Sept. 11 marked the 20th anniversary of one of the worst terrorist attacks on America. Those of us who witnessed the planes hitting the twin towers, plowing into the Pentagon and leaving a crater in a Pennsylvania field will never forget the horror of that day.

 Yet once again, our nation is under attack. The enemy of our souls is attacking the very foundation of our faith as it was established in the beginning—creation, marriage, gender, God’s Word, life itself, and the list goes on. We are clearly commanded in Jude 3 to contend for the faith.

As I reflect on all of this, and so much more wickedness that is currently unfolding, not just in the leadership of our nation but also in the leadership of our schools, our states, our cities and even our churches, I have asked myself, “What can be done to stop this madness? How can I contend for the faith?” The answer has become clear … it’s time to pray!

Read 2 Kings 6:8-23

Pray the enemy will be exposed   

2 Kings 6:8-17

A.  The Schemes: 2 Kings 6:8-10

• What was the enemy plotting to do in 2 Kings 6:8?
• How is this similar to the enemy’s subtle strategy today?
• How was the plot exposed?
• Instead of a congressional investigation, give insight into the divine intelligence from Judges 7:7-22; 1 Samuel 23:1-14; Psalm 2:4-6; 37:12-13; Matthew 2:1-12, 2:13-23.
• Do you think God knows the enemy’s schemes today?
• Would you pray and ask Him to expose the enemy’s schemes before they can be carried out? 

B.  The Strategy: 2 Kings 6:11-14

• Who provoked the wrath of the enemy and why? See 2 Kings 6:11-13. 
• Who is provoking the visible and invisible enemy today for the same reasons?
• What was the enemy’s strategy in 2 Kings 6:11-14? 
• Was the strategy successful? If not, why not? Describe it in your own words.
• Describe other examples of this strategy from Ezekiel 34:7-12; Zechariah 13:7-9; Mathew 26:31-32; Acts 5:17-42.  
• In each of the above examples, how did the enemy’s strategy ultimately backfire?
• How are God’s people who are standing for the truth being attacked today?  
• Make a specific list of promises we can prayerfully claim on behalf of God’s people who are under attack from 1 John 4:4; Acts 4:31; Colossians 1:9-12; Jeremiah 1:17-19; Ephesians 6:13; 6:19-20. 

Pray the enemy will be confused   

2 Kings 6:18-20

• Describe how God confused the enemy who had come to attack His servant.
• How did God confuse and defeat the enemy in 2 Kings 7:1-7? 2 Samuel 16:15-17:14, 23? 2 Chronicles 18:9-22? 20:1-25? 32:9-21? Psalm 9:13-16? 57:6?
• From Psalm 57:7-11, what reason is given for praying that our enemies would be confused and defeated? 
• What are some ways God could confuse and divide the enemy today? 
• Would you pray for division and confusion among our enemies, leading ultimately to their defeat and God’s glory?  

Pray the enemy will be diffused   

2 Kings 6:21-23

• How was the king’s reaction similar to ours when we have the upper hand? See 2 Kings 6:21.
• What was Elisha’s response to the king’s verbally stated intention? See 2 Kings 6:22.
• How did Elisha’s counsel preview Jesus’ own instruction to His disciples in Matthew 5:43-47? Paul’s instructions in Romans 12:17-21?
• What was the result? 
• However God chooses, would you pray that He will break the will, snuff out the life, stop the momentum and totally diffuse the efforts of His enemies? The enemies of His people? The enemies of the Truth?

While there are many other examples in Scripture of battles with the visible and invisible enemies of God, of His people, and of His truth, this passage in 2 Kings caught my attention as one that includes insight on how to pray. Christian leaders may suggest strategies for countering the enemy’s attacks, but I believe it’s time for us as God’s people to humble ourselves, seek His face, repent of our sin and pray for our enemies. ©2021 Anne Graham Lotz

This month’s Bible study is adapted from a study originally published in March 2015.

Anne Graham Lotz has proclaimed God’s Word worldwide for more than 40 years. Her newest book, “Jesus in Me: Experiencing the Holy Spirit as a Constant Companion,” is available from major booksellers online.

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