Preparing to Fight the Battle Be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes…

Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist…

…with the breastplate of righteousness in place…

…with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.

In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.

Take the helmet of salvation…

…and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying…

Wielding the Weapon of Prayer Part 8: Preparing to Win the Battle

The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. (James 5:16)

How can I develop an effective life of prayer with powerful results?

Prayer Discussion Questions 1.Considering the things discussed today, how are you well-prepared to wield the weapon of prayer and win? 2.What are your greatest weaknesses in praying effectively? 3.What’s the first step you need to take to develop an effective life of prayer with powerful results? 4.Spend a few minutes today in prayer together!

Preparing to Win the Battle ______________ myself to pray __________________. Discipline intentionally

Now the end of all things is near; therefore, be serious and disciplined for prayer. (1 st Peter 4:7)

You do not have because you do not ask. (James 4:2)

Preparing to Win the Battle Pray _______________. persistently

Keep asking, and it will be given to you. Keep searching, and you will find. Keep knocking, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who searches finds, and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. (Matthew 7:7-8)

…be persistent in prayer… (Romans 12:12)

Preparing to Win the Battle Pursue _____________ with God. intimacy

Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. (James 4:8)

…when you pray, go into your private room, shut your door, and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. (Matthew 6:6)

Preparing to Win the Battle Pray while ____________ in Christ and in His _________. abiding Word

If you abide in Me and My words abide in you, ask whatever you want and it will be done for you. (John 15:7)

Preparing to Win the Battle Cultivate _________________ before the Lord. transparency

LORD, You have searched me and known me… Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my concerns. See if there is any offensive way in me; lead me in the everlasting way. (Psalm 139:1; 23-24)

Preparing to Win the Battle ___________ sin and ___________. Confess repent

When I kept silent, my bones became brittle from my groaning all day long. For day and night Your hand was heavy on me; my strength was drained… Then I acknowledged my sin to You and did not conceal my iniquity. I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,” and You took away the guilt of my sin. (Psalm 32:3-5)

Preparing to Win the Battle Pray from an _____________ life and a clear ________________. obedient conscience

Dear friends, if our conscience doesn’t condemn us, we have confidence before God and can receive whatever we ask from Him because we keep His commands and do what is pleasing in His sight. (1 st John 3:21-22)

Preparing to Win the Battle Pray in ________. faith

Now without faith it is impossible to please God, for the one who draws near to Him must believe that He exists and rewards those who seek Him. (Hebrews 11:6)

Therefore I tell you, all the things you pray and ask for - believe that you have received them, and you will have them. (Mark 11:24)

Preparing to Win the Battle Pray with _______-centered ____________. God motives

You ask and don’t receive because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your evil desires. (James 4:3)

Preparing to Win the Battle Don’t just ________ to God; __________ as well. talk listen

Be still and know that I am God. (Psalm 46:10)

Be silent before the Lord and wait expectantly for Him. (Psalm 37:7)

Do not be hasty to speak, and do not be impulsive to make a speech before God. God is in heaven and you are on earth, so let your words be few. (Ecclesiastes 5:2)

Preparing to Win the Battle Nurture _________________ for the _________ around you. compassion needy

The one who shuts his ears to the cry of the poor will himself also call out and not be answered. (Proverbs 21:13)

Preparing to Win the Battle Treat your _________ well. spouse

Husbands, in the same way, live with your wives with an understanding of their weaker nature yet showing them honor as coheirs of the grace of life, so that your prayers will not be hindered. (1 st Peter 3:7)

Preparing to Win the Battle Squelch ______________ by _____________ regularly. bitterness forgiving

…if you forgive people their wrongdoing, your heavenly Father will forgive you as well. But if you don’t forgive people, your Father will not forgive your wrongdoing. (Matthew 6:14-15)

…if you are offering your gift on the altar, and there you remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled with your brother, and then come and offer your gift. (Matthew 5:23)

Preparing to Win the Battle Pray according to God’s ________. will

…Your kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. (Matthew 6:10)

Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God. (Romans 12:2)

Preparing to Win the Battle Pray with ________ _____________. other believers

“I assure you: If two of you on earth agree about any matter that you pray for, it will be done for you by My Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there among them.” (Matthew 18:19-20)

Preparing to Win the Battle Pray while ___________. fasting

Isn’t the fast I choose to break the chains of wickedness, to untie the ropes of the yoke, to set the oppressed free, and to tear off every yoke? (Isaiah 58:6)

Preparing to Win the Battle __________ how to pray from ________. Learn God

He was praying in a certain place, and when He finished, one of His disciples said to Him, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John also taught his disciples.” (Luke 11:1)

Prayer Discussion Questions 1.Considering the things discussed today, how are you well-prepared to wield the weapon of prayer and win? 2.What are your greatest weaknesses in praying effectively? 3.What’s the first step you need to take to develop an effective life of prayer with powerful results? 4.Spend a few minutes today in prayer together!