My dad, Dr. Tony Evans, is a man of prayer, plain and simple. My childhood memories of his praying are deeply ingrained - hearing his voice resonate with fervor and passion as he lifted up his requests and thanksgiving to God. Not just once a week on Sundays as he led the congregation. No, my father prayed as a lifestyle. He’d gather my siblings and me and our mom, ask us to bow our heads and close our eyes, and then, then, he’d talk to God.

I admit sometimes I’d peek, opening my eyes just enough to peer up into his face. That’s when I knew. I knew for sure this discipline was not one he took lightly. His expression was tender and yet serious, compassionate and yet somehow still intent and purposeful. He didn’t just pick the usual words and phrases that most easily came to mind. He wasn’t hurried or rushed, hoping to quickly return to more important endeavors. This was the important task.

And as a result of his belief in the power of prayer, I saw God’s answers and responses. His Spirit-filled prayer life encouraged our faith as a family, and it has helped to shape my own personal prayer life as an adult. I’m grateful to call this godly man my pastor… and my father. Grateful, too, that he’s sharing some of his wisdom with you in this important book called Prayers for Victory in Spiritual Warfare.

In each of the 30 topics covered, he provides you with prayers based on the six pieces of armor outlined in Ephesians 6:10-17. You can pray these prayers verbatim, paraphrase them, or simply let them provoke your thoughts as you craft your own prayers related to these topics - or any other topics you wish to add. The key, however, is to pray. Like my daddy did and still does. Don’t just think about prayer, talk about prayer, or learn about prayer. Actually pray. Our great God is looking forward to hearing from you and me as we seek His face for victory in the battles we are fighting in our lives.

I will be joining you in claiming the spiritual victory that is ours because we are already more than conquerors in Him who loved us and gave Himself for us. And as you pray, remember that no matter the struggle you are facing, greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world.

More from The Alternative View:

Testimony Time

“Thank God for leading you to my town to do a revival in 1994. I rededicated my life to our wonderful Lord and Savior and have never turned back. I am very involved with my church where I use my gifts to glorify God through teaching AWANA, singing, and going on mission trips every year to tell others about Christ. I've never had a chance to tell you how the words spoken through you changed my life!”   

“God bless you, my dear brother. I love your program. It has been a blessing to my life. I thank God Almighty for using you in a mighty way. I pray for you and your dear family to be blessed with all His riches in glory in Christ Jesus!”   

“Thank you for your wonderful ministry and outreach to the schools. I am praying we can do something similar in San Diego at our church. I am a proud and blessed supporter of The Urban Alternative.”