Warfare Prayer And Fasting Series

Warfare Prayer and Fasting

July 20, 2025

Dr. Bradford Reaves

Crossway Christian Fellowship

Matthew 17:21, James 5:13-18, Ephesians 6:10-20

Introduction

Prayer and fasting are not passive religious rituals; they are mighty weapons in God’s arsenal to demolish strongholds and advance His Kingdom in the unseen realm

1. The Battle Requires Supernatural Weapons

19 Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, “Why could we not cast it out?” 20 He said to them, “Because of your little faith. For truly, I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you.” (Matthew 17:19–20)

3 For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. 4 For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. 5 We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ, (2 Corinthians 10:3–5)

Jesus said, “This kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.” (Matthew 17:21; Mark 9:29).

The disciples had the right theology and the right assignment—but when they faced this particular demonic stronghold, they hit a wall. Their usual methods weren’t enough. Why? Because some battles require more than casual prayers or surface-level faith.

Some strongholds will not budge until God’s people step into focused, fervent prayer and fasting. This isn’t about twisting God’s arm—it’s about tuning our hearts to His and unleashing Heaven’s power into the fight.

Think of it like this: Military precision strikes require specialized weapons. You don’t send in a BB gun to take out a bunker. Likewise, prayer and fasting are God’s “precision strike” tools in spiritual warfare—designed to break chains the enemy swore would never come loose.

If you’re trying to fight hell’s artillery with fleshly effort, don’t be surprised if the enemy doesn’t flinch.

2. The Power of Fervent Prayer (James 5:16–18)

16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working. 17 Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed fervently that it might not rain, and for three years and six months it did not rain on the earth. 18 Then he prayed again, and heaven gave rain, and the earth bore its fruit. (James 5:16–18)

“The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.” (James 5:16b) The Bible isn’t exaggerating. When Elijah prayed, he didn’t just “feel close to God.” He shut down the skies and turned the weather systems of Israel into a spiritual object lesson (v.17–18). Heaven moved because a man knelt on earth. There was nothing extraordinary about Elijah other than he knew the One that controlled the weather. This wasn’t about Elijah’s greatness. It was about God’s power, accessed through the fervent prayer of a humble man.

“Prayer is not preparation for the battle; prayer is the battle.” – Oswald Chambers

“You can do more than pray after you have prayed; but you cannot do more than pray until you have prayed.” – S.D. Gordon

While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” 3 Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off. (Acts 13:2–3)

Prayer is not merely communication—it’s collaboration with God’s Spirit to enforce Kingdom authority on earth. Think of it like this: A soldier doesn’t call in an airstrike because he’s strong—he calls because he’s connected to a greater power. Prayer is not passive. It’s not wishful thinking. And it’s certainly not a last resort. Prayer is collaboration with the Holy Spirit to enforce the authority of God’s Kingdom in enemy territory.

Think about it:When a soldier calls in an airstrike, he’s not relying on his own firepower—he’s coordinating with a far greater force. That’s what happens when you pray. Heaven’s armory comes online, and the enemy’s strongholds start shaking.

Are you treating prayer like a polite conversation over tea? Or like a weapon forged for war?

When was the last time you prayed with such intensity and faith that you expected mountains to move?

3. Fasting: Starving the Flesh to Strengthen the Spirit

6 “Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the straps of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke? 7 Is it not to share your bread with the hungry and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover him, and not to hide yourself from your own flesh? 8 Then shall your light break forth like the dawn, and your healing shall spring up speedily; your righteousness shall go before you; the glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard. (Isaiah 58:6–8)