STRATEGY

What is strategy? The dictionary defines it as the science of planning an operation before engaging the enemy. A more simplistic explanation is: it is a plan for winning the war.

The most important strategy for prayer warfare is TIME. We can pray for anyone, anywhere, for anything, but making the time to do it is of utmost importance.

The devil, and his cohorts, know this. There is no question whatsoever that each day the forces of darkness are directing subtle influences to keep Christian soldiers, and particularly Prayer Warriors, from prayer and praise. A thousand disguised death traps have been planted all around us to keep us entranced, preoccupied, and blinded to the necessity of free, quiet TIME.

The truth is, our deep devotional prayer time, apart and alone with our heavenly Father, stands as our source of power and strength throughout the day. Our example is JESUS. If He felt the necessity of time with the Father, do we not need it more?

When to pray, depends on personal choice; but the morning hours are usually the best for prayer and praise. Then the body is rested and the mind clear. Loved ones, or roommates, are less likely to distract. The radio, TV, computer, are off and usually, unless it's an emergency, the phone is silent.

We must learn to schedule a particular time and then ask the HOLY SPIRIT to help us keep our appointment. This is the only way we can do it. It is easy to think we can discipline ourselves to meet with our loving Father at the time scheduled, but we are inviting the spirits of darkness to interrupt...unless our prayer time has the presence of the HOLY SPIRIT to guard it.

Then the question becomes, how much time?

A poll taken awhile ago in the United States said the average Christian prays about one minute per day. If we believe that  "prayer is the breath of the soul," then the average Christian is spiritually breathless!

One Christian writer suggests beginning with fifteen minutes of personal prayer time each day. Then as you grow in CHRIST and develop that one-on-one relationship, your time spent with the Father will grow as well.

1) The first step is to kneel, or sit if kneeling is uncomfortable for you, and become quiet in your mind, so the voice of the Father, through the HOLY SPIRIT, can be heard.

2) Make it a habit to always use the Scriptures when praying. This will encourage you to develop  unlimited confidence in our Commander; and it will push back the forces of darkness.

3) Pray a few seconds for the HOLY SPIRIT to give you wisdom and understanding as you apply the Word.

4) Choose a verse or text that fits what you are seeking or interceding for someone else for. Ask the Father if this is the one? Often another or two or more will come to mind--write them down and look them up. Meditate on them.

5) Talk to the Father about the texts, and who or what you are praying for. And then, listen. Remember, prayer is like talking with your best friend. We talk, then our friend talks. Don't monopolize the conversation! Let the Father respond.

The Bible says the Father is eager to answer, if our request is according to His will. And if it is, be prepared for His answer, nothing wavering.

6) Make sure to practice prayer protocol...

a) ASK THE FATHER. John 16:23.
b) IN JESUS NAME. John 16:24.
c) IN THE SPIRIT. Ephesians 6:18.

if you want supernatural heavenly power added to your prayers.

TIME is the most important strategy our Commander-in-Chief has for His elite force. As we grow the HOLY SPIRIT will bring others to light.

PART 2) GOD's armed forces are not like this world's militaries. Our enemies are alien spirits to us, and they can only be fought using our Commander-in-Chief's methodology. Another important strategy in prayer warfare is FASTING.

Many Christian soldiers are reluctant to fast because they think it is obsolete and old-fashioned to do so; or it is painful; or they fear it is fanatical. But the Bible, our Manual of Arms, often talks about fasting, usually in connection with some kind of prayer warfare. Jehoshaphat proclaimed a fast when the enemy approached (2 Chronicles 20:1-3). Esther requested a three day fast, without food or drink, before approaching the king with the problem of Haman (Esther 4:15,16). Daniel fasted for three weeks as he was seeking special understanding about a vision he was given (Daniel 10:1-3). Moses, Elijah, and JESUS each fasted for forty days... JESUS  also expects us to fast, for He says in Matthew 6:18  "When you fast..."  Not if you fast, but when you fast,..

Fasting is the GOD-ordained strategy for extra supernatural power. What does it mean, though, to fast? In his book God's Chosen Fast, Arthur Wallis states: "We must not think of fasting as a hunger strike designed to force God's hand and to get our own way! Prayer, however, is more complex than simply asking a loving father to supply his child's needs. Prayer is warfare. Prayer is wrestling. There are opposing forces. There are spiritual cross currents.

"...The man (woman) who prays with fasting is giving heaven notice that they're truly in earnest; that they will not give up nor let God go without the blessing." pp.41,42.

The fasts in the Bible are always of food and/or drink. It does not speak of any other kinds of fasts. Why fast? Scripture answers: 

     "Is not this the kind of fasting I (GOD) have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke to set the oppressed free..." ~Isaiah 58:6.

Fasting and prayer warfare, in addition to setting free the oppressed, can also obtain direction and discernment for other strategies and tactics to use against the enemy of souls.

So, when you fast, be sure to pray and use GOD's Word, your sword, in your combat. And expect opposition from satan and/or his cohorts. Ask the Commander for special strength to overcome any attacks of weakness, exaggerated hunger pangs, nausea, or headaches. Just as JESUS responded, so can we: "...Man does not live on bread alone, but on every Word that comes from the mouth of GOD." ~Matthew 4:4.

NOTE: "If for health reasons you cannot go on an extended fast, you can try a modified fast. Or you can give up a favorite food as an act of denying yourself during a specific period set aside for prayer. Start with one-day to three-day fasts before attempting a prolonged period, and drink lots of water or diluted clear juices while fasting." ~The Spiritual Warrior's Prayer Guide, 69, Sherrer & Garlock.

It is the motive of the heart for doing a fast that is more important than the length, which brings us back to our day-by-day relationship with our heavenly Commander-in-Chief. The whole point of fasting is to have more TIME with Him. The Prayer Warriors who fast (for the right reasons) are, in effect saying, Our dependence upon our heavenly Commander is more vital to us than even food and drink.

Christians are to reflect CHRIST; and for Him nothing was more important than His communion with His Father. He gained strength through His time spent alone with GOD, and when we choose to do likewise we also will have the power the Father gave to Him.

REMEMBER, your motive is important. What fasting is not:

1) It's not an automatic way to miracles. It isn't a spiritualized form of magic. Fasting is not a secret of power for just anyone; it has power only for those Prayer Warriors who have an intimate relationship with their GOD.

2) It is not a way of earning our Commander-in-Chief's blessing. He provides His help and blessing because He loves...

3) It is not a way of bypassing obedience. Our heavenly Commander will not hear our prayers, even if we add fasting, if we are not in obedience to His Word and will.

4) It dosen't accumulate power to us personally, so that we can display it at will. We cannot and do not use the HOLY SPIRIT--He uses us! The moment a Prayer Warrior decides to brag or boast about his or her power, it is gone. The same with fasting. Check out JESUS words:

     "Regarding fasting, don't do everything the scribes and Pharisees do. When they fast, they want everyone to see their distorted faces. Their goal is to impress people, and they've achieved it. When you're fasting, dress and act as you always do.  People don't need to know that you're fasting. Your heavenly Father knows, and that's what really matters. He will bless you." ~Matthew 6:16-18. (The Clear Word, used by permission)

One other very important bit of information to remember is this: You may not be able to stop all your normal every day activities to pray while you are fasting, BUT if your soul is continually crying to the Father as you go about your work, or whatever, if every moment you are mentally reaching out to Him to fulfill the need you have laid on His altar, then our merciful and loving Father accepts what you can give at that time.