Taking Our Stand

// Kenneth E. Hagin

"Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you: And that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men: for all men have not faith." —2 THESSALONIANS 3:1–2

WHEN WE PRAY, God will deliver us from "unreasonable and wicked men" in every area of our nation so the Word of God will have free course.

HE MOST IMPORTANT REASON GOD WANTS US TO PRAY FOR THE LEADERS OF NATIONS IS SO THE GOSPEL CAN BE PREACHED AND PEOPLE CAN BE DELIVERED OUT OF THE KINGDOM OF DARKNESS. God's plan and purpose is for the Church to preach the Gospel to every nation: "And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come" (Matt. 24:14). This is the scriptural way we render the devil's work inoperative upon the earth.

When the Gospel has been preached to all nations, the Bible says the end shall come. The devil doesn't want the end to come because he knows when that happens, he's through! Therefore, Satan is going to try to throw up every roadblock he can to prevent the Gospel from being preached in all the world (Mark 16:15). In times of turmoil and war, it's more difficult to spread the Gospel. That's why the devil uses unbelievers, whose minds he has blinded (2 Cor. 4:4), to stir up trouble. Satan wants to try to stop the work of God from going forth.

However, it's up to Christians whether the devil succeeds in his strategies. The Apostle Paul said, "I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; for kings, and for all that are in authority" (1 Tim. 2:1–2). As we obey the Bible's instruction to pray for those in authority and for the nations of the world, we can help thwart Satan's plans and instead fulfill God's purposes on the earth.

CHRISTIANS HAVE AUTHORITY TO PRAY IN JESUS' NAME AND CHANGE THINGS IN THEIR COUNTRY, no matter what country they are living in. When we pray, we give God permission to move and rule in the situation instead of Satan, the god of this world, no matter what the situation is. When Christians stand in their place of delegated authority in prayer in Jesus' Name, God brings many into His Kingdom. We don't fight the devil to gain this authority. The authority has already been given to us in the Name of Jesus (Matt. 28:18–20). When we take our stand in prayer, we are simply exercising the authority Jesus has obtained for us.

As Christians, we have the authority in Jesus' Name to bind the power of the devil over the political scene of a nation. We have the right to demand that Satan take his hands off the government and the economic and social scene of a nation. We can bind every foul spirit that is affecting these areas and command them to stop in their maneuvers and cease and desist in their actions against us (Matt. 18:18; John 14:13–14).

SATAN'S STRATEGIES AGAINST US ON THE EARTH CAN BE STOPPED IN EVERY ENCOUNTER, AND GOD'S PURPOSES CAN BE FULFILLED. That happens as Christians stand in their place of authority in Christ on behalf of the nations of the world by praying for those in authority.

Paul said to pray "first of all" for those in authority (1 Tim. 2:1). Therefore, let's put first things first so God, not Satan, can have dominion in our city or nation. Before you pray for your family, pray first for those in authority, so that "we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty" (1 Tim. 2:2). This is one way we can keep Satan from taking advantage of us, "for we are not ignorant of his devices" (2 Cor. 2:11).

We'll be more effective over the powers of darkness when we take our rightful place in Christ, base our prayers securely on the Word of God, and put first things first.

(Editor's Note: This article was adapted from Kenneth E. Hagin's book The Triumphant Church.)