Warfare Praise and Worship
And when they began to sing and to praise, the Lord set ambushments against the children of Ammon, Moab, and mount Seir, which were come against Judah; and they were smitten (2 Chronicles 20:22 KJV)
Although praise, worship, and prayer are directed primarily to God, they sometimes produce a remarkable secondary effect in our spiritual battles. In these circumstances, any form of prayer or worship creates an atmosphere where God steps into the fight to defeat our enemies. As such, praise, worship, or payer are spiritual weapons–not amongst the traditional weapons you find in Ephesians 6.
Scripture abounds with examples of warfare praise or worship. A classic example is recorded in 2 Chr 20:22, in which the Moabites, Ammonites, and Edomites attacked Judah under King Jehoshaphat. Judah did not stand a chance against the enemy, and Jehoshaphat knew it—their only hope was God. And God did not disappoint their trust. When Judah began singing praises to the Lord, the LORD stepped into the battle and destroyed the entire enemy army. Judah praised the Lord, the Lord fought the battle, and the enemy was destroyed.
But what is different about engaging the enemy in battle through praise and worship? The secret lies in God’s presence. Praise or worship does nothing to the enemy directly. In fact, warfare praise or prayer is not about “binding and loosing Satan” or using militarized spiritual songs against the enemy. Instead, warfare praise and worship are directed to God, as they always are, but they create an atmosphere saturated with God’s presence. And in that presence, there is power, freedom, deliverance, healing, etc.
Why does the scripture command us to pray when we are afflicted? ( James 5:13) Prayer comes with an atmosphere that destroys demonic activity, including oppressions of our minds such as depression or discouragement. This result from prayer is distinct from speaking or uttering words of authority to demons as Paul did in Acts 16:18. We do not speak to Satan in warfare praise or worship. Instead, we talk to God and thus create an atmosphere of His presence that provokes Him to deal with the enemy on our behalf. Scripture presents both warfare praise and worship and authoritative commands to the enemies( the sword of the Spirit) as weapons to fight against the enemy. They are not mutually exclusive. The Spirit, through divine wisdom, will teach us what to do in every situation.
So there are specific moments you will praise and worship God to destroy the enemy’s works in your life. Remember, you will never see demons or Satan coming against you as the armies of the Moabites came against Judah. You will see the enemy’s hands in your mind, emotions, desires, circumstances, family, business, and ministry. You might even encounter strange spiritual manifestations or occultism in some rare cases. But in whatever form that the enemy comes, remember that warfare praise and worship is a weapon the Spirit will use as the occasion demands.
What is warfare praise and worship as described above?
There are some of you going through a tough time right now. Maybe you need to take a moment and just get lost praising and worshipping the Lord amidst that pain, challenge, or heartache. Praise at the bottom of the valley, with tears in your eyes, is a sacrifice that is dear to God’s heart. Let Him receive that sacrificial praise or worship and take care of that enemy for you!
Praise and worship the Lord right now.
Read & Watch
Praise is a Spiritual Weapon
How to Offer the Sacrifice of Praise
What are Spiritual Strongholds?
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