Lately I have been hearing from many women that they are feeling overwhelmed by the attacks of the enemy on their ministries, marriages, or children. The war in the heavenlies that we are told about in Ephesians 6:12 seems to be raging like never before. Many believers are feeling defeated—if not hopeless—as if the enemy has more power than our mighty God.
In 1 Peter 5:8 we are warned: “Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.”
Though the enemy’s roar seems especially loud right now, our victory is assured because of the death, resurrection, and ascension of our Lord Jesus Christ!
In his book Warfare Praying, my father, Mark Bubeck, wrote:
Satan roars to make us afraid and thus more vulnerable, but our purchased right is courage to resist him.1
As women in ministry leadership, we need to be aware of the roar of the enemy, but more importantly, we need to know how to stand in courage and victory against that roar. One way to do that is through the mighty roar of prayer!
Ephesians 6:13–18 spells out the “whole armor of God” that is available to us—through Christ—to stand strong and courageous against the enemy. Part of that armor includes the “sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God” (v. 17), coupled with prayer “at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication” (v. 18).
Dear leader, join me in picking up the sword of the Spirit, God’s Word, as we pray this victory prayer together, based on the promises of Psalm 91:1–4 and Ephesians 6:10–18.
A Prayer of Victory
Father God,
Thank You that Your Word promises that if we dwell in the shelter of You, the Most High, we will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. You are our refuge and fortress, our God in whom we trust. Thank You for saving us from the fowler’s snare and from the deadly pestilence. You have covered us with Your feathers, and under Your wings we have found refuge. Your faithfulness is our shield and rampart (Ps. 91:1–4).
A“rampart” means a protective barrier or wall. That is what You have purchased for us, dear Lord Jesus, through the power of Your death, resurrection, and ascension. You have already won the victory over the enemy. You are our protective barrier. May we stand firmly in that victory every day as we wear the armor of God and wield the weapons of prayer and the Word against the enemy.
From Ephesians 6:10–18, hear our victory cry! May we be strong in You, Lord Jesus, and in the strength of Your might. Through prayer, we put on the whole armor of God, that we may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. We understand that we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Help us take up the whole armor of God, that we may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Today we choose to fasten on the belt of truth, and put on the breastplate of righteousness. We also put on as shoes for our feet, the readiness given by the gospel of peace. Thank You that You are our peace, Lord Jesus.
In all circumstances, help us to take up the shield of faith, with which we can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one. You know some of those circumstances are overwhelming right now. Thank You for being our shield of faithfulness and our helmet of salvation in the midst of everystorm! May we pick up the sword of the Spirit—which is the Word of God—every day as we fight battles against the enemy and ourflesh. Teach us what it means to pray at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. We want to be mighty prayer warriors who keep alert with all perseverance, praying for others as well.
We choose to hide under the shadow of Your wings through prayer today. Thank You for covering us with the armor of Your truth, righteousness, peace, faithfulness, and salvation. Thank You that Your living Word is the sword we can wield—through reading, studying, and praying it every day. Help us never to take You or Your Word for granted. Jesus, thank You for the victory that is Yours and that You sit now at the right hand of God, interceding for us.
In the mighty and victorious name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
Your Turn to Cry Out
- Are you regularly battling in spiritual warfare? As you take up the sword of the Spirit as your weapon in prayer, read Colossians 2:15 and 1 John 4:4, remembering that you stand strong in the victory of Jesus.
- Team up with another friend in ministry to wage war on your knees for each other’s family and ministry.
Judy Dunagan recommends this prayer tool written by her father, Prayer Patterns for Revival.
1 Mark I. Bubeck, Warfare Praying: Biblical Strategies for Overcoming the Adversary (Chicago, IL: Moody Publishers, 2016).