13 Intercessory Prayer Warfare : Pigs in the Parlor

Chapter 13: Intercessory Prayer Warfare

What can be done in behalf of others who are in obvious need of deliverance, but who are not open to receive it? This is a frequently asked question.

The first point of consideration is the person's spiritual condition. II as he or she been born again? Is he or she backslidden? We must remember that salvation is the most basic from of deliverance; it is the deliverance of a man's spirit. The Greek word for "salvation" is soteria, which denotes deliverance. Thus, the salvation of man's spirit is the first stage of deliverance, and it is the basis for all future deliverances.

Before salvation comes into a person's life, that person is dead in trespasses and sins (Ephesians 2: 1). In what sense is he dead? We know he is not physically dead because he is still breathing and moving. We know his soul (personality) is not dead because he is still thinking, feeling and making decisions. Rather, it is his spirit that is dead. He has no comprehension of it, nor interest in, the Holy Spirit. It takes the quickening power of the Holy Spirit to resurrect a man's spirit, and he needs to be "born again"to a new life (John 3:3). This comes about by the grace of God through faith (Ephesians 2:8). That faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God (Romans 10:17). So the priority, first and foremost, is to lead a person to a relationship with Jesus Christ. If thisis not possible, and the person is unwilling to accept Christ as Savior, then those who bear the burden of the Lord for that person's spiritual welfare should give themselves to intercessory prayer and stand in the gap.

The lost soul is blinded by satanic power. We should thus pray that the spiritual blindness be removed.

"But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:

In whom the God of this world (satan) hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them." 2 Corinthians 4:3-4 As the gospel is presented to such a person, pray that the same God who commanded light to shine out of darkness will shine into his or her heart, and that Jesus the Savior will be revealed to him. Paul affirms that this is how he became saved. It is how anyone becomes saved - by the sovereign grace of God.

"For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ." 2 Corinthians 4:6 Intercessory Prayer

Intercessory Prayer is a powerful tool in the hand of the believer. It can be a necessary tool for both saved and unsaved person alike. Anyone who is closed to the Lord's provision of salvation (or deliverance) is held byspiritual blindness. And whatever excuse is offered for rejecting salvation (or deliverance) represents some from of deception.

Intercessory Prayer can be used to break through these demonic barriers. Too often satan the deceiver, is having his way in a person's life precisely because no on has interceded for them, and that person is held in needless bondage.

Jesus taught us to intercede for one another that we might be delivered from the snares of the devil. He taught us to pray: "And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil." Literally, this means "deliver us from the evil one." Thus all believers are in need of deliverance from the attacks of the enemy, to varying degrees. Notice the pronoun "us" in the Lord's prayer.

This suggests we should include others in our cry for deliverance.

SPIRITUAL WARFARE

In Paul's mighty exhortation on the Christian's spiritual armor he emphasizes the importance of intercessory warfare prayer in behalf of other believers.

Intercessory prayer is both a defensive and an offensive weapon against the wiles or strategies of the devil.

"Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseveranceand supplication for all saints." Ephesians 6:18 Sometimes the Holy Spirit leads us to enter into direct spiritual warfare in behalf of those who are not directly open to ministry. The person's will may be so overridden by demonic forces that he is unable to respond to available help. No amount of reasoning or persuasion will cause that person to be open to ministry. His will is dominated by the enemy.

Remember, "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high (heavenly) places." Ephesians6:12 The powers that control the bound person are headquartered in the heavenlies where "the prince of the power of the air" is enthroned. Jesus has given His church the power to bind satan (see