I am totally convinced from my conversations with other pastors, along with my personal experience, that the forces of evil hate it when a Church community succeeds.

Personally, my soul is lit on fire when guests come to our worship, when people are being baptized, and when lives are being transformed. My enthusiasm can go through the roof as we have significant events and see new people or when certain holidays lead to a packed building. As the gospel’s impact grows through my ministry and the Church I lead, I feel joy deep inside at the fantastic work of the Lord.

Then, when I get up in the morning, the first thing I do when I get to the office is hit my knees in prayer. That is because, with every life transformed, I know evil will hate it and attack. My emotions will be tested as they run from apathetic to depressed to angry. Temptations will lurk around every corner. Critics will rise, and criticism will flow. Disunity will permeate the leaders, and we will be tempted to turn on each other. The darkness will try to devour new believers and kill their enthusiasm for Jesus. Some days, it will seem like nothing is going right.

As the Church attacks the gates of Hell, there will be ugly battles that develop within the Church and its leadership, both internally and externally.    

When the light grows, the darkness will use every trick and tactic to push it back. That is why you need to pray for the Church staff, Elders, Deacons, and ministry leaders regularly. We fight not against flesh and blood but against spiritual forces that do not want us to succeed.