“We commend ourselves to you by our truthful teachings, by the power of God working through us, and with the mighty weapons of righteousness—a sword in one hand and a shield in the other.”

2 Corinthians 6:7 TPT

As you come to God in believing prayer on behalf of others, there will be times when you’ll face the powers of darkness. But there are mighty weapons in the throne room at your disposal. Your destiny is to tear down strongholds wherever you find them. And when you do, you’ll be loosing others to fulfill their destiny. You’re seated in heavenly places and are more than a match for the devil because Jesus lives in you!

Your arsenal is complete. God has given you every weapon you need for warfare and intercessory authority. Your part is to appropriate these weapons with courage. God’s Word guarantees your victory! The heavenly believer knows how to use the Word of God and how to listen to the Holy Spirit of God to break down the enemy’s lies. For it’s the Mighty Jesus living within you that strikes terror in their hearts. We take up the weapons of heaven and abandon the “weapons of the world,” which include:

• Human reasoning—Our own thinking
• Praying our desires—Forcing our will or arguments upon others
• Manipulation—Using the fear of rejection on others
• Deception—Any distortion of the truth for our own ends
• Control—Binding others emotionally to ourselves

Our weapons are spiritual and mighty! We can blast through strongholds with prophetic prayers and proclamations. We can decree and declare with shouts of triumph. We have the angelic presence that goes before us even as the Angel of the Lord went ahead of Israel as they came out of Egypt (Exodus 23:20–23). When we pray in agreement with the will of God, the enemy will give up. Our high praises will become God’s bulldozers to level the walls that hold the church captive.

Faith and Obedience—Our Foundation

The foundation of spiritual warfare is faith and obedience. Faith is essential in crushing doubt, fear, and darkness. Without faith, you can’t please God or conquer the enemy. When you take the name of Jesus, his Blood, and the Word of God and mix them with faith, you have the greatest arsenal in the universe. The very power of God flows through your faith. It’s your victory, your shield, and your boldness (Mark 11:22–24; 1 John 5:4, Ephesians 6:16; Hebrews 10:22). When you face accusations from the enemy or any opposition to your spiritual advance, faith must rise in your spirit. Faith rests in truth, accusation in lies. Believe the truth of God, resist the devil in faith, and you will see the enemy run.

“Be well balanced and always alert, because your enemy, the devil, roams around incessantly, like a roaring lion looking for its prey to devour. Take a decisive stand against him and resist his every attack with strong, vigorous faith. For you know that your believing brothers and sisters around the world are experiencing the same kinds of troubles you endure.”

1 Peter 5:8–9

These twin virtues of faith and obedience are our pillars for victory. They’re intertwined and work together and each is incomplete without the other. They are the two things that activate all the weapons. The kingdom of darkness must see your very life as a statement of faith and obedience to the Word of God. God tells us that we have been given “a sword in one hand and a shield in the other” as weapons of righteousness (2 Corinthians 6:7 TPT). Faith in the Word of God and obedience to the Word of God are those righteous weapons.

The Name of Jesus—Our Authority

Everything must bow before the name of Jesus! It’s the one and only name that has power on earth, in heaven, and in hell! You can use the name of Jesus as though he himself, with all of his authority, is standing beside you. King Jesus has given you the authority and power over demons, and you have the right to ask the Father for victory in his name (Luke 10:19). John 14:13–14 gives us one of the major weapons from the throne room—the name of Jesus: “For I will do whatever you ask me to do when you ask me in my name. And that is how the Son will show what the Father is really like and bring glory to him. Ask me anything in my name, and I will do it for you!” (TPT). Use the name/names of Jesus in warfare as you intercede! Power and virtue are represented by that name. God recognizes that name and will answer you. And the demons recognize that name and tremble (Psalm 18:45). Make the enemy flee in terror! Speak the name of Jesus over the strongholds of darkness. Use this weapon, beloved! The power of the Holy Spirit is released when you take up the name/names of Jesus.

Intercessors who use the name of Jesus can stop the schemes of satan, unlock the power of God, and release his authority in every place you encounter darkness.

“We are using the revelation of who God is when we use his name on our battlefield. Inner fears and crippling doubts flee when we understand who God is. At his name, angels bow, demons flee, and hardened hearts melt. The climax of human history will be the unveiling of the glory of the name of Jesus! His name is great and greatly to be praised.”

Philippians 2:5–10

However, there is a warning attached to using the name of Jesus: To have authority in the Spirit to use this name requires an intimate and personal relationship with him. Your fellowship with Jesus in secret gives you power over darkness. To use the name of Jesus as a “good luck charm” will get you into trouble! It is not enough to use the name of Jesus; we must have the nature of Jesus in our hearts. If your life is in disobedience or compromise, you’re using God’s name in vain. Power comes from relationship. Peter and James used the name of Jesus to heal the lame man at the Beautiful Gate (Acts 3:1–8). They were known as men who had been with Jesus and absorbed his life. The glory of his name is seen in the fruit of his life coming from you.

The “seven sons of Sceva” tried to use the name of Jesus without a relationship with him. They were beaten and bruised by demons (Acts 19:11–17). How many times have you been beaten and bruised by the enemy? Could it be that you were praying in the name of Jesus with hidden compromise in your life? Authority and power flow through relationship. Under his shadow, we cast down strongholds. Apart from him, we can do nothing.

The Blood of Jesus—Our Covering

We have representation in heaven at the highest level by his blood. Our Great High Priest has brought his sacred blood before the Father’s throne and purchased our boldness. We’re not uncovered or vulnerable as we pray. We’re covered in the blood of Christ.

The subject of the blood of Jesus in Scripture is astonishing. From Genesis to Revelation, God has used the blood of innocence to atone, cover, and remove guilt. Where guilt has been removed, power flows! The blood of Jesus, like the blood of the Passover lamb, drives away the death angel (Exodus 12:22–23). Dark powers are stripped of their weapons where the blood of Jesus is applied.

The blood of Jesus is his life in sacrifice before the Father. The life is in the blood. The shed blood of his cross releases the indestructible and endless life of Jesus. It cannot be overcome. One drop of his blood had enough power to redeem all of humanity from the chains of sin. Imagine how the demons see the blood. Here are eight things the blood of Jesus does for you:

1. The blood saves us—Ephesians 1:7
2. The blood justifies us before God—Acts 13:38–39
3. The blood sanctifies us—Hebrews 10:10, 14
4. The blood reconciles us to God—Colossians 1:20
5. The blood has overcoming power—Luke 10:19; Revelation 12:11
6. The blood cleanses us from all sin—1 John 1:7
7. The blood releases new covenant power—Hebrews 7:22; 8:13
8. The blood delivers us from darkness—Colossians 1:13–14; 2:15

To use the blood of Jesus in warfare and intercession is to stand identified with the complete acceptance of the Lamb. The perfections, the glory, the life, and the righteousness of the Lamb of God is conveyed in the blood. This weapon will never fail. To apply the blood of Jesus is to remind the enemy of his boundaries, failures, and weaknesses.

The blood of Jesus does to the enemy what a lie of accusation does to you! Give it back to him! Remind the enemy of the power of the blood! Push him back with the crimson wave of power, the blood of the precious Son of God! In the fiercest fight against the dark forces, the blood of Jesus will work for you. This overcoming power is at your disposal! How grateful we are that Jesus loved us more than his own blood.

Pray this today:

Lord Jesus, there is no one like you! Your love has broken through and brought me into the beautiful chamber room of the King! Although at times I feel weak and feeble, being with you in the place of prayer changes everything. I draw my strength from you, my Lord. I am more than a conqueror through you and through your endless love. Thank you, my King! Amen.

This post is adapted from Throne Room Prayer by Brian and Candice Simmons. The day will come when each of us will stand before God in his throne room. The book of Revelation specifically gives us stunning insight into what God’s glorious throne room is all about. Understanding prayer from within the throne room will change how you pray and live.

You can also partner with Jesus in heavenly prayer with Prayers from the Throne Room: 365 Daily Meditations and Declarations. This daily prayer book that will help you expand your prayer life. Journey into the throne room and grow in your understanding of the power of intercession. Use your voice to pull God’s presence and heavenly plans to earth as you agree with his will and echo what is in his heart to do.