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"The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of this world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds." (2 Cor 10:4 NIV)
Right now there is a war going on in the heavenlies. The forces of hell and the righteousness of heaven are locked in mortal combat. The spoils of war are the souls of men and women. Although the outcome is not in doubt, God calls us to enter into this conflict through intercessory prayer. Our prayers influence the war. "Whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven." (Matt 16:19 NIV)
The Church's (and GRN's) mandate is to advance the kingdom of God. But powerful enemy strongholds hinder us. These strongholds fuel false belief systems that are reinforced daily by billions of repetitious prayers, billions of sacrifices made to idols, and by materialism and godless philosophies. All of these strengthen the web of deception that keeps a strong hold over billions of people.
Although Christ disarmed Satan at Calvary, the god of this age is for the duration blinding the eyes of people so they cannot see the Light. (2 Cor 4:4) Not only that, his strongholds of deceit, lies and idolatry shape the mindsets of billions making their belief systems seem like impenetrable fortresses. But nothing is too hard for the Lord! He has given us weapons that have divine power to demolish strongholds - and destroy them we must.
In modern warfare an army must knock out the enemy's air power to keep its ground troops from being bombed from above. The Church too needs to win the battle in the heavenlies by taking out the strongholds to clear the way for ministry on the ground. All of us need to do our part in this unseen warfare. Here are some pointers:
- Commit to pray. Make praying for the extension of God's kingdom and the pulling down of strongholds part of your prayer routine. Gain a reputation in heaven for being a formidable prayer warrior.
- Be specific. As God leads you to prayer for a nation, a people group or a false belief system, pray in Jesus' Name that every stronghold over them would be broken. Pray too for the eyes of people to be opened to see the Truth and to say with Joshua that "as for me and my house we will serve the Lord."
- Pray scripture. The Word of God is all powerful for every battle. Jesus used scripture to confound Satan.
- Use praise. Nothing demoralizes and thwarts the enemy more than God's people singing His praises.
Final thoughts: God's love should motivate our praying. He loves all people. So should we. They are not the enemy. Satan is. And we must always put on the Lord Jesus Christ and wear the whole armor of God. Our enemy wants to make us ineffective in the battle and he will if we are not protected.
Colin Stott
Global Prayer Coordinator