Warfare Prayer: What the Bible Says about Spiritual Warfare

It is a very informative book--good personal narratives to illustrate. The writing style is so-so. Overall, I would recommend this book to those interested in warfare prayer.

A fantastic primer on the next level of mission work, from your home to the globe.

I love all of Peter Wagners teachings and books. I consider him a great man of God and would recommend his books to everyone.

Very good! Highly recommended!

Wagner advances his controversial thesis on “territorial spirits.” That aside, there is much in this book that needs to be taken seriously. As we are seeing a Christian civilization rapidly recede in America, along with its being attacked openly in politics, we need to be honest about the possibility that the kingdom of darkness could make a small (if ultimately doomed) offensive. Wagner’s focus is to “show how to pray against territorial spirits” (Wagner 18). I will examine his claim at the end of the review.Much of the book has fascinating missionary accounts of how intercessors war against demons. I see no reason not to take these stories at face-value. Only the most hardened Macarthurite will dismiss them.The Kingdom on the OffensiveJesus came to destroy the works of the devil (1 John 3:8). It is interesting that Jesus went to a specific place, ho eremos (the wilderness) to fight the devil. The DNTT says it is a place of “demonic powers” (Bocher III: 1005, 1008).What kind of power did Jesus have? Wagner, probably unbeknownst to him, references the theologia unionis. Jesus’s power came from the Holy Spirit (Wagner 54). This is good, Reformed Christology. This is what Colin Brown calls “Spirit Christology.Matthew 12:28: “But if I cast out demons by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of god has come upon you.Acts 10:38: “You know of Jesus of Nazareth, how God anointed him with the Holy Spirit and power…”Luke 4:1, 14, 5:17: “Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led around by the Spirit in the wilderness...And Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit...and the Power of the Lord was present for him to perform healing.”Do we have access to the same Spirit that Jesus does (see John 16:14)? Did Jesus promise that those who believe on him would do greater things (see John 14:12)?Does this mean we can bind demons today? Wagner urges caution. We don’t have direct evidence the disciples did this; however, they did confront and defeat “the demonic on lower levels than Satan” (Wagner 58).Open-Ended QuestionsIs Ephesians 6:12 a hierarchy? Probably not, at least not a strict one. However, we can say that it is a variety of demonic activity. Further, Jesus says some demons are stronger and more wicked than itself (Mt. 12:45).“If people’s eyes are blinded, then how could Paul open them? Only if he were invested with authority equal to or greater than Satan’s own.”Wagner now comes to his most controversial point: Do demons attach themselves to places and things? My initial response was “No,” but Wagner forced me to reexamine the evidence. The demons in the Gadarene account attached themselves to pigs and they begged Jesus not to send them out of the country. Why would they want to stay in this particular place unless they were attached to that place (77)?Revelation 2:13 says Satan dwells in the city of Pergamum.On idols: Ladd writes, “There is a power connected with idols that resides in demons. To worship idols means to sacrifice to demons” (Ladd, Theology, 400-401).When social structures are demonized they are called “territorial spirits” (Wagner 96).Spiritual TrainingIn order to increase time in prayer, we should budget time for prayer. A spiritual Parkinson’s law will take effect: the remaining time will also be filled by prayer. Start with 5 minutes of prayer and move up. I think Moreland’s advice is good, too. Have repeated 2-3 minute sessions throughout the day. If you do that, then Parkinson’s law will take effect.Evaluation:I am not entirely convinced that a full-orbed territorial theology can be maintained. However, a number of inductive strands can be brought together to make an interesting picture. We will start from strongest to weakest.Daniel 9 clearly speaks of the demon of Persia (and Greece). There you have it. Unfortunately, we really can’t read too much into it besides drawing a few conclusions. This dark angel is presumably stronger than other demons. He is assigned a geographical territory. The text clearly says it. He can oppose the plans of God both spiritually and geo-politically.Can we apply this to other locales? I think anecdotal evidence suggests something like that is the case. Unfortunately, we don’t have any hard theological evidence to make sweeping generalizations.In the Gadarene account we see demons attaching themselves to animals and to locales.Wagner argues that the Harlot of Rome was a territorial demon. This could very well be the case and it works as a reading. I just don’t see it as conclusive proof.Whether it proves anything Scripture does give a list of demons’ names: Acts 16:16 (Python); Artemis (Acts 19:23-41); Wormwood, Apollyon, Milcom, Baal, Baalath (Josh. 19:8).Extra-biblical evidence suggests that the inhabitants of different locales call a god/demon by its name. We can presume these are more or less accurate. Getting the exact name is not necessary, Wagner suggests, but we should know the type of demonic activity (147ff).I am not fully on board with his thesis, but it needs to be taken seriously.

C. Peter Wagner is known internationally for the impact he has made in and through Global Ministries. His emphasis has been and is on the importance of dealing with spiritual warfare and intercessory prayer."Warfare Prayer" is an update of early material published by Wagner. The book is made up of two sections. The first section introduces current and significant outpouring of the power of the Holy Spirit taking places in major countries throughout the world today. He discusses how evangelistic technology cannot make an eternal impact before there is victory in spiritual warfare.In response to intense criticism of the warfare prayer movement Wagner addresses "Twenty-One Crucial Questions." These questions and answers clarify for the reader the core issues of sound biblical theological teaching and give applications of how these relate to actual life experiences when confronting the powers of darkness. The book is designed to be a guide or handbook for a new generation of Christians who recognize the strategic nature of doing battle in Satan's dominion, the principalities and powers of this world."Warfare Prayer" addresses issues of spiritual warfare that should concern Christians of every denomination but will be of especial interest to Charismatically-inclined evangelicals and prophetic intercessors. Important and timely.

First I must report to you that C. Peter Wagner is an excellent spirit-filled Christian who is a retired professor, teacher, leader and author of a number of books on spiritual warfare. But this book, his most recent book, is just excellent and I recommend that every Christian read this book and learn becasue of these troubled days of attacks and the days to come. We need, yes need to know what the Word says about spiritual warfare. We are to learn about this important equipping subject. This book is an excellent resource for every learner and all who want to to grow spiritually. Read and grow and be prepared to be on the offensive.

An in-depth but candid study on spirtual warfare. With an emphasis on territorial spiritual warfare, this book is a rarity. I especially appreciate the balanced approach to abuses of this very valuable Biblical tool. So many of us have been neglecting the application of spirtual warfare in our lives and to help others because of the misuses of it that we have seen and experienced. I don't agree with everything in this book for example the "proper names" of demons, but it is a good resource along with other spiritual warfare books to glean knowledge from and learn how to pray.

great