Our Greatest Tool in Spiritual Battle - Prayer

Our Greatest Tool in Spiritual Battle - Prayer
by Jeff Lee
Mark 9:14-29

“Afterward, when Jesus was alone in the house with his disciples, they asked him, “Why couldn’t we cast out that evil spirit?”  Jesus replied, “This kind can be cast out only by prayer,” (Mk 9:28-29 NLT)

Life is full of spiritual battles.  Years ago, I was in a most hurtful situation as I remember being misunderstood in a ministry setting as a youth pastor in Canada.  I unfortunately let bitterness set in which was wrong.  Things continued to be unresolved for a time.  It was not until I came across a book that I had in my library that somehow God through his Holy Spirit led me to pick up and start reading.  This book talking about finding freedom in Christ and asked the question, "have you been holding on to bitterness and unforgiveness in your life?"  This thought went directly to my heart.  I had not allowed progress toward winning a spiritual battle in my life because I had let bitterness and unforgiveness to take residence in my life and heart.  When I started to pray and called out to God to forgive me for harbouring unforgiveness and bitterness, in my heart toward other believers, there was a peace which flowed into my life, which I can only explain as God’s supernatural peace at work.  I then was reminded of my need to love and own up to any responsibility on my part, even though I had felt misunderstood, hurt and alone by this experience.  After, a meeting with those involved and simply did not do anything else but express my love and care for those involved and I asked for forgiveness for the things I was responsible for, in that situation.  Immediately, one lady got up, came across to floor to me and gave me a hug and said, “I know you care and love us, sorry for the way I treated you.”  One by one, each person involved did the same.  God then released us in the days and months ahead to experience amazing growth, for his glory.  This was a huge spiritual battle that I was in, in some ways, I was so unaware, but God revealed himself and his power through prayer in this experience.  

Are you facing any spiritual battles?  Is there a sense of defeat in your life, church, ministry or mission?  Is there a sin that you are struggling?  How about difficult relationship issues with a family member, friend, colleague or neighbour?  

In the passage above, a father brings his son to the disciples to cast out a demon, but were unsuccessful.  What comes next is the father brings him to Jesus, explains this unsuccessful experience with the disciples, and now desires for Jesus to help release his son from the bondage of this evil spirit.  Any of us in the same situation would have desired to see their child released for these difficulties as this father.  What unfolds next is what Jesus explains as unbelief.  The spiritual battle the disciples faced was unbelief and a lack of faith in God’s power to cast this demon out of the boy.  Jesus goes on to cast the evil spirit out of the boy and he is set free!  However, the lesson begins for the disciples who ask Jesus, “Why couldn’t we cast out the evil spirit?”  The answer, plain and simple is prayer!  Jesus said, “This kind can only be cast out by prayer.”  This answer indicates that the disciples did not understand, and maybe they had even assumed wrongly, where their power and source to perform this ministry originated.  As Barker and Kohlenberger state, “Jesus’ answer suggests that they had taken for grated the power given them or had come to believe that it was inherent in themselves.  So they no longer depended on God for it, and their failure show their lack of prayer,” (Barker & Kohlenberger, 171).  

This is a amazing reminder to us a Christians, our very power to succeed in spiritual battle, both in small battles and large battles, can be measured by faithfulness in prayer.  This is not to suggest prayer as some sort of gimmick, but real victory in the Christian life will only come through real, honest, sincere time with God in prayer.  Here are some personal questions in application for you to consider.  Are you struggling in life?  What are your battles?  Do you want to see victory against sin?  Do you want to see victory in relationships?  Do you want to see inroads to share your faith?  Do you want to see lives being truly transformed?  Then you must stop trying to accomplish these things by merely using your own abilities and start bringing all these things before God in prayer.  He is the source of power to overcome every obstacle.  He is our true hope of victory.  Also, maybe you are a full time Christian worker, and you gifted but you are not seeing fruit.  Why?  Maybe you are relying to much on your own abilities and not enough on God.  It is important to note that you, nor I, can save or change a life, only God, through his Holy Spirit can save someone and bring about lasting change.  

In conclusion, let us passionately come to God in prayer!  Carve out time in your day to spend with the Almighty God.  Why?  You and I cannot afford not too.  Continuing on our own will only lead us to experience the lack of power that the disciples did in the life of this boy who desperately needed deliverance and lasting change in his life.  Do you want deliverance and change?  Do you want maximum impact for God's glory?  Prayer is our greatest tool.  To God be the Glory.

Reference List

Barker, Kenneth L., and John R. Kohlenberger. Zondervan NIV Bible Commentary: New Testament. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Pub. House, 1994.

*Jeff was born in Canada, holds British Citizenship thanks to his father, and is a cross-cultural Pastor working in the United Kingdom with a passion and desire to make Christ known to the nations, disciple those who respond and be used by God to reach out to others.  He thanks God for his smart and beautiful wife and four amazing children.  He enjoys reading theology, ice hockey, hiking, camping, traveling and drinking coffee.