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If you want to be a change agent on the earth and have powerful and effective prayers, you can count on the enemy doing everything he can to build a case against you so as to nullify your impact. This is why it is critical that we know how to address these attacks with the proper perspective and the proper authority in prayer. In Revelation 12:10-12 we are given three tools of spiritual warfare when dealing with the enemy: “They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony, and they loved not their lives unto the death.”

The blood of the Lamb deals with the spiritual authority that every believer has been GRANTED through the cross. We did not work for this authority—He granted it to us as sons and daughters of God. The power of His blood is a settled issue that never needs debate. “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace” (Ephesians 1:7). Through His blood, Jesus gave us all authority over the enemy’s attacks on our lives and on the lives of those around us in order to set people free. It deals with “ground-level” warfare because we are ministering to people on the earth that the Father wants to set free.

The word of our testimony deals with our “walk” and “talk.” It’s not just what we speak out of our mouths, but it’s the lives we live. “So then, by their fruit you will recognize them. Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you workers of lawlessness.’ “ (Matthew 7:21-23).

We may be praying the right words, but if the testimony of our lives is not backing up our words, our prayers will have limited effect. This has to do with obedience and the spiritual authority that is GIVEN when we are walking in proper alignment with God and others. We can’t be praying for agreement in the White House if we aren’t even in agreement in our own house. This is where the enemy builds cases against us—when we claim to have authority in prayer over something we haven’t lived out personally. We have yet to fully comprehend the power of a sanctified, holy, and obedient life before the throne! When our prayers flow out of healthy relationships and a life of integrity, the weight of heaven is felt and authority increases.

The third weapon we have in prayer is in not loving our lives even to the point of death. This means we are daily DYING TO SELF and praying from a posture of absolute surrender to the Lord. The enemy has no power against a dead man or woman. A life that is crucified is alive in Christ and no power of hell can stop it! “I have been crucified with Christ, and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me” (Galatians 2:20). When we have overcome certain issues in our own life, we are assured a greater spiritual authority in that particular area. Not only do we learn and recognize the enemy’s schemes, but we have overcome the lies and come out on the other side in victory. This is a powerful weapon in prayer and the enemy knows it. This is why he loves to keep people stuck in endless cycles of defeat. If he can keep us from dying to our flesh and overcoming sin and weakness, he can handicap our spiritual authority. This is why we must encourage each other to not give up or yield to his attacks. “And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith” (1 John 5:4).

As you face the evil adversary who is trying to build a case against you or your loved ones, consider these three weapons in prayer and the spiritual authority you have with these weapons. Remember that you have access to the very same authority that Jesus had! Allow the testimony of a victorious life become that sword in your hand with which to slay the enemies of God! “To him who overcomes and does my will to the end, I will give authority over the nations” (Revelation 2:26).

• Wanda Alger, IFA Field Correspondent