How to be Steadfast as God's Prayer Warrior

“Our God is not afraid of anything; nor is He upset or provoked by anything. He is a God of war and He laughs in the face of His enemy, because God knows who He is in Himself. He has total knowledge of His own identity. He is wanting to put all the qualities and characteristics of His own warring nature into the church." - Graham Cooke 
 
Dear Intercessors,
 
The battles we are facing as the Church are on a cosmic, universal level. God is calling for a steadfast spirit in warfare. This vast and intense battle can only be won on our knees through prayer and fasting. Many wonder why all of these difficult things are happening in the world. The battle we are facing is against the powers of darkness. It’s light against darkness. It’s truth against error. We can’t believe everything we hear in the media. We must be very discerning. We must see behind what is happening in the natural and realize that we are fighting a battle against the antichrist spirit in the world. 
 
In warfare and spiritual confrontation, the perseverance and long-suffering we face actually births a greater anointing to pray powerfully and to do the works of God in the world. The Kingdom of God suffers violence and the violent take it by force (Matthew 11:12). When we persevere, it is purposeful. God is entrusting us for greater things. We are building God’s Kingdom through warfare and long-suffering. We cannot build without a steadfast spirit. 

How can we be steadfast as God's prayer warriors in this great battle?

We need to violently stand on God’s promises and passionately pray God’s will into our situation. We need to stand strong in prayer against the powers of darkness, believing God steadfastly for breakthrough without giving up. God is not upset by anything that is happening around us. He is a God of war and is not intimated by the enemy. Daniel was a prophet and a man of God who was steadfast in prayer. He was devoted, dedicated, loyal, reliable, and faithful in prayer. He shows us how to be steadfast as God's prayer warriors in these last days. Let's look at his outstanding example.

Daniel was Steadfast in Prayer

“At that time I, Daniel, mourned for three weeks. I ate no choice food; no meat or wine touched my lips; and I used no lotions at all until the three weeks were over. On the twenty-fourth day of the first month, as I was standing on the bank of the great river, the Tigris, I looked up and there before me was a man dressed in linen, with a belt of the finest gold around his waist" - (Daniel 10:2-5).

Look at the life of Daniel. He was a man of unceasing prayer who had tremendous influence in the Babylonian courts. His name actually means, “Who in the name of God does justice.” He was a man of devotion, humility, integrity, courage, self-control, intercession, and authority. He was an interpreter of dreams; a man who was intimately acquainted with heaven. Daniel was one who spoke of the purposes of God and the vindication of His righteousness. He prayed three times a day facing Jerusalem on his knees, even when it was costly. He was not afraid to steadfastly pray in reverence to God. Daniel had a steadfast spirit in prayer. Although men tried to destroy him because of his prayer life, God protected him even in the lion’s den (Daniel 6:1-19).  
 
Daniel’s prayer in Daniel 9:3-19 is a marvelous Scriptural prayer. His prayer reveals his vast knowledge of the Hebrew Scriptures. It shows that he knew them inside and out. His prayer was a heartfelt, sincere prayer. He prayed passionately. His prayers were powerful because they came from a heart transformed by the Word of God and alive to the situation around him needing God’s intervention. 
 
“His prayers were a declaration of reverence and allegiance to a God whose name and kingdom were in direct conflict with Darius’ pretensions.” Prayer Devotional Bible

In Daniel 10:1-11:1 we read about the revelation that Daniel received from God concerning a great future war. The understanding of the message came to him in a vision. Daniel prayed, fasted, and mourned for three weeks regarding the vision. You can imagine the intensity of the battle as he endured in fasting and persevering prayer. What were some of his feelings during that time? Perhaps hunger, sadness, loneliness, yearning, anxiety and fear. The Bible mentions terror, helplessness, no strength, trembling, and anguish. 

But on the twenty-fourth day suddenly he received a visitation from an angel. In Daniel 10:11, the angel said to him:
 
"Do not be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day that you set your mind to gain understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to them."

This points to the reality of spiritual warfare in the heavenly realm. There was more going on in the unseen realm than Daniel had realized. In Daniel’s day, the warfare was the prince of the Persian kingdom and the prince of Greece (Daniel 10:13, 20). The Bible says we are in a struggle against the rulers, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms (Ephesians 6:12). Prayer triggered the angel Gabriel as soon as Daniel began to pray. Daniel didn’t know that breakthrough was occurring at the beginning of his steadfast, persevering prayers. He only saw it later.

Daniel stood unwavering in prayer and focused on God during this time of warfare. He focused on what was important in God’s sight. If he had given up in prayer on that first day of intercession, he may not have seen the breakthrough. While Daniel prayed for those twenty-one days, warfare was occurring over the nation. He was not aware of the extent of the battle or even the part he was playing in it when he prayed. He couldn’t even imagine it, but he was doing warfare in the heavenlies for the land.

We must understand that everything that God does is birthed through confrontation and warfare. The powers of light against the powers of darkness will provoke warfare. If we are praying for the presence and power of God to come into our nation, warfare will certainly come. And this will require steadfast, persevering prayer on our part.  

Are we willing to stand fast in prayer over our national battles? 

Always remember the example of Daniel. A tremendous breakthrough came at the end of his twenty-one days of battle in intercession. We must realize that Jesus provokes warfare. Real breakthrough comes during times of war. We must face a battle if we want to have a breakthrough. We must face a war in order to see victory. A steadfast spirit in prayer like Daniel’s will be the main reason breakthrough will occur. 

Our struggle on earth in prayer participates in the unseen battle in the heavenlies and affects their results. Our prayers matter! Angels are released as a result of our corporate prayer. As God’s children, we must stand for godly principles at all costs. We must unite as one voice. It’s all about His Kingdom, not ours. Daniel stood for justice and allegiance to God. We must do likewise. 

As you stand fast in breakthrough prayer, be sure to extravagantly worship God and use His Word in your prayers. Mix worship and praise in your prayers. There is power in worship warfare. God is greater than all enemy attack. Try using Daniel’s prayer in Daniel 9:3-19 as well as other Scriptures. Psalms is filled with good prayers to use in your intercession. Your prayers matter. The nations are in a cosmic battle. Your steadfastness as God's prayer warrior is bringing breakthrough for God's Kingdom even when you do not see it.

Don't give up. Stand firm in prayer and cry out to God for your nation. The Intercessors Arise International and Nations House of Prayer Equipping Center websites are designed to help you stand firm in steadfast prayer. Included are dozens of motivational teachings on prayer and intercession, along with resources and worship music to help you in your daily walk with God. Join us for the monthly Global Bridegroom Fast from February 1-3, 2016 and prayer with us in the Global Prayer Room at the International House of Prayer.

“Daniel was not aware of the breakthrough or its point of origin until he was told about it. Breakthrough occurs when we begin to pray in earnest and are recognized after prayer is complete. Daniel stood firm in prayer so that his intercession could be completed before the Lord. Had he given up on prayer that which had begun on the first day of intercession may not have been completed to the point of recognition at a later time. Everything that God does is birthed through warfare and confrontation. While Daniel was praying, warfare was being conducted over the nations. Daniel was unaware of the battle or even his part in it. He had no idea what his faithful praying had contributed to the heavenly battle." Graham Cooke

Together in the Harvest,
 
Debbie Przybylski
Intercessors Arise International
International House of Prayer Kansas City (IHOPKC)
deb@intercessorsarise.org
www.intercessorsarise.org