Written by: John Sernaque
Dear Reader.
Books / Pr - Prayer (2002) / Chapter 6—The Prayer Of Faith
Earnest Prayer Will Baffle Satan’s Strongest Efforts—Man is Satan’s captive and is naturally inclined to follow his suggestions and do his bidding. He has in himself no power to oppose effectual resistance to evil. It is only as Christ abides in him by living faith, influencing his desires and strengthening him with strength from above, that man may venture to face so terrible a foe. Every other means of defense is utterly vain. It is only through Christ that Satan’s power is limited. This is a momentous truth that all should understand. Satan is busy every moment, going to and fro, walking up and down in the earth, seeking whom he may devour. But the earnest prayer of faith will baffle his strongest efforts. Then take “the shield of faith,” brethren, “wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.”(Testimonies for the Church 5:294.) {Pr 63.1}
The Prayer of Faith Prevails Against Satan—
The prayer of faith is the great strength of the Christian and will assuredly prevail against Satan. This is why he insinuates that we have no need of prayer. The name of Jesus, our Advocate, he detests; and when we earnestly come to Him for help, Satan’s host is alarmed. It serves his purpose well if we neglect the exercise of prayer, for then his lying wonders are more readily received.—(Testimonies for the Church 1:296.) {Pr 63.2}
There is nothing we can do by our own strength. It is the strength of Christ Jesus living in us that allows us to move mountains. We are under constant attack from the enemy who wants to have us and sift us as wheat. Satan wants nothing more than for us to neglect our prayer life. Without prayer, we have no communion with Christ, allowing Satan to step in and hold us captive. With Christ in us, Satan’s power is limited. However, Satan does not give up very easily, making it that much more important to stay in communion with God. Earnest prayer will baffle Satan’s strongest efforts.
Our kind and gracious Father,
We humbly, yet boldly, come into Your presence in thanksgiving, praise, and prayer. We bring our petitions before You as our great intercessor in heaven. We surrender our lives to You and pray for a continual outpouring of the Holy Spirit to live and dwell in us that we may live and dwell in You. We are mere mortals and are no match for the wiles of Satan. We pray for Your strength and courage to fight off Satan and his demons and all the people that he works through. We pray that You place a hedge round about us of Your Holy angels to safeguard our families and us from the fiery darts Satan throws. We pray for Your wisdom and understanding that makes us ready with an “it is” written from the double-edged sword You have provided to us. We pray always to be ready with the whole armor of God that sends Satan fleeing from us. We pray not to be deceived by the different disguises and ways Satan comes to us to try to keep us from prayer. We pray that You help us overcome sin, the very thing that separates us from You. The tempter and deceiver, Satan, is always whispering in our ears, even claiming to be You. We pray for Your discernment to know the difference between truth and lies. Help us to come to You in the prayer of faith that prevails against Satan. You are our savior, redeemer, rejoicer, healer, avenger, and advocate that Satan so wants to keep us from. We thank You for watching over us, protecting us and keeping us safe. We pray for those held captive by Satan that they are freed and saved from sin. Thank You for giving us the victory over sin. We thank You for hearing and answering our prayers, in the name of Christ Jesus, we pray. Amen.
