Going to War Over Your Life’s Prophetic Promises

War is a word that most people do not like. The events of Sept. 11, 2001, thrust the United States and the world into an ongoing season of war. Whether we liked war or didn’t, we were under a terrorist attack. A response to the attack was to preserve the security and well-being of the citizens of the United States.

Life changed that day not only for the United States but for the world. War has become a way of life for many years. Like it or not, our nation became engaged in war.

In our nation, the purpose of war is to preserve the promises made by the forefathers of this great nation, who stated in the Preamble of the Constitution: “We the people of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.”

For those promises to be realized in the days ahead, citizens have been required to battle. My father was a machine-gunner on the front line of the Battle of the Bulge during World War II. Most of his comrades were killed during several battles. The Battle of the Bulge was the bloodiest and yet most decisive battle of the war. My dad told us how he would often be the only person left alive during some of the most intense fighting. Our family experienced the trauma and effects of war that left my dad emotionally scarred throughout the remainder of his life.

When my husband, Dale, and I were first married, he was an officer in the U.S. Air Force. At that time the United States was involved with the war in Vietnam. Several of my friends lost husbands during that conflict. Although I have never enjoyed war, I understand the necessity of it. Some things such as freedom, security, promises and many other benefits are obtained only through victory in war. Our blessings and promises as citizens are a result of battles that were not only fought but also won by previous generations.

The Lord has made promises for the citizens of His kingdom. His promises include safety, healing, provision, deliverance and numerous other blessings. Many of these prophetic promises are realized only as a result of victory in spiritual war.

Too often believers think that the promises of God are automatic. Many people who receive prophetic promises think that if the Lord has given a prophetic word, then the word will come to pass. These Christians often do not understand the war involved before they experience the fulfillment of that word. For prophetic battles to be won there must be a revelation of governing authority in the spirit realm.

The apostle Paul described his authority to govern in the spirit (see 1 Cor. 5:3). His goal was to extend the kingdom of God and to represent Christ fully. Demons knew his influence. He affected entire cities and regions. He fought for prophetic promises and the blessings of God everywhere he went.

Several things happened as a result of his ability to war in the spirit:

Those who practiced magic through books repented and burned the books (Acts 19:18-19).
Supernatural miracles occurred. Handkerchiefs or aprons carried from Paul’s body produced miracles, signs and wonders (Acts 19:10-12).
The business world was greatly impacted. A great uproar occurred and no one wanted to buy idols sold for worship of Artemis (see Acts 19:25-17).

No demonic power could stop Paul! He was God’s weapon of war to advance the kingdom of God and secure prophetic promises for the earth!

We are facing situations today much like the apostle Paul faced so long ago. Like Paul, you and I have been given governing authority so we can win the prophetic wars we are facing.

My books, Praying with Authority and Prophetic Intercession, will help you reach new levels of governing authority. They will help you win the war to secure your prophetic promises. I have also written a new book called Fighting for Your Prophetic Promises, which helps the readers know how to receive, release and test a prophetic word.

Whether you like war or don’t, this is a season of intense warfare. Yet, you have the promise of victory. God has not changed His mind concerning His promises for you. War with new authority. War until your promise manifests. Now, continue to smell the sweet scent of victory as you advance in this season of war.

Barbara Wentroble is a gifted apostolic and prophetic minister and the founder of International Breakthrough Ministries and Breakthrough Business Network (internationalbreakthroughministries.org). She has written several books, including Praying With Authority and Rise to Your Destiny, and lives in Irving, Texas, with her husband, Dale.