What Happens When We Pray?
2 Corinthians 10:3-5 (NLT) Ephesians 6:10-12; 16-18
10 A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his
3 We are human, but we don’t wage mighty power. 11 Put on all of God’s armor so that war as humans do. 4 We use God’s you will be able to stand firm against all strategies might weapons, not worldly weapons, of the devil. 12 For we are not fighting against to knock down the strongholds of flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers human reasoning and to destroy false and authorities of the unseen world, against arguments. 5 We destroy every proud mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.
obstacle that keeps people from
knowing God. We capture their 16 In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of rebellious thoughts and teach them to faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil.[c] 17 Put obey Christ. on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
18 Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every
occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your
prayers for all believers everywhere.
What happens when we pray? What do we do with this power? Where do we fight the battle? 2 Corinthians 10:4 2 Corinthians 10: 4,5 2 Cor. 10:3; Eph. 6:12
● We receive DIVINE POWER ● Knock down strongholds ● In the SPIRIT; in heavenly to wage war in the SPIRIT ● Destroy false arguments places
● Destroy every proud ● CANNOT fight Spirit with
obstacle flesh
● Capture rebellious thoughts ● Must fight Spirit with Spirit
● Teach rebellious thoughts to
obey
Whom do we fight? Where do we get the weapons? How do we fight? Ephesians 6:12 2 Corinthians 10:4; Eph. 6:18 Ephesians 6:18
● Evil Rulers ● In prayer ● Pray in the Spirit
● Authorities of unseen world ● In HEAVENLY PLACES ● Pray at all times
● Mighty powers in this dark ● Not available in earthly realm ● Pray on every occasion world ● Pray for all believers
● Evil spirits in heavenly places Prayer is our greatest weapon!
Jesus’ Practical Application
of 2 Cor. 10:3-5 and Eph. 6:10-18
● Mark 1: 21-35
What happens when we pray?
● We receive divine power (2 Cor. 10:4)
● We receive spiritual weapons to fight a spiritual battle (2 Cor.
10:4)
● We receive strength and might to fight (Eph. 6:10)
● We join with the will of God in destroying the devil (1 Jn. 3:8)
○ We tear down strongholds (2 Cor. 10:4)
○ We destroy every false argument and proud obstacle against
God (2 Cor. 10:4,5)
■ We capture rebellious thoughts (2 Cor. 10:5)
■ We make those thoughts obey Christ (2 Cor. 10:5)
Additional Verses
Colossians 2:9,10; 15
● God and Jesus are the head of all rule and authority
● Jesus disarmed rulers and authorities when he triumphed over them on the cross
Jeremiah 1:10; 17,18
● God was with Jeremiah to enable him to destroy strongholds
● Jeremiah didn’t need to be dismayed because God was fortifying Jeremiah
Romans 8:26,27
● Spirit intercedes for us according to the will of God; the will of God is to destroy works of the enemy (1
John 3:8)
Mark 4:35-41; 5:1-13; 6:30-56
● Note how the power of God has no boundaries or limitations
● God controls every realm, every dimension - the weather has to obey him, bodies (sickness and disease) have to obey him; food has to obey him (feeding 4,000 and 5,000) - EVERYTHING is subjected to him
Hebrews 2:5-8 (quotes Psalm 8:6)
● Everything is put in subjection under Jesus’ feet
● Our prayers should focus on bringing everything into obedience to God’s Kingdom