One of the concepts I have put a lot of thought into over the past few months is the idea of being a prayer warrior and what that would look like. What does it mean and how do I begin?
What is a Christian prayer warrior? A Christian prayer warrior is a person committed to spending time in prayer and asking God to intervene against the schemes of the devil. They are dedicated to living every moment with a heart of prayer, knowing that God is the one who answers and has already won the victory over every situation. They are committed to seeing God’s will be done, regardless of their own agenda.
In order to embark on the journey of becoming a prayer warrior, you need to start with your motivation. Why do you pray to begin with, and how do take the next step?
Why Prayer?
Before you can truly understand the importance of being a prayer warrior you need to understand the purpose and importance of prayer.
Prayer is our opportunity to connect with God on a personal level, and we tend to approach prayer for four main reasons:
- To glorify God
- To confess our sins and ask for forgiveness
- To thank God for his blessings in our lives
- To humbly approach God about the things we need or would like to see in our lives
Prayer is crucial to developing a strong relationship with God and is important to everyone’s Christian walk. But now, you may be looking to take it a step further, and that is where the concept of a prayer warrior comes in.
Prayer Warriors & the Armor of God
Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.
Ephesians 6:13 ESV
It’s both that simple and that difficult, however, by equipping yourself with these tools, you will have the opportunity to grow in your relationship with God and be more effective in your journey to becoming a prayer warrior.
The Belt of Truth
Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth…
Ephesians 6:14 ESV
Truth is a powerful protector because nothing else can stand against it. It works closely with the sword of the Spirit, the Word of God (the source of all truth) to both defend and fight back against Satan, the father of lies.
Learning how to use the truth in my life is one of the most valuable skills I have. Lies are everywhere and are not always easy to distinguish.
However, when we learn how to use the truth that God has given us in his Word, the lies fall apart, allowing us to become better grounded in who God is, and who he created us to be.
The Breastplate of Righteousness
…having put on the breastplate of righteousness…
Ephesians 6:14 ESV
The most important part of any person’s life is their relationship with God. For a prayer warrior, it is particularly valuable because righteousness is a fruit of that relationship.
When we put our focus on God and growing closer to Him, our love for Him becomes more important than our love of sin, leading to a more righteous, or “right-living” life.
The closer we are connected with God, the more His desires become our desires, so that when we pray, we are consistently seeking his will to be done in every situation.
The Sandals of Peace
…and as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace.
Ephesians 6:15 ESV
When we think of the Gospel, peace is not the word that normally comes to mind, however, it was the subject in many of Jesus’ teachings.
Jesus urged his followers not to commit murder in their hearts with hatred and encouraged them continually to love their enemies.
When we accept the Gospel, we begin the process of becoming like Jesus, and peace is a key part of that journey. Not to mention vital to the life of a prayer warrior.
The Shield of Faith
In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one;
Ephesians 6:16 ESV
The shield of faith is arguably the most difficult piece of armor to put on. By picking up the shield we decide that when things don’t go our way, we trust God. When we don’t understand why something happened, we trust God.
When doubt tries to creep in, we trust God, having faith that He is sovereign, and His plan will never fail. When we pick up the shield, Satan’s barrage of lies is stopped short, and you can “extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one.”
While the shield may be the most difficult piece of armor to put on, it is equally as rewarding. Choosing faith in every situation allows us to put aside feelings of worry or anxiety and relinquishes the need for control.
This allows God to do mighty works that he may not have done before because you held on to your situation and emotions too tightly.
The Helmet of Salvation
…take the helmet of salvation…
Ephesians 6:17 ESV
My understanding of salvation was an area of personal struggle for over the past few years as I wrestled with how my works effected my salvation. It wasn’t until this year that I finally began to understand the truth.
Jesus’s sacrifice allowed for the forgiveness of sins on earth so that we can have a relationship with the Father and bring glory to his name.
Don’t get bogged down by your own flaws, they were already taken care of. And when you make mistakes, don’t beat yourself up over it, repent quickly and keep going.
Allow this to keep you grounded so that you are able to fight in prayer, without getting buried under the guilt and shame you may have over your past.
The Sword of the Spirit
take…the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God,”
Ephesians 6:17-18 ESV
The sword of the Spirit is the only offensive piece of armor and is closely connected to the belt of Truth. Truth protects us (the belt) but in the form of scripture, it is also a tool to fight back (the sword).
In the same way that Jesus used the Word to reject Satan in the desert, we are able to use the Word to resist his influence in our own lives.
One of the most powerful things I ever learned to do in my prayer life is to pray the Word of God over my life. Whether it is a Psalm of praise, a plea for forgiveness, or a cry for help, use the Word of God to declare truth over each situation.
A Heart of Prayer
…praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication.
Ephesians 6:18
God is omnipotent, all-powerful. At the end of the day, the reason we need prayer warriors is that we are not strong enough. We can arm ourselves with truth, righteousness, peace faith, salvation, and the Word of God but it is God who does the work.
So keep on praying. Make every moment of every day an opportunity to commune with the Father, and declare his victory over every battle, before it even begins.
The Need for Prayer Warriors
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.
Ephesians 6:10-12 ESV
There are battles going on every day that we cannot begin to imagine. When we realize that our battles aren’t just against the challenges at work and at home and that there are greater powers at work, we can begin to realize the necessity of developing prayer habits.
We have the all-mighty God just one prayer away, and we are definitely unable to fight this battle alone. Take the first step, begin your journey, put on the armor, and prepare for battle.
To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.
Ephesians 6:18-20 ESV