“And you [He made alive], when you were dead (slain) by [your] trespass and sins in which at one time you walked [habitually]. You were following the course and fashion of this world [were under the sway of the tendency of this present age], following the prince of the power of the air. [You were obedient to and under the control of] the [demon] spirit that still constantly works in the sons of disobedience [the careless, the rebellious, and the unbelieving, who go against the purposes of God].” Ephe 2:1-2 (Amplified)
During the Second World War, the battle of Monte Casino in Italy proved the fact that wars are not won by aerial bombardment alone. You must put soldiers on the ground. However, it is also a well known military fact that unless you control the airspace, you cannot then send in your army to take the ground as they would be vulnerable to the enemy’s aerial attacks. This is also true of spiritual warfare. This is because the targets of our witnessing efforts are none other than those who are under the control of the demons or princes of the air mentioned in our anchor passage above. Therefore, our first task in witnessing for Christ involves actively engaging these powers through our fervent intercession until we can sense a breakthrough. We then need to stake our claim for the kingdom of God by physically occupying the ground and proclaiming the Lordship of Jesus Christ over the area. Where possible, we can organise prayer walks to lay claim on the area. Even as we take these steps, we can ask God to reveal to us what we need to do in order to advance His kingdom in our area and particularly that He should direct us to those He has already prepared and are ready to receive the message of the Gospel.
A few months ago, I heard the story of what God was accomplishing among the Muslims in Ethiopia. The Christian brethren would identify a place and send someone who on reaching the place would quietly rent a room and engage in intercession with fasting, often for days, until he senses a breakthrough, by which time God has already opened a door through which He is able to minister to the needs of the people in that area. This is just one way. There are several ways which the Holy Spirit can use to achieve the same end and He is even now willing to reveal the specific way for you. Consequently, the key to effective witnessing is in building up a relationship with the Holy Spirit so that we are attuned to what He is saying and intends to accomplish. This was the way Jesus Christ operated during His ministry and is also the way for us to go if we are to become effective witnesses of His grace to our world. To make a difference for God, what we need is not a formula but an authentic relationship.
Just as the Allied armies discovered to their cost, aerial bombardments alone without securing the gains by putting soldiers on the ground simply enables the enemy to reoccupy it. So, even as we pray and bind demonic powers and nullify their influence over the lives of people, we should also pray and ask God to either send us or other soldiers to help secure the gain. Are you willing?
Prayer:
Lord, you said that wherever the soles of my feet shall tread, it shall be given me as an inheritance. I ask today and declare your Lordship over my area, country etc. I also pray that you make me willing when called upon to help secure the gains of your peoples’ intercession to the glory of your name. Amen.