Prayers that protect our thoughts against Satan’s lies
The words that Jesus spoke are spirit and life. In the same way, as His followers, we are to ensure that the words that we accept into our hearts or speak over ourselves bring spiritual life that is based on God’s truth, not based on the patterns of this world. Jesus wants to give us life, and we need to guard ourselves against an enemy that wants to bring death into our thoughts. We need to ensure that we take every thought captive to obey Christ.
(See Chinese versions: 简体中文 > 保守我们的意念抵挡撒旦的谎言 | 繁體中文 > 保守我們的意念抵擋撒旦的謊言)
John 6:63 ESV It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life.
Corinthians 10:5 ESV We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ,
Satan is on a constant campaign to ruin our lives by mixing poisonous lies, temptations and accusations into our daily thoughts. When we are not rooted in God’s Word, we start to doubt our Heavenly Father’s faithfulness. We begin to feel inadequate and anxious, and are tempted to turn to earthly comforts. Unhealthy thoughts can loop so powerfully in our minds that they start to run our lives.
Proverbs 4:23 NCV Be careful what you think, because your thoughts run your life.
Setting up a protective armour around our thoughts
Every Christian needs to set up a “high-level security firewall” around our thoughts – one that actively removes the world’s lies and allows in God’s truths. Only in this way can we “capture” all our thoughts to make them obedient to Christ.
For example, here is how we can pray when we feel:
Accused – “My identity is in Christ. I declare 1 Peter 2:9 over myself, that I am part of a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession. I will proclaim the excellencies of him who called me out of darkness into his marvellous light!”
Abandoned – “Even if people forsake me, God is always with me. I declare Deuteronomy 31:8 over myself – that God will never let anyone snatch me out of His Hand.”
Anxious – “I trust God to help provide a solution for me because He loves me. I declare 2 Timothy 1:7 over myself. God has not given me a spirit of fear, but of power and love and self-control.”
Angry – “What they have done makes me angry but I will forgive them because Jesus has forgiven my sins. 2 Timothy 4:1 says that Jesus is the rightful Judge of the world, not me.”
Bitter – “I will not let any root of bitterness grow in my heart. Bitterness is defiling and bad for me. As Hebrews 12:15 warns, I do not want to fail to obtain the grace of God by holding on to bitterness.”
Discouraged – “God is my comfort, strength and provider. As Jesus promised in Matthew 19:26, He makes all things possible, when it is impossible for me.”
Hopeless – “I don’t know the future but I know God is working everything for my good because of His promises in Romans 8:28. I just have to be patient.”
Jealous – “I will rejoice when people are blessed with the things I also want. James 4:2-3 warns me about the dangers of desiring and coveting what others have. I will ask God only for things that He desires for me, and not what I covet for myself.”
Lonely – “I am never alone because the Holy Spirit is in me. Holy Spirit, please help me honour Your presence. 2 Timothy 1:14 says that You dwell within me and I am to guard the good deposit God has entrusted to me.”
Proud – “I am sorry God, for putting myself on a throne. You are the One who has given me everything I have. You alone are worthy to be on the throne of my life. I must remember Proverbs 16:18, which says that pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.”
Self-hatred – “I repent for my self-hatred. It is Satan who hates me and I should not follow his evil ways. Genesis 1:27 says that I am created in God’s image. Thank you for such a powerful honour to be able to represent You, God.”
Self-pity – “I repent for feeling sorry for myself and making myself an idol. Thank you for my circumstances, help me seek Your purposes for me. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 reminds to give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for me.”
Shame – “God, I am sorry for the wrong I have done. I know You welcome me warmly into Your arms. You said in Isaiah 43:25 that You forget my sins when I confess. I should not condemn myself.”
God calls us to focus our thoughts on things that are worthy of praise – whatever is true, and honourable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable.
Philippians 4:8 ESV Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.
If we still feel unable to break free from unhealthy emotions, there could be a stronghold that Satan can use against us. This is when we will have to seek the Holy Spirit for His guidance and conviction. Are we simply feeling these emotions, because we are picking up on how someone else is feeling spiritually? Perhaps there is something in our hearts that is not right before God. Do we need to repent of any judgement and bitterness towards someone? Such things will grieve God and rob us of the fruit of the Holy Spirit, which includes love, joy, and peace.
Galatians 5:22-23 ESV But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
Simple steps to practice daily
- Start by praising God out loud for what He has blessed you with.
- Declare that you have been redeemed by Jesus Christ and belong to God.
- Renounce the lies, accusations and fears that you have, in the name of Jesus.
- Declare God’s truth over you by referring to Bible verses, such as the ones above.
- Rebuke Satan for his lies and command him to leave in the name of Jesus.
Let us ensure our thinking processes are firmly rooted in God’s Word, only then will we experience the peace of God that will guard our minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:7 ESV And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Testimony: Walking by faith in God’s Word
“Money is the most important thing to my family, we worship it. When I became a Christian, I struggled with giving tithes and donations to various ministries because I felt that I was letting go of my personal security. This changed when I read Matthew 6:25-34. My heart changed and I learnt to give in faith, knowing that I do not have to be anxious about my life because God knows my needs and will take care of me. I even continued giving tithes when I lost my job, as an act of obedience and honour to the Lord. God has provided for me all the time. He is true to His promises.”
May this sharing be a blessing to you as you seek to love God with all your heart and walk by faith in His word against all spiritual attacks on your mind.