Counter-Petitioning the Accuser

"For the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night." — Revelation 12:10

What Is Happening That You Cannot See

Scripture shows plainly that our adversary comes before God and petitions Him concerning people.

Job. The opening chapter records the entire exchange. Satan appears before God, makes his case about Job, and receives specific permission with specific limits.

Peter. "Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: but I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not." (Luke 22:31–32)

And continuously. "For the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night." (Revelation 12:10) — and note that he is not finally cast out of heaven until Revelation 12, which means he is there now.

He stands before the throne of God accusing us, day and night.

Why the Petitions Succeed

Here is the part that should change how you pray.

The accuser points and says, in effect: "See — this person is doing this. Therefore I have legal right to his soul, to influence his life, and to send my forces into him."

And because God is absolutely just, He must grant that petition if it is not contested.

That sentence deserves reading twice. If it is not contested.

An enormous amount is accomplished against God's people simply because His people never bother to contest it.

Your Standing to Contest

But we are heirs, and joint heirs with Jesus Christ. We have more right to petition God the Father than our accuser does.

"Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need." (Hebrews 4:16)

Boldly. That word is in the text.

So we may go before the throne and counter-petition — contesting the case being made against us or against those we love.

One believer learned to ask the Lord to alert her whenever the accuser was petitioning about someone within the sphere of her work and ministry. He faithfully did so. As soon as she knew, she went before the Father and, in the name of Jesus, counter-petitioned.

Her sober conclusion: our adversary accomplishes so much because God's people do not bother to counter-petition his requests.

How to Counter-Petition

For someone in your family, you may petition on the ground of inheritance:

"God and Father, I counter-petition. I come to You in the name of Jesus Christ my Lord and lay claim to this person. I claim him as my inheritance, which You promised to give me. Satan may not have him. I ask You to open his eyes so that he can see the light of the gospel of Jesus Christ."

For someone who is not a relative, petition on the ground of the Great Commission — that Jesus Christ commanded us to make disciples of all nations, and you claim that person as a disciple of Jesus Christ.

This is a real battle. You will not win overnight. But you do have the power and the authority in Jesus Christ to win in the end.

Point to Ponder

Because God is just, He must grant an uncontested petition. Most petitions against God's people are uncontested.

Verse to Remember

"Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need." — Hebrews 4:16

Question to Consider

Have I ever contested anything — or have I only ever asked God to be kind?

Today's Practice

Choose one person. Someone genuinely bound — a child, a spouse, a parent, a friend who has walked away.

Then go before the throne deliberately and counter-petition. Out loud, in a private place:

"Father, I come boldly to Your throne in the name of Jesus Christ my Lord.

I counter-petition every claim my adversary has made against ______. I lay claim to this person — as my inheritance, which You promised me / as a disciple of Jesus Christ, whom You commanded me to make.

Satan may not have them. I contest every petition standing against them.

Open their eyes so they can see the light of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Free their will so they can choose You. In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen."

Then add the request that changes everything going forward:

"And Father, alert me whenever the accuser petitions You concerning those in my care, so that I may contest it."

Then be attentive. And when you sense it, contest it.

Prayer

Father, my enemy stands before You accusing the people I love, day and night — and because You are perfectly just, You grant what is not contested.

I have never contested anything. I have asked You to be kind to them and I have never once stood up and answered the case being made against them.

I come boldly now, on the ground You gave me: that I am Your child, an heir and joint heir with Jesus Christ, with more right to petition You than my accuser has.

I contest every claim standing against those in my care. Satan may not have them.

Open their eyes. Free their wills. Let them see the light of the gospel.

And alert me from now on, so that nothing goes uncontested again. In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

"He accomplishes so much because God's people don't bother to counter-petition."