Breaking down and destroying strongholds
Chapter 3 (cont’d)
8 Vital Principles (cont’d)
#3. Persistence
Persistence in prayer is the third essential element in spiritual warfare. The lost are described in Scripture as prisoners of war—captives held in Satan’s domain. Isaiah 14:17 makes this reality plain:“ That made the world as a wilderness, and destroyed the cities thereof; that opened not the house of his prisoners.” These captives will not be released easily. We are in a war, and it is only through unrelenting prayer that we can recover these souls.
The Word of God reveals their bondage clearly:
“To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God,
that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me. Acts 26:18
This is a legal transfer of ownership—a soul must be pulled out of Satan’s kingdom and placed into the kingdom of God. But Satan does not surrender captives willingly. Remember that Jesus Himself warned of the strength of this bondage: “No man can enter into a strongman’s house, and spoil his goods, except he will first bind the strong man; and then he will spoil his house. Mark 3:27
If the “strong man‖ (Satan) is not bound through persistent, fervent intercession, there can be no release. The souls remain locked under his dominion. Jesus also revealed the spiritual strategy needed to break these chains:
Mark 9:28–29 “And when he was come into the house, his disciples asked him privately, Why could not we cast him out? And he said unto them, This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting.”
Some demonic strongholds will not break by casual prayer. Fasting, persistence and a believing intercession are required. This is why Persistent Prayer is vital—not because God is reluctant to save, but because Satan is determined to keep what he has stolen.
We are waging war on the frontlines of hell’s domain.
Satan knows that every soul lost to God is a soul that escapes eternal punishment. He will resist every attempt to win them back as he does not want to burn for them! That’s why entire nations and cultures remain in spiritual darkness. Satan fortifies his control through idolatry, witchcraft, false religion, and sorcery. But like Paul in Ephesus, we must not give up.
Paul didn’t flee Ephesus. He stayed, fought, prayed and he persisted until Satan’s grip broke and the city was shaken. And this was known to all the Jews and Greeks also dwelling at Ephesus; and fear fell on them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified. And many that believed came, and confessed, and shewed their deeds.‖ Acts 19:17–20
When persistent intercession meets a broken heart and unwavering faith, the devil loses ground—and Jesus gains souls.
Author unknown