We live in a world that values cold logic and reason so a term like “spiritual warfare” may seem irrational, even impossible for many “modern” and “intellectual” people. However, spiritual warfare is very real and it is not just limited to exorcisms and casting out demons. As children of God, we engage in an unseen battle every day and what’s at stake is our most prized possession; our soul.
We need to be especially alert to the evil subtlety of Satan. His one desire is to keep people from having a mind and heart disposed to their Lord and God. . .He wants to extinguish the light of the human heart, and so he moves in by means of worldly busyness and worry. St. Francis of Assisi
The Truth About Spiritual Warfare
We live in an embattled world. Just turn on the news and we’ll see a flood of alarming stories about crime, terrorism, famine and poverty ravaging different parts of the globe. However, an equally important war is taking place beyond the physical realm. This war does not involve guns or physical wounds but the consequences are far more vast and eternal. This is known as spiritual warfare and as people of faith, we are caught up right in the middle of it.
For our struggle is not with flesh and blood but with the principalities, with the powers, with the world rulers of this present darkness, with the evil spirits in the heavens. Therefore, put on the armor of God, that you may be able to resist on the evil day and, having done everything, to hold your ground. Ephesians 6:12-13
In every war, there are two sides fighting and each side will do what they can to overcome the other. Merriam Webster dictionary defines war as “a struggle or competition between opposing forces or for a particular end” and the same is true in the spiritual war that we are involved in. Unlike physical wars, however, spiritual warfare takes place in a world that is invisible to human eyes.
It might not be easily obvious to us but each and every day we are actually going into war. Whenever we actively resist temptation and choose to do right, we preserve the integrity of our soul and prepare ourselves for a life in eternity with our Almighty Father.
Every decision we make, whether big or small, has effects that can ripple into eternity.
On the other hand, when we consciously choose the path of sin and do wrong, we are depriving ourselves from the state of grace that God bestowed upon His beloved children. We give in to Satan’s lure and put ourselves at risk to a life in eternal damnation.
Can Praying Help Us Win the Spiritual War?
Be sober and vigilant. Your opponent the devil is prowling around like a roaring lion looking for [someone] to devour. Resist him, steadfast in faith, knowing that your fellow believers throughout the world undergo the same sufferings. 1 Peter 5:8-9
Like everything that involves our faith and spirituality, spiritual warfare is very subtle and the consequences involved are not always physically obvious. We need to be vigilant and wise in our day to day actions because Satan is always looking for ways to deceive us and weaken our faith in God.
How do we remain vigilant and steadfast in our faith? One of the best ways to resist temptation and overcome the deceptions of the Devil is to pray. Prayer lets us become mindful of God’s presence and it teaches us to wait on Him to reveal His will for our lives.
Remember that there are spiritual implications to our every choice. Because of this it is important that we think and decide with God’s divine standards in mind. We can only do this if we are in tune with the Almighty and prayer is certainly one way to make this possible.
You who dwell in the shelter of the Most High, who abide in the shade of the Almighty,Say to the LORD, “My refuge and fortress, my God in whom I trust.”He will rescue you from the fowler’s snare, from the destroying plague,He will shelter you with his pinions, and under his wings you may take refuge; his faithfulness is a protecting shield. Psalms 91:1-4
Whenever you find yourself facing a difficult situation, do not just jump in and do something you might regret later on. Take time to pray about your circumstances. Find courage in the Lord and remember that His love for us is unwavering. He will always listen to our prayers and give us the guidance we need in overcoming even the hardest trials.
Prayer is a very powerful act. It is our means of connecting with our Spiritual Father so as much as possible we must practice it. Do not just pray when you are in a difficult situation and need deliverance from God. Let us make praying a part of our daily life so that we receive the clarity and strength necessary to win every battle that we go through.
Last but not the least, praying is an act of humility that lets us grow closer to God. By praying, we acknowledge that we are weak as humans and that our Heavenly Father is the only true source of courage and wisdom. We give ourselves time to pause and reflect on what God truly wants for us.
What spiritual battles are you facing today? Have you taken time to pray and ask God for guidance on how to deal with them?