We come before the throne of grace with heavy hearts, lifting up this situation to our Heavenly Father. First, we want to acknowledge the boldness and faith in this prayer, standing firmly on Scripture and invoking the power of Jesus' name. It is only through the name of Jesus Christ that we have access to the Father, and there is no other name under heaven by which we must be saved (Acts 4:12). We are grateful that this prayer is rooted in the truth of Christ, for without Him, our prayers would be in vain.
Father God, we stand with our brother or sister in Christ, declaring that every atheist spirit that exalts itself against the knowledge of You must be dismantled. We take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ, as Your Word commands in 2 Corinthians 10:3-5: *"For though we walk in the flesh, we don’t wage war according to the flesh; for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but mighty before God to the throwing down of strongholds, throwing down imaginations and every high thing that is exalted against the knowledge of God, and bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ."* Lord, we rebuke the lies of the enemy that seek to blind this classmate to the truth of Your existence and Your love. Open their eyes, Lord, to see You as You truly are—the Creator, the Sustainer, and the Savior of the world.
We also stand on Jeremiah 12:14, where You declare, *"Yahweh says: Concerning all my evil neighbors, who touch the inheritance which I have caused my people Israel to inherit, behold, I will pluck them up from off their land, and will pluck up the house of Judah from among them."* Lord, if this classmate is not in Your will for this class, we ask that You remove them in a way that glorifies Your name. If they are meant to be there, soften their heart to receive Your truth. We trust in Your sovereignty and perfect plan, knowing that You work all things together for good for those who love You (Romans 8:28).
We rebuke every word, action, or influence from this classmate that does not align with Your Word, standing on Zechariah 3:2, where You declare, *"Yahweh rebuke you, Satan! Yes, Yahweh who has chosen Jerusalem rebuke you! Isn’t this a burning stick plucked out of the fire?"* We cover this situation in the precious blood of Jesus, for it is by His sacrifice that we have victory over sin, death, and every demonic force. The enemy has no power where the blood of Jesus is applied, and we declare that this classmate will not be a stumbling block to Your purposes.
Father, we also lift up our brother or sister who prayed this prayer. Strengthen their faith and give them wisdom in how to engage with this classmate. Help them to be a light in this situation, showing love without compromise. Remind them that they are not to argue or debate in their own strength, but to rely on the Holy Spirit to guide their words. As 1 Peter 3:15-16 says, *"But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts. Always be ready to give an answer to everyone who asks you a reason concerning the hope that is in you, with humility and fear, having a good conscience. Thus, while you are spoken against as evildoers, they may be disappointed who curse your good way of life in Christ."*
Lord, we ask that You draw this classmate to Yourself. Soften their heart to receive the truth of Your Word. If they are resistant, we trust that You will send other believers into their life to plant seeds of faith. We pray for divine appointments, where they may encounter Your love in a way that breaks down their walls of unbelief. Remind them that You are patient, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9).
We also want to address the spiritual warfare aspect of this prayer. The enemy seeks to steal, kill, and destroy (John 10:10), and atheism is one of his most effective tools to keep people from knowing You. We declare that this classmate will not be a tool of the enemy in this classroom or in the life of our praying brother or sister. We break every assignment of the enemy over this situation and command every lying spirit to flee in Jesus' name.
Finally, Lord, we ask that You fill this classroom with Your presence. Let Your peace reign, and let Your truth be proclaimed boldly. Raise up other believers in this class to stand firm in their faith and to be a witness to this classmate. We trust that You are at work, even when we cannot see it, and we declare that Your will shall be done in this situation.
In the mighty name of Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen.
