BY STORMIE OMARTIAN
I LIVED IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA for over four decades, and I experienced the worst earthquakes of that period. I never got used to them. They happened suddenly, without any warning whatsoever. You had no idea how long they would last, how strong they would be, or how much damage they would do. Some earthquakes were so violent, I couldn’t even get to a doorway for safety.
It was most terrifying when an earthquake happened at night. Even if the power didn’t go out, there was no way you could get to a light while the room was shaking violently — unless you kept a flashlight under your pillow. Even then, trying to grab it could be nearly impossible. When a strong earthquake comes, your life feels totally out of control. You don’t know if you will be killed, buried alive, or badly injured.
Spiritual Warfare
Much like earthquakes, spiritual warfare can catch you off guard — many people prefer to pretend it isn’t happening. But if Christ is your Savior, you’re in a war with His enemy (the devil). You may think you’re not at war with anyone, but the enemy is at war with you.
Most believers pray for God’s will to prevail. But God calls us to do more than that: He calls us to go to battle as prayer warriors for His kingdom. He doesn’t mean a select few. Not just the most spiritual. Not just the ones who “like that kind of thing” or have nothing else to do. He calls all believers to be active in this war.
Like soldiers, we must train with our spiritual weapons to prepare for battle. Using our spiritual weapons must become second nature to us. We can’t afford anything less.
The Sword of the Spirit
Our main weapon is the Word of God. It is highly accurate, and if you aim correctly, it hits the target dead-on every time. The enemy cannot stand against it. When Jesus faced the enemy’s temptation in the wilderness, He resisted with Scripture. And He was victorious.
It’s crucial to have verses etched in your memory that you can draw on at all times. You can start with just one verse. Write it down on a notecard, and carry it with you. Tape it to your mirror or refrigerator — wherever you will see it most often. Say it. Proclaim it. Make it a part of you. You will need these Scriptures for the rest of your life, especially when you face the enemy.
Worship
The enemy despises our worship so much that he can’t be in the presence of anyone actively praising God. When we worship, God’s presence consumes us. So, whenever you want the enemy to flee, start worshipping.
Paul told the Ephesians to walk wisely because the days were evil (Ephesians 5:15-16). Doesn’t that sound like today? Aren’t the days evil? Don’t we desperately need to know God’s will? Paul told them, “Do not be drunk with wine ... but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing, and making melody in your heart to the Lord ” (Ephesians 5:18-19).
Faith
We can’t do anything without faith. “Without faith it is impossible to please Him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who seek Him” (Hebrews 11:6). Strengthen your faith by constantly reminding yourself that God will keep His promises. Your faith will defeat the enemy by empowering all your other weapons.
Your prayers will become powerful when you believe that God hears and will answer you. Jesus said, “Have faith in God. For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says. Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you will receive them, and you will have them” (Mark 11:22-24).
Prayer
Imitate Jesus when you pray. He viewed praying as communion with His heavenly Father. It wasn’t a duty. It was a need. Jesus prayed every morning. “In the morning, having risen a long while before daylight, He went out and departed to a solitary place; and there He prayed” (Mark 1:35). Jesus prayed at night. “He went out to the mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God” (Luke 6:12). Jesus prayed alone. “When He had sent the multitudes away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. Now when evening came, He was alone there” (Matthew 14:23).
Jesus prayed without ceasing.
“Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man” (Luke 21:36). Jesus could do nothing without praying. “The Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do; for whatever He does, the Son also does in like manner” (John 5:19). When we follow Jesus’ example, we can defeat the enemy. 
