For 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.
— EPHESIANS 6:12 (ESV)
In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.
— 2 CORINTHIANS 4:4 (ESV)
And he will swallow up on this mountain the covering that is cast over all peoples…
— ISAIAH 25:7 (ESV)
“Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you.”
— LUKE 10:19 (ESV)
THE PRAYER
Heavenly Father, we have been assailed by external enemies on every side: a brutal pandemic, terrifying disasters, economic breakdown, and polarizing division. Yet despite the realities of these clear and present dangers, the places described by the apostle Paul have even more deadly foes. These powers and principalities (angels that fell with Satan) blind, deceive, and torment the precious humans we have been called to reach with the Gospel. We cannot defeat these powers on our own. You have chosen to exercise Your authority through us.
Lord, open our eyes to the reality of the spiritual conflict we have been called to fight. Give us the faith we need to engage this battle through prayer. We also cry to You, with one voice, for a sweeping move of Your Spirit that will drive back the darkness over our communities, cities, and nations.
Almighty God, You promise, through the prophet Isaiah, to destroy the deception and darkness covering the nations of the world. We claim this promise today, knowing when we come before You in prayer in the name of Your Son, Jesus, we have authority over the works of darkness. In a world seemingly dominated by moral degeneration, political divisiveness, ideological deception, and bitter hatred, we stand in faith on the promises and power of Scripture.
In the name of Jesus, we boldly come before You, crying out with one voice, with millions upon millions of believers from 180 nations. Lord, pierce the shroud of deception that veils our world, embolden us to proclaim the Gospel, drive back COVID-19, and shake our world with revival power!