[Ohio-Communities-of-Faith] 10 Powerful Characteristics of A Prayer Warrior - Pray With Confidence

[Carolyn Peters]

Greetings Ohio communities of faith, I was recently asked to define prayer warrior. I share my thoughts which are very similar to this article. Please read, And always feel free to ask me any questions, if I do not know the answer I will do my best to find one for you.

Blessings….
Dr. Carolyn Peters 937-657-5134
https://praywithconfidence.com/characteristics-of-a-prayer-warrior/

10 Powerful Characteristics of A Prayer Warrior
ByAlonda Tanner April 13, 2021

*Note: This post may contain affiliate links. If you click on a link, I may earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you. Thank you!

Do All Christians Have the Characteristics of A Prayer Warrior?

Confession: I have always envied women with powerful prayer lives. As important as I know prayer is in our relationship with God, it’s also a discipline I really struggled to actually off the ground.

I’d hear teachings about what it takes to be a prayer warrior and think, “I want that, but I’m not that.” Can you relate?

I want to share with you what I wish someone had told me back when I was doubting the legitimacy of my prayer life.

Maybe you’re thinking, I’m not a prayer warrior. Yes, you are.

You’re thinking, I can’t pray powerful war room prayers. Yes, you can.

Maybe you’re thinking, I don’t have what it takes to be a prayer warrior. Yes, you do.

We’re going to work our way through scripture to outline characteristics of a prayer warrior, what it actually looks like to be a prayer warrior, and how I know that it’s possible for you.



What Is A Prayer Warrior?

A prayer warrior is a person who chooses to fight personal and spiritual battles through prayer and the wisdom of the Lord instead of in their own strength.

How do you know if you’re a prayer warrior?

We all are; at least that’s how God intended for it to be. We have a tendency as humans to slap all kinds of man-made labels and qualification onto the tasks God has given to us. Most of these “qualifications” were intended to encourage the stewardship of our gifts and knowledge.

I believe the unanticipated consequence of so many regulations is that people have begun to feel hindered by them instead of encouraged through them.

We think we have to have theology degrees to talk about Jesus.

And that we have to be credentialed to teach and disciple.

We have to go through training to learn how to pray.

While these tools are all great; accomplishing them is not what qualifies to teach, disciple, or pray. We are qualified because God called us to this work. Our obedience defines our success.

We become successful prayer warriors by obeying when God calls us to pray and praying in agreement with His will as outlined through scripture and prophecy.

Prayer warriors are people who prioritize God’s will above their own and use prayer as a means of bringing His will about.



Duties of A Prayer Warrior

Study the Bible – to pray in agreement with God’s words, we must first know His words. Studying the Bible is a key piece of that.
Make time to listen to God – this is a piece of prayer that is often overlooked. As prayer warriors, we should become familiar with God’s voice so that we can hear his instruction and follow his lead for specific prayer assignments.
Be available for prayer – we can’t be so busy with life that we put time with God to the wayside. We must make time for prayer.
Acknowledge who the real enemy is – prayer warriors recognize that most battles are spiritual battles first and that there is a real spiritual enemy behind them.  (Ephesians 6:12)
Worship through hardships – worship keeps us humble, confessing what we believe, and battling in the strength of the Lord. It is a key component to prayer especially in the midst of conflict.
Speak life-giving words. (Proverbs 18:21)
Rebuke(cast down or nullify) life-stealing thoughts, words, and temptations. (2 Corinthians 10:5)
Put on the “Armor of God” – these are the tools that keep us thinking, acting, and speaking in alignment with what is true even when that’s not what we physically see. (Ephesians chapter 6).
Characteristics of A Prayer Warrior

The work of a prayer warrior essential work. Instead of battling in our own strength, we use prayer to battle in the strength of the Lord.

It’s hard to separate the duties of a prayer warrior from the character of a prayer warrior because the two are so deeply woven together. As we work through them you’ll notice, these traits aren’t specific to being a prayer warrior, but they are specific to being a follower of the Lord.

This is what has me so confident that every woman is capable of being a prayer warrior. The character of a prayer warrior, the tasks of a prayer warrior, are both so deeply embedded in our call to be Christ-like, it doesn’t make sense to view the life of a prayer warrior any other way.

As you read through this list of character traits for prayer warriors remember, that a prayer warrior, like every other Christian in the world, is a work in progress.

It’s rare that we will nail every single one of these character traits every day. That doesn’t make us any less of a warrior for the Lord. It simply makes us human and in need of God’s grace.

What are the Qualities of an Intercessor or Prayer Warrior?

Prayer warriors are submitted to the Lord. They may have their own opinions, goals, and desires; but they are willing to set those down when it is a matter of obedience to the Lord. They are quick to pray when prayers are needs.
Prayer warriors are humble. They are consistently putting God’s will and the well-being of others above their own desires.
Prayer warriors love well. They understand that love is a gift to be given and the give it to the best of their ability.
Prayer warriors serve well. They use this gift of communication to serve others. They are not troubled by inconvenience but moved by compassion.
Prayer warriors are persistent. They don’t give up on the battlefield but instead, keep praying and praising until the victory is won.
Prayer warriors are discerning. They recognize when they are fighting in their own strength and are quick to surrender and lean into God. They discern the voice of God and lean into it.
Prayer warriors place their confidence in the Lord. They aren’t immune to things like fear, hurt, uncertainty, or stress – but they walk through them with confidence because of the might and faithfulness of the God they serve.
Prayer warriors are repentant. When they stumble or error they quick to confess it and turn back to the Lord and the work He’s called them to.
Prayer warriors are patient. They know God’s timing is perfect and are willing to endure hardships and hurts in order to produce what He has ordained.
Prayer warriors remain hopeful. They eagerly anticipate the movement and restoration of the Lord.


Is Being A Prayer Warrior A Spiritual Gift?

Another word for prayer warrior is an intercessor. An intercessor is someone who prays for people, events, resolutions, etc. on the behalf of someone else. We see this most when people are going through the thick of a crisis.

Sometimes the church will gather and intercede for them. Other times God may call specific people or a specific person to intercede on their own.

Is intercession a spiritual gift?

What’s interesting is that intercession itself is not listed in any of the conversations about spiritual gifts in the Bible. I believe that is because prayer (even as a spiritual weapon) is a responsibility given to every member of God’s family – not just some of us.

If you’d like to study the Bible verses about spiritual gifts, here are a few to get you started:

1 Peter 4:10 – 11
Ephesians 4:11-12
Romans 12:6-8
1 Corinthians 12:8-11
What’s equally as interesting to note is that if you read the various descriptions of spiritual gifts, you’ll notice how each of them hinges on the ability to pray and follow the leading of the Lord.

Prayer is for everyone.

This is one of those topics that is so cool to study on your own. There are TONS of examples of prayer warriors in the Bible. Paul emphasizes the importance of prayer in nearly every letter he wrote to the New Testament churches, including the passage in Ephesians that ties prayer to the Armor of God (Ephesians chapter 6).

Jesus modeled what it looked like to be a real-life prayer warrior; even schooling his disciples in how to pray (Matthew chapter 6). Moses couldn’t have led the Israelite people without a solid prayer life. And those are just some of the more famous examples.

If you’re curious about female prayer warriors in the Bible check out Deborah in the Old Testament (Judges chapters 4 and 5), Anna the prophetess (Luke chapter 3), Priscilla, wife of Aquila, and ministry partner with Paul (Romans 16), and Esther.



How Do You Pray Like A Prayer Warrior?

Praying like a prayer warrior has a lot more to do with the condition of your heart than it does anything else. When Jesus is teaching his disciples how to pray the first piece of advice he gave them was this,

And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray to stand in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly I say to you they have their reward. Matthew 6:5

Being a prayer warrior isn’t about appearing holy in public, but being humble in heart.

Jesus continues in Matthew 6:7 teaching,

And when you pray, do not use vain repetition as the heathen do. For they think they will be heard for their many words.

God is not concerned with the length, eloquence, or seemingly superior sound of our prayers. He wants our heart, mind, and strength committed to seeking Him.

But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things shall be added to you. Matthew 6:33

Humble. Submitted. From there, the next best step is to start praying in agreement with scripture. Let the Bible guide your prayer and worship.

What does the passage your reading teach you about God? Use that passage to worship Him. What does that passage teach you about the priorities of believers?

Use those verses to make requests. Are there personal needs you need to bring to the Lord? There’s space for those in your prayers as well. That is intercession in action.

Maybe at this point, you’re realizing you’ve been doing the work of a prayer warrior for a while now and didn’t even know it. You’re realizing the prayer life of a prayer warrior doesn’t fit into the box you’ve been trying to squeeze it into. 

Good! I hope you’ve found freedom in that little nugget of truth!

Even if you’re not where you think you should be when it comes to the character of a prayer warrior, you are more equipped than you know because you have Holy Spirit shaping your character, leading your prayers, and Jesus, Himself interceding on your behalf.

Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. Romans 8:26 NKJV

Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us. Romans 8:34 NKJV

You don’t have to mess with the process of “becoming” a prayer warrior; because the truth is you are already one.

What do you think are some characteristics of a prayer warrior?

Let us know below!

Alonda Tanner
Hi friends! I’m Alonda Tanner; an Alaska Grown author and educator, with an ever-growing love for Jesus, books, and sparkling cider. In addition, I love serving the world by creating free education and resources that inspire women to embrace their God-given identity and live purpose-driven, faith-filled lives.   I’m a firm believer that it all starts with digging into the Word. Ready to venture into a richness of the Bible? Join our Bible Study community and I’ll send you our most well-loved resources – our Bible study Highlighting Key – for free!



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