We’ve finished our last week of study with a lesson on Spiritual Warfare 401. In this lesson from the book The Invisible War, author Chip Ingram discusses deliverance from demonic influence; a lesson on how to respond when the enemy is already inside your life. We looked at intercessory prayer, which Ingram believes is missing in the life of most Christians and churches today. He stressed the importance of prayer which is consistent, intense and strategic and gave us the example of praying ACTS. We’ve used this prayer method in my church small group and if you’re not already doing this I recommend you give it a try!
Praying ACTS
- Adoration- give praise to God
- Confession-confess to God
- Thanksgiving-give thanks to God
- Supplication-present your requests to God
In this week’s study, Ingram listed three common pathways to demonic influence. These activities include: sin, spiritual rebellion and unresolved anger and bitterness. Ingram follows this with a list of symptoms which may be demonic and cautions us “the Bible doesn’t imply that all the following symptoms are demonic, but it does warn us to consider the demonic as a possible source.” We learned how the demonic disguises itself as a form of entertainment-through tarot cards, Ouija boards and fortune telling-and easily can slip into an open door for a demonic invitation.
For those deeply influenced by the demonic, Chip Ingram suggests exploring the ministries of Neil Anderson and Mark Bubeck.
You can watch the series at LivingOnTheEdge.org
Prayer Requests
We reset the prayer wall at the end of each month, so be sure to post new prayer requests on December 1st.
In the end of the book, Ingram shares the prayers of his ten-year-old son. Write out your own version of this prayer and practice saying it aloud. Kneeling by his bed, his son prayed “Dear Lord Jesus, thank you that I am complete in Christ, and I thank you that I have the armor of God. Dear Lord, these spirits are seeking to assault me tonight, and in the blood of Jesus, by his great name and power, I command them to leave me alone. I claim right now that greater is He who is in me than he who is in the world. Depart from this bedroom and go where Jesus sends you. Amen” (Source: The Invisible War, Chip Ingram)
Chip Ingram Quotes
- Intercessory prayer is our most powerful and strategic corporate weapon in spiritual warfare.
- Power falls where prayer prevails.
- Demonic forces shudder when God’s people begin to pray.
- Sin is probably the most common pathway to demonic influence.
- Sin is an open door to evil spirits.
- While the war is invisible, victory and defeat are not.
This Week’s Memory Verse (NASB)
You are from God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world. 1 John 4:4
For Next Week
Be sure to get the workbook and join us in our Christmas Bible Study: Jesus the One and Only by Beth Moore. Our study begins November 30.
Chip Ingram recommends these resources if you want to further your understanding of demonis influence:
- The Adversary by Mark Bubeck
- Overcoming the Adversary by Mark Bubrck
- Powers of Evil, a Biblical Study of Satan and Demons by Sydney Page
Group Discussion- Answer one or as many as you want.
- Has your mind ever wandered during prayer? What can you do to be less distracted? (page 162 )
- What kind of prayers do you usually bring to God? Do they fall in the category of personal desires or kingdom purposes? (page 162 )
- Has this study helped you become more sensitive to demonic influences in your life? If so, how? (page 174 )
- Share your thoughts about this study.
Love in Christ,
I have fallen greatly behind with this study due to physical issues that came up this week and having to have surgery. I plan on catching up ASAP and probably posting to my personal blog http://www.itsmrsthegreat.com
Would love your support and prayers and to see you now and then on my blog. Thanks for studying with me!
You have our support and prayers Amanda! Praying for you.
Speedy and perfect healing, IJNA
1.Has your mind ever wandered during prayer? What can you do to be less distracted? (page 162 )
Yes, often. Probably because I usually don’t think about true prayer until I’m laying in bed about to go to sleep. The first thing I’m changing is to incorporate prayer throughout the day, not just my “goodnight” prayer. I really like the ACTS prayer suggestion. A little structure to my prayers help keep me focused and… leading into #2…
2.What kind of prayers do you usually bring to God? Do they fall in the category of personal desires or kingdom purposes? (page 162 )
…help me not just focus on my self and my own desires or “lack ofs” in my prayers.
3.Has this study helped you become more sensitive to demonic influences in your life? If so, how? (page 174 )
Very much so. It’s really helped me shift my awareness onto God versus just myself, others around me, our circumstances. I see that the attacks I receive are in my mind/thoughts/feelings.
4.Share your thoughts about this study.
I am thankful to have this new awareness not only for my own attacks, but to see the bigger picture of God’s battlefield in this world. Thank you, Christine, for your time and leadership… and to all who participated. xoxo
1.Has your mind ever wandered during prayer? What can you do to be less distracted? (page 162 )
Yes, my mind often wanders during prayer and I feel so disrespectful when it happens. I’m reminded also of Christ in the Garden of Gethsemane and the disciples with him couldn’t stay awake. I remind myself of Who I’m talking to and ask Him to bring me back. Thankfully, He does.
2.What kind of prayers do you usually bring to God? Do they fall in the category of personal desires or kingdom purposes? (page 162 )
Mostly personal issues but the more I read the Old Testament the more I realize that what is going on today is so much like what the Israelites did then. I fear for our country and I pray for our leaders and for the world that we may turn back to God before it’s too late.
3.Has this study helped you become more sensitive to demonic influences in your life? If so, how? (page 174 )
Yes. I never realized that my thoughts could be demonically influenced but of course they can be and are!
4.Share your thoughts about this study.
I’m grateful to have had the opportunity to participate in this study. I’m particularly glad to have shared it with my daughter as I feel we have a new skill in supporting each other and in communicating our concerns. I now also have new skills with which to do my part in God’s will for my life. I have experienced already how preparation before a “battle” and willingness to allow that the true battle is God’s (and He’s already won!) gives me freedom and peace in the midst of serious struggles. Thank you so much for making this available.
I have truly been blessed by this study! What a timely and powerful topic. To answer the questions — yes, my mind wanders during prayer quite a lot. I understood Chip’s analogy of hitting the prayer “ceiling” I realize when I feel I’ve hit that ceiling I need to power through and keep prayer until I bust through it. As far as being less distracted, I think I need to remind myself more just who I am talking to — not a girlfriend, or a doctor, or the car mechanic, not my husband, not my kids. I’m talking to the most important person in my life — and I don’t go to Him hoping that He will help me — I go to Him knowing that He is my help, my peace, my shield, my provider, my guide — He is the answer to anything I might bring to Him!
Who do I pray for? I definitely pray more for my own needs and that of my family. I have felt called to pray for others specifically sometimes. Have I always followed through? I’m sure the answer is no. I want that to change! What a great story about the 26 armed guards around that guy in the jungle. What an inspiration to not ignore the impulse to pray for others.
3.Has this study helped you become more sensitive to demonic influences in your life? Yes, I am definitely more sensitive. I know that I have to wear my armor and stay on my toes and be ready with the armaments and weapons that God has given me. It helps to know that I am victorious already through Him. The battle has been won, praise the Lord! But I have to take my stand.
4.Share your thoughts about this study. I have two young daughters and as a family we try to completely steer clear of anything that is of the occult. It’s tough for them to understand, we don’t do Harry Potter or any of the “fun” stuff (LOL, their words not mine
but through this study I was better able to explain to them that while it may seem like entertainment,it’s a very real danger when you dip your toe into those waters.
So, great study, my first one on here — I’ll definitely check the prayer wall and come back for more. Have a wonderful holiday season — may God’s blessings rain on you all!! Thanks, especially, Christine, for facilitating.
1.Has your mind ever wandered during prayer? What can you do to be less distracted? My mind does wander during prayer fairly often. I think making an actual handwritten prayer list would give me something to focus on and praying scripture directly from the bible page would also help me to be less distracted.
4.Share your thoughts about this study. This study has opened my eyes to an area I had never given any significant thought to previously. I am able to see some things that are going on in my life in a whole new way and with the knowledge and understanding I now have I will handle them in a much different manner. I am so thankful to God for leading me to this website at exactly the right time to participate in this study. His ways are beautiful and perfect.
Thank you Christine for leading this study and thank you to everyone who participated. It’s encouraging to know I’m not the only one going through the things I am in this life – there are others who have “been there, done that”.
Some people use prayer journals, I thought the purpose is to record your prayers and update them as God answers them. Maybe the real intent is to keep the mind focused on the specific prayer? I think I’ll try this and see if it keeps me focused. On the inside cover I’ll write out the ACTS prayer.
I like the way you think Christine. I have heard people talk about their prayer journals and it has always seemed so intimidating to me. But if you think about it like you said, as a tool to stay focused, it’s not intimidating at all. I think I will be a copycat if you don’t mind and try your idea too!
1. Has your mind ever wandered during prayer? Yes to that all the time it seems lately. I just get distracted on daily things and not on godly things. I have a prayer a friend wrote and I usally said it in the morning, but I as right now I cannot find it due to moving. It is really a great prayer. If Christine would allow me to I would be glad to share it. After I find it. LOL. I just need to send some more quality time with God. I feel bad as I have been neglecting God for other reason……moving, T.V., reading some when I should pray, and just plain lazy.
2. What I have learned from this study is….that some of the things going on in my life at this time Satan has caused. I can be better equip to handle them now, than I was before. God has the glory always in our lives.
Thanks Christine for doing this study and so many more you have done. I would not be were I am now in the Lord if I had not stumble onto this site. Just so you know I stumble onto it about a year or so ago, and bushed it off, and when my own stupid way, and God brought me back to you. This time I listened, and have stayed. Thanks again for being here, and a friend. I said it before, but I am saying it again…..you truly are an angle from God.
You help me too Sue! I am thankful God created a place where can meet other Christian women and discuss the bible together.
I had an interesting experience last week….
I teach drama classes for various outlets. At one of my classes, two of the children asked me about movies that I like to watch, particularly do I like scary ones? I responded, No, and asked if they did. The discussion continued and one little boy started talking about how he has actively tried summoning spirits (demons). Another girl gave him tips on how to do it accurately. These children are 11 years old! We wrapped up the discussion and I wanted to let them know thats not ok but couldn’t think how to do it (without being a finger wagger, which they will promptly dismiss). After praying and meditating on it, I thought the best way to dig into this was to remind them of our conversation and ask the two what do they expect to happen? And then follow up with truth.
As it happened they were not at class this week and it was my last class with this particular group. I may never see these kids again. But I know I am not powerless. Please, please pray with me for Julian and Izzy (Isabel).
I’ll post the prayer request on the prayer wall after Dec. 1
In Christ,
sue d
Wow, what an amazing story Sue! I think as a group, we all need to pray for God’s presence to saturate the entertainment business, especially shows targeted to children. Pray specifically that the Holy Spirit will speak on our behalf and clean up the evil disguised as entertainment. Praying for Julian and Izzy (Isabel).