Hey everybody, I’m Anne-Marie Michaelis, a Christian author and coach. Welcome to the Hidden Battles Podcast, a weekly podcast about the hidden battles of spiritual warfare and the struggles that go on in our minds and hearts, and the truth to overcoming these hidden battles. My life was radically transformed during a supernatural encounter with Jesus.

God allowed my eyes to be spiritually opened long enough to see the truth of these hidden battles and to scare the rebellion against him right out of me. In each episode, I share a true story about a real life experience, a teaching, and a final takeaway. This podcast will reveal the hidden battles that lurk in our minds and hearts, and the way out.

Hidden Battles, revealing what the enemy does not want you to know. Please take a moment to follow me on Facebook, Instagram, and subscribe to my channel on YouTube, at GodDesign LLC. Podcasts are available on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts.

For a free download of my memoir, visit my website at goddesign.org.”

 Today in this episode called “Purposeful Prayer”, I’ll share briefly about the period of time between when my eyes were first spiritually opened and before I was delivered from demonic oppression by Jesus.  Then most of this episode will be on prayer or how we communicate with God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. I’ll be taking some teachings from my Christian Coaching workbook called “The Truth To Overcoming Hidden Battles”. After, we’ll end with reflections.

There was a lengthy timespan between when I saw what was going on in and around me, and when I finally surrendered and started obeying God’s nudges, and when I was actually delivered from the severe demonic oppression. So things didn’t happen for me in one big swoop.  It was stages or shifts that I went through.  Each shift led to deeper understanding and knowledge. These shifts continue to this day as they should once you start being led by the Holy Spirit.  For me … I probably have a ton of “shifts” to go to get even close to getting it right!  But, that’s ok.  Thank you Jesus, you came for a sinner like me!  As I am certainly a work in progress!

It was a good year or two of praying the Lord’s prayer (The Our Father) before I finally surrendered and obeyed Him, and it was approximately one full year of praying and trying to stay focused on God till I encountered Jesus’s deliverance.  I say “trying” because it is certainly not easy for those of us that have been walking by the worlds standards their entire life. 

My life changing breakthrough (which included deliverance from demonic oppression) came after I had been praying for about a year AND I had surrendered and obeyed what God had been telling me all along to do, or in this case to stop doing. Stop the cycle of toxic relationship addictions and separate yourself from toxic people.  Honestly, for me it felt like He was saying simply STOP THE INSANITY – FIRST.

Why did He wait so long to deliver me from demonic oppression?  Possibly, to make sure I wasn’t going to repeat my pattern any longer.  Possibly to see how resolute and committed I was to beating down my flesh each day.  Because what my flesh wanted me to do vs what I knew I should do were two different things.  Or possibly, it was what Matthew 12:43-45 (AMP) says, which is probably the biggest and most imperative reason in my mind. 

Matthew 12:43-45 (AMP) “Now when the unclean spirit has gone out of a man, it roams through waterless (dry, arid) places in search of rest, but it does not find it. Then it says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’ And when it arrives, it finds the place unoccupied, swept, and put in order. Then it goes and brings with it seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and make their home there. And the last condition of that man becomes worse than the first. So will it also be with this wicked generation.”

I certainly didn’t need to be worse off than I was before, if I wasn’t going to stay fully surrendered and obeying God.  I didn’t need to be swept clean from these nasty demonic rodents and then have a vacancy sign inviting them back into my nice clean mind and heart!  I needed to be filled with the Holy Spirit and God’s Word daily so that the vacancy would be filled and not with more “unclean spirits” (demons).  

So, this episode is about praying.  Because I learned immediately, if you don’t pray, you’re dead in the water.  I’ll share all the things about praying that I did not know during those years I was praying for relief.  I had no idea just how important prayer is and the power of prayer.  I didn’t know anything basically.  So this episode is for all of you, who are like I was, and have no idea of just how important prayer is and the power of prayer. 

What does God’s Word say about communication with Him?

Let’s look first at how He speaks to us!  I’m going to quickly run through a summarized list and where the scripture can be found.  My transcript will have the full scripture for you, and I highly recommend downloading it from my website to review.

So, how does God speak to us?

God speaks to us through scripture in the Bible (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

2 Timothy 3:16-17 (AMP) All Scripture is God-breathed [given by divine inspiration] and is profitable for instruction, for conviction [of sin], for correction [of error and restoration to obedience], for training in righteousness [learning to live in conformity to God’s will, both publicly and privately—behaving honorably with personal integrity and moral courage]; so that the man of God may be complete and proficient, outfitted and thoroughly equipped for every good work.

He speaks to us through gifted teachers.  Teachers that have received spiritual gifting from the Holy Spirit. (Romans 12:6-8).

Romans 12:6-8 (AMP) Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, each of us is to use them accordingly: if [someone has the gift of] prophecy, [let him speak a new message from God to His people] in proportion to the faith possessed; if service, in the act of serving; or he who teaches, in the act of teaching; or he who encourages, in the act of encouragement; he who gives, with generosity; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy [in caring for others], with cheerfulness.

He speaks to us in dreams and visions at night (Job 33:12-18). 

Job 33:12-18 (AMP) “Look, let me answer you, in this you are not right or just; for God is greater and far superior to man. “Why do you complain against Him? That He does not answer [you with] all His doings.“For God speaks once, and even twice, yet no one notices it [including you, Job]. “In a dream, a vision of the night [one may hear God’s voice], When deep sleep falls on men while slumbering upon the bed, then He opens the ears of men And seals their instruction, that He may turn man aside from his conduct, And keep him from pride; He holds back his soul from the pit [of destruction], and his life from passing over into Sheol (the nether world, the place of the dead).

Last, but certainly not least, He speaks to us through the Holy Spirit, which when you surrender to Christ, we receive the Holy Spirit to dwell in our hearts. (John 14:26).

John 14:26 (AMP) But the Helper (Comforter, Advocate, Intercessor—Counselor, Strengthener, Standby), the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name [in My place, to represent Me and act on My behalf], He will teach you all things. And He will help you remember everything that I have told you.

He speaks to us however He chooses! So, I am certainly not about to put limitations on how God will speak to me OR you! 

Let’s Go Over Some Tips from God’s Word on How to Pray

1) PRAY AND KEEP ON PRAYING

The Book of Daniel in chapter 10, it tells about how Daniel was waiting for 21 days for an answer to his praying and a heavenly being (Gabriel) visited him in a vision, first explaining that his prayer was heard right away but that he was held up in the heavens warring with the angel prince of the kingdom of Persia (an evil angel representing the interests of Satan) who was preventing him from delivering the message. Michael, one of the chief angels came to help him in the fight so he could deliver the message to Daniel. 

This gives us an example that we have no idea what is going on in the spiritual realm when we pray a request to God.  So, we should not give up just because we don’t get an answer in the time that we would like.

Be Persistent In Your Prayer.  Be Consistent In Your Prayer.  Never Give Up.  Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. – Luke 18:1 (NIV), also … 1 Thessalonians 5:17, Romans 12:12 (AMP), Colossians 4:2 (AMP)

 2) PRAY WITH SPECIFIC REQUESTS

God’s Word tells us to pray with specific requests (strategically).  Don’t pray like a hypocrite standing out in public so everyone can see you, but instead pray in private.  Try and stay humble in prayer.  Don’t use meaningly repetition (God knows what you ask before you ask Him so be specific and to the point).  So don’t ramble and repeat yourself unnecessarily.  (ex. if you remember the episode “God’s Warm Bubble” all I could pray in those moments of panic were “God Help Me” and it doesn’t get any more to the point that that.  It was not fancy and filled with fluffy words.

Be Specific In Your Prayer (strategic).  All Times.  Every Season.  All Occasion. In The Spirit. With all prayer and petition pray [with specific requests] at all times [on every occasion and in every season] in the Spirit, and with this in view, stay alert with all perseverance and petition [interceding in prayer] for all God’s people. – Ephesians 6:18 (AMP)

Pray Specific And Don’t Ramble On.  “And when you pray, do not use meaningless repetition as the Gentiles do, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. – Matthew 6:7 (AMP)

3) PRAY WITH AN ATTITUDE OF THANKSGIVING AND RIGHT MOTIVES

Praying with the right attitude and right motives is imperative.  Praying with a bad or negative attitude is counter productive.  Praying for your own hedonistic desires that are not aligned with God’s will for your life is also a warning.  Prayer isn’t like summoning a genie from a bottle for your every wish.  It’s a genuine and sincere communication with your creator.

Pray With Thanksgiving And Specific Requests.  Do not be anxious or worried about anything, but in everything [every circumstance and situation] by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, continue to make your [specific] requests known to God. – Philippians 4:6 (AMP), also Colossians 4:2 (AMP)

 Pray Your Request With The Right Motives.  You ask [God for something] and do not receive it, because you ask with wrong motives [out of selfishness or with an unrighteous agenda], so that [when you get what you want] you may spend it on your [hedonistic] desires. – James 4:3 (AMP)

Pray According to God’s Will And Believe.  For this reason I am telling you, whatever things you ask for in prayer [in accordance with God’s will], believe [with confident trust] that you have received them, and they will be given to you. – Mark 11:24 (AMP)

4) PRAY IN AGREEMENT WITH OTHERS

There is power in two or more believers united together in prayer.

Pray In Agreement With Others. “Again I say to you, that if two believers on earth agree [that is, are of one mind, in harmony] about anything that they ask [within the will of God], it will be done for them by My Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered in My name [meeting together as My followers], I am there among them.”  – Matthew 18:19-20 (AMP)

Prayer Is Powerful. Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. – James 5:16 (NIV)

5) PRAYERS OF THOSE IN RIGHT STANDING WITH GOD

The closer we draw to the Lord, and walk in right standing with Him, the closer He is to us and hearing our prayers.

He Hears Prayers of the Righteous. The Lord is far from the wicked [and distances Himself from them], But He hears the prayer of the [consistently] righteous [that is, those with spiritual integrity and moral courage]. – Proverbs 15:29 (AMP)

Pray In Jesus And Save God’s Word’s In Your Heart.  If you remain in Me and My words remain in you [that is, if we are vitally united and My message lives in your heart], ask whatever you wish and it will be done for you. – John 15:7 (AMP) 

Pray With a Repenting (Humble and Seeking Forgiveness) Attitude. Psalm 66:18 (AMP) If I regard sin and baseness in my heart [that is, if I know it is there and do nothing about it], The Lord will not hear [me] 

Pray With A Forgiving And Non-Bitter Mind And Heart Towards Others. Whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him [drop the issue, let it go], so that your Father who is in heaven will also forgive you your transgressions and wrongdoings [against Him and others]. – Mark 11:25 (AMP)

6) BELIEVE AND RECEIVE

Believe In God And Seek Him Diligently.  But without faith it is impossible to [walk with God and] please Him, for whoever comes [near] to God must [necessarily] believe that God exists and that He rewards those who [earnestly and diligently] seek Him. – Hebrews 11:6 (AMP)

Pray With Faith And Belief That Your Prayer Is Answered.  If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.” – Matthew 21:22 (NIV)

Pray With No Doubting.  Therefore I want the men in every place to pray, lifting up holy hands, without anger and disputing or quarreling or doubt [in their mind]. – 1 Timothy 2:8 (AMP)

7) PRAY ACCORDING TO SCRIPTURE

Pray According To Scripture.  All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. – 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NIV)

8) PRAY IN THE SPIRIT WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT

Pray In Spirit With Holy Spirit Within You.  Pray With Words You Understand. Then what am I to do? I will pray with the spirit [by the Holy Spirit that is within me] and I will pray with the mind [using words I understand]; I will sing with the spirit [by the Holy Spirit that is within me] and I will sing with the mind [using words I understand]. – 1 Corinthians 14:15 (AMP)

For more insight into prayer …

The Prayer Pattern Taught By Jesus. How To Pray.   The Lord’s Prayer (Prayer Taught by Jesus): – Matthew 6:5-15 (AMP)

 “Also, when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites; for they love to pray [publicly] standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets so that they may be seen by men. I assure you and most solemnly say to you, they [already] have their reward in full. But when you pray, go into your most private room, close the door and pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees [what is done] in secret will reward you. “And when you pray, do not use meaningless repetition as the Gentiles do, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. So do not be like them [praying as they do]; for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him. “Pray, then, in this way: ‘Our Father, who is in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. ‘Your kingdom come, Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven. ‘Give us this day our daily bread. ‘And forgive us our debts, as we have forgiven our debtors [letting go of both the wrong and the resentment]. ‘And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil. [For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.]’ For if you forgive others their trespasses [their reckless and willful sins], your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others [nurturing your hurt and anger with the result that it interferes with your relationship with God], then your Father will not forgive your trespasses.

Prayer and Fasting Is Sometimes Needed To Cast Out Demons. He answered, “Because of your little faith [your lack of trust and confidence in the power of God]; for I assure you and most solemnly say to you, if you have [living] faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and [if it is God’s will] it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you. [But this kind of demon does not go out except by prayer and fasting.]”. – Matthew 17:20-21 (AMP)

 Now for some reflections.

Let’s go on a Holy Spirit side track before the specific reflection questions.

Holy Spirit dwelling in a true believers heart is called the Spirit of Truth, and this scripture my friends should perk your ears right up by what it reveals.

John 16:13-15 (AMP) But when He, the Spirit of Truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth [full and complete truth]. For He will not speak on His own initiative, but He will speak whatever He hears [from the Father—the message regarding the Son], and He will disclose to you what is to come [in the future]. He will glorify and honor Me [Jesus], because He (the Holy Spirit) will take from what is Mine [Jesus] and will disclose it to you. All things that the Father has are Mine [Jesus]. Because of this I said that He [the Spirit] will take from what is Mine and will reveal it to you.

So, I ask you, do you want to receive “Holy Spirit” downloads?  Are you ready to start walking with Jesus?  Are you ready to get serious and stop playing games with your creator, because we’re all running out of time and we don’t know when our time here will be over.  If you’re not walking with Jesus, you’re walking with the enemy.  Remember the episode were I explained you cannot be on two teams.  You cannot serve two masters.  It’s either Jesus or Satan.

If you’re ready to surrender to Christ, let’s pray a prayer of salvation and begin your commitment to walk with Jesus and accept Him into your mind, heart, and every facet of your life!

Heavenly Father, I come to you as a sinner in need of Your grace. I repent of my sins and confess openly with my lips that Jesus is my Lord and Savior. I believe in my heart that He died and rose from the grave for my sins. Lord Jesus, I invite you into my life and ask for the Holy Spirit to dwell in my heart; to be my teacher, counselor, comforter, and helper in all areas of my life. May Your will be done in my life. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.  

If you prayed this prayer of salvation, this is the first step and a very important and good step in beginning your walk with Jesus.  Relationships take effort and communication, so just as this episode was about prayer – keep the communication channel open with Jesus so you can start building your relationship and hear what He has in store for you.  Get into His Word (the Bible) so you know for yourself what He says as He can speak through His Word directly to YOU!  

Hey, friends, that wraps up today’s Hidden Battles Podcast. A transcript along with additional devotionals for this week’s podcast, as well as my memoir, are available for free download on my website at goddesign.org, or check out some of my other books that you may find helpful. If you liked this episode, please share with others.

Hidden Battles, revealing what the enemy does not want you to know. Never stop praying, never give up, and I’ll see you next week.