Prayer for Victory Over Satan - 1 John 3:8; Ephesians 6:12

 

Sermon . Prayer for Victory Over Satan

1 John 3:8; Ephesians 6:12
Prayer: O Most High God! You were manifested to destroy the works of Satan—therefore, we praise You! You are seated on the throne in heaven, and Your gaze is fixed upon the earth. You are not indifferent to our struggles. You are watchful and active, reigning in power while observing Your church in its battle.

Just as during the war in Germany, an experienced English general—no longer in the field—stood upon a high mountain to observe how the battle was unfolding in the valley below, so also, Lord Jesus, You are seated upon the throne of victory in heaven, watching how Your church wrestles against the armies of the enemy. When the church begins to sense defeat, it lifts its hands and faces toward You in earnest prayer—and then You send wondrous, divine help. We glorify You for this faithfulness!

During the world war, when English troops were stationed on the Mount of Olives near Jerusalem and found themselves surrounded by enemy forces, General Allenby, unsure of what to do, sent a telegram to the King of England. The king responded:
"Do not be afraid. Kneel down. Pray. Then follow the guidance you receive. I will send reinforcements by air." Upon receiving this message, General Allenby immediately knelt in prayer along with his entire army. In the same way, Lord, when Satan’s forces and evil works are seen on the earth and Your church begins to cry out to You—when the whole church joins in unified supplication—You will surely hear and send help.

As we see in Judges chapter 5, You sent heavenly armies to help Israel in their distress. Likewise, send those heavenly hosts again today. Though the world cannot see these invisible armies, the discerning church can. Strengthen our spiritual vision, Lord!

Now is the time for the church to become a warrior church. Without such transformation, victory cannot be attained. Lord, grant us that spiritual strength and readiness!

You were manifested to destroy the works of Satan (1 John 3:8), and now You call Your church to stand with You in that same purpose. Reveal to the church that it, too, has been prepared for this battle. But today, due to cowardice and the spiritual weakness caused by sin, the church hides behind closed doors. And so, the devil continues his schemes freely.

O Lord! Arise and speak to Your church:

·        “Church, enter the battlefield!”

·        “I am with you!”

·        “Why are you afraid?”

·        “Here are your weapons!”

·        “Here is your strength!”

·        “Here is your courage!”

·        “Here is the victory—I place it in your hand.”

Let spiritual weapons fall upon the church like a mighty downpour—clubs upon clubs, arrows upon arrows, guns upon guns, stones upon stones, bombs upon bombs. Lord, release Your divine weapons and stir Your church into action!

The kneeling church cannot be defeated by Satan. Let this truth be whispered into the ears of the church, that their posture of humility is their greatest strength. The enemy’s weapons and the church’s weapons are not the same. The sword You gave us—the Word of God—is a living weapon, capable of piercing, dividing, and shattering all the weapons of the enemy (Ephesians 6:17; Hebrews 4:12).

Lord Jesus, Your incarnation is our pattern and strength. You came in a holy body, uncorrupted and pure. That is why Satan could not touch You. That is why You rose again from the grave. If Satan had conquered You, You would have remained in the tomb and perished on the battlefield like a fallen soldier. But that was never the case with You—and so it shall not be with Your church.

Because You were filled with the Holy Spirit, You did not sin, You did not stumble. Likewise, if You pour out the same Holy Spirit upon Your church, we too will neither falter nor fall into sin. Give the church the same Spirit, Lord!

When offered worldly weapons, may the church—like David—refuse them, saying: “I will not use these. I cannot carry them.” Was it Saul, the tall king, or his mighty army who won the victory? No. A small stone won the battle. Young David triumphed. The church today is like that young David—small in stature but mighty in God. It will defeat the world by wielding the rod of the Word.

O our Father! Strengthen Your church today to defeat the adversary with ease, to lightly cast down the devil’s schemes, and to rise like a cloud into Your glory. Give us grace, Lord, that we may overcome through prayer, faith, and spiritual warfare.

We ask this in the mighty and victorious name of Jesus. Amen.

A sermon delivered by God’s servant Father.M. Devadasu Ayyagaru on October 26, 1955