“Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.” James 4:3 (KJV)
When I mention witchcraft, most likely what comes to your mind is an old lady with a pointed black hat and a wart on her nose. Something you might see, especially this time of year with the dark celebration called Halloween. Nevertheless, witchcraft and witches are real. But we can easily step into our own form of witchcraft. You see, witchcraft involves manipulation, intimidation and control. Witchcraft praying then, is praying for our will to be done. Btw, God does not answer that sort of prayer, though it can activate demonic activity! True, effective prayer is asking for God’s will to be done! The difference can be subtle, but unless our ultimate desired outcome is for His glory, we are asking from the wrong motives (James 4:3). True prayer is a vehicle to release God’s kingdom on earth. But our words have power! The battle right now between the woke and the awakened is all about what we are seeking, which kingdom are we releasing with our words, our actions and our lives. Do we want what we want, or do we want what God wants?
Right now, hearts are being awakened, seeing, understanding and feeling things for the first time. God’s people are coming alive! The Church is receiving a new heart, one grounded in the Truth of God’s Word and beating with His blood, a holy fire, passion and zeal. This is not of the emotions and flesh but of God’s Spirit – they are NOT the same! The Spirit brings life and flesh brings death… so make sure you are testing the spirits! Birth life not death!
Jesus rebuked His disciples a couple different times because they were not operating in the right Spirit! Test the spirits… compassion can lead us astray if it is not wielded by the Holy Spirit. Compassion must be sifted through the boundaries of truth. Jesus never compromised the Word while operating in compassion. For compassion to fulfill the purposes of the Father, it must operate within His Truth.
Be alert to the entanglement and bondage of expectations. Manipulations and control all lead to witchcraft prayer! Any time you are trying to get God to do something that is not His will, that is a form of witchcraft.
Find out what is pleasing to God (Ephesians 5:10) and start crying out for Him to do it! Find out what the Father is doing and do it (John 5:19)! Find out what He is saying and say it (John 8:38, 12:49). And allow the Holy Spirit to pray through you as He knows what is on the Father’s heart (Romans 8:26-27). And remember, you demonstrate your love for Jesus by obeying Him (John 14:15, 15:10). Simple obedience to God’s will usually comes in direct conflict with pleasing and/or fearing man! True Godly, effective prayer is not about getting your will done, but seeing God’s kingdom come and will being done through you, on earth as it is in heaven (Matthew 6:9-10).
Cry out for God to show you any place you have prayed or are still engaging in witchcraft prayer! Repent of it and begin asking Him how to pray pure, Godly and effective prayers that release His power, His kingdom and His will on earth. Pray that your pastor, leaders of your church and all your congregation would move away from all ineffective praying into powerful, effective, God pleasing prayers. Pray that God would build the citywide House of Prayer in Athens to be filled with joy, and releasing effective prayers to the Father who answers with power (Isaiah 56:6-7).
