For we walk by faith, not by sight.—II Corinthians 5:7
I seem to fight the same predictable battles every day: procrastination, a critical spirit, envy. But recently I learned a new way of praying that is helping me fight these old enemies. I call it the “Victory Prayer” and discovered it in Charles Stanley’s book The Wonderful Spirit-Filled Life. Don’t wait to pray until you are in the thick of a predictable battle, Stanley suggests. Instead, claim God’s promise of victory in prayer before the battle. Then, when the battle comes, you know you’ve already defeated this enemy. The power behind this confident prayer is faith—believing God will do what He promises. That’s how David won the battle against Goliath!
Goliath was the giant Philistine who terrorized the Israelite soldiers, but young David knew Goliath was God’s enemy; that God would be with him in the battle; that God would be victorious over His enemy. So David claimed that victory before the battle began. Then he merely did what he knew how to do as a shepherd boy. He picked up his slingshot and five smooth stones and marched off to face the enemy. The result flowed from his confident faith.
I’ve been trying this spiritual battle plan. Each morning, I name my enemy (procrastination). I know this enemy is also God’s enemy and claim God’s promise that He will be with me in my battle. Then I thank God for His victory. After praying, I do what I know how to do. I sit down at my desk and begin the work that awaits me. The battle begins, and the result flows from my faith.
What familiar battles do you face today? Fill in the blank in Stanley’s prayer:
Lord, I claim victory right now over the giant of ____________.
I recognize that this giant is coming against the Christ in me.
Just as You defeated this giant when You walked on this earth,
You can defeat it through me now, for You are my life.
I trust You to produce peace and self-control through me.
When the pressure comes, remind me that the battle is Yours. Amen.
