VICTORY THROUGH PRAYER

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This is a guide  I wrote from my own experiences about how to pray against adversity.  They are precepts I've learned along the way since a 43-day water-only fast when I was only 21. (Clarification: It wasn't actually 43 days straight.  Rather, it was 26 days on a water only fast, a lapse of a few days, followed by another 17 days on a water only fast, for a total of 43 days fasting in the same period.)

HOW TO PRAY AGAINST ADVERSITY - A COMPREHENSIVE GUIDE. PRINT THIS AND PIN IT UP ON YOUR WALL OR HANG IT ON YOUR DRESSER.

I COMPILED THIS OVER SEVERAL YEARS AND IT HAS BEEN A LIFESAVER, LITERALLY !

In God have I put my trust: I will not be afraid what man can do unto me.

Psalm 27:1

The LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?

Mat 6:34 Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.

Psa 50:15 And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me.

Hab 3:19 The LORD God is my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds' feet, and he will make me to walk upon mine high places.

To the chief singer on my stringed instruments

Rom 8:31 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?

Psa 91:7 A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee.

Psa 94:13 That thou mayest give him rest from the days of adversity, until the pit be digged for the wicked.

Nehemiah 8:10

Do not be sad, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.

2 Timothy 2:3

You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.

Matthew *something*:26- And so I say, don't wallow in tomorrow's hardship, for tomorrow will bring its own troubles. Today's worries are enough for today.

Proverbs 24:10 If thou faint in the day of adversity thy strength is small

Exodus 15:2 "The LORD is my strength and song, And He has become my salvation; This is my God, and I will praise Him; My father's God, and I will extol Him.

2 Chronicles 20:15 and he said, "Listen, all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem and King Jehoshaphat: thus says the LORD to you, 'Do not fear or be dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours but God's.

The following is from an unattributed source. It is a worthy exhortation about dealing with adversity that I've found pretty useful in my own life. Thank you to whomever this belongs.

1. Run to Jesus

When adversity attacks, the first thing you should do is run to Jesus. Don’t flake out, shut down, break rank or isolate yourself from those who calp you. Run to Jesus. Remember that Jesus is the Author and Finisher of your faith. He said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5). Jesus will not let you down. You can trust Him to get you through this turbulence. After you run to Jesus, check your heart. Go down your personal checklist and examine yourself. If you have sinned, repent. If you violated the Word in any way, repent. Running to Jesus coupled with repentance should always be our first reaction to adversity.

2. Cast All Your Cares

The next weapon in our arsenal against adversity is casting all our cares on Jesus. This is not an escapist’s act. Casing all our cares on Jesus is a spiritual step toward freedom. Scripture says, “Cast all your care on Him for he cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7). Casting our cares on Jesus requires us to give our adversity to Him. There are some things that you just have to put in Jesus’ capable hands. Sometimes, however, one prayer session isn’t enough. Some adversity has several dates booked on your calendar. In my case one prayer didn’t take all the problems away. There was a time when I was really hurting and constant flashbacks came to remind me of my calamity. Some of it was real and some was just fearful imaginations. The only thing that helped was continuing to cast my situation on the Lord. Every time fear tried to grip me I prayed, “I cast all my cares on you Lord because I know you care for me.” I said it in my heart over and over again until the burden lifted. Sure, fear and the temptation to run from my problems returned several times, but I would cast the cares back on the Lord again and again until finally my adversity hoisted up the white flag of surrender and withdrew from the battle field.

3. Encourage Yourself

Encouragement is another powerful antidote against adversity. Have you ever heard a car engine knock because it was low on oil? Then after oil was added the engine hummed along smoothly? Our lives are the same. Many times we get so busy with the cares of this world and just getting by that we run low on oil. We stop putting the Word in our hearts and that only puts our lives in jeopardy. With the Word of God written solidly on the tablets of your heart you can encourage yourself. The Bible tells us that David encouraged himself in the Lord. The Psalms are full of David’s prayers for deliverance from oppressors. Weaved throughout all these prayers you can feel David’s plea for God’s help. The Lord helped him every time. David was called to be a king, yet adversity and opposition to his divine calling often surrounded him. One of David’s greatest characteristics was that he never gave up. He refused to quit and run. In spite of adversity David pressed into God. David did his part and let God do His part. You, too, can be like David. Don’t give up on yourself. Don’t disconnect from God and check out of the battle. Press into Jesus. God is on your side and He knows all the answers. Jesus does not fear what you fear. While overcoming adversity, avoid isolation. In times of difficulty we can’t afford to isolate ourselves. We can’t afford to run from the battle. When adversity strikes we need to run to the battle. Scripture declares, “God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of love, power, and a sound mind” (1 Timothy 1:7). David saw God as a Man of War. He saw God as his Great Deliverer. Many times David asked the Lord during prayer, “Shall I go up to battle?” And God responded, “Go up!” Tribulation may pay us a visit, but the Word assures “Hast thou not known? Hast thou not heard that the everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? There is no searching of his understanding. He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint” (Isaiah 40:28-31).

4. Submit and Resist

Scripture also admonishes, “Submit yourself to God, resist the devil and he shall flee” (James 4:7). Notice this twin advice for freedom from adversity, “Submit to God.” That means that He becomes your Commander. You release your will to Him and let His Word govern you, your actions, your situation and your entire life. You also release the outcome of the adversity to Him.

The second half of that Scripture assures, “Resist the devil and he will flee.” He didn’t say ignore the devil, hide from the devil, deny the devil’s existence, or compromise with the devil. God said to resist him.

You resist the devil just like Jesus did. When the devil attacked Jesus in the wilderness He said repeatedly, “Devil. It is written.” You can do the same.

5. Speak to Your Situation

Speak to your situation like this, “Adversity, it is written, no weapon formed against me can prosper. I can do all things through Christ that strengthens me. Thank you, Jesus, that you renew my strength. I shall not grow weary. I shall not faint. I will overcome in Jesus’ name.” Find a Scripture that deals with your situation, hold fast to it, and speak it over your life. This works. Go for it.

6. Let Faith Fight For You

Did you know that faith is one of the most powerful weapons against adversity you possess? Faith is the clothing of every warrior. Paul told his spiritual son Timothy to endure hardship as a good soldier (2 Timothy 2:3). He wasn’t teaching him how to cope with adversity. He was teaching him to fight on through until he saw the victory. Let hope arise in you right now. Jesus won’t let you down. Submit yourself to Him and use your faith in Him to battle against your adversity. Scripture promises, “This is the victory that has overcome the world, even your faith” (1 John 5:4). The word “overcome” in this Verse means “to carry off the victory.” When you use the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God that is exactly what will happen. Faith in God will bring you through adversity every time.

7. Pray in Tongues

Praying in tongues is vital. That’s right. Let your spirit talk with God. The Apostle Paul said, “If I pray in an unknown tongue my spirit prayeth” (1 Corinthians 14:14). He also said, “Forbid not to speak in other tongues” (1 Corinthians 14:39). The Word declares that we can strengthen ourselves by praying in the Spirit and that the Holy Spirit helps us pray the way we should. He literally helps us get freedom.

If you want a fast track way to strengthening yourself, start by reading and meditating on the Word of God, and praying in tongues. Praying in tongues is not a “Pentecostal thing,” it is a Spirit-life key to victorious Christian living.

One more thing to help you overcome adversity....

8. Get Back to Church God’s Word is very specific: don’t forsake the assembling of yourself together with other believers (Hebrews 4:9). Listen, faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God. Isolation is not healthy. Find a good Bible-believing church where the power of changed lives is visible. Plug in and help that church fulfill its vision. Adversity attacks everybody, but with your love for Jesus and these simple truths you can overcome it every time. Remember this, God causes all things to work together for good to those that love him and are called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28). That’s you! With Christ in your life you can make it through every sorrow, oppression, trouble and adversity. Genesis 15:1 After these things the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision, saying, "Do not fear, Abram, I am a shield to you; Your reward shall be very great." Genesis 46:3 He said, "I am God, the God of your father; do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for I will make you a great nation there. Exodus 14:30 Thus the LORD saved Israel that day from the hand of the Egyptians, and Israel saw the Egyptians dead on the seashore.

Exodus 15:2 "The LORD is my strength and song, And He has become my salvation; This is my God, and I will praise Him; My father's God, and I will extol Him. Exodus 20:20 Moses said to the people, "Do not be afraid; for God has come in order to test you, and in order that the fear of Him may remain with you, so that you may not sin."

2 Chronicles 20:15 and he said, "Listen, all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem and King Jehoshaphat: thus says the LORD to you, 'Do not fear or be dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours but God's.

2 Chronicles 20:17 You need not fight in this battle; station yourselves, stand and see the salvation of the LORD on your behalf, O Judah and Jerusalem.' Do not fear or be dismayed; tomorrow go out to face them, for the LORD is with you."

Isaiah 41:10 'Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.'

Isaiah 41:13 "For I am the LORD your God, who upholds your right hand, Who says to you, 'Do not fear, I will help you.' (NASB ©1995)

Exodus 14:13And Moses said unto the people, “Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which He will show to you today: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen today, ye shall see them again no more forever. 14The LORD shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace.” 

HOW TO PRAY AGAINST ADVERSITY - A COMPREHENSIVE GUIDE. PRINT THIS AND PIN IT UP ON YOUR WALL OR HANG IT ON YOUR DRESSER.

I COMPILED THIS OVER SEVERAL YEARS AND IT HAS BEEN A LIFESAVER, LITERALLY !

In God have I put my trust: I will not be afraid what man can do unto me.

Psalm 27:1

The LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?

Joh 16:33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

Mat 6:34 Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.

Psa 50:15 And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me.

Hab 3:19 The LORD God is my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds' feet, and he will make me to walk upon mine high places.

To the chief singer on my stringed instruments

Rom 8:31 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?

Psa 91:7 A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee.

Psa 94:13 That thou mayest give him rest from the days of adversity, until the pit be digged for the wicked.

Nehemiah 8:10

Do not be sad, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.

2 Timothy 2:3

You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.

Matthew *something*:26- And so I say, don't wallow in tomorrow's hardship, for tomorrow will bring its own troubles. Today's worries are enough for today.

Proverbs 24:10 If thou faint in the day of adversity thy strength is small

Exodus 15:2 "The LORD is my strength and song, And He has become my salvation; This is my God, and I will praise Him; My father's God, and I will extol Him.

2 Chronicles 20:15 and he said, "Listen, all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem and King Jehoshaphat: thus says the LORD to you, 'Do not fear or be dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours but God's.

The following is from an unattributed source. It is a worthy exhortation about dealing with adversity that I've found pretty useful in my own life. Thank you to whomever this belongs.

1. Run to Jesus

When adversity attacks, the first thing you should do is run to Jesus. Don’t flake out, shut down, break rank or isolate yourself from those who care for  you. Run to Jesus. Remember that Jesus is the Author and Finisher of your faith. He said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5). Jesus will not let you down. You can trust Him to get you through this turbulence. After you run to Jesus, check your heart. Go down your personal checklist and examine yourself. If you have sinned, repent. If you violated the Word in any way, repent. Running to Jesus coupled with repentance should always be our first reaction to adversity.

2. Cast All Your Cares

The next weapon in our arsenal against adversity is casting all our cares on Jesus. This is not an escapist’s act. Casing all our cares on Jesus is a spiritual step toward freedom. Scripture says, “Cast all your care on Him for he cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7). Casting our cares on Jesus requires us to give our adversity to Him. There are some things that you just have to put in Jesus’ capable hands. Sometimes, however, one prayer session isn’t enough. Some adversity has several dates booked on your calendar. In my case one prayer didn’t take all the problems away. There was a time when I was really hurting and constant flashbacks came to remind me of my calamity. Some of it was real and some was just fearful imaginations. The only thing that helped was continuing to cast my situation on the Lord. Every time fear tried to grip me I prayed, “I cast all my cares on you Lord because I know you care for me.” I said it in my heart over and over again until the burden lifted. Sure, fear and the temptation to run from my problems returned several times, but I would cast the cares back on the Lord again and again until finally my adversity hoisted up the white flag of surrender and withdrew from the battle field.

3. Encourage Yourself

Encouragement is another powerful antidote against adversity. Have you ever heard a car engine knock because it was low on oil? Then after oil was added the engine hummed along smoothly? Our lives are the same. Many times we get so busy with the cares of this world and just getting by that we run low on oil. We stop putting the Word in our hearts and that only puts our lives in jeopardy. With the Word of God written solidly on the tablets of your heart you can encourage yourself. The Bible tells us that David encouraged himself in the Lord. The Psalms are full of David’s prayers for deliverance from oppressors. Weaved throughout all these prayers you can feel David’s plea for God’s help. The Lord helped him every time. David was called to be a king, yet adversity and opposition to his divine calling often surrounded him. One of David’s greatest characteristics was that he never gave up. He refused to quit and run. In spite of adversity David pressed into God. David did his part and let God do His part. You, too, can be like David. Don’t give up on yourself. Don’t disconnect from God and check out of the battle. Press into Jesus. God is on your side and He knows all the answers. Jesus does not fear what you fear. While overcoming adversity, avoid isolation. In times of difficulty we can’t afford to isolate ourselves. We can’t afford to run from the battle. When adversity strikes we need to run to the battle. Scripture declares, “God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of love, power, and a sound mind” (1 Timothy 1:7). David saw God as a Man of War. He saw God as his Great Deliverer. Many times David asked the Lord during prayer, “Shall I go up to battle?” And God responded, “Go up!” Tribulation may pay us a visit, but the Word assures “Hast thou not known? Hast thou not heard that the everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? There is no searching of his understanding. He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint” (Isaiah 40:28-31).

4. Submit and Resist

Scripture also admonishes, “Submit yourself to God, resist the devil and he shall flee” (James 4:7). Notice this twin advice for freedom from adversity, “Submit to God.” That means that He becomes your Commander. You release your will to Him and let His Word govern you, your actions, your situation and your entire life. You also release the outcome of the adversity to Him.

The second half of that Scripture assures, “Resist the devil and he will flee.” He didn’t say ignore the devil, hide from the devil, deny the devil’s existence, or compromise with the devil. God said to resist him.

You resist the devil just like Jesus did. When the devil attacked Jesus in the wilderness He said repeatedly, “Devil. It is written.” You can do the same.

5. Speak to Your Situation

Speak to your situation like this, “Adversity, it is written, no weapon formed against me can prosper. I can do all things through Christ that strengthens me. Thank you, Jesus, that you renew my strength. I shall not grow weary. I shall not faint. I will overcome in Jesus’ name.” Find a Scripture that deals with your situation, hold fast to it, and speak it over your life. This works. Go for it.

6. Let Faith Fight For You

Did you know that faith is one of the most powerful weapons against adversity you possess? Faith is the clothing of every warrior. Paul told his spiritual son Timothy to endure hardship as a good soldier (2 Timothy 2:3). He wasn’t teaching him how to cope with adversity. He was teaching him to fight on through until he saw the victory. Let hope arise in you right now. Jesus won’t let you down. Submit yourself to Him and use your faith in Him to battle against your adversity. Scripture promises, “This is the victory that has overcome the world, even your faith” (1 John 5:4). The word “overcome” in this Verse means “to carry off the victory.” When you use the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God that is exactly what will happen. Faith in God will bring you through adversity every time.

7. Pray in Tongues

Praying in tongues is vital. That’s right. Let your spirit talk with God. The Apostle Paul said, “If I pray in an unknown tongue my spirit prayeth” (1 Corinthians 14:14). He also said, “Forbid not to speak in other tongues” (1 Corinthians 14:39). The Word declares that we can strengthen ourselves by praying in the Spirit and that the Holy Spirit helps us pray the way we should. He literally helps us get freedom.

If you want a fast track way to strengthening yourself, start by reading and meditating on the Word of God, and praying in tongues. Praying in tongues is not a “Pentecostal thing,” it is a Spirit-life key to victorious Christian living.

One more thing to help you overcome adversity....

8. Get Back to Church God’s Word is very specific: don’t forsake the assembling of yourself together with other believers (Hebrews 4:9). Listen, faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God. Isolation is not healthy. Find a good Bible-believing church where the power of changed lives is visible. Plug in and help that church fulfill its vision. Adversity attacks everybody, but with your love for Jesus and these simple truths you can overcome it every time. Remember this, God causes all things to work together for good to those that love him and are called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28). That’s you! With Christ in your life you can make it through every sorrow, oppression, trouble and adversity. Genesis 15:1 After these things the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision, saying, "Do not fear, Abram, I am a shield to you; Your reward shall be very great." Genesis 46:3 He said, "I am God, the God of your father; do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for I will make you a great nation there. Exodus 14:30 Thus the LORD saved Israel that day from the hand of the Egyptians, and Israel saw the Egyptians dead on the seashore.

Exodus 15:2 "The LORD is my strength and song, And He has become my salvation; This is my God, and I will praise Him; My father's God, and I will extol Him. Exodus 20:20 Moses said to the people, "Do not be afraid; for God has come in order to test you, and in order that the fear of Him may remain with you, so that you may not sin."

2 Chronicles 20:15 and he said, "Listen, all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem and King Jehoshaphat: thus says the LORD to you, 'Do not fear or be dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours but God's.

2 Chronicles 20:17 You need not fight in this battle; station yourselves, stand and see the salvation of the LORD on your behalf, O Judah and Jerusalem.' Do not fear or be dismayed; tomorrow go out to face them, for the LORD is with you."

Isaiah 41:10 'Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.'

Isaiah 41:13 "For I am the LORD your God, who upholds your right hand, Who says to you, 'Do not fear, I will help you.' (NASB ©1995)

Exodus 14:13And Moses said unto the people, “Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which He will show to you today: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen today, ye shall see them again no more forever. 14The LORD shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace.” 

HOW TO PRAY AGAINST ADVERSITY - A COMPREHENSIVE GUIDE. PRINT THIS AND PIN IT UP ON YOUR WALL OR HANG IT ON YOUR DRESSER.

I COMPILED THIS OVER SEVERAL YEARS AND IT HAS BEEN A LIFESAVER, LITERALLY !

In God have I put my trust: I will not be afraid what man can do unto me.

Psalm 27:1

The LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?

Joh 16:33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

Mat 6:34 Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.

Psa 50:15 And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me.

Hab 3:19 The LORD God is my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds' feet, and he will make me to walk upon mine high places.

To the chief singer on my stringed instruments

Rom 8:31 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?

Psa 91:7 A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee.

Psa 94:13 That thou mayest give him rest from the days of adversity, until the pit be digged for the wicked.

Nehemiah 8:10

Do not be sad, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.

2 Timothy 2:3

You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.

Matthew *something*:26- And so I say, don't wallow in tomorrow's hardship, for tomorrow will bring its own troubles. Today's worries are enough for today.

Proverbs 24:10 If thou faint in the day of adversity thy strength is small

Exodus 15:2 "The LORD is my strength and song, And He has become my salvation; This is my God, and I will praise Him; My father's God, and I will extol Him.

2 Chronicles 20:15 and he said, "Listen, all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem and King Jehoshaphat: thus says the LORD to you, 'Do not fear or be dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours but God's.

The following is from an unattributed source. It is a worthy exhortation about dealing with adversity that I've found pretty useful in my own life. Thank you to whomever this belongs.

1. Run to Jesus

When adversity attacks, the first thing you should do is run to Jesus. Don’t flake out, shut down, break rank or isolate yourself from those who care for you. Run to Jesus. Remember that Jesus is the Author and Finisher of your faith. He said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5). Jesus will not let you down. You can trust Him to get you through this turbulence. After you run to Jesus, check your heart. Go down your personal checklist and examine yourself. If you have sinned, repent. If you violated the Word in any way, repent. Running to Jesus coupled with repentance should always be our first reaction to adversity.

2. Cast All Your Cares

The next weapon in our arsenal against adversity is casting all our cares on Jesus. This is not an escapist’s act. Casing all our cares on Jesus is a spiritual step toward freedom. Scripture says, “Cast all your care on Him for he cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7). Casting our cares on Jesus requires us to give our adversity to Him. There are some things that you just have to put in Jesus’ capable hands. Sometimes, however, one prayer session isn’t enough. Some adversity has several dates booked on your calendar. In my case one prayer didn’t take all the problems away. There was a time when I was really hurting and constant flashbacks came to remind me of my calamity. Some of it was real and some was just fearful imaginations. The only thing that helped was continuing to cast my situation on the Lord. Every time fear tried to grip me I prayed, “I cast all my cares on you Lord because I know you care for me.” I said it in my heart over and over again until the burden lifted. Sure, fear and the temptation to run from my problems returned several times, but I would cast the cares back on the Lord again and again until finally my adversity hoisted up the white flag of surrender and withdrew from the battle field.

3. Encourage Yourself

Encouragement is another powerful antidote against adversity. Have you ever heard a car engine knock because it was low on oil? Then after oil was added the engine hummed along smoothly? Our lives are the same. Many times we get so busy with the cares of this world and just getting by that we run low on oil. We stop putting the Word in our hearts and that only puts our lives in jeopardy. With the Word of God written solidly on the tablets of your heart you can encourage yourself. The Bible tells us that David encouraged himself in the Lord. The Psalms are full of David’s prayers for deliverance from oppressors. Weaved throughout all these prayers you can feel David’s plea for God’s help. The Lord helped him every time. David was called to be a king, yet adversity and opposition to his divine calling often surrounded him. One of David’s greatest characteristics was that he never gave up. He refused to quit and run. In spite of adversity David pressed into God. David did his part and let God do His part. You, too, can be like David. Don’t give up on yourself. Don’t disconnect from God and check out of the battle. Press into Jesus. God is on your side and He knows all the answers. Jesus does not fear what you fear. While overcoming adversity, avoid isolation. In times of difficulty we can’t afford to isolate ourselves. We can’t afford to run from the battle. When adversity strikes we need to run to the battle. Scripture declares, “God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of love, power, and a sound mind” (1 Timothy 1:7). David saw God as a Man of War. He saw God as his Great Deliverer. Many times David asked the Lord during prayer, “Shall I go up to battle?” And God responded, “Go up!” Tribulation may pay us a visit, but the Word assures “Hast thou not known? Hast thou not heard that the everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? There is no searching of his understanding. He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint” (Isaiah 40:28-31).

4. Submit and Resist

Scripture also admonishes, “Submit yourself to God, resist the devil and he shall flee” (James 4:7). Notice this twin advice for freedom from adversity, “Submit to God.” That means that He becomes your Commander. You release your will to Him and let His Word govern you, your actions, your situation and your entire life. You also release the outcome of the adversity to Him.

The second half of that Scripture assures, “Resist the devil and he will flee.” He didn’t say ignore the devil, hide from the devil, deny the devil’s existence, or compromise with the devil. God said to resist him.

You resist the devil just like Jesus did. When the devil attacked Jesus in the wilderness He said repeatedly, “Devil. It is written.” You can do the same.

5. Speak to Your Situation

Speak to your situation like this, “Adversity, it is written, no weapon formed against me can prosper. I can do all things through Christ that strengthens me. Thank you, Jesus, that you renew my strength. I shall not grow weary. I shall not faint. I will overcome in Jesus’ name.” Find a Scripture that deals with your situation, hold fast to it, and speak it over your life. This works. Go for it.

6. Let Faith Fight For You

Did you know that faith is one of the most powerful weapons against adversity you possess? Faith is the clothing of every warrior. Paul told his spiritual son Timothy to endure hardship as a good soldier (2 Timothy 2:3). He wasn’t teaching him how to cope with adversity. He was teaching him to fight on through until he saw the victory. Let hope arise in you right now. Jesus won’t let you down. Submit yourself to Him and use your faith in Him to battle against your adversity. Scripture promises, “This is the victory that has overcome the world, even your faith” (1 John 5:4). The word “overcome” in this Verse means “to carry off the victory.” When you use the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God that is exactly what will happen. Faith in God will bring you through adversity every time.

7. Pray in Tongues

Praying in tongues is vital. That’s right. Let your spirit talk with God. The Apostle Paul said, “If I pray in an unknown tongue my spirit prayeth” (1 Corinthians 14:14). He also said, “Forbid not to speak in other tongues” (1 Corinthians 14:39). The Word declares that we can strengthen ourselves by praying in the Spirit and that the Holy Spirit helps us pray the way we should. He literally helps us get freedom.

If you want a fast track way to strengthening yourself, start by reading and meditating on the Word of God, and praying in tongues. Praying in tongues is not a “Pentecostal thing,” it is a Spirit-life key to victorious Christian living.

One more thing to help you overcome adversity....

8. Get Back to Church God’s Word is very specific: don’t forsake the assembling of yourself together with other believers (Hebrews 4:9). Listen, faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God. Isolation is not healthy. Find a good Bible-believing church where the power of changed lives is visible. Plug in and help that church fulfill its vision. Adversity attacks everybody, but with your love for Jesus and these simple truths you can overcome it every time. Remember this, God causes all things to work together for good to those that love him and are called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28). That’s you! With Christ in your life you can make it through every sorrow, oppression, trouble and adversity. Genesis 15:1 After these things the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision, saying, "Do not fear, Abram, I am a shield to you; Your reward shall be very great." Genesis 46:3 He said, "I am God, the God of your father; do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for I will make you a great nation there. Exodus 14:30 Thus the LORD saved Israel that day from the hand of the Egyptians, and Israel saw the Egyptians dead on the seashore.

Exodus 15:2 "The LORD is my strength and song, And He has become my salvation; This is my God, and I will praise Him; My father's God, and I will extol Him. Exodus 20:20 Moses said to the people, "Do not be afraid; for God has come in order to test you, and in order that the fear of Him may remain with you, so that you may not sin."

2 Chronicles 20:15 and he said, "Listen, all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem and King Jehoshaphat: thus says the LORD to you, 'Do not fear or be dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours but God's.

2 Chronicles 20:17 You need not fight in this battle; station yourselves, stand and see the salvation of the LORD on your behalf, O Judah and Jerusalem.' Do not fear or be dismayed; tomorrow go out to face them, for the LORD is with you."

Isaiah 41:10 'Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.'

Isaiah 41:13 "For I am the LORD your God, who upholds your right hand, Who says to you, 'Do not fear, I will help you.' (NASB ©1995)

Exodus 14:13And Moses said unto the people, “Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which He will show to you today: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen today, ye shall see them again no more forever. 14The LORD shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace.”