“The kingdoms of this world shall become the kingdom of the Lord” (Revelation 11:15).

At the recent Eyes and Wings Conference in Port Perry, Ontario, Canada, Lou Engle made this statement: “The Marines do not move in until the Air Force has softened the defenses first.”

He was referring to the military strategy of air strikes on key targets that would weaken the enemy’s ability to defend themselves before sending other troops onto the land.

Lou Engle is known as a leader in the Prayer Movement in the Body of Christ. He has mobilized tens of thousands of prayer warriors into a Royal Air Force. The power of intercessory prayer weakens the enemy’s defenses. Now, it is time for the foot soldiers to move in and take the territory for Jesus.

What is, er, striking about this analogy is that, just as you only need a small number of Air Force personnel to carry out the softening blows, so also you only need a few prayer warriors to get the process going.

But don’t let the small numbers fool you, because the damage they do is anything but small. Without the first step of prayer all attempts at winning the war are bound to be met with stiff resistance.

“Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few.”Winston Churchill spoke these immortal words shortly after the Royal Air Force had fended off the Luftwaffe, even though they were vastly outnumbered. Churchill described how the British airmen “undaunted by odds, unwearied in their constant challenge and mortal danger, are turning the tide of the World War by their prowess and by their devotion.”

Lou Engle can tell you story after story of how such concentrated prayer has resulted in governments reversing decisions and revoking laws, great numbers of souls coming into the kingdom in hostile territory and flourishing ministries being launched in seemingly barren areas around the world.

One of our DWOD subscribers, Glenn Stansfield will tell you that the reason he is the CEO of a successful multimillion dollar company is because a small group of prayer warriors at Morgan’s Point United Church became a Royal Air Force that softened the defenses of a powerful business magnate.

The result was unprecedented favour that led to the acquisition of a company without any financial resources of his own. A business that was given up for dead was resurrected into the thriving enterprise that is known today as Fleet Canada.

I am sensing that some of you who are reading this post have been gripped by a vision to conquer enemy territory for Jesus in a particular sphere. Here is a word of strategy for you. Gather a few prayer warriors together and soften the defenses first before you set foot there.

Others will relate more to being part of that Royal Air Force. Start praying for someone in your sphere of influence who is called to take the land for Jesus—a ministry leader, a politician, a businessperson, a media mogul, an entertainer, a high level manager or someone who is virtually unknown today but is consumed by a vision and a mandate from the Lord.

Some of you cannot see yourself in either camp. You too have an important function. You will serve as connectors who link the prayer warriors to the visionary leaders. Without you making the connection, the mission cannot be accomplished.

Friends, shall we all do our part to ensure that the Air Force softens the defenses, the Marines move in and “the kingdoms of this world shall become the kingdom of the Lord?”