A friend gave me the most confidence-boosting compliment. After I shared my morning prayer routine, he commented, “The world might scoff at the notion of prayer, and we all might struggle to be consistent in prayer (that is me), but little does everyone know: you (Linda) are probably one of the most ‘dangerous’ humans alive.”

Man, did I need to hear that. See, there are times where I do “approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that [I] may receive mercy and find grace to help [me] in [my] time of need” (Hebrews 4:16). Then there are times I’m timid and a little bland when I talk to the Lord. That’s not okay, because there is a spiritual battle going on and I am an integral member of God’s army.

One month later, that positive comment still gives me extra conviction, boldness, and swagger as I pray. My friend’s encouragement was vital because he reminded me what I am because of whose I am. I am a child of God who is engaged in the struggle “against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms” (Ephesians 6:12).

And so are you.

I figured you could use the same encouragement I was given. Now it’s my turn to tell you (please read this slowly and carefully): “You, <put your name here>, are probably one of the most ‘dangerous’ humans alive.”

OK, but is there something in the back of your mind telling you that you aren’t “dangerous” because you’ve got flaws and weaknesses? Well, God says that thanks to Jesus, your prayers are powerful and effective because you are right with him! So how do you live with extra conviction, boldness, and swagger as you live and pray dangerously?

1. Prepare for battle.* It’s uncomfortable to think about spiritual battle, but our emotions don’t change the reality. About two thousand years ago, a church leader named Peter told those believers that their enemy (Satan) wants to tear people away from God, from a life of peace in a chaotic world, and from an eternity of joy in a perfect new world. So armor up! Members of the armed forces don’t show up for battles out of shape and in shorts and flip-flops. You, a member of God’s army because Jesus won the war on a cross, shouldn’t show up for daily battles unprepared either. We need you as conditioned as a Navy SEAL. With your fellow service members, you read the Bible, pray, encourage others, and hold each other accountable so that you are “strong in the Lord and in his mighty power” (Ephesians 6:10).
2. Pray dangerously. Every single prayer you pray has power because the God you pray to is omnipotent. That’s a churchy word for all-powerful, all-ruling. He is almighty because there are no limits to his power as he exercises absolute dominion and authority over this world. This gives you the confidence to pray with power—to pray “dangerously”—as you call on God to use his divine authority to act on your behalf. Pray for protection against evil, that God’s shield would cover you. Pray for him to give you strength as you fight temptation. Pray for God to speak his truths to your fears, anxious thoughts, and concerns. Pray against acts that are full of darkness and evil that masquerades as light. Ask God to use you and me and his angels in the spiritual battle against evil. Pray for him to be strong in you and in the power of his might as you “put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes” (Ephesians 6:11).

Thanks to God, you really are dangerous!

Linda Buxa is a writer and editor who isn’t often mistaken for someone who is dangerous. However, she once had to visit urgent care after stepping through her garage ceiling. The nurse misread her “Live Generously” shirt and said, “Your ‘Live Dangerously’ shirt seems pretty appropriate.”

* Time of Grace is running an entire series by Pastor Mike called War Zone about the spiritual battles that are taking place. Dr. Bruce Becker has written a book on the topic too: When the Devil Attacks: Winning in the War Zones.