Why pray the Scriptures for each other?

Praying that our faith will grow more and more, and the love that we have for each other will increase (2 Thessalonians 1:3) doesn’t sound like spiritual warfare prayer, does it?

But any Scripture can be a warfare prayer. In Ephesians 6:10-18, the Apostle Paul says we are in a battle against the powers of darkness. Our assignment is to stand our ground and pray. We’re to put on the full armor of God and wield our weapon—the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God. Not the whole Bible as one weapon, but the Bible as an arsenal of weapons, every verse a different sword!

As we pray God’s Word for each other, our prayers are able to defeat Satan. It’s not the prayers, but the promises behind them. God has promised that we’ll have what we ask, when we pray according to His will (1 John 5:14-15). His Word is His will. He has also promised that His Word will accomplish its purpose (Isaiah 55:11), that it is living and active (Hebrews 4:12) and sharper than a double-edged sword. A simple prayer such as “help our faith to grow more and more, and our love for each other to increase” becomes a powerful weapon against Satan because of God’s promises. Such a prayer will defeat evil spirits seeking to discourage our faith or disrupt our relationships and give us victory.