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. Though most believers are aware of our spiritual authority through the blood of Jesus, many do not realize there are additional levels of authority we have when dealing with our spiritual Adversary, the devil.

In Revelation 12:10-12, there are three weapons of spiritual warfare mentioned: They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony and they loved not their lives unto the death.  When I read that verse, I was immediately struck with the parallel of what the Lord was showing me about the levels of spiritual authority that we as believers have access to. Please consider these when you are dealing with a spiritual attack so you can effectively present your own case in prayer before our Father, the Righteous Judge.

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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. 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 in our lives and in the lives of those around us in order to set people free:  When Jesus had called the twelve together, He gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases, and He sent them out to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick (Luke 9:1-3). We are His disciples and He has granted us this same authority to destroy the works of the evil one.

This authority is the most common when praying for ourselves or loved ones. It is “ground-level” warfare because we are ministering to people around us that the Father wants to set free.  Even so, if there is no breakthrough or deliverance, it could be because the Adversary has evidence collected to disqualify your prayers. It’s at this point we need to consider additional aspects of our spiritual authority.

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.

One way this happens is by recognizing and honoring the spiritual authorities in our own lives. This starts at home with our parents (Ephesians 6:2-3) and then goes on to include our marriage relationship (Ephesians 5:22-23). It includes pastoral leadership and governing authorities in the land (Romans 13:1-2). When we are in healthy relationship and alignment with these God-appointed authorities, heaven releases a blessing (Psalm 133). God always works through honor and agreement. If we want our prayers to be powerful, we must be walking in honor and agreement with those He has already placed in positions of authority. Even if we disagree with them, we can still honor their God-given role and choose to bless them and not curse them. We may not like the individuals or their methods, but our attitudes towards them and how we speak of them will carry great weight in the courts of heaven when we pray.

The other reality is that our spiritual authority will increase as others see the fruit of our obedience to Christ. The people were so amazed that they asked each other, ‘What is this? A new teaching – and with authority! He even gives order to evil spirits and they obey Him. News about Him spread quickly over the whole region of Galilee (Mark 1:24-28). The authority Jesus had grew in scope as He obeyed the voice of His Father and demonstrated His love. When He spoke (prayed) out of obedience, it resulted in kingdom expansion and an increase of favor. In like manner, our spiritual authority will increase as we are faithful to do that which HE has called us to, WHEN He calls us to do it. When others see the fruit of our faithfulness to the Lord, it will result in a greater openness to heaven’s intervention and greater faith for the miraculous. Our testimony before the throne is a powerful weapon when we demonstrate a life of faithful obedience and fruitful prayer.

The third weapon we have in prayer is loving our lives not unto death. This means we are daily DYING TO SELF and praying from a posture of absolute surrender and yieldedness 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).

This principle brings a level of spiritual authority that can only be GAINED by overcoming our flesh issues and the tests that are put before us. Jesus, FULL of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the desert, where for forty days He was tempted by the devil…(following the temptations) Jesus returned to Galilee is the POWER of the Spirit…(Luke 4:1,14).Jesus Himself gained authority over the Adversary when faced with trials and temptations as a man. By overcoming those tests, Jesus left the wilderness with a spiritual authority that had power. It was then that His public ministry grew with power and authority.

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 Adversary who is trying to build a case against you or your loved ones, consider these three weapons in prayer and the spiritual authority that you are walking in. As you see places of defeat, ask the Lord to show you how to grow in your spiritual authority in that area so as to pray overcoming prayers. Remember that you have access to the very same authority that Jesus had! He not only desires for you to walk in it, but to go further than He did (John 14:12). Know that as you pursue His face and the kingdom of God being made manifest on the earth, your spiritual authority can change even nations. 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).