“For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:3-5 NKJV).

We are in a battle for the salvation of our prodigals, but we are not to fight fearfully. In fact, we are not to fear at all. We have nothing to fear (Isaiah 41:10; Deuteronomy 3:22).

Why? Because our God is El, Most High God, and the weapons He has given us are not carnal—fleshly, normal weapons—but they are spiritual weapons, endued with authority and power by God, created by God to be perfect and effective for our fight.

If our only weapons were carnal, we would have reason to fear, because they would be useless in a spiritual battle of this magnitude, but the God of the universe, the Almighty God, the God of power, love, and a sound mind wants us to win, has a plan for our victory, and has equipped us to overcome the enemy in every situation, including the fight for our prodigals’ salvation.

I always thought we were to pray for the Lord to do these things, maybe even hoped, because I do not like confrontation in the natural, but the Word is clear: we are the ones fighting, and we are the ones who have been given these mighty weapons to pull down strongholds, cast down arguments, cast down “every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God,” and bring every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.

Recently, we have been doing just that in this Prayer for Prodigals ministry: pulling down strongholds. If you have been feeling uncomfortable about praying, “In the mighty name of Jesus I destroy this stronghold in my prodigal’s life,” calling each stronghold by name, you can see in this passage of Scripture that we are called to do this. We have been told to do this. (https://www.facebook.com/prayerforprodigals7/videos/1215882448894712)

We have also been casting down arguments and “every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God” through standing on the Word of God in our prayers that truth prevail, that the Word would not be stolen from our prodigals’ hearts and minds. (Read more about this prayer strategy at Prayer Strategy for When Things are Worse after a Breakthrough – Prayer for Prodigals (prayer-for-prodigals.com)).

As for the bringing “every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,” it is something I am fighting to do every day in my own mind, and you probably are, too. Satan is not happy with our fight and with our victories, and he likes to battle us in our minds, but God has also given us mighty weapons to take captive whatever negative, untrue thought Satan tries to use against us and to align our thoughts with truth, the Word, the things God has asked us to do, and the things God has promised us.

What are our weapons? Truth, the names of God, the name of Jesus, the Word, prayer, praise, faith, peace, fasting, righteousness. There are probably more. I think perhaps even love and obedience are weapons for this fight.

So, pick up your God-given weapons, and use them generously. Don’t give up, and do not fear. God is with you and has equipped you for this battle with the best possible and most effective weapons! Our God is indeed the Victor and has overcome!