By J. R. Sprite
The voice of the Lord stirred me out of my slumbering sleep with a clear command in my spirit man to tell the body of Christ to “Prepare for War.”
For there has been much talk within the house of the Lord of spiritual warfare, but very little actual warfare taking place.
Many within the church are like the armies of Israel, that when faced by a Goliath in their walk with Christ, they have “fled and are dreadfully afraid” (1 Sam. 17:24.) But God is igniting a holy fire within David (those with a heart after God’s own heart) to array themselves in spiritual battle gear and confront Goliath face to face and take him down in the name of the Lord.
“For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty in God for the pulling down of strongholds.” 2 Cor. 10:4
Saints, there is a war to be waged and we must put on the whole armor of God (Eph. 6:13-18) and prepare for war.
As a people, we have become very complacent and comfortable in our walk with the Lord. Many times we wish that we could once again see the glory of the Lord, but we have failed to pay the price to see His glory manifested.
“If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sins and heal their land.” 2 Chron. 7:14
That is where our first battles must be fought and won, in the arena of prayer. But until we as a people enter into honest heartfelt prayer, the Goliath in our lives will continue to taunt and ridicule us as we cower behind the rocks.
Jesus says, in Matthew 11:12, “From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force.”
Jack W. Hayford, commenting on this passage and it’s corresponding verse found in Luke 16:16 states: “without these elements, (1) an impassioned pursuit of prayer, (2) confrontation with the demonic, (3) expectation of the miraculous, and (4) a burning heart for evangelism; the kingdom of God makes little penetration.” It is a sad statement to make, but these very elements are lacking within the church.
“And the violent take it by force”, we must become radicals for Christ in order for us to take back the land and win the war.
“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.” Eph. 6:12
As we engage ourselves in the arena of prayer, we should enter expecting to hear a “rhema” word from the Lord. We must put a demand upon the anointing of those within our ranks who have been gifted to prophecy and release them to function in their gifts and anointing.
Prophets, it is time for you to arise and speak the word of the Lord to a people who are hungry to hear and obey what the Spirit is saying to the church.
Church, it is time for us to prepare ourselves for war. Let us fall on our face before the Lord and ask that He may forgive us of our complacency and that He may once again shake us and refill us with the Holy Spirit (Acts 4:32.) Let us seek a word from the Lord as to how we shall defeat the enemy and obey His prophets as we go out to do battle.
“No weapon formed against you shall prosper” Is. 54:17
Get ready saints, the battle is the Lord’s and the victory shall be ours. Prepare for war, church, prepare for war.
