Is Prayer a Weapon?

Contrary to popular belief, prayer can be viewed as our primary offensive weapon as we don the full armor of God.  It is the spiritual power driving the sword of the spirit in our hands as we strive side by side with Jesus Christ to restore and repossess His corrupted creation.  However, some Christians are uneasy with the characterization of prayer as a weapon. 

• Some feel more comfortable with contemplative or centering prayer by which the mind is emptied and God is sought in a way more meaningful than consciousness itself; but practicing altered states of consciousness is not advocated in Scripture and it is not without risk. 

• Some believe in foreordination by which all space, time, matter and energy are under the complete autocratic control of God; the heart, intellect, desires and actions of each human and angel were decreed by God before anything existed except the Trinity.  Consequently, we should pray to simply accept the will of God in all things.

• Some utilize prayer as a happy time of pleasant communion with Jesus Christ who is viewed as a best friend and family member.

But Scripture paints a different picture!  Consider the vivid portrayal of Scriptural prayer given centuries ago by John Ryland.  Does it not portray prayer as a powerful weapon against the forces of evil? 

“Prayer has divided seas, rolled up flowing rivers, made flinty rocks gush into fountains, quenched flames of fire, muzzled lions, disarmed vipers and poisons, marshaled the stars against the wicked, stopped the course of the moon, arrested the sun in his rapid race, burst open iron gates, recalled souls from eternity, conquered the strongest devils and commanded legions of angles down from heaven.  Prayer has bridled and chained the raging passions of man and routed and destroyed vast armies of proud, daring, blustering atheists.  Prayer has brought one man from the bottom of the sea and carried another in a chariot of fire to heaven.  What has prayer not done?”