Awareness of the Enemy’s Strategy

“Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith.” 1 Peter 5:8-9

I heard this idea recently to ask God in prayer to reveal the enemy’s strategy. As I know His strategy, I can pray specifically into those circumstances and I can be prepared, knowing what needs to be resisted or healed. I share this to encourage you to ask God to see the enemy’s strategy for you, your family, your friendships, your job, or your church. I believe God will speak to you, as He is for you.

As an example, this is what was revealed to me very clearly in prayer, so I wrote it down:

  • In my own life:
    • I am often attacked with thoughts that lead to discouragement or loneliness.
    • I often don’t realize that my anxiety is related to underlying fears.
  • In my marriage:
    • We often experience disunity;
    • misunderstanding;
    • and belief in false or misleading statements.
  • In my kids:
    • They are being led to mistrust their parents;
    • to believe that following God is boring;
    • that buying “things” is necessary to find contentment and happiness;
    • and that screens are more desirable than real life/human interaction.

With this list of current strategies, I lean into God and His army of angels to help, guide, and defend us. I do not fight in my own power, but completely rely on Him. Here is my prayer, my battle cry:

  • For my own life:
    • Father God, I need you to be my encourager today. Remind me of what is true. May I be aware of any underlying fears causing me to be anxious, so I may bring them to you. I believe you love me, you call me your own, and I can trust you to be with me today, providing all I need. Thank you!
  • For my marriage:
    • Lord Jesus, I am so grateful for the love between Matt and I. I ask for unity and understanding in our marriage. Send the Spirit of truth, fill us with what is true. May our marriage be a reflection of our Father’s love.
  • For my kids:
    • Father God, we surrender our children to you, as they are yours, and you love them unfailingly. We ask that our children would trust us that we want what’s good for their life and future, even when it doesn’t appear that way. Would this trust lead our children to humble and obedient hearts, and then trusting most of all in you, their good Father?
    • May our children find that following you is a compelling way to live and leads to the best and most free life.
    • May our children be crafted into worshippers of only you. May they find you as the source of full and lasting joy, and find contentment in relationship with you. Help them recognize idols that come their way.
    • May they find real life, people, conversation, and the present moment as a more desirable place to be than on screens. Teach them how to have conversations and fill them with holy curiosity, wonder, and awe. May they find faith-filled, life-giving friends with whom to navigate the challenges of growing up.

I ask all these things in Jesus’ name, our Savior and King who conquered the enemy by His resurrection to life from death. Thank you, Jesus. I love you. Amen.

If you want to listen to the podcast where they shared this prayer idea, go to https://www.actsxxix.org/you-were-born-for-this-podcast; Episode 178: Restoring the initiative to God.