September 11, 2001, was an assault from hell, planned and executed by demon spirits, just as have been other attacks worldwide—Paris, London, San Diego, Boston, Las Vegas, New York. The continuing terrorist attacks in Israel, and indeed worldwide, are a result of the same dark spiritual powers. These powers cannot be defeated without prayer. Praying saints are God’s agents to carry out His will on earth. Israel, the United States, and all other nations are helpless without prayer.
If Jesus said that He could do nothing without prayer, then we surely cannot hope to accomplish anything of eternal value and significance without prayer. It was President Abraham Lincoln who said: “I have been driven many times upon my knees by the overwhelming conviction that I had nowhere else to go.”
My own wisdom and that of all about me seemed insufficient for that day. A Christian who refuses to pray is like a swimmer who refuses to enter the water. All the talk in the world about swimming will only bring skepticism and laughter if he never dives in and begins to swim.
For a Christian to refuse to make prayer his or her number one priority is like saying to the world’s vilest dictator, “We have laid down our weapons of warfare. You win!” Our weapons of war and our Commander in Chief are waiting to win the battle; we only need to speak the Word. God has given us the weapons we need to successfully war against the enemy of our souls (Ephesians 6:13–17), the means to become effective intercessors, and the weapons to win a spirit war.
“Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”
