Introduction
To be spiritually violent means one must exhibit God's power. Violent prayers are strategically targeted. It is not scattergun. It must be directed at the source. Praying against "my enemies" is not necessarily violent prayers, as you may indeed be your worst enemy. You don't pray against the witch, but the spirit of witchcraft in the person because you want to ultimately bring that person to Christ. Threading upon serpents and scorpions is a violent action, and this requires violent praying lives; and violent praying lives is praying fervently, with fasting, clear purpose. It is not nebulous! Winning battles is about strategic location, allocation, and force!
Main Points: Matthew 17:20-21
When Jesus was led up into the wilderness by the Holy Spirit, He entered into a prolonged season of prayer and fasting 40 days. Luke 4:14
records that after that time He returned "in the power of the spirit". Violent praying is praying, with fasting! This type releases results:- Biblical examples of fasting and prayer:
- Ezra fasted and prayed for God's protection while carrying valuable commission for God Ezra 8:21-23
- Daniel fasted and prayed for fulfilment of God's promises and received mighty revelations Daniel 10:3
- Moses fasted to receive the Ten Commandments and to see God's glory and goodness Exodus 34:28
- Elijah needed to fast 40 days before he heard God's voice again 1 Kings 19:7-8
- Elders, prophets, and teachers in Antioch fasted for Paul and Barnabas' apostolic ministry Acts 13:2-3
- God's response to fasting: God made it clear that the Spirit's outpouring will be in proportion to fasting and crying Joel 1:5 ; Joel 2:12 . The wicked King Ahab's fast postponed God's full judgment on him in his own lifetime 1 Kings 21:27 .
- Fasting brings victory: The Israelites fasted before a miraculous victory 2 Chronicles 20:2-3 . The Israelites, after losing 40,000 men in battle in two days, cried out to God for help in fasting until the evening, and the next day they were granted victory.
- Certain battles require fasting: In Matthew 17:21 , we read, "howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting". There are scorpions and serpents, that have to be trodden upon through prayer-fasting. It means that holy violence is required to be where God wants us Isaiah 42:7 ; Matthew 12:29 .
Memory Verse
I humbled my soul with fasting; and my prayer returned into mine own bosom— Psalm 35:13b
Fasting, during the action of fervent praying, is humility, and it is not "earning" an answer to prayer. God cannot be blackmailed by human effort. God wants to answer our prayers and He answers out of grace. Fasting, during praying simply prepares us for God's answer to our prayers! This is violent praying!