Your Best Defensive Strategy

As we prepare for the holiday season, while taking time out to enjoy a few football games, I am reminded of just how important it is to have a defensive strategy not only in sports, but, more importantly, in life.  We know that there are many types of defensive strategies and that their overriding goal is to prevent the offensive opponent from scoring.  Let’s take a moment to consider our true opponent from a spiritual perspective.

 

The Bible says that our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms (Ephesians 6:12).  We wrestle with demonic forces.  Our opponent is Satan.  So, how do we defend ourselves and our families against the enemy? 

How do we defend ourselves and our families against the enemy?

Prayer is our most important defensive strategy against the enemy.  Prayer is one of our most powerful weapons in spiritual warfare.  Prayer isn’t a last resort; it’s a pre-emptive strategy.  In fact, prayer should be your first line of defense.  It should be your first response.Prayer allows you to be proactive in defending yourself and your family against imminent attacks from Satan.  Don’t wait until your life is in a state of chaos and then say: “Oh, well, there’s nothing else I can do, I guess I might as well start praying.” 

Prayer should not be your last resort.  It should be the first action you take in every situation.  Pray when you’re experiencing peak seasons in life and pray when you’re in the valleys.  The Bible gives us a number of scriptures to use in our pre-emptive prayer strategies.  For instance, the Bible tells us to: 

• “Seek the Lord and His strength” (Psalm 105:4).
•  “Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God” (Ephesians 6: 17).
• “Pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests” and “with this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.” (Ephesians 6:18).

 

These are just a few of the thousands of scriptures that will minister to you.  As you read the Bible, cull out the ones that resonate with you.  When faced with a seemingly insurmountable opponent, God will still bless you with peace, confidence, and resources to overcome any attack from our true opponent. 

Prayer:  It is truly our best defensive strategy.   

—Dr. K. Shelette Stewart

Shelette is an author, professional speaker, and the principal of Stewart Consulting, LLC, a leadership development and business consulting company.  Her book, Revelations in Business:  Connecting Your Business Plan with God’s Purpose and Plan for Your Life© will be released in early 2011. Contact Shelette at: shelette@stewartconsultingllc.org; Phone: 214.469.2727 or visit:  www.stewartconsultingllc.org