Battling for Your Promised Land

This excerpt draws powerful parallels between Joshua’s conquest of Canaan and the spiritual battles we face today, reminding us that advancing God’s Kingdom requires boldness, vision, and unwavering faith. Whether it’s reclaiming ground in your community, praying for your nation, or stepping into your calling, you are battling for your promised land. With God’s promises as your foundation, you can rise, fight, and take possession of all He’s prepared for you.

When you are battling in prayer for God’s Kingdom to prevail in your nation, it’s helpful to remember the lessons the Israelites learned when getting ready to fight for their Promised Land. After the death of his mentor Moses, Joshua was given instructions from the Lord on how he could lead his people to victory:

1. Go on the offensive. 

“Arise, go over this Jordan, you and all this people, to the land which I am giving to them —the children of Israel.” – Joshua 1:2 NASB

In the same way, God’s people will need to ARISE if they’re going to reclaim their nation. That means getting out of our easy chairs and rousing yourselves for action. And just as Joshua and the Israelites had to “go over” the Jordan River, there are some things you’ll need to get over and overcome in order to fulfill God’s purposes.

2. Expand your vision.

“Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given you.” – Joshua 1:3 NASB

Remember what Psalm 24:1 declares: “The earth is the Lord’s, and all its fullness, the world and those who dwell therein.” This means the devil isn’t the rightful owner of the earth or any of its inhabitants. God is the true owner, both through creation and through Christ’s redemptive act on the cross, when He purchased back everything the enemy stole.

In his book, City Reaching—On the Road to Community Transformation, Jack Dennison points out, “The neighborhoods of your city belong to God. The cities of America belong to God. The nations of the world belong to God. He wants them, and He will have them—every one of them!”

Because our Lord is the rightful owner and ruler of every piece of ground and every person who inhabits our nation, we can have great boldness in our prayers and our witnessing. As long as we faithfully represent His Kingdom, God wants to give us dominion over every place our foot treads. We can be victors instead of victims.

3. Know your inheritance.

“From the wilderness and this Lebanon as far as the great river, the River Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and to the Great Sea toward the going down of the sun, shall be your territory.” – Joshua 1:4 NASB

Each of us has been given specific “territory” in God’s Kingdom. Joshua and the Israelites hadn’t yet taken any of this territory, but God was letting them know it was His inheritance for them. Do you know what spiritual territory has been ordained for you? Perhaps there’s a certain sphere of society where you are called to focus your prayers or outreach. For example, God may want you to be His ambassador to the world of business, government, media, arts and entertainment, education, or families.

4. Be confident of victory.

“No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life; as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you nor forsake you.” – Joshua 1:5 NASB

Just think how bold we all would be if we knew that victory was certain and that God would never leave us. Instead of cowering in a corner, waiting for Jesus to come back and rescue us from the devil, we would be valiant warriors, continually taking more ground for the Kingdom of God.

5. Fight courageously.

“Be strong and of good courage, for to this people you shall divide as an inheritance the land which I swore to their fathers to give them. Only be strong and very courageous … Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
– Joshua 1:6-9 NASB

God knew the Promised Land would never be taken by pacifists. Still today, courage and strength are indispensable for spiritual progress and impact. A spiritual war is going on, and you can’t afford to be a wimp!

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Excerpt taken from Prayers to Change Your Nation by Inspiration Ministries

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