My husband and I had been going through a string of hopeful days that somehow end in horrible nights – miscommunications, exhaustion, unkept promises, lack of time for each other, etc, etc, etc. A couple nights ago was the last straw…

After what seemed like an eternity of hostile silence, I finally asked my husband, “Do you think we are under attack?”

He answered quickly and flippantly, “Of course we are. We are always under attack.”

As first I was inclined to adversely react to his blanket statement, but then I realized that he was right. We had just been losing the most recent battle.

Despite the hostile awkwardness, we decided to stop ignoring the situation and pray. Once we did, it was like a light once again shone on our relationship that I didn’t even realize had been blocked out for a quite some time. It became one of those cornerstone moments when a relationship instantly grows tangibly stronger and deeper after a profound experience of healing or closeness.

The scariest part was that it had taken us so long to realize that we were being attacked at all. We were being beaten and smothered, without even knowing it.

Is this happening to you?

5 Keys for Ordinary Spiritual Warfare

Recognize that the fight is real. The Devil is real and he’s out to get YOU! Not believing in the existence of the fight is a sure way to lose.
You are a prime target for attack. The devil hates all that is good, godly and happy – especially strong relationships. If you are married, or trying to follow God plan for your life in any respect, you are a prime target for attack. He hates you the most. Be on your guard. It’s like a chess game. Evil people are his pawns, he already controls them. We, on the other hand, are his challenge, his spoils of war, his reason for playing the game.
The enemy is stealthy – “Why,” I wondered, “are so many of our problems caused by good intentions?” He works in ways we do not expect. If we believe in the devil we think of him only as he is portrayed in movies about possession or expect him to only be involved in manifestations of intrinsic evils such as murder, rape, and abuse. But, good people are not tempted by evil! Thus, the enemy must come to us “in sheep’s clothing” (Matthew 7:15). This is why temptations are called “temptations” – they have to actually tempt you! All they have to do is distract you from what you should be doing in order to derail your life and your happiness. It didn’t have to be a bad thing for Christ to make himself a loaf of bread in the wilderness (Matthew 4:3) … and yet it was a temptation. It doesn’t have to be a bad thing to fall asleep if you are tired or to enjoy time alone, but if those, or similar”good” things, are killing your relationships or getting in the way of fulfilling your calling, it might be a good idea to rethink your priorities.
Prayer really conquers – At the name of Jesus every knee shall bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth (Phillipians 2:10). Do not be afraid to tell the enemy, in the name of Jesus, to “Go away” (in the words of your choice), no matter how awkward it may feel. (Whatever you ask in my name, I will do – John 14:14) Talk to him like he is real and as though you have no fear. Speaking your prayer aloud may help you to do it with more confidence. Join in prayer with another for added strength (Where two or three are gathered in my name… – Matthew 18:20).
Keep it simple – Remember you are asking GOD to fight back, not yourself. You are asking for protection in the name of GOD, not yourself. YOU are no match for the devil, only God can put him in his place. Thus, there is no need for special incantations or fancy surroundings, just a simple, genuine, confident plea for help in the recognition of our need.