And having disarmed the powers and authorities, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross. Colossians 2:15, NIV

He was huge and burly and pushed his way into a crowd of characters he had corralled into the main lobby at my school. Earlier, he had gone into every nook and cranny of the building to find them. The characters’ names were Violence, Disrespect, Disruption, Rebellion, Anger, Low Self-Image, Depression, Bitterness, Grumbling, and Contention.

In my mind’s eye, I saw him grab two of the screaming characters by the nape of the neck and usher them down the hallway to the main entrance. Without so much as a pause, he threw them out the door. Then he turned and came back in for two more. He was responding to my prayers because I was in despair over the terrible behaviors I witnessed from students and staff members.

By the next day, I saw some marked improvements in my classes. The characters would come back from time to time. But for now, our school was off limits.

Sometimes, we can clearly see the sinful world around us. But other times, it seems that we are blinded to it. By naming the spiritual forces that I could see at work in my classes and in the building, I was able to pray for God’s power over them. When we pray in Jesus’ name, we join with Him in defeating the powers and authorities of this dark world and the spiritual forces of evil. He already disarmed them on the cross, but we appropriate His power when we pray. 

What spiritual forces are at work in your school? Are you praying for their dismissal?

Lord, we want to be soldiers for You today. Please show us our enemies in the spiritual realm. Amen. 

Copyright Shirley Wilson.  

Shirley is a retired Christian Educators member and a former board member of Christian Educators.