This is the second in the three-part series, “War in the Heavenlies,” which is one of the most important teachings you will ever receive, and it is certainly among the most amazing insights God has ever given to me.

In this teaching, I will teach you how to stand against Satan and his demons and to put a foot on the throat of your opposition in every aspect of your life.

If you want to live in victory, the keys are already in your hands.

Next year I will celebrate 50 years walking with my precious Lord Jesus. Since I trusted Him as my Lord and Savior in 1972, He has only become sweeter and more wonderful with every passing minute, and there simply are not sufficient words in the English language to describe what He means to me.

Over the decades I have walked with Him, there is one critical lesson I have learned that I want to share with you. This is a vital life-changing truth that could save your life.

There is an evil predator, an unspeakably evil enemy, who has spent every moment of every day since the beginning of time thinking of ways to destroy you, steal from you, and drag you to hell. These are frightening and sobering words. Because I love you so much, I want to help equip you not only to hold this sinister force at bay, but to defeat him and walk in total victory, joy, and prosperity.

Preparation for Battle

We are living in a historic moment — historically, politically, economically, and certainly spiritually!

We are at war and it is a fight to the finish! Spiritual warfare for the believer is real, and the stakes involved in the conflict are eternal.

During these days, it is crucial to reach beyond the headlines and breaking news reports to understand what is happening and what we must do to survive and succeed.

Thankfully, we don’t have to face the enemy with our own strength. David proclaimed to God, “You have armed me with strength for the battle” (Psalm 18:39). The psalmist offers thanks to the Almighty who “teaches my hands to make war” (Psalm 18:34).

In my previous teaching, “War in the Heavenlies: The Invisible Battlefield,” I focused on preparation for spiritual warfare. Here is a quick review:

• Identify the enemy: “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places” (Ephesians 6:12).

• Fortify yourself in God’s authority: “Be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might” (Ephesians 6:10).

• Clothe yourself with God’s protective armaments, even as you become battle-ready with the weapons He has provided: “Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil” (Ephesians 6:11).

The specific armaments are detailed in Ephesians 6:14-18—loins girded with truth, the breastplate of righteousness, feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, the sword of the Spirit, and prayer and supplication.

The armor protects our mind, our heart, and our walk. It influences our faith, brings balance to our Christian life, and keeps us moving in step with the Spirit.

Just as infantry soldiers in basic military exercises train to disassemble, assemble, and operate weapons and field equipment under the most pressured conditions—until it becomes second nature and instinctive—we, too, must practice with our spiritual armor. Then, no matter what happens, we can be thoroughly prepared. In spiritual warfare, from start to finish, all victories come through prayer.

Preparation Through Prayer

It’s no coincidence that “prayer and supplication” are highlighted last in the Ephesians 6 list of spiritual armor, for intimacy and close contact with our Supreme Commander completes all the armor and makes all the weaponry effective in the life-and-death struggle against the Enemy!

The armor of God is incomplete without prayer, for Spirit-drenched prayer makes the armor of God effective to defeat the Enemy and bring victory in the spirit realm.

So awesome is this power that it releases angels to do God’s bidding on the earth and binds demons as it destroys the purpose of the Enemy.

Prayer, The Place of Supernatural Protection

The prophet Job tells us there is a secret place, known and available only to God’s children. And when God’s children enter into it, only then is the power of God activated on their behalf and the behalf of those in desperate need: “That path no bird knows, nor has the falcon’s eye seen it. The proud lions have not trodden it, nor has the fierce lion passed over it” (Job 28:7-8).

That place is the secret place, that glorious place so secure and protected that no demonic power can find it. It is a place hidden in God that no vulture’s eye has seen. No demon on earth nor Satan, the enemy of our souls, has seen or knows. It is a place of refuge, a place of safety that no lion’s whelps (principalities and powers) pass by—not even the lion Satan. That place is the place of prayer.

The psalmist tells us it is in that secret place that we will find the Lord to be our refuge and fortress. And it is in that secret place that He covers us with His wings so that no evil will befall us nor any plague will come near your dwelling (Psalm 91:10). That secret path, that secret place, is prayer!

Prayer, The Place of Supernatural Deliverance

It is only as we pray that obstacles are revoked from our path. It is then that He makes for us a way of escape and sends His power to bring us out. Scripture says,

“He overturns the mountains at the roots. He cuts out channels in the rocks, and his eye sees every precious thing. He dams up the streams from trickling; what is hidden he brings forth to light” (Job 28:9-11).

It is as we seek Him that He delivers and keeps, even revealing to us the hidden hazards and evil plans!

Prayer, The Place of Supernatural Strength

God’s promises are certain:

When you abide under the shadow of Shaddai, you are hidden in the strength of God Most High. He’s the hope that holds me and the stronghold to shelter me, the only God for me, and my great confidence. He will rescue you from every hidden trap of the enemy, and he will protect you from false accusations and any deadly curse. His massive arms are wrapped around you, protecting you. You can run under his covering of majesty and hide. His arms of faithfulness are a shield keeping you from harm. You will never worry about an attack of demonic forces at night nor have to fear a spirit of darkness coming against you. Don’t fear a thing! Whether by night or by day, demonic danger will not trouble you, nor will the powers of evil launched against you. Even in a time of disaster, with thousands being killed, you will remain unscathed and unharmed. (Psalm 91:1-7, TPT)

Dangers and trials will come our way, but only as we hide in God—not like Adam who hid from God—can we find continual safety from harm, regardless of the battles swirling around us. For God in His great love will warn us of coming dangers, yet He expects us to beware and hide in Him. Only the prudent know how to pray. The foolish neglect God and are punished.

Prayer, The Place of Supernatural Courage

David’s enemies had increased greatly. Trouble was all around. They mocked his faith in God and said, “Who can help him now?” But David knew the secret of deliverance from trouble. He cried to the Lord and found Him to be a present help in times of trouble.

David the king said: Lord, how they have increased who trouble me! Many are they who rise against me. Many are they who say of me, “There is no help for him in God.” Selah. But You, O Lord, are a shield for me, My glory and the One who lifts my head. (Psalm 3:1-3)

You, too, will experience His power as you call on Him in your time of anguish and fear, for you will find Him to be your shield and the lifter of your head. And as you seek Him, He will fill you with His peace and cause your sleep to be sweet as He holds you in His arms and sustains you.

Oh, the glorious power of prayer! Truly great peace belongs to those who know how to call upon the Lord, regardless of the battles that rage all around!

True prayer takes place in the realm of the spirit, for spiritual victories are not won in the flesh but by the Spirit.

1. A. Torrey, the great American Bible teacher, said, “Prayer moves the hand that moves the world.”

Richard Trench, a powerful English preacher, once wrote, “Prayer is not overcoming God’s reluctance, but laying hold of His highest willingness.”

All the armor and weaponry necessary to defeat your foe is available to you. Take time to identify your enemy, put on the whole armor of God, and clothe yourself with a mantle of prayer. When you are Spirit-led and properly prepared in the realm of the Spirit, you will bring defeat to the Enemy and victory to your life!

Prepare Now for Victories Tomorrow

Just as any soldier uses basic training to become battle-ready with the principles I’ve already shared, you must prepare yourself for spiritual warfare by understanding the divine connection of planting your financial seed now in preparation for tomorrow’s triumphs.

I truly believe that your seed will bring you a great harvest and great protection for your financial tomorrow, for we are promised:

Cast your bread upon the waters, For you will find it after many days. Give a serving to seven, and also to eight, For you do not know what evil will be on the earth.… In the morning sow your seed, And in the evening do not withhold your hand; For you do not know which will prosper, Either this or that, Or whether both alike will be good. (Ecclesiastes 11:1-2, 6)

There is a divine connection between your need and your seed. As you plant faithfully toward the work of the Gospel, you are promised protection and blessing in every area of your life.

As in Ecclesiastes 11, we don’t always know which seed we plant will prosper the most. The secret to this divine connection is generosity in giving. The more often we plant a seed, the more our opportunity increases for a bountiful harvest, and protecting your future is planting your seed. No matter how fertile the soil, if you don’t plant seeds into the ground, the seedlings won’t emerge, grow up, and multiply. Nor will they bring protection for the future.

It all begins with the seed! And as a covenant believer, when you give, you can lay claim to God’s promise: “He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness.” (2 Corinthians 9:10, ESV).

As you sow your most generous seed today to help take the salvation and miracle message to a world that is sinking deeper and deeper into danger and darkness, you can expect a supernatural outpouring and protection in your own life.

There is a spiritual connection between your need and your seed. You prepare for the future by what you do today.

So plant now toward the spread of the Gospel with living and expectant faith and watch God “open for you the windows of heaven, and pour you out such blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it” (Malachi 3:10).

Be part of what God is doing during these momentous days!

Trust on the Battle’s Frontlines

What do you need God to provide in your life?

As I’ve said before, your need will not move God’s hand. The key is faith. Nothing gets God’s attention like faith. He honors us when we trust Him, when we worship Him, and when we fully put our faith and confidence in Him.

Like a child jumping without fear into the arms of His father, we must trust Him with abandon.

One of the ways we show Him we love Him and trust Him is with our money. If we trust Him with our money, we will trust Him with anything.

Your seed is a direct expression of your faith and your seed is the key to protection from every evil force that surrounds you each day.

As you give to God’s work, His Word obligates Him to bless you. Over and over He pleads with us:

“Trust Me.”

“Believe Me.”

“Put Me to the test.”

I love the ESV version that says, “Put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need” (Malachi 3:10).

Isn’t it about time you lived a life where there is “no more need”? It all starts with a seed.

Give your best to our precious Master, Jesus. If you planned to give $50, then double it. If you planned to give $100, $500, or $1,000, double it and watch and see what God will do with a seed wrapped in faith and covered in prayer and expectation.

I love you so dearly, I just cannot say it enough. You are so precious and sweet and wonderful, and I thank God He sent you into my life. I’m praying for you and know your victory is on the way!

Yours for the honor and glory of our precious Master, Jesus, whom we love and ADORE!