The Rules of Engagement

Gearing Up for Battle

wisdom. We become more sufficient through prayer, and it is during prayer that we can exchange hopelessness for divine intervention and help. Fasting Fasting is a spiritual discipline that increases our prayer power. It humbles the soul and gives us the ability to become laser sharp in our spiritual walk with God. It is not only an excellent means of detoxification of the body, but it is also a detoxification of the soul and spirit. Mark 9:29 tells us that some times gaining the victory over certain tactics of the enemy “can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting.” Restricting the body from certain food also allows us to put our flesh under submission and can help us get a hold of the separation of spirit and flesh. This will enhance our ability to war in the spirit, having put the physical and carnal under subjection. Isaiah 58:6–9 also talks about fasting being a means of loosing the bands of wickedness, oppression, heavy burdens, yokes, affliction, poverty, and sadness. Faith First John 5:4 and Matthew 21:22 tell us that our faith is what ensures our victory over the god of this world, and it guarantees that what we ask to be delivered from, healed of, and empowered for will be done. As we address this powerful weapon, read what E. M. Bounds said: In any study of the principles, and procedure of prayer, of its activities and enterprises, first place, must, of necessity, be given to faith. He must believe, where he cannot prove. In the ultimate issue, prayer is simply faith, claiming its natural yet marvelous prerogatives—faith taking possession of its illimitable inheri tance. True godliness is just as true, steady, and persevering in the realm of faith as it is in the province of prayer. Moreover: when faith ceases to pray, it ceases to live. Faith does the impos sible because it brings God to undertake for us, and nothing is impossible with God. How great—without qualification or limita tion—is the power of faith! If doubt be banished from the heart, and unbelief made stranger there, what we ask of God shall surely

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