I Prayed have prayed
Lord, show us how to praise and worship even when we don't feel it in our minds. Transform us through the act of worship!
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At a time when spiritual warfare is increasing on all fronts, I believe the Lord is calling upon believers to lift up praises as our primary weapon of warfare. In 2 Chronicles 20 Jehoshaphat’s band of worshipers went out ahead of the army in praise to defeat their enemies. The power of their song to the Lord totally confused the enemy and shut down the attack against God’s people. Their song was simply “Give thanks to the Lord, for His steadfast love endures forever” (2 Chronicles 20:21).  One of the smallest songs recorded in the Bible, and expanded in Psalm 136, defeated a huge host encamped against Israel – and they didn’t even have to fight!

We recently heard from one of our intercessors who confirmed this word with a similar call to “Sing, sing, sing” in the midst of our enemies. Here is what she wrote:

“As spiritual warfare increases throughout the world, intercessors can grow weary – but there is a way for us to fight and be refreshed in the Spirit at the same time. In Ephesians 6, the apostle Paul tells us how to put on the armor of God. But, in Ephesians 5, he gives us a huge clue to an often unused piece of warfare: singing His Word.

Instead, be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit.  Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. (Ephesians 5:18-20)

While praying and declaring the Word gets His sharp two-edged sword into the middle of soul and spirit, joint and marrow – singing gets to the heart of the matter.  It revives the spirit. It refreshes. It strengthens. Singing in praise to our God calms our fears and anxieties and breathes life into a situation.

Though the airwaves are filled with Christian artists, it is time for us to pull out God’s greatest hits – as penned by David, the Sons of Korah, and Asaph. Singing Psalms directly from God’s Word stills us in the Spirit with sound theology, and praises the Lord in the way that we were called to operate – as one body, as one faith, as one bride.

After confronting a demonic spirit that was harassing him through witchcraft (see Acts 16:16-40), Paul was thrown into prison. While in prison, he did not complain. He and Silas sang hymns and prayed.  About midnight, their prayers and songs were answered with an earthquake, broken chains, and the opportunity to convert their captors. What a great pattern of warfare for us to observe!  Read what the Word says and put it into action through faith and love for our fellowmen who were created in the image of God and need to be set free.” (Shelley Hendrix McLaughlin, LA)

We would like to suggest that at this time when spiritual warfare is high and our spiritual adversary tries to advance, we not only pray through this COVID-19 crisis, but praise through it! We believe our collective voices lifted in praise to the Most High God has power to nullify every curse and demonic assignment levied against the people of God.

Lift up your heads, you gates; be lifted up, you ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in. Who is this King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle. Lift up your heads, you gates; lift them up, you ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in. Who is he, this King of glory? The Lord Almighty – He is the King of glory. (Ps 24:7-10)

Wanda Alger has been a field correspondent with Intercessors for America and written for Charisma, The Elijah List, Spirit Fuel, and The Christian Post. She is an author of numerous books, including “Moving from Sword to Scepter: Ruling through Prayer as the Ekklesia of God.” Follow her blog at wandaalger.me

 

 

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May L. Scocco
January 13, 2021

Lord, please bring the lost and confused to you, purifying them through a renewing of their heart and mind. give them freedom to come to you no matter what they have seen or done. that we will offer them grace and seek your wisdom together. Help them to take capture their thoughts and find companionship with those who are pure in heart. Amen.

Laura Campa
April 8, 2020

We need to come together as united Christians across our country and the world and pray not just for the coronavirus to leave our land but for us as Christians to pray for our political leaders to come together in christ the lord and to cast out any evil, deoms or virus. In Jesus name amen

Irma Gomez
March 25, 2020

Yes Praise the Lord for His mercy is forever! Thank you so much for the beautiful reminder on how to fight our battles. Jehosaphat’s example is a great example.
May our heavenly Father keep blessing you abundantly.

3
Nan Isaacson
March 24, 2020

Thank you for all this information. That there is a Bible study in the Capitol is so promising for a better day for Congress. Confess that we have not fasted, prayed yes, not yet fasted. We need revival in this nation to return it to the moral ways of our Lord.
amen,

2
Donna
March 24, 2020

Thank you for this wonderful reminder ! I have experience the uplifting of my spirit when I turn to psalms and hymns and spiritual songs. I confess to being too focused on the warfare and not on the Savior. I am joining the voices lifted in praise !!

2
Karen Secrest
March 24, 2020

We have asked and asked. The Lord said to me, “Praise Will defeat this enemy.”

2
ted bjorem
March 24, 2020

yes I’ve discovered that too and have both a deep peace and seen God change circumstances!!

4
Carol Vigo
March 24, 2020

Make me an instrument of Your praise, precious Lord!

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