A Hierarchy of Forces
The table above shows that the spiritual warfare involves two armies organized in a hierarchy of forces at different levels. Key to waging war in the heavenlies is to understand the importance of differentiating the different levels.
The Natural World is a reflection of The Spiritual World, Paul says in 1 Corinthians 15:46: The spiritual did not come first, but the natural, and after that the spiritual. So, just as it is foolish to attempt to wage warfare against ballistic missiles with bows and arrows, so it is futile to attempt spiritual warfare in the heavenlies without understanding the levels involved.
Some writers argue the order of Satan's forces is the reverse of the table above in Paul's list in Ephesians 6:12. But the details of the order are not important. Indeed, we are not to concentrate on the enemy, but rather know the reality of 1 John 4:4 He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.
Ephesians 2:1-10 We are Seated in Christ in the Heavenly Realms
As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
Different Strategies for Different Levels of Warfare
Just as you don't fight intercontinental ballistic missiles with rocket-propelled grenades, so it is foolish to attempt to fight against principalities and powers of the enemy with the kind of warfare that defeats demonic spirits.
Jude 1:5-10 remind us of the need for wisdom in the way we approach the warfare at strategic global levels.
Though you already know all this, I want to remind you that the Lord at one time delivered his people out of Egypt, but later destroyed those who did not believe. And the angels who did not keep their positions of authority but abandoned their proper dwelling—these he has kept in darkness, bound with everlasting chains for judgment on the great Day. In a similar way, Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding towns gave themselves up to sexual immorality and perversion. They serve as an example of those who suffer the punishment of eternal fire. In the very same way, on the strength of their dreams these ungodly people pollute their own bodies, reject authority and heap abuse on celestial beings. But even the archangel Michael, when he was disputing with the devil about the body of Moses, did not himself dare to condemn him for slander but said, “The Lord rebuke you!” Yet these people slander whatever they do not understand, and the very things they do understand by instinct—as irrational animals do—will destroy them.
As the seven sons of Scaeva discovered in Acts 19:11-20 trying to use the name of Jesus without having the power of the Holy Spirit is dangerous.
As a general rule, the use of simple prayer against the demonic is futile when confronting principalities and powers of the enemy at community and global levels. Prayer walking in local communities is useful for identifying enemy strongholds against which to target corporate prayer and discover ways of opposing in the natural.
The work of men like Ed Silvoso in Argentina and other missionary organisations has shown the value of prayer to identify the territorial spirits associated with particular localities, prior to missionary outreach and rallies.
World Prayer for The 10/40 Window & The Challenge for Global Missions
One of the reasons for the current miraculous conversions of thousands of Muslims worldwide is almost certainly the result not just of the work of individuals but the worldwide prayer for what came to be known as The 10/40 Window covering the Muslim world. This was recently reported in A Wind In The House Of Islam: How God Is Drawing Muslims Around The World To Faith In Jesus.
It should not be forgotten that another historically powerful strategy for the spreading of the Good News has been the reality of persecution, which sadly is increasingly true in the twenty-first century, especially where totalitarian regimes are in power.