The Spear of Prayer Knocks out Your Enemy’s Defenses

You hurl the spear of prayer when you pray with all kinds of prayer and supplication in the Spirit before and during the battle. Prayer works like a spear as you pray the Word to deal with problems at a distance.

The Spear of Prayer Scripture

The Active Element in the Spear of Prayer

Hurling the spear is proactive prayer. Pray vigorously against problems while they are small and manageable. Don't wait until they become bigger, up front and personal, and require hand-to-hand combat.

What Does the Spear of Prayer Protect From?

Prayer at a distance defends against attacks before they come closer, more threatening, and all-consuming. It's easier to extinguish a fire when it's small than when it gets larger and gains momentum.

Why You Need the Spear of Prayer

Our prayers are the basis of God’s intervention. (See Chapter 7, "Why You Must Pray," in my book The Armor of Light.) We have not because we ask not. (James 4:2) For best results, everything we do should be covered with prayer. When we pray at all times and on every occasion, our lives are easier. Praying in advance eliminates, weakens, or minimizes the opposition we face.

The Spear Is Part of the Whole Armor of God

Paul instructed us to use the whole armor of God. The Greek word translated “whole armor” refers to both the soldier’s armor and weapons. We are to use all available gear, leaving no piece out. Though Paul did not mention the spear by name, he didn’t have to. Roman soldiers typically carried one. See my article, "How Many Pieces Are in the Armor of God."

Roman spears were wooden-shafted throwing javelins with a two-foot iron shaft and a pyramidal point. A strong soldier could hurl one 100 feet. Soldiers regularly carried two into battle, one to throw and one for combat.

The pilum, as it was called, could penetrate the enemy’s shield or armor. If the spear could not be removed quickly, an enemy shield became worthless. Roman generals often ordered a mass spear throw to disable the enemy’s shield wall before engaging them man-to-man.

The Spear of Prayer

Throwing a spear and praying at a distance are similar in many ways. The spear of prayer is the Christian’s second offensive weapon after the sword of the Spirit. Like the spear, prayer has a long reach to it, capable of reaching any person or situation worldwide.

Paul taught that we do not wrestle against flesh and blood but against invisible principalities and powers. (Ephesians 6:12) In prayer warfare, we want to disable the spiritual entity that stands behind the human opposition. When you hurl the spear of authoritative prayer and disable the spiritual force, the flesh and blood opposition softens and changes its attitude.

The mass spear throw has a clear parallel in corporate intercessory prayer. The spiritual battle that begins with united prayer destroys the enemy’s defenses. Prayer warriors praying in unity launch a barrage of prayer spears that render the shields of the adversary useless.

All Kinds of Prayer

Roman soldiers had various kinds of spears and lances for different enemies and battles. Likewise, God calls us to use all kinds of prayer based on the situation. Here are some examples of different kinds of prayer we can use:

1. The Commanding Prayer of Authority: When an enemy challenges us personally, we combine declaring the Word (the sword) and praying the Word (the spear). In Jesus’ name, we bind the enemy and command him to cease and desist his operations.
2. Preemptive Prayer: When watchfulness sees a problem on the horizon, we use the prayer of authority to nip it in the bud.
3. Prayer in the Spirit: When we don’t know how to pray as we ought, the Spirit will pray through us, sometimes with inarticulate groanings or other tongues, but always praying the perfect will of God. (Romans 8:26-27) We are to pray with the Spirit in our prayer language (other tongues) and pray with the understanding (mind) also in our native tongue. (1 Corinthians 14:15)
4. Intercessory Prayer: When praying for others who do not know the Lord or are not living as they should, we “plead” the blood. This legal term means pleading a case before God by presenting the evidence of the body and blood of Christ for their acquittal and for them to receive help from God. (For a fuller explanation, see Chapter 9, "What Does It Mean to Plead the Blood," page 82, in my book The Armor of Light.)
5. Protective Prayer: We activate the “Passover protection” around ourselves and our family by “applying” the blood of Christ, our Passover Lamb, to our house. (1 Cor. 5:7) (For a fuller explanation, see Chapter 9, "What Does It Mean to Plead the Blood," page 85, in my book The Armor of Light.)

How to Reduce the Amount of Warfare We Face

Paul encouraged us to be spiritually watchful for all saints.

Those who are watchful see potential problems coming. That allows them to use their spear of prayer to intercede proactively before the problem manifests (#2 above.) Potential problems are solved or minimized as we pray. The amount of hand-to-hand combat Christians face is reduced significantly using the spear of prayer.

It’s especially important to remember to pray before you go places, so that things go well when you get there. For example, spend some time in prayer before that next reunion where some family members tend to get carried away. Proactive prayer makes a difference.

Use Sword and Spear Together

We have two offensive weapons, not just one. They are speaking the Word and praying the Word.

As we’re thrusting with the spear of prayer, we can slash with the sword of the Spirit. With the sword, we declare like Jesus, “It is written…” and then quote God’s Word, which is lively, powerful, and will accomplish God's purposes. (Hebrews 4:12, Isaiah 55:11)

With the spear, we pray the Word. When we pray God’s Word, we pray His will. God's Word is His will! When we ask according to His will, He hears and grants our request. 

Praying the Word

Here’s an example of praying the Word for our children:

All my children shall be taught of the Lord, and great shall be the peace of my children. (Isaiah 54:13) My sons and daughters shall prophesy. (Acts 2:17) In my seed shall all the nations of the world be blessed. (Genesis 22:18) In Jesus’ name. Amen.

In all things and on every occasion, we wield both sword and spear with a confident expectation of victory!

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