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
击退黑暗
以弗所书6:12 因我们并不是与属血气的争战，乃是与那些执政的、掌权的、管辖这幽暗世界的，以及天空属灵气的恶魔争战。
灵界是真实存在的。灵界的争战会影响自然领域，因为灵界的的邪恶和黑暗势力正在试图影响个人、家庭、城市和国家的生活。我们不是与属血气的争战，乃是与那些执政的，掌权的，管辖这幽暗世界的，以及天空属灵气的恶魔争战。牠们将利用一切手段，通过社交媒体、教育、广告、政策和媒体塑造和影响人们的思想。因此，当违背圣经价值观的政策在社会上被推广和提倡时，作为信徒我们不能被动接受。我们要祷告，击退黑暗的力量。当我们站在破口中为城市、机构和列国代祷时，改变就会发生！
提摩太前书 2:1-4 我劝你第一要为万人恳求祷告，代求，祝谢。 为君王和一切在位的也该如此。使我们可以敬虔端正，平安无事的度日。 这是好的，在神我们救主面前可蒙悦纳。他愿意万人得救，明白真道。
使徒保罗劝我们为所有人、君王和所有在位的人祷告，使我们可以过安静和平的生活。我们需要为所有的教育机构祈祷——从幼儿园到高等教育——因为这些是教导意识形态的地方，其中所教导的要么是上帝的真理，要么反之。我们要祷告，求神救赎那些教师的心，使圣灵进入这些地方，改变那里的属灵气氛。
我们也需要为所有的学生祷告，使魔鬼不能侵蚀他们的思想和心灵。祷告他们渴望认识神，免遭一切伤害及负面的影响。此外，求神的教会或基督教组织将神的话语带给学生和教师，青少年团契和小组能栽种并成长。
当我还在青少年团契的时候，我们一群人经常定期在一个有很多年轻人出没的购物中心祷告。那时我们先祷告，然后再与等待朋友的年轻人分享福音，在接着的18个月内，青少年团契人数由原本的50人翻了一倍，他们都认识了主。祷告有巨大的能力，而神愿意人人得救。我们能够参与这和好的事工，传达和好的话语，是何等的蒙福啊。
讲章系列: 安静和平的生活