What is a Prayer Warrior?

1 John 5:14-15 (MSG) ~ My purpose in writing is simply this: that you who believe in God’s Son will know beyond the shadow of a doubt that you have eternal life, the reality and not the illusion. And how bold and free we then become in his presence, freely asking according to his will, sure that he’s listening. And if we’re confident that he’s listening, we know that what we’ve asked for is as good as ours.

When you think of the term prayer warrior do you think of some little old lady, wrinkled hands, clutching a worn-out bible and waving her hands in the air? I know that’s the image most of us think of when someone says, “She’s a prayer warrior.”

Several years ago, I used to attend a prayer meeting with some people that fit the term perfectly. Almost as if you Googled ‘prayer warrior’ their picture would appear on the first screen. I learned how to pray from these beautiful saints. I would listen with awe at the confidence they exuded with each request. They would quote scripture as if it was a promise already given, not one they hoped for in the future. They would glorify His name with assurance that He was in the room with us accepting their worship and taking note of each appeal. The confidence in which they prayed was contagious. You could not sit in that room and escape the power of the Holy Spirit being completely in sync with them. I learned what a prayer warrior was as I witnessed this amazing communion with God.

My mom was a prayer warrior. I would ask her to pray for something going on in my life, and I know, without a doubt, she was figuratively or literally on her knees before God pleading on my behalf. She didn’t use eloquent language. Most of the time I did not hear her prayers, but she had the ear of God. Why? What was so special about her? She was God’s child. That is all. As the scripture says above, “When we believe in God’s son, we can be sure that He is listening.”

To me, a prayer warrior is someone who knows God’s promises and simply repeats them back to Him as they pray not with hesitancy but with certainty. A prayer warrior has experienced God’s miracles through answered prayer, and they seek out the joy that comes from witnessing additional miracles. Being a prayer warrior is not about eloquent words that impress other people. A warrior is someone that stands up to protect or go to battle for something or someone they care about.

The confidence in which we approach God through prayer is not because of anything we have done. The confidence comes from our acceptance in what Christ did for us. One of the most profound things I have been able to accept in my Christian walk is that God views me through the blood of Jesus Christ. God listens to our prayers just as intently as He did Jesus’ prayers when He was on earth. I believe God eagerly awaits the believer that approaches His throne with the confidence and the faith in the promises that He has given us in scripture. When I pray with that kind of assurance, I can feel the joy of the Holy Spirit joining with me in my petitions.

Becoming a prayer warrior is not some unattainable, holier than thou, spiritual giant figure. They simply resign themselves to believe all that God’s word tells them is true. We are His children. He wants to hear our petitions, and He wants us to pray with the assurance that He will answer them.

Women of God, do not approach the throne of God as a meek, mild, apologetic mouse. You are a warrior of God. Approach Him with the boldness that is your birthright as a Child of the One True King! The words are not what is important, it’s the manner in which you make your requests known to God.