ICS Daily Devotions
Push Back the Darkness
Ephesians 6:12 (NKJV) For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.
The spiritual realm is real, and there is a tussle in the spiritual realm to influence the natural realm, because the wickedness and darkness in the spiritual realm is trying to influence the lives of the individual, family, the city and the country. We do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, powers, dominion and might in the spiritual realm, who will use all means to mould and influence our minds through social media, education, advertisements, policies and the media. Therefore, as believers, we shouldn’t be passive when policies that contradict Biblical values are rolled out and advocated in society, but pray and push back the forces of darkness. Changes will happen when we stand in the gap and intercede for the cities, the institutions and the nations!
1 Timothy 2:1-4 (NKJV) Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
The Apostle Paul exhorts us to pray for all men, kings and all who are in authority so that we may lead quiet and peaceable lives. We need to pray over all educational institutions—from preschools to higher education—because these are places where they either teach ideology for or against God’s truth. We should pray that God will redeem the hearts of those who teach, and for the Holy Spirit to penetrate these places and change the spiritual atmospheres there.
We should also pray for all the students, that the devil won’t succeed in corrupting their minds and hearts, for them to have a hunger to know God, and to be protected from all harm and negative influences. In addition, we should also pray that churches or Christian organisations will bring the Word of God to the students and teachers, and for youth groups to be planted and grow.
When I was in the youth group, a group of us used to pray periodically at a shopping centre where lots of young people hung out. Our group of about 50 doubled in size within 18 months when we started to pray before sharing the Gospel with those who were waiting for their friends, and they came to know the Lord. There is tremendous power in prayers and God wants everyone to be saved. We are very blessed to be able to give the ministry and the word of reconciliation.
Sermon Series: A Quiet and Peaceable Life
