A true intercessor does two things:
Go to God for the lost
and go to the lost for God.
During the past few months I have noticed the familiar frustration of desperate Christians who call or write us seeking a breakthrough for a loved one lost in the LDS Church or Masonic Lodge. Most have made several "failed" attempts at trying to communicate the basic fundamental errors in Mormonism or Freemasonry but end up in heated arguments or off on some tangent. No matter how well studied the Christian or friendly the conversation, it is all too common that we find ourselves "hitting our heads against a wall."
It is very important to have a solid foundation of doctrine (1 Tim 4:16) in order to use it while you witness. But, there is much more to seeing a loved one saved than witnessing. Most people do not relate to theology or doctrine and that is why we have so many cults today. Those deceived by Mormon and Masonic doctrines, have been sold a counterfeit when they were looking for the real thing. Faith is too simple compared with the Law. "For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God." 1 Cor 1:18 (NIV)
In our natural understanding "hitting the wall" doesn’t make sense because the Gospel is really simple (keep it that way!). The Gospel is veiled to our loved ones and there comes a point where nothing you show them regarding basic doctrine will take things any further.
In Ephesians, the Bible shows us why and how this happens. "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." Eph 6:12 (NIV)
You must not let spiritual battle intimidate you! Jesus has given us His authority over spirits. "I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven." Luke 10:19-20 (NIV)
Hitting the wall can happen even when we use Jesus’ name. This isn’t a time to be discouraged, but a time to PRAY!! "Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say unto you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you. " However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting."Matt. 17:20-21 (NKJ)
What is your goal in reaching out to a loved one or friend? Is it to convince them by scripture that they are wrong and you are right? No. Of course not! The goal is to be as transparent as you can and allow God to reveal Himself through you to that person. It is not you convincing them of God, but introducing them to God. Every person needs their own personal revelation of Jesus Christ, not just in Word, but in person. "O faithless generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I bear with you? Bring him to Me." Mark 9:19 (NKJ) They need to seek and ask of God themselves.
1. Open their Eyes:
Acts 26:17b-18: "I am sending you to them to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me."(NIV)
2. Awakening in Their Heart:
2 Tim 2:25-26: "Those who oppose him he must gently instruct, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will."(NIV)
3. God’s Will be Accomplished in Their Life:
Romans 12:2:"Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is— his good, pleasing and perfect will." (NIV)
John 5:14-15: "This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to His will, he hears us. And if we know that He hears us— whatever we ask— we know that we have what we asked of Him."
4. God will open a Door to reach Them:
Col 4:3-6: "And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone." (NIV)
1. Pray the way Jesus said to: Matt 6:9-15 "This, then, is how you should pray: "Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.’ For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins."
This is not a repetitious 15 second prayer. Think of it as an outline that has a specific order. First start with Praising God, Second Pray for God’s will and that YOU come inside it. Pray for His will to be manifested. Ask God for both spiritual renewal and physical provision. Then ask Him for conviction, and cleansing as you repent. Pray for His protection over yourself, family, belongings etc. Then look for anything between you and the lost person, i.e. bitterness, anger, pride, etc.… confess and cover with His cleansing Blood. Then pray for needs, salvations and other breakthroughs. Close with thanksgiving and praise.
2. Pray on the Armor of God (Eph. 6:10-12,18) before you engage in spiritual warfare.
3. Pray with someone: Mark 6:7, Deut 32:30, Jn. 8:17, Heb.11:37
4. Pray with Scriptures: 1Thes 2:13 "And we also thank God continually because, when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is at work in you who believe." (NIV)
5. Pray Consistently and "Fervently" (James 5:16).
6. Set aside a daily special time and place (Matt. 6:6) that minimizes distraction.
7. Use a prayer list, prayer journal or plan to make good use of time, being detailed and thorough for everyone you pray for.
8. Use the A.C.T.S. format:
(Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication). From Pastor Bill Hybills
9. Call or Write Saints Alive and your local Church and put your loved one on a Prayer Chain/List.
Whether or not your friend or loved one is a Christian believer, they have evidently been blinded by Satan. You need to pray in a specific way, doing spiritual warfare against the demonic blindness which has taken him.
2 Cor. 4:3-4 says that "if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: in whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them."(KJV)
This illustrates the problem that those in both Mormonism and Masonry have—it is difficult to discuss reasonably the faith with them because of the spiritual darkness which blinds them. This is what makes them so difficult to witness to, and why prayer is the key. We must wrestle spiritually with the Masonic principalities and powers (Eph.6:12). "Baal," "Hiram Abiff" and "Tubalcain" are key demonic principalities which blind the Freemason. Likewise, "Mormo," the Satanic god of the dead and "Moroni," the false messenger, and Mechizedek, (priestcraft) are key demonic principalities of Mormonism. You must take authority over them as a believer in Christ and bind their influence away from that friend or loved one, at least for a season (Mt. 16:19, 18:18). As I said earlier, if you can find others in a prayer group or your church to agree in prayer with you, so much the better! (Mt.18:20)
You need to use your authority as a believer to literally cast out the demons which may be oppressing him/her/them at least for a short time—long enough for you to share the truth!(Mk.16:17) You need to pray against these deceitful spirits in advance, perhaps for weeks.
As Paul writes in 2 Cor.10:4-5: "The weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds; casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ." (KJV) Pray like this, and "soften the soil" upon which you are going to scatter your seeds for awhile before you approach the battle.
Finally, remember that the wall is there because of the enemy. It was not erected by God. The Lord told us that the gates of hell will not prevail against His church. Why worry then about some wall. We are His church and if the gates of hell will not hold us back then we should not be too concerned about this thing. We can do all things through Christ Jesus who strengthens us!
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