Breaking down and destroying strongholds
Chapter 3 (cont’d)
8 Vital Principles (cont’d)
#4. Aggression
Because prayer is WARFARE, we must adopt a posture of spiritual aggression during intercession. This is not passive devotion; this is active, offensive combat in the spirit realm. God has given us legal authority to act against the forces of darkness in the name of Jesus Christ.
“And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”Matthew 16:19
These are legal terms—binding and loosing represent real judicial transactions. We do not beg or plead as helpless victims. But we plead in humility and faith that Jesus has the power, and the desire to help the one bound by Satan and will honor his Word and free them. We exercise authority as soldiers under command, enforcing the will of Heaven upon the earth. This is especially urgent when seeking to evangelize and win the Lost. We are not walking into a peaceful mission; we are storming enemy territory.
“And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen. Matthew 28:18–20
Christ, our Captain, has already secured victory. But He sends us into occupied territory to enforce that victory. Every soul rescued from Satan’s grip is a direct act of war. Therefore, aggressive prayer is not an option—it is a necessity as Satan will not release his captives without a fight. But we are not left without weapons:
“For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds. 2Corinthians 10:4
To pray aggressively means to pray with commanding faith, rooted in the Word, under the blood, and filled with the Spirit. It means binding spirits, understanding and breaking strongholds, and declaring the Word of God with authority. This kind of intercession terrifies the enemy. That is why he works so hard to make Christians timid in prayer. He wants the Church to be silent—because when we pray in faith and humble, holy boldness, he is driven back.
We must remember: Heaven stands behind the prayers of God’s people. The angelic host moves at the voice of God’s Word, Psalm 103:20, and the Spirit empowers us with divine boldness.
Now is the time to pray aggressively—not in our strength, but in the authority of Jesus Christ, armed with His promises, and confident in His power to save. All power is given to us through Christ. We do not need to despair—keep praying!
“The weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God, to the pulling down of strongholds 2 Corinthians 10:4. When we are battle ready in God’s armor, we fight by praying Ephesians 6:10–18.
God has empowered His church to aggressively assault and conquer the “gates of hell.‖ When the strong man is fully armed, Satan holds his captives tight Luke 11:21–22, but we must not relent. The weapons of our warfare are mighty through God, not weak or fleshly 2 Corinthians 10:4. This is why we fight by praying Ephesians 6:10–18.
Jesus said it this way: “The kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force. Matthew 11:12.
We are promised through the pen of Inspiration: 8T 251.1
“The time has come for a thorough reformation to take place. When this reformation begins, the spirit of prayer will actuate every believer and will banish from the church the spirit of discord and strife. Those who have not been living in Christian fellowship will draw close to one another. One member working in right lines will lead other members to unite with him in making intercession for the revelation of the Holy Spirit. There will be no confusion, because all will be in harmony with the mind of the Spirit. Matthew 6:10,
What is the mind of the Spirit? That no one should perish, but that all might come to REPENTANCE.
This “Spirit of Prayer is not a routine prayer meeting. It is deep, heartfelt intercession—marked by BROKENNESS, TRAVAIL, and PERSISTENCE—while actively PLEADING the Word of God. Just as Moses interceded for Israel Exodus 32, Abraham for Sodom Genesis 18, and Hezekiah for Judah 2 Kings 19, we are called to stand in the gap for the Lost. Pleading with God puts us as the created being that is looking to the Creator and Sustainer for help outside of ourselves. Pleading the promises of God lifts our eyes off of self and towards the Saviour. It is part of His divine plan to save both us and those that we pray for.
Next we shall look at the legal tool box for answered prayers!
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