Psalms 7:11-17 ► God judges the righteous, and God is angry with the wicked every day. (12) If he does not turn, He will whet His sword; He has bent His bow and made it ready. (13) Yea, He has fitted him for instruments of death; He has made His arrows hotly pursue. (14) Behold, he labors in pain with iniquity, and he has conceived mischief, and has brought forth falsehood. (15) He dug a pit and bored it, and has fallen into the ditch which he made. (16) His mischief shall return on his own head, and his violence shall come on his own crown. (17) I will praise Jehovah according to His righteousness, and will sing praise to the name of Jehovah most high.
Psalm 35: 1-8 ►
A Psalm of David. Strive, O Jehovah, with those who strive with me; fight against those who fight against me. (2) Take hold of a shield and buckler, and stand up for my help. (3) Also draw out the spear and the lance against those who pursue me; say to my soul, I am your salvation. (4) Let them be humbled and put to shame, those who seek after my soul; let them be turned back and be brought to blushing, those who plot evil to me. (5) Let them be as chaff before the wind; and let the Angel of Jehovah drive them away. (6) Let their way be dark and slippery; and let the Angel of Jehovah pursue them. (7) For without cause they have spread their net for me in a pit-net; without cause they have dug for my soul. (8) Let destruction come upon him, he will not know; and let his net which he has concealed catch him, let him fall in it, into destruction. .
SUBJECT: Spiritual Warfare Prayer
THEME: Return To Sender Prayer TOPIC: Return To Sender?
INTRODUCTION:
"Return to sender", A phrase used when undeliverable mail is processed to be sent back to the return address. 1962 Elvis Presley had his hit song : Return to sender - I gave a letter to the postman - And by the early next morning - He brought my letter back - She wrote upon it: Return to sender, address unknown - No such number, no such zone
It is a statement made, when you receive something that you wish to refuse, and to send it back.
The statement has found its way into spiritual circles, used to repel spiritual attacks and send them back to sender.
Spiritual circles - witches use it… superstitious people use it and even Christians use it. Amen, God, bind, fire are words also used in spiritual circles. Is this biblical? Does God frown upon such a concept? Or can the basis of the concept be found in scriptures?
If the answer is, yes,
should we use the concept of, or the actual term in our warfare prayers.
Looking at the Scriptures -- It Gets Interesting Fast
Deu 7:15 And Jehovah will take away from you all sickness, and will put none of the evil diseases of Egypt which you know upon you. But He will lay them upon all who hate you.
This verse means - the lord can remove sickness from a believer and place it on the wicked.
It implies when the enemy sends affliction to a child of God;
the affliction of the enemy can go back to the enemy.
Psa 7:16 His mischief shall return on his own head, his violence shall come on his own crown.
Again it implies: The tormenting trouble of the enemy can backfire against the enemy.
satanic words, curses, negative pronouncement, evil sacrifices etc.
These can release sickness, poverty, debt, death, misfavor etc.
The wicked who are against God’s people will
expect that their attacks will bring you down so that you will not enjoy the abundant life of God.
Some believers face spiritual attacks of poverty, depression, sickness, confusion and many forms of darkness.
When a believer is continually attacked it's like the cankerworm eating the person's spiritual life.Some believers face attacks from witches and agents of satan, through evil prayers and through incantations, just to bring you down.
There are always evil pronunciations made by enemies on the lives of believers - to afflict us.
Violent warfare prayers are effective against evil prayers, evil pronunciations and incantations.
Psa 34:19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but Jehovah delivers him out of them all.
Suppose as God delivers His people from spiritual affliction,
Jehovah will take away from you all sickness, … But He will lay them upon all who hate you.
SCRIPTURAL BACKGROUND: Psalms 7:8-17 When David was under attack from Cush the Benjamite, all his support disappeared..
All except God, and David showed his confidence in God’s deliverance. - bitter enemies of David, terrible slander and negative words came out of intense hostility.
David was persuaded that God wanted to deliver him from this trial.
For a King to be slandered out of bitterness and jealousy is a severe trial..
Lies spread about his Kingship. (we see how negative words, affect the respect for our prime ministers)
David believed there would be grave consequences if he was not delivered from these enemies.
This gave David urgency in prayer.
- for the wounds of a sword will heal, but the wounds of the tongue cut deeper than the flesh, and don't heal fast.”
As we read, David's prayers asked for God's judgment and the reversal of the calamity caused.
Psalm 35: 1-10
Some have linked this time to the period of David’s life when Saul pursued him to kill him.
Plead my cause, O LORD, with those who strive with me;
Fight against those who fight against me.
He could rightly pray this prayer because he was Israel's King, and those who fought against him were opposed to God.
- Let those be turned back and brought to confusion
- Who plot my hurt. - Let their way be dark and slippery, - And let the angel of the LORD pursue them. - Let destruction come upon him unexpectedly, - And let his net that he has hidden catch himself; - Into that very destruction let him fall.
PROPOSITION: It is God’s Intention, to Judge and make all the spiritual attacks of your enemies recoil and backfire against them.
TRANSITIONAL SENTENCE: 3 points will help you understand this and help you pray with wisdom. I.. IT IS GOD'S NATURE TO REPAY...
Deuteronomy 32:35 ► it is mine to avenge; I will repay. In due time their foot will slip; their day of disaster is near and their doom rushes upon them.” Other translations say:- Vengeance is mine..
2 Thessalonians 1:4-6 ► so much so that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God, for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations which you endure. …(6) since it is a righteous thing with God to repay tribulation to those who trouble you.
Psalms 94:20-23► Can a corrupt throne(AI) be allied with you— a throne that brings on misery by its decrees?(AJ) The wicked band together(AK) against the righteous and condemn the innocent(AL) to death.(AM) But the Lord has become my fortress, and my God the rock(AN) in whom I take refuge.(AO) He will repay(AP) them for their sins and destroy(AQ) them for their wickedness; the Lord our God will destroy them.
1. The Same God Who Is A Merciful God.. Is Also A Judgmental God …
Some of us can only picture the Lamb of God…. But likewise he is the Lion of Judah.
Scripture says, Our God is a consuming fire. - The fire can keep us warm, and to empower us.. - Butt fire also consumes.
God doesn't play when the wicked interfere with the purpose of His People.
Exodus 12:12 ► On that same night I will pass through Egypt and strike down every firstborn of both people and animals, and I will bring judgment on all the gods of Egypt. I am the LORD.
This was because Pharaoh refused to release Israel from his bondage.
God killed Pharaoh's first born, to break his controlling witchcraft spirit.
God will arise in defense of His people and deliver dreadful judgment.
Sometimes, we pray for God to save the wicked, but God will not bend human desire.
Wicked and unrepentant people, blasphemers, satan worshipers, witches, sorcerers are what you call Agents of Satan. Their will is not for God. It's to do the work of Satan on the earth.
That's why Ps 109 exists. (count at least 30 curses in Psalm 109). Used in public worship.
God has to move these people for His will to be established.
Some evil humans are like Human principalities, and they work to block the revivals of God.
Some theologians have interpreted spiritual wickedness
in high places to be human Agents of Satan in the government of nations.
Some of them have to be judged by God, here and now in the earth. - Your prayers help that…
1 Samuel 15:3 ► go and strike Amalek … Do not spare them, but kill both man and woman, child and infant, ox and sheep, camel and donkey.’”
The Amalekites were sorcerers who could transform themselves into animals (Midrash) Thus necessary to even destroy the animals in order to destroy Amalek.
Exodus 17:14 ► I will utterly blot out the memory of Amalek from under heaven.” A nation of demon worship and evil witchcrafts.
Ex 22:18 ► do not suffer a witch to live. Why did God release such a statement? Invalid today?
Gal 6:7 ► Do not be deceived, God is not mocked. For whatever a man sows, that he will reap.’
David asked God to repay his enemies with judgment,because,
If you attacked David (King - God’s representative), - by default you attacked God. Attacking the redemptive plan of God. He carried the Messiah in his DNA..
The Wicked Were his enemies - God is angry at the wicked everyday (Ps7:11)
God has never made anyone His enemy.. But the wicked have chosen to make God and His people their enemy
2. God Inspired David To Write These Prayers.. (It Is Repayment)
Psa 109:2-9 ► for the mouth of the wicked and the mouth of the deceitful are opened against me;.. and fought against me without a cause. … but I am in prayer. .. (6) Set a wicked man over him; and let an adversary stand at his right hand, (7) when he is judged, let him be condemned; and let his prayer become sin. (8) Let his days be few; ..(9) Let his sons be fatherless..
Psalm 145:20► The Lord keeps all who love Him, But all the wicked He will destroy. Psalm 92:7 ► That when the wicked sprouted up like grass And all who did iniquity flourished, It was only that they might be destroyed forevermore.
Job 36:6► “He does not keep the wicked alive, But gives justice to the afflicted.
Its generational Psalm 37:28 ►
For the Lord loves justice And does not forsake His godly ones; They are preserved forever, But the descendants of the wicked will be cut of
Don't like all this judgment stuff… Everytime you pray - Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth, as … You are helping to bring all these written judgements to pass..
II.. DIMENSIONS OF BIBLICAL WARFARE PRAYER
1. Like It Or Not You Are In A War—A Very Serious One.
This war is cosmic.
It involves God, humans, angels, demons, principalities, powers, nations, and antichrists.
The human enemies in spiritual warfare are called agents of satan.
They use witchcraft and high demonic powers against God's people.
They spread false teachings and false gospels, which leads millions to hell. (God judges these in this life and the next).
You Are Being Attacked, Without Just Cause..
3 Things Your Enemies See In You - To Attack You - To Hate You -
1.The Kingdom of God 2.Purpose 3.Grace and Mercy from God
2. In Warfare The Soldier Must Attack And Defend Or They Will Be Wasted.
Israel’s Warfare was fueled and empowered by David's prayer.
Knowing the nature of God’s judgment, David prayed for the enemy’s tactics to backfire.
David also counter attacked his enemy through prayer...
In war you have, attack, counter attack, recoil / back fire.
Backfire - to have the reverse of the desired effect (return to sender).
3. But Didn't Jesus Say Turn The Other Cheek?
Matt 5: 43 - 46 ► Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you.
However he still spoke curses against Agents of Satan. (So clearly there is some balance)
Matthew 23: and the seven woes-
Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! (Imprecation - spoken curse)
Woe means “grief, anguish, affliction, calamity, or trouble. Woe is an exclamation of misfortune.
Mat 12:30 ► who is not with Me is against Me, and who does not gather with Me scatters.
In warfare - What really is the difference between … attack, counter attack, or recoil (return to sender)??
They all cause damage … However,
Back to sender embarrasses the enemy, you discerned them & used their weapon against them.
It exposes that their power is inferior to yours. So could it be more effective?
We as believers do not send arrow to people but we can send back the enemies arrows.
Matthew 11:12 ► from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers...
Only violent believers will take all that the Kingdom of God affords us.
You must warfare + You must speak strongly + You must pray aggressively.
If you are quiet and meek, you will not win.
Authority is only enforced by power. You have authority to reverse all attacks
2. Biblical Return To Sender Prayers (Imprecations).
Psa 35:7-8 ► For without cause they have spread their net for me, without cause they have dug for my soul. (8) Let destruction come upon him .. and let his net which he has concealed catch him, let him fall in it, into destruction.
Psalm 54:5 ► Let evil recoil on those who slander me; in your faithfulness destroy them.
All these prayers give benefit and teach us how to structure or prayers.
2Tim 3: 16-17► All scripture is inspired by God, profitable for instruction and doctrine..
David's prayers are useful.. in training us how to deal with the enemy. God in His sovereignty has allowed us to read these prayers, We need to receive it.
Psalms 33:10 ► The Lord brings the counsel of the nations to nothing; He makes the plans of the peoples of no effect.
Esther 7:10 ► they hanged Haman on the gallows that he had prepared for hanging Mordecai.
Gal 1:8 ► if we or an angel from Heaven preach another gospel to you .. let him be accursed.
I Pray: Any pit that the enemy has prepared, the enemy shall fall into it in the name of Jesus.
Illus: 2 times when I believe God lead me to “return to sender” Captain Higgin + Neighbour III.. GOD IS IN CONTROL, NOT YOU (When it comes to “return to sender”)
1. These Prayers Are Not Expressions Of Personal Vengeance.
We are never to call down imprecations on people for personal reasons or out of spite.
Psalm 109 - must not be prayed because you are angry they hurt you.
David wrote them, but perhaps the least vengeful man in the OT.
When he had Saul’s life in his hands, he chose mercy.
There is a vast difference between vindication and vindictiveness. (We need balance)
David’s passion was for the triumph of divine justice, not the satisfaction of personal malice.
Psa 139:19 Surely You will slay the wicked, O God; and bloody men, depart from me.
Psa 139:22 those who hate You, I hate them with perfect hatred; I count them my enemies.
Psalm 139: 23-24 “Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!”
2. Regular People Are Not God's Enemies.
God has the final say in return to sender.. so anyone who does not deserve it is fine..
These are not people who resist God, but of unrepentant defiance.
We love our enemies by praying for their repentance. But if they callously refuse, our only recourse is to pray that God’s judgment be full and fair. ‘
There comes a time in human sin when God withdraws his merciful hand and gives them over… 1Co 16:22 If anyone does not love the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be accursed. The Lord comes!
These types of prayers are nothing more than petitions based on written promises of divine judgment.
3. God Is Who Ultimately Decides
Illustration. A Man of God Confronts Jeroboam
1Ki 13:1-6 a man of God cried against the altar in the Word of Jehovah and said, O, altar, altar, so says Jehovah. Behold, a son shall be born to the house of David, Josiah by name, and on you he shall offer the priests of the high places who burn incense on you, and men's bones shall be burned on you. (3) And he gave a sign the same day, saying, This is the sign which Jehovah has spoken. Behold, the altar shall be torn apart, and the ashes that are on it shall be poured out. (4) And it happened when King Jeroboam heard the saying of the man of God who had cried against the altar in Bethel, he put forth his hand from the altar, saying, Lay hold on him! And his hand, which he put forth against him withered up so that he could not pull it in again to himself.
The enemies organized and prepare the lion’s den for Daniel. Instead of Daniel being consumed by the lions; the enemies that planned it were the ones that were consumed by the lions.
A great force was organized against Shedrach, Meshach and Abednego.
They organized and prepared a fire for them.
Job 5:12-15 frustrating the plans of the crafty, nor did their hands do wisely. (13) He takes the wise in their own craftiness; …. (14) They meet with darkness in the day time, and grope in the noonday as in the night. (15) But He saves the poor from the sword, ….
Psa 9:19-20 Arise, O Jehovah; let not man be strong. Let the nations be judged in Your sight. (20) Put them in fear, O Jehovah, let the nations know they are but men. Selah.
Psa 11:5-6 Jehovah tries the righteous; but His soul hates the wicked and the one who loves violence, (6) On the wicked He shall rain snares, fire and brimstone; and a horrible tempest shall be the portion of their cup.
Isa 29:6 You shall be visited by Jehovah of Hosts with thunder, and with earthquake and great noise, with storm and whirlwind, and the flame of devouring fire.
CONCLUSION: Scenarios:
You have your teen daughter, and a preditor is eyeing her. Watching for a chance.
At work they lie and scheme to set you up. Endangering your life and livelihood.
The witch in your community is disturbed by your prayers and launches an attack of sickness and death against you.
Your family bloodline was promised to evil altars and the priest of the altar is laying claim to your life and family.
The Jezebel spirit has infiltrated your church, luring members into fornication, Idolatry and rebellion.
False prophets are destroying lives of thousands.. using lies, deception, evil sacrifices and money rituals …
People are intensly praying psychic prayers Against you …
Scammers using evil witchcraft rituals for protection and influence.
Human trafficking, sex trafficking destroying thousands of young children's lives.
Attacks left, right, and centre .. hmmm
These are not the people that Christ asked you to love and show mercy..
These are the enemies of the Kingdom of God… Your prayer helps seal God's Judgment now.
