We wrestle NOT with flesh and blood

Every intercessor knows that “We are not fighting against humans. We are fighting against forces and authorities and against rulers of darkness and powers in the spiritual world” (Eph 6:12 CEV). But when there’s someone promoting unrighteousness or deception right in our faces, we often react emotionally to the person or issue. We can become angry, frustrated, fearful and hopeless when we focus on what’s in front of our faces. Might we be missing the real battle?

I’m not saying there isn’t a time to speak out, submit a written opinion to a committee, sign a petition or write a pointed (and respectful) letter. But prayer challenges us to see beyond the observable. If we want to discern where the real battle is, we need to see from the spiritual perspective of being seated “with [God] in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus” (Eph 2:6).

When I hear the word “Islamophobia” tossed around, my blood starts to boil. Islam is an ideology encompassing religion, politics, finance, justice and more; and its infiltration of our society founded on Judeo-Christian principles is very concerning. The term “Islamophobia” conflates this pernicious ideology with Muslims, the people who practice it. At a recent Eid dinner in North York hosted by Canadian-Muslim Vote (a nonpartisan organization for politically engaged Muslims), Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said, “Our government will always stand with you and all Muslim Canadians in condemning Islamophobia and all forms of hate at home and abroad” (Huffington Post, Politics, 06/22/2019).

What did he mean by that? I can assure you that many people, including the PM, understand it very broadly to include everything from attacking a Muslim person just because they’re Muslim to critiquing Islamic beliefs and criticizing Islamic practices. Meanwhile the other side of the political spectrum revealed its fear of being called “Islamophobic” by prohibiting Salim Mansur, an informed, well-spoken Muslim critic of “the twin forces of globalism and Islamism” (salimmansur.ca) from running for the Conservative nomination in London North Centre. (Read his biography on Wikipedia.)

My mission is to unveil Islam and love Muslim people. (One of the best ways to love them is to unveil Islam!) But I’ve frequently claimed, “It’s hard to separate the ideology from the people.” Last week, I heard myself say it yet again and had this new thought: “Why should I repeat the obvious according to what I see with my eyes, rather than calling ‘into existence the things that do not exist’ (Ro 4:17)?” If I have received discernment from the heavenly places where the Lord says I am seated [in authority] with Him, I can pray from “heaven to earth,” not bound by circumstances.

Instead of getting mad at our politicians or frustrated with the media, etc., let’s see them as signs pointing to the powers behind the deception & confusion. It is a doctrine of Islam that no one may criticize it. This keeps it hidden, hence the deception and confusion. The term “Islamophobia” is a tool to enforce that doctrine through intimidation. The strong man of Islam (Lk 11:21-22) is a bully. When we stand up to him in the name of our Champion, Jesus Christ, it’s no longer a fair fight. The outcome is already decided! In His name, let’s…

• Declare in prayer that Jesus is worthy (use Rev 5:9 or https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1pBeDoSlUnU).
• Declare that Jesus’ church is NOT intimidated, and the gates of hell will NOT prevail against it (Mt 16:18).
• Declare that Islam IS exposed as a destructive ideology and that our decision-makers, influencers, leaders and citizens are well able to see it as it is.
• Thank God for sending many Muslims to Canada. Declare they WILL freely hear and respond to the Gospel, many of them WILL take the Gospel back to their home countries and MANY WILL BE SAVED.

Change the spiritual atmosphere over Canada by making these declarations as you prayer walk your neighborhoods, cities and beyond.