In a world marked by anxiety, division, and the unseen battles each of us face, the Christian teaching of spiritual warfare remains more urgent than ever. In “Spiritual Warfare: Christian Prayer for Modern Problems” by Kevin Shepherd, believers are called to recognize the reality of spiritual conflict, discover their God-given authority, and equip themselves through prayer and faith for victory in daily life. Here, we explore the book’s 15 chapters in detail, unpacking practical strategies for modern disciples and highlighting the core message that Shepherd wants every believer to carry into battle.
Introduction: Why Spiritual Warfare Matters
Kevin Shepherd opens with an urgent reminder: spiritual warfare is not an abstract religious idea, but a biblical reality that affects every Christian. The book is both a call to awareness and an equipping manual, showing that through prayer, biblical truth, and relationship with God, modern believers can overcome the enemy’s schemes and live victorious lives.
Chapter 1: The Reality of the Battle
Shepherd starts with the foundational truth that spiritual warfare is ongoing and pervasive. Drawing from Ephesians 6:12 (“we wrestle not against flesh and blood”), he explains that the greatest battles happen in the unseen spiritual realm but are felt in our daily struggles—doubt, fear, conflict, temptation, and despair. Recognizing the battle is the first step to victory.
Key points:
- The world is a battleground, not a playground.
- Ignorance of spiritual warfare does not exempt us from it.
- Every believer is a participant, not a spectator.
Chapter 2: The Armor of God
Shepherd walks readers through the classic passage in Ephesians 6:10-18, detailing each piece of spiritual armor:
- Belt of truth
- Breastplate of righteousness
- Shoes of the gospel of peace
- Shield of faith
- Helmet of salvation
- Sword of the Spirit (the Word of God)
With practical applications, he shows that putting on the armor each day is about integrating faith, truth, and discipline into one’s thoughts and actions.
Chapter 3: The Role of Prayer in Warfare
This chapter underscores that prayer is not a passive response but the primary means of engaging in spiritual battle. Shepherd teaches that “praying always with all prayer and supplication” (Eph. 6:18) is vital for staying spiritually alert and connected to God’s power.
Highlights include:
- Prayer as divine communication and strategy session.
- The necessity of persistence and authority in prayer.
- Combining prayer with the Word for maximum effectiveness.
Chapter 4: Daily Protection Prayer
Moving from theory to practice, Shepherd provides frameworks and sample prayers for daily spiritual protection. This includes:
- Asking for God’s presence and angelic protection.
- Putting on the spiritual armor through prayerful declaration.
- Praying for covering over mind, body, spirit, family, and home.
He advises believers to make this a daily discipline, fostering a proactive—not reactive—spiritual stance.
Chapter 5: Deliverance from Strongholds
Shepherd defines spiritual strongholds as patterns of thought or behavior, fueled by lies or past trauma, that hinder spiritual growth. Through God’s truth, confession, and persistent prayer, these strongholds can be demolished (2 Cor. 10:4-5).
Key strategies:
- Identify areas of bondage (fear, addiction, bitterness).
- Confess and renounce these strongholds in prayer.
- Replace lies with scripture and truth.
Chapter 6: Prayer for Discernment and Judgment
Discernment is crucial in spiritual warfare—to perceive the enemy’s strategies and distinguish truth from deception. Shepherd urges readers to ask for discernment daily, referencing James 1:5. Prayers for discernment protect from false teaching, dangerous influences, and deceptive emotions.
Application:
- Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal motives (yours and others’).
- Pray for clarity in decisions and spiritual insight.
Chapter 7: Breaking Curses and Agreements
This chapter explores the reality of spiritual curses, generational patterns, and ungodly agreements that may affect a believer’s life. Shepherd provides biblical background and practical prayers to:
- Break off spoken curses (intentional or unintentional)
- Renounce vows or agreements made in fear or sin
- Declare God’s blessings through the authority of Jesus’ name
He encourages humility and honesty in self-examination as keys to freedom.
Chapter 8: Prayers Against Fear and Anxiety
Recognizing the epidemic of anxiety, Shepherd offers targeted prayers and scriptural affirmations to combat fear. He reminds readers that God did not give “a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-control” (2 Tim. 1:7).
Practical tips:
- Use verses like Psalm 23, Isaiah 41:10, Philippians 4:6-7 in prayer.
- Speak peace over your mind, rebuking anxiety’s hold in Jesus’ name.
Chapter 9: Prayers for Physical and Emotional Healing
Shepherd points to the healing ministry of Jesus and the continued relevance of healing prayer. This chapter equips readers to:
- Pray for their own and others’ physical healing
- Address emotional wounds through confession and forgiveness
- Trust God’s timing, remaining persistent in faith
He reminds believers that sometimes God’s greatest healing is inner transformation rather than immediate physical change.
Chapter 10: Prayers for Protection Over Family and Children
Recognizing the family as a frontline in spiritual warfare, Shepherd presents prayers for safeguarding spouses, children, and households. He suggests:
- Praying God’s promises and protection over loved ones (Psalm 91, Proverbs 3:24)
- Breaking negative generational cycles through intercession
- Asking for wisdom in parenting and spiritual leadership
Chapter 11: Prayers Against Temptation and Sin
Here, Shepherd addresses the subtlety of temptation and necessity of pre-emptive prayer. Drawing from the Lord’s Prayer (“lead us not into temptation…”) and Jesus’ wilderness temptations, he teaches strategies to:
- Recognize sources and patterns of temptation
- Pray for strength and escape in weak moments
- Claim scriptural promises (1 Cor. 10:13)
Chapter 12: Prayers for Breakthrough and Provisions
When facing lack, stagnation, or resistance, breakthrough prayer becomes essential. Shepherd encourages faith-filled, persistent requests for God’s provision—be it financial, relational, or spiritual.
Methods:
- Declare God’s promises (Phil. 4:19)
- Pray boldly and specifically for needs
- Combine prayer with thanksgiving and obedience
Chapter 13: Fasting and Warfare
Fasting, Shepherd explains, intensifies prayer and spiritual sensitivity. He walks through biblical examples of fasting (Jesus, Daniel, Esther) and offers practical guidance:
- Set clear intentions and seek God’s direction
- Pair fasting with prayer, confession, and scripture meditation
- Expect increased clarity, breakthrough, and humility
Fasting is presented as a voluntary weapon—not a magic formula—yielding dependence on God and openness to spiritual transformation.
Chapter 14: Worship and Praise as Warfare
Worship is not only adoration but spiritual assault against darkness. Shepherd describes how worship, praise, and singing disrupt demonic strongholds, shift atmospheres, and usher in God’s presence (see Paul and Silas in prison, Acts 16).
Suggestions:
- Use music, psalms, and spontaneous praise daily
- Worship especially during discouragement
- Expect joy and renewal as byproducts of praise
Chapter 15: Living a Lifestyle of Victory (Stand and Keep Standing)
The final chapters (sometimes presented as two linked themes) call believers to live in ongoing victory. Standing firm is a conscious daily choice—to remain rooted in Christ, truth, and surrender long after the initial breakthrough. Shepherd reminds believers:
- Spiritual warfare is ongoing—never simply “won and done”
- Victory is given by grace, not self-reliance
- Keep applying prayer, scripture, and faith moment by moment
He closes with encouragement: you can stand, and keep standing, because Christ has already secured the ultimate victory on the cross. Believers fight from victory, not for victory.
The Author’s Message: Hope, Authority, and Persistent Prayer
Shepherd’s driving message is both empowering and pastoral. Spiritual warfare is real, but so is Christ’s complete victory. Believers need not live in defeat, fear, or confusion. Instead, they are called to stand confidently in God’s armor, pray with authority, and persist in faith, trusting God’s Word and promises. Prayer is our most potent weapon—shaping not just outcomes, but our very character as we walk with Christ.
He urges readers not to focus on the enemy, but to focus on Jesus, using every tool Scripture offers. In summary: Stay alert, pray continually, resist in faith, worship through hardship, and remember that you are positioned in Christ for a life of victory, regardless of circumstance.
Final Thoughts: Why You Should Read “Spiritual Warfare: Christian Prayer for Modern Problems”
Kevin Shepherd’s book is a practical guide, but it is also a source of hope and clarity when the battle feels overwhelming. Each chapter offers biblically sound teaching, sample prayers, and actionable steps, equipping you—whatever your background—to step into your God-given authority and experience freedom. Whether facing fear, temptation, anxiety, family struggles, or seeking greater discernment, you’ll find spiritual weapons here that are always at hand.
To sum up: If you desire deeper relationship with God, resilience in trials, and victory over the enemy’s schemes, “Spiritual Warfare: Christian Prayer for Modern Problems” is a critical resource for your Christian journey.
FAQs
Q1. What is the main theme of Kevin Shepherd’s book?
The book focuses on equipping Christians for spiritual warfare through prayer, scripture, and faith.
Q2. How is this book different from other prayer books?
It provides practical, chapter-based prayers that address modern struggles like anxiety, fear, and strongholds.
Q3. Can non-Christians benefit from this book?
Yes, the principles of overcoming fear, finding peace, and building resilience are universal, though the foundation is Christian faith.
Q4. Does the book include sample prayers?
Yes, Shepherd provides many practical prayers for daily life, family, healing, and protection.
Q5. What is the biggest takeaway from this book?
That believers are not powerless—through God’s Word, prayer, and faith, they can live a victorious life.