians 4:8
Esteem/identity?
Genesis 18:14
Ephesians 2:10
Psalm 139:14
1 Peter 2:8
Isaiah 49:16
John 1:12-13
Your purity?
1 Timothy 4:12
Psalm 119:9
Galatians 5:16
1 Corinthians 10:13
Psalm 51:10
2 Timothy 1:12
Your trust in God?
Psalm 20:7
Proverbs 3:5-6
Psalm 56:3
Psalm 9:10
Psalm 62:8
Philippians 4:6-7
And don't just pray for yourself. If he's attacking a family member, write their name down and some key scriptures and go to war on their behalf. A friend? Your church family? That peer from high school that you haven't talked to since, you know, high school.....same thing.
"Well Raven, what if I don't know what to pray for concerning that peer from high school or that Facebook friend?"
Listen friend, one thing I've learned this year about prayer and being intimate with God is that He will often place people on your heart and in your spirit to pray for.....yes, even people who you have no relationship with. He will not only place them on your heart and in your spirit, but will also lead you to the scriptures to pray concerning them. Don't believe me? Just start seriously, specifically, and strategically praying....and watch what God does.
So friend, whatever area of your life (or anyone connected to you....either in relationship or in spirit) is under attack, get the Word and fight back in prayer! You are NOT fighting for a victory, you are fighting FROM victory. Which means you are already victorious in Christ! Use the two most powerful weapons God has given you….prayer and His Word….and soon you will be walking in the manifestation of the victory that already belongs to you!
Love you and praying God’s best for your life!
Your sister in Christ,
Raven
As you all know, God has been heavy on my heart in the area of prayer and intercession. We’ve talked about praying God’s Word and journaling our prayers. We've talked about spending time with God daily. Together, in February 2015 we did “A Call To Prayer” and last, but certainly not least we studied countless people who prayed and asked, “Lord, teach us to PRAY.” But friend, I don't know about you, but I’m still stirred, still motivated, and still challenged to PRAY. And “War Room” encouraged me even more to do so. Although, I most definitely recommend this movie, this post is not so much about the movie, but about the message of it. What message? Two words: Strategic Prayer.
Or should I say, “Serious, specific, strategic prayer.” Priscilla Shirer
Friend, it's great to pray prayers like, you know, “Lord, thank you for saving me. Thank you for delivering me. Thank you for my family, my friends, my etc.” Matter of fact, we should always give thanks in prayer……
"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:6-7
“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
It's also great to pray and ask God for the things that you have need of. We serve a good, good Father whose good pleasure is to give us the kingdom (Luke 12:32).
"Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you." Matthew 7:7
"And whatever you ask for in prayer, having faith and [really] believing, you will receive." Matthew 21:22 AMP
"But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:19
.....but friend, in this season God is looking for more. He knows the power of prayer and desires for you to experience it. Not only does God know it, and desires for us to know and experience it, but guess what? Our enemy, the devil, knows it too. That's why he fights it so much, because it is kryptonite to him and all his ploys against you! That's why it's time that we get serious, get specific, and get strategic in prayer.
The enemy has been serious, specific, and strategic against you, against me….against the body of Christ. Although nothing is new under the sun, and although he is not all powerful or all knowing, best believe he has studied you and tailor-made every attack against you.
(Thank God that no matter what weapon has, is, or will be formed….it hasn’t, nor will it prosper)!
So what do WE do? Do we sit around and fear him or worst yet, be complacent and act like he doesn't exist? No! We stand in the power and authority that Christ has given us and we PRAY! Pray believing that we will receive what we ask for. Pray believing that God hears and will manifest what He promised us. Pray knowing that satan is a defeated foe and that in the end we win!
So let's get serious, specific, and strategic.
What areas of your life have been under attack lately?
Your emotions?
Your faith?
Your health?
Your family?
Your marriage?
Your purity?
Your esteem?
Your focus?
Your singleness?
Your trust in God?
Your identity?
Your love and passion for God and His Word?
Whatever it is….get serious, get specific, get STRATEGIC!
Get the sword of the Spirit….the Word of God….and go to war.
Is Satan attacking your faith? Get your Bible and dig in! Find scriptures on faith and anytime you feel like fear is knocking on your door…..instead of letting it in, entertaining it, and making friends with it….get those scriptures out, incorporate them into your prayer, and drive the spirit of fear out of your life!
A few scriptures to start with:
Genesis 18:14
Genesis 21:1-2
Numbers 23:19
2 Corinthians 5:7
James 1:5-8
Psalm 37:4 AMP
Mark 11:22-25
Hebrews 11:1
Matthew 17:20
Hebrews 11:6
Is satan attacking your focus?
Isaiah 43:18-19
2 Corinthians 4:18
Hebrews 12:1-2
Philippians 4:8
Esteem/identity?
Genesis 18:14
Ephesians 2:10
Psalm 139:14
1 Peter 2:8
Isaiah 49:16
John 1:12-13
Your purity?
1 Timothy 4:12
Psalm 119:9
Galatians 5:16
1 Corinthians 10:13
Psalm 51:10
2 Timothy 1:12
Your trust in God?
Psalm 20:7
Proverbs 3:5-6
Psalm 56:3
Psalm 9:10
Psalm 62:8
Philippians 4:6-7
And don't just pray for yourself. If he's attacking a family member, write their name down and some key scriptures and go to war on their behalf. A friend? Your church family? That peer from high school that you haven't talked to since, you know, high school.....same thing.
"Well Raven, what if I don't know what to pray for concerning that peer from high school or that Facebook friend?"
Listen friend, one thing I've learned this year about prayer and being intimate with God is that He will often place people on your heart and in your spirit to pray for.....yes, even people who you have no relationship with. He will not only place them on your heart and in your spirit, but will also lead you to the scriptures to pray concerning them. Don't believe me? Just start seriously, specifically, and strategically praying....and watch what God does.
So friend, whatever area of your life (or anyone connected to you....either in relationship or in spirit) is under attack, get the Word and fight back in prayer! You are NOT fighting for a victory, you are fighting FROM victory. Which means you are already victorious in Christ! Use the two most powerful weapons God has given you….prayer and His Word….and soon you will be walking in the manifestation of the victory that already belongs to you!
Love you and praying God’s best for your life!
Your sister in Christ,
Raven