Throughout the New Testament our Commander-in-Chief reminds us that we are in a conflict - a daily battle - not with flesh and blood but with principalities and powers and spiritual wickedness in high places. Therefore it is essential that we understand every avenue that we can use to rout our enemies.

The enemy of our souls - who are masters of warfare - understand this well, and as such he or his demons attack at our most vulnerable area first. And where is this battle fought? On what front? That area is our minds. Self is probably the greatest war we wage.  We think that being Prayer Warriors we should be able to win more battles over the enemy. But we must remember, my fellow Warriors, only GOD can fight our battles and win.

Listen to what Paul said in 2 Corinthians 1:3-5:

"For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of GOD, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of CHRIST."

Just don't forget, Prayer Warriors - NEVER FORGET - that our mind is the battleground! The devil chooses our minds as his battleground because he understands so well a principle found in GOD's Word, that as we think so we are [Proverbs 23:7]. He knows if his demons or evil spirits can capture peoples' minds they can capture their bodies. Isn't this the same purpose the militaries of this world capture prisoners...to brainwash them? By brainwashing, they can then do with them as they please!

So what does all this have to do with song being a weapon? A remarkable example of how singing works against the enemy is found in 2 Chronicles 20.

Let's take a look what this chapter says: Jehoshaphat was king of Judah, and one day he discovered his little kingdom was surrounded by powerful enemies. Jehoshaphat knew he and his people didn't stand a chance, so they took the matter to GOD:

..."O YAHWEH, we are powerless against this great army coming against us! We don't know what to do, but our eyes are on YOU, help us!" [verse 12].

GOD responded: "Fear not, this battle is not yours, but Mine!" [verse 15]. Then GOD went on to say: "You shall not need to fight in this battle; take your positions, stand still, and see the deliverance I bring!" [verse 17].

So what did Jehoshaphat do, he appoints singers to march in front of his army; GOD said the battle was His, so what better way for Judah to meet the enemy then with songs of victory from its front ranks. But understand, the victory was GOD's even though the choir sang it says it was the "LORD who set an ambush against the enemy..." [verse 22].

From this story we draw out the following conclusions: 1) Spiritual warfare can be carried out through singing; and 2) That our enemies are thrown into confusion by godly songs of thanksgiving and victory. Or put another way, GOD has given approval for the use of spiritual songs as an effective weapon against satan and his cohorts.

But is there similar approval to be found in the New Testament? Yes, I believe that Acts 16:22-26 confirms this lesson. Paul and Silas are stripped, beaten with rods and then put in stocks in the inner chamber of a stinking, dank, unsanitary prison. What would you do? Scream for help? Yell? Make a deal with GOD to get you out of there? Abuse the other prisoners with your scorn? ...or what Paul and Silas did? Verse 25 says, "About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to GOD, and the other prisoners were listening to them."

Singing hymns! Why were they singing hymns to GOD? Could it be that they knew the story of 2 Chronicles 20 and they needed a display of our Commander-in-Chief's AWESOME power? And in His great mercy GOD did exactly that, for verse 26 says: "...suddenly there was a great earthquake...and immediately all the doors were opened and every one's fetters were unfastened."

Psalm 59:16 says "I will sing of Thy power, yes I will sing aloud of Your mercy in the morning..."

Have you ever had depression settle in your heart and soul like a bleak cold, rainy day? Though the day itself is bright and sunny, for some inexplicable reason you felt gloomy, oppressed...and incrediably alone - except for questions, doubts, and accusations which seemed to harass you.

Can you relate? Have you ever experienced a time like this after you've been in intense warfare prayer for another? Have you doubted whether GOD heard your prayer?

GOD's Holy Word instructs us to clap our hands and raise our voices in songs of joy! [Psalm 47:1]. We need to do as He has instructed us; it brings release from the suffocating darkness and oppression, plus it honors our Commander-in-Chief and it aids in defeating the enemy. [NOTE: This is NOT advocating clapping in GOD's holy sanctuary Sabbath morning; according to this verse such is intended for us - Sabbath is intended for GOD!]

It bears repeating many times, satan and his cohorts primary objective is to get us - you and me - to sin. And his easiest target is our minds, or as the New Testament refers to it, our hearts. Sin does not originate in our actions; it begins in our minds.

So if you're feeling burdened and depressed, Prayer Warriors, or there is a smothering darkness all around you, or you're dealing with turmoil in your family or a prayer subject's, or stress, etc, start singing good Christian hymns (I am not speaking of what is sometimes called Christian music today), and you will be surprised how the darkness will leave and the Sonshine of heaven will fill your soul.

Some personal favorite battle songs are:

                                            Jesus Loves Me.
                                            There Is Power in the Blood.
                                             Redeemed!
                                             Victory In Jesus.
                                             Amazing Grace.

The following are some good sites for these and other Christian Hymns:

Click here for The Cyber Hymnal

Click here for Christian Background Music

Click here for Reflection Christian Music

So, as we see our weapons are not natural weapons, fellow Warriors. They are not something the world would understand, or even anything that would seem in the natural realm to work. But in our Commander-in-Chief's kingdom, they do. Which means we need to, we MUST, learn to fight GOD's way, not the world's way.

"When he had consulted with the people, he appointed singers to sing to the LORD..." ~2 Chronicles 20:21.

Singing and giving thanks may not seem like the thing to do when facing a battle directly against the devil's hosts, but believe me Prayer Warriors, it is exactly what needs to be done. Many things don't make sense to us, but that doesn't mean we shouldn't do them. We are told in Romans 12:2 that our minds are to be entirely renewed by GOD's Word.  And Hebrews 4:12 says that GOD's Word is "living and powerful and sharper than any two-edged sword" that it pierces everything it touches. The Father also tells us that His Word shall not return unto Him void, but it will accomplish what He pleases... In other words, GOD's Word is never ineffectual or without fruit; so singing His Word is another highly effective way of battling the enemy of souls.

Let me give you example of how singing GOD's Word works:

Just recently a Prayer Warrior was involved in a severe battle with the enemy, though this individual didn't go so far as to pace the floor or anxiously bite his nails, or gnaw his knuckles, the battle was intense. This Warrior had been on his knees it seemed like forever...and an answer just didn't come. The devil's cohorts were busy trying to tear down his faith. He was doing all the right things, but they weren't working. And then he heard a verse, one that he had persistently used in the battle already, come into his head, and he heard the HOLY SPIRIT say, "Sing."

"Sing? What?" he thought.

"The verse. Sing the verse." the Voice said, "I didn't feel like singing - I felt more like giving in, giving up - anything but singing. Anyway I didn't know a tune to sing the words to, but the instruction persisted. 'Sing.'

"Tentatively, I opened my mouth and began to croak out the Scripture verse. It was a good thing I was on my own, it sounded terrible...but as the tune got better and I sang the words more joyously, I became more and more peaceful and calm, it was as if I was enveloped in GOD's heavenly atmosphere of light; and as that light spread, the hosts of the evil one left... Victory was secured!"

The next example comes from another Prayer Warrior.

"Some ten years ago in the middle of the night I found myself under attack by the powers of darkness. My husband and I could feel their evil presence right there in our bedroom.

We sat up and rebuked the evil powers and spirits in the precious name of Jesus, then we began singing Scripture songs. Can you picture us at 1 AM sitting up in bed singing?

But GOD's Word IS sharper than any two-edged sword and soon a wonderful peace settled over us. There were no more attacks that night.

The next day we did some spiritual housecleaning, we sang Scripture songs, hymns, and worship choruses in each room of our home, as well as praying. This was not a superstitious little ritual. It was standing up and proclaiming, "As for me and my house, we will serve the LORD." ~Joshua 24:15. We were telling satan and his cohorts, "Our home is sanctified and set apart for GOD's glory! We have not had one disturbance since then!"

I pray, dear Prayer Warriors, that you will come to see learning Scripture songs as a positive enforcement of 'search and destroy' in the face of the enemy. The following are a few sources of where to find Scripture songs. I hope this information will benefit all who read it. Learning Scripture songs is an easy and enjoyable way to fill our minds with GOD's Word. You'll be amazed at how easily Scripture comes to mind just when it's needed most. Even children - just barely speaking - will surprise you when GOD's Word comes out of their mouths.

With all its stress and problems, life is not a breeze, but learning to sing can help us cope. The experts say we can live longer with a song in our hearts. When we sing we get rid of energy, which in turn takes our minds off our troubles and eases physical tension. But always pick Christian songs or hymns that are inspiring and motivating.