Message #9 (of 20) from the PrayerPower radio series
"Spiritual Covering"

by Kaye Johns

The answer is yes, and no. When Jesus gave His disciples authority over Satan in Luke 10, it should have been enough. "‘I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven," He said. "I have given you the authority to trample on snakes and scorpions, and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you." [Luke 10:17-19] That sounds sufficient, doesn’t it?

But do you remember the account of the demon-possessed boy the disciples could not cure? The boy’s father brought him to Jesus, saying, "I brought [my son] to your disciples, but they could not heal him." [Matthew 17:16] Jesus rebuked the demon and it came out of the boy. When the disciples asked Jesus why it didn’t work for them, He said, "Because of your unbelief, because of your little faith." [Matthew 17:20] Without faith, they were powerless against Satan--no matter how much authority they had been given.

That same authority has been given to us, and in Ephesians 6, Paul gives us clear instructions as to how we are to use it: we’re to pray. [Ephesians 6:18] But we, too, must have faith. We must believe that our prayers will release the power of heaven through our authority in Christ--or our prayers will be ineffective.

Do we pray in faith believing that Jesus’ victory is our victory over Satan? And if not, are we--or those we love--in peril?

Pray with me now -- Lord Jesus, give us faith. Help us to understand and use Your authority in prayer, for we ask in Your powerful name. Amen.

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