Enraging The Devil Series

Turn your Bibles to 2 Corinthians 10:4

Title: Enraging the Devil

Theme: Hell-shaking Prayer Warriors

Series: Grasping the Foundational Truths of Prayer

2 Corinthians 10: 4 says, “The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.” Pray!

Introduction: In today’s message I will be referring a lot to the prophet Daniel. Few people in Scripture exhibit the faith, courage and prayerfulness seen constantly in the life of Daniel. This faithful prophet of God prayed hell-shaking prayers and set the example for us on how to be a Body of Christ that enrages the devil.

Proposition: I would propose to you that the Word of God tells us to consider the life of great men and women of God who have lived a life of faith, ordinary people who did great things in the work of the Lord. (Hebrews 13:7; 11; Barnes Notes; The Expositors Bible Commentary)

Interrogative Sentence: Just what is seen in the life of Christians who exhibit the life of prayer that Daniel did?

Transitional Sentence: The first step to having a church that prays hell-shaking prayers is to have a pastor and spiritual leaders who are men that exhibit a genuine faith in prayer. Daniel 2:17-19 says, “Daniel returned to his house and explained the matter to his friends… He urged them to plead for mercy from the God of heaven concerning this mystery… During the night the mystery was revealed to Daniel in a vision.

Then Daniel praised the God of heaven and said: ‘Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever; wisdom and power are His. He changes times and seasons; …you have made known to me what we asked of you, you have made known to us the dream of the king.’" (Daniel 2:17-23)

In this time of history God granted Nebuchadnezzar a remarkable dream that disclosed His plan for the ages to come until the final triumph of Christ. This king of Babylon was convinced that this dream was not just a passing fancy, but contained a message of the utmost importance. (The Expositors Bible Commentary; Who’s Who in the Bible) Like all people of the world Nebuchadnezzar puts his trust in other people. The Bible says he “…summoned the magicians, enchanters, sorcerers and astrologers…” (Daniel 2:2)

If they were able to tell him what the dream was and give him the interpretation of the dream, they would receive gifts, rewards and great honor. If not they would be killed in a horrible manner. (Daniel 2:5-6) When the men told Nebuchadnezzar, “There is no man on earth who can do what the king asks…” and “What the king asks is to difficult…,” he became furious and ordered the execution of all the wise men including Daniel and his friends. (Daniel 10:10-13)

Daniel spoke with Arioch “…with wisdom and tact.” (Daniel 2:14) It is believed through proper channels Daniel was granted time. (Barnes Notes; The Expositors Bible Commentary; Thru the Bible) After receiving permission, “Daniel returned to his house and explained the matter to his friends… He urged them to plead for mercy from the God of heaven concerning the mystery…” of the dream.

The cohorts of hell were working through wicked men trying to do away with faithful men of prayer. Satan longs to destroy anything that has sweet fellowship with God and all that is being labored in towards the Lord’s perfect will. However, when two or three are agreeing, touching anything upon earth, God will be glorified. (Matthew 18:19) Churches that enrage the devil have men who agree and will unite in prayer expecting God to be merciful. (Thru the Bible; The Expositors Commentary; The Pulpit Commentary)

Daniel 2:19 says, “During the night the mystery was revealed to Daniel in a vision.” Daniel’s response to the Lord’s revelation was an immediate prayer of detailed praise. His prayer to the Lord was no halfhearted thank you, but a prayer giving recognition to God’s Sovereignty, recognition of God’s willingness to give wisdom, knowledge and discernment to those who seek Him. Daniel praises God for knowing all things and revealing to him exactly what was in the dream of the king. (Daniel 2:20-23)

Daniel was taken to King Nebuchadnezzar. When the king asked Daniel if he could tell him the dream and interpret it, this prophet of God set the record straight. Daniel said, “No wise man, enchanter, magician or diviner can explain to the king the mystery he asks about, but there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries…” Daniel goes on to explain, “As for me, this mystery has been revealed to me, not because I have greater wisdom than other living men, but so that you, O king, may know the interpretation…” (Daniel 2:30) Here we see a truth that will keep men and women of prayer in a humble state as God gives them revelation. Christians who enrage the devil in prayer are Christians who know that their testimony about prayer is to bring glory to God.