Three questions: 1) Is it scriptural to pray “take back everything Satan has stolen” from a person? 2) If I’m praying in third person or interceding for someone do I put the armor on them? 3) Do I take off my armor and reapply it?
My Answers
Thank you for your questions. This is another opportunity to do more prayer research.
First, let me assure you that you are not violating the Word of God when you pray Scriptural Prayers. The subject of prayer is inexhaustible and, I believe, we will be continually learning. When you ask for wisdom in prayer, God gives you the wisdom without finding any fault in you!
The prayer, “Deliverance from Mental Disorder,” is a prayer of intercession. The sentence, “Jesus, You defeated the devil for ____________, and we take back everything Satan has stolen from him/her,” is based on several scriptures. Paul tells us in Colossians 2:15 that Jesus disarmed principalities and powers….in Ephesians we read that Jesus is the head of the church; we are the church. We are seated in heavenly places together with Jesus who is seated far above all principality, power, might and dominion not only in this age, but also in that which is to come. In Matthew 28 Jesus says that all authority has been given to him. In Matthew 18 Jesus tells us that whatever we bind on earth is bound in heaven…whatever we loose on earth is loosed in heaven…in John 10:10 Jesus said that He had come to give us life more abundantly…it is the thief that comes to steal, kill and destroy. In the Name of Jesus, our prayers prepare the way for sinners to believe, and come out of the authority of darkness into the kingdom of God’s dear Son. We place ourselves in agreement with Jesus by praying as He would pray if He were here on earth!!!
Second, when anyone challenges you about praying Scriptural prayers, ask the individual, even your pastor, how you can be praying wrong? Don’t accept opinions, ask for scripture and verse. Putting the full armor of God on a person you are praying for is far better than praying your opinion. You don’t have to be afraid that “you are protecting any demons that are on people.”
The armor of God, that Jesus wore when He was here on earth, has been provided by God to every believer. No, you do not ever take off your armor, but you can reinforce the “armor” with the prayer any time you desire.
Let’s look here at the prayer, “To Put on the Armor of God,” which is found in Prayers That Avail Much under the heading of “Personal Prayers of Commitment.” It is true that I cannot make a commitment for others, but I can pray that the Holy Spirit will give them an understanding of putting on the armor God. I haven’t hurt them in any way even if I apply the armor of God to them. The Holy Spirit may be leading you to pray this prayer for them until they see the need to dress themselves in the armor of God. This could be called a “prophetic prayer for the individual.” The Holy Spirit knows the will of God!!! (Please read Romans 8)
Prayer is not about rules and regulations or formulas, but relationship. The Holy Spirit who is your constant Companion, is also your Prayer Partner! You do not violate God’s will for His children by praying the powerful Scriptural Prayers!
Rise up, O Church! We are the enforcers of the triumphant victory of our Lord and Jesus Christ! I encourage all followers of Jesus to study the book of Ephesians…only six (6) chapters. God has given us the power that raised Jesus from the dead. Because of what God has done for us in Christ Jesus, we can be STRONG IN THE LORD and the POWER OF HIS MIGHT!!!
United in Prayer we Stand!
Germaine Copeland