Praying Forward

Have you noticed how most of our prayers tend to be reactive? We call out to God when a crisis hits, when a tragedy flashes across the news, or when we need a quick solution in the moment. While there’s nothing wrong with praying in response, if prayer is only reaction, then we’re missing the greater strategy God invites us into.

The Bible reminds us that we are in a real spiritual battle (Ephesians 6:12). In every battle, the best leaders know that defense alone won’t win the war—you need to go on the offensive. That’s where preemptive prayer comes in.

God’s Preemptive War Room
In Deuteronomy 2–3, Moses reflects on God’s past faithfulness while looking toward the challenges ahead. It’s as if Moses is standing in God’s war room, listening, strategizing, and preparing to move forward.

In these chapters, God reveals at least three ways He works preemptively—and these truths shape how we can pray on the offensive, not just the defensive.

God Preemptively Puts Fear in the Enemy
“This very day I will begin to put the terror and fear of you on all the nations under heaven.” (Deuteronomy 2:25)

While we often pray out of our own fear, Scripture reminds us that fear is not a trait of God’s kingdom (1 John 4:18). Instead, God uses fear to divide and weaken His enemies.
When you look around today, much of the opposition to God’s people flows from fear—fear of truth, of change, of love. Yet, God is already at work. He causes the enemy to tremble, not because of us, but because of His presence with us. Fear never wins. Love always does.

God Preemptively Hardens Obstinate Hearts
“But Sihon king of Heshbon refused to let us pass through. For the Lord your God had made his spirit stubborn and his heart obstinate…” (Deuteronomy 2:30)

Why would God make someone obstinate? Because pride always leads to downfall. By hardening King Sihon’s heart, God ensured his demise.

Sometimes, resistance and stubbornness in the world are actually setting the stage for God’s greater victory. Obstinance collapses on itself. God preemptively uses it to move His plans forward.

God Preemptively Delivers the Battle
“Do not be afraid of him, for I have delivered him into your hands, along with his whole army and his land.” (Deuteronomy 3:2)

Before Moses lifted a weapon, God had already declared the outcome. The battle was decided before it began.

That’s the power of preemptive prayer—we pray not hoping for victory, but knowing the victory has already been won in Christ.

Why Preemptive Prayer Matters
Looking back, Moses could see God’s hand moving ahead of him. Looking forward, he was invited to trust and partner with God through prayer.

That’s what preemptive prayer is all about: asking God to move today in ways that set tomorrow’s victories in motion.

• Pray for God to dismantle barriers before you face them.
• Ask Him to handle unseen challenges before they arise.
• Seek His positioning for opportunities ahead.
• Pray that He confuses the schemes of the enemy before they take shape.

Preemptive prayer is a strategy. It’s joining God in His war room and aligning with what He’s already preparing.

So let me ask:

• What do you need to preemptively pray for today?
• Where can you pray with strategy, not just reaction?
• What battles has God already won that you need courage to step into?

Lord, help me not only to call out in crisis, but also to pray with foresight and faith. Thank You for going ahead of me. Teach me to pray offensively, trusting that in Christ the victory is already secured.