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Spiritual Warfare in Soul Winning

General Booth, the founder of the Salvation Army, called his organization an army and dressed them in military-looking uniforms, so that they should never forget that they were involved in spiritual conflict.

The ultimate goal of the church is to populate heaven.  Our ultimate weapon is the gospel of salvation.  Satan’s ultimate goal is to populate hell.  His greatest ally for accomplishing this is death.  His most effective means for bringing about death is war. 

Jesus is the Prince of Peace.  Satan is the prince of war.  Just as Jesus was sent to destroy the works of the devil, we have been sent into the world with the same commission.  Understanding Satan’s schemes significantly increases our advantage in the battle.

"If our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god
of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the
light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should
shine unto them.”  2 Cor. 4:3-4

The word “veiled”, translated from Greek,  means “to hide, cover up, wrap around.”  It is important to realize that unbelievers don’t see the Gospel because they can’t see it.  There is a veil, or covering, over their minds that prevents them from clearly seeing the light and truth of the Gospel.  We have been given a part to play in lifting this veil off their minds. 

Until believers have an unveiling—a revelation—they won’t, indeed they can’t, understand the Gospel because the veil prevents them from comprehending it.  Satan’ goal is to hide the truth of the Gospel in order to keep unbelievers in his grasp. 

So, why do we pray for the lost?

Is it to change God’s mind?  No, God never changes. His mind's made up. He wants all men saved.

The reason you have to persevere in intercession is to put pressure on the demonic forces that are trying to keep God's will from being accomplished. Those forces must be broken down through prayer so that strongholds are destroyed and spiritual blinders are removed from the spiritual eyes of the people you're praying for.

 Since God doesn't save anyone against their will, does it really do any
good to pray for people who consciously refuse to receive Jesus as
Lord?

Yes. Yes! YES! IT DOES!

You see, in spite of the fact that most all unbelievers who have
purposely refused to receive Jesus as Lord think they've made that
decision of their own free will, the truth is, they haven't. The Word of
God says they've been blinded by Satan. He's blocking their perception
of the truth. So their decision hasn't been freely made at all.

You see, God will not go against the will of people. But He will move
through your intercession to reveal Himself. Through your persistent
prayers, He will bring them to the knowledge of their need for Him. Then
they'll reach out for Him and spiritual rebirth can take place!

 The unbeliever can’t war for himself.  He cannot and will not overcome the strongholds of darkness, and will not understand the gospel until the veil lifts.

What are the weapons of our warfare in evangelism?

1.  All forms of prayer.  This would include supplication, agreement with other Christians, travail, praying in the Spirit, binding and loosing, fasting and prayer—any biblical form of prayer. Our first role in evangelism is prayer.  When evangelism is mixed with prayer you will see greater results. Our prayers are the authority that opens the valve to release God’s ability.  The battle for the lost is won in prayer.

Sample Prayer for the Sinner

Father, in the name of Jesus, I pray for this lost soul. I command the spiritual blindness to come off of his eyes and the spiritual deafness to come off of his ears, and I claim him for the Kingdom of God that he shall be saved. I ask you to prepare his heart to receive the Word of God and send Christians, with the Gospel, across his path that he’ll listen to that.  Have them speak Life and Truth to him.  I believe I receive his salvation and deliverance.  In faith I praise You for it.  In Jesus Name.  Amen.

Sample Prayer for the Soul Winner

Father, in the name of Jesus, I ask you for an insatiable desire, one that cannot be satisfied, to reach the lost.  I ask you for a holy boldness in order to proclaim the truth without hesitancy. Please, Lord, fill my day with divine appointments so that I go from one conversation about your Son to the next. Open doors that man cannot open. I ask you to help me present the gospel message simply and clearly and that you would season my words with grace.  Please, Father, give me wisdom in dealing with unbelievers.  But most of all, Lord, fill me with your love, so that the lost may see Jesus in me.  In Jesus Name.  Amen.

2.  Praise.  God uses our praise as a weapon.  Always praise and thank  God the salvation of the one for whom you are praying. 

3.  The Word of God.  Speaking scriptures that apply to your situation releases great power against the enemy. 

4.  The name of Jesus.  Demons are subject to and must bow down to the name of Jesus.

5.  The blood of Jesus.  In the Old Testament, the high priest took the blood of the sacrifice and proclaimed the forgiveness of sins for the people.  We can do the same as New Testament priests.  We must stand in the gap for the lost, and proclaim by the power of the blood of Jesus, that their sins have been forgiven and that they have been set free.