The Heart of A Prayer Warrior

Wrong words, wrong thinking.  Right words, right thinking.

For 39 years now, as a believer in Christ Jesus as my Saviour, I’ve been told by well-meaning Christians there were people in the church who were “prayer warriors”; most often women “prayer warriors”.  Why is that do you suppose?If you had a specific need like healing, deliverance from bondage, death in your family or whatever, contact the church office and they will advise the “prayer warriors” for intercession in your time of need.   After spending weeks of detective work on the subject “The Heart of A Prayer Warrior”, I came to this earth shattering conclusion.  If you are a believer in Jesus, you are a “Prayer Warrior”, or should be. We should quit ‘passing the buck’ to other when it comes to confidence in praye.r

What Do I Mean, “A Prayer Warrior”?

It has been said that, “prayer warriors” are people who are known for regularly interceding on behalf of others before God.  To “intercede” means to come between, so “prayer warriors” are, in effect, coming between God and the trouble in another person’s life.  To be a prayer warrior then is like “a defense attorney, appealing to the Higher Court on behalf of the defendant”.

Two Biblical Examples:

#1.  2 Chronicles 20:1-21:  Jehoshaphat

Verse 3,  “Then Jehoshaphat feared, and set himself [determinedly, as his vital need] to seek the Lord; he proclaimed a fast in all of Judah.”

War was about to break out against the king of Judah (Jehoshaphat) and the people under his watch. The king and God’s people were about to come under attack from unbelievers and they knew what to do.  The all gathered together’ “…all the cities of Judah came to seek the Lord [yearning for Him with all their desire]” (verse 4).  I want to point out that they “all gathered together“, not just a certain group of “prayer warriors”.

Now Jehoshaphat was their nations spiritual leader and king, a man of God, who steps up to pray for all of their need; protection from the enemy (verses 6-12).  After coming in prayer with boldness, confidence and humility their confession was, “We do not know what to do, but our eyes are upon You” (verse 12). We see how God responds in verse 14:  “Then the Spirit of the Lord came upon…”  God reminds all of the people who had gathered in His Name,  “…the battle is not yours, but God’s”.  I wanted to point out to you,  not only was Jehoshaphat and Jahaziel the Levite involved in a prayer need, BUT  “…the inhabitants of Jerusalem fell down before the Lord, worshipping Him (verse 18)”. That is worship and prayer; they go together!

#2.  Ephesians 3:14-21:  Saul of Tarsus; the Apostle Paul

There are many examples of  an “intercessors” in the Bible who could be called “Prayer Warriors”, but Paul stands out as an example for all of us to follow; not just some people.  In verse 16, Paul starts with,  “May He grant you out of the rich treasury of His glory to be strengthened and reinforced with mighty power in the inner man by the [Holy] Spirit [Himself indwelling your innermost being and personality].”  STOP RIGHT THERE!  If we, as believers, have the power or ability living inside of us, in my opinion and Paul’s, shouldn’t we ALL be equipped to be “prayer warriors”? And if, that given power is “…at work within us, is able to [carry out His purposes and] do superabundantly, far over and above all that we [dare] to ask or think [infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, hopes, or dreams]”,  then we should all have the “prayer warrior” capability, not just a select few in the church.

“The Heart” Qualifications of “A Prayer Warrior”:

Do you, like want to pray more passionately, more powerfully, and more often…but don’t know how?  It’s time for all of us to begin “warfare school”; “a program of tough training and discipline that turns untried civilians into warriors”.

STEP #1.  A Heart that is rooted and established in LOVE for others. That is not a suggestion but our Lords commandment.  And when it comes to loving others, Romans 15:2 says,  “Let each one of us [not just designated “prayer warriors” of the church] make it a practice to please his neighbor for his good and for his true welfare, to edify him [to strengthen him and build him up spiritually].”

STEP #2.  To have a heart that is FAITHFUL   Matthew 21:21-22  “…Truly I say to you [Church], if you have faith ( a firm relying trust) and do not doubt, you will not only do what has been done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, Be taken up and cast into the sea, it will be done.  And whatever you ask for in prayer, having faith and [really] believing, you will receive.” 

STEP #3.  Being earnest, unwearied, steadfast in heart.  What’s the condition of your heart in praying?  Colossians 4:2, says  “Be earnest and unwearied and steadfast in your prayer [life], being [both] alert and intent in [your praying] with thanksgiving.” Are the instructions of Paul, inspiried by the Holy Spirit just for a designated small group of “prayer warriors”, or the entire church in Colossae?  Also remember that Paul’s written letters of spiritual instruction was circulated to ALL the churches.  Who is the Church? We are the Church!

STEP #4.  To be effective in prayer, we must have God’s Word abiding in us;  Abide = living.  Jesus  tells us in John 15:7, “If you live in Me [abide vitally united to Me] and My words remain in you and continue to live in your hearts, ask whatever you will, and it shall be done for you.”  You can’t pray about healing for someone if you don’t have the knowledge of God’s Word on healing.  God’s Word is God’s language.  Praying then to God is praying what He has already said in His Word.

The Prayer Warriors Prayer:

There are times in my day, that I just don’t feel like praying for someone other that my own self.  I know, that’s selfish and I am asking for God’s help.  I say things to the Lord like,  “I’ll pray about the situation later, when I am feeling more spiritual”.  Prayer doesn’t come from “feelings”. It comes from your Father/son or Father/daughter relationship. The quickest way to kill a relationship is NOT talking to the other person.  NO conversation, NO relationship and the same can be said about prayer;  your relationship with your heavenly Father. Why do we feel distant and dry during certain periods of our spiritual maturity in Christ; not abiding in Him?  The answer is  confession of “selfishness“; getting rid of our quilt.  Reading and praying Ephesians 6:11-18 is meant to encourage us, giving us strength in our everyday abiding in Him for strength.

“Put on God’s whole armor [the armor of a heavy-armed WARRIOR which God supplies], that you may be able successfully to stand up against [all] strategies and the deceits of the devil.  For we are not wrestling with flesh and blood [contending only with physical opponents] but against the powers, against [the master spirits who are],the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spirit forces of wickedness in heavenly supernatural sphere.”  (Verses 11-12).

Is Paul speaking only to a specific group of people in the church or is he speaking to ALL believers.  It’s not that you are  “A Prayer Warrior” in the body of believers, that isn’t the issue today.  It about your “hearts love” condition as a believer. It’s a “heart issue”.

If you need more encouragement in your participation of intercessory prayer, I’ve listed some biblical reference points for you read. Pray these verses when Holy Spirit reminds you to do so. It will encourage your hearts.

Psalm 5:3

Psalm 37:7

Psalm 50:15

Psalm 145:18

Mark 11:17

Luke 18:1-10

Romans 8:26

I Corinthians 14:15

Ephesians 6:18-19

Colossians 4:2

I Timothy 2:1-4

Hebrews 3:20

James 1:5-6