The work of the adversary is focused on gaining footholds and establishing strongholds over individual lives. Interceding in prayer is something we have learned much about through the years (1 Timothy 2:8). The Spirit has continued to teach us how, when, and where to intercede for others. If you feel called to pray this way you may wish to consider:
“I searched for a man among them who would build up the wall and stand in the gap before Me for the land, so that I would not destroy it; but I found no one.” – Ezekiel 22:30
“On your walls, O Jerusalem, I have appointed watchmen; all day and all night they will never keep silent. You who remind the LORD, take no rest for yourselves; and give Him no rest until He establishes and makes Jerusalem a praise in the earth.” – Isaiah 62:6,7
“Ask of Me, and I will surely give the nations as Your inheritance, and the very ends of the earth as Your possession. You shall break them with a rod of iron, you shall shatter them like earthenware.” – Psalm 2:8,9
“In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words; and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.” – Romans 8:26,27
Evil establishes footholds in every human life. These are places where unseen agreements unfold. Our childhood, our growing up, our socialization and discovery processes, our experiences in the different stages of life, and our successes and our failures – each resulting in either freedom or bondage – or both.
Some are called to intercede for others about these footholds, things which often turn into strongholds – issues which bend the way we define ourselves and our lives. Praying for others in their personal lives – as well as more broadly for each of our cities – can be a powerful personal mission on behalf of the Kingdom. Bondage is very strong. We have been given two powerful weapons to accomplish freedom: confidence in God’s Word – and our personal faith to believe. The Bible calls these the sword of the Spirit and the shield of faith.
Footholds, entanglements, lofty things, and strongholds – each designed to render us useless in the fight. What do you say – do we succumb or fight?
Dave and Burnadette