Message #19 (of 20) from the PrayerPower radio series
"Praying for Protection"

by Kaye Johns

Paul writes, in 2 Corinthians 10:5, "I use God’s mighty weapons, not those made by man, to knock down the devil’s strongholds." I want to share insights on the application of this Scripture from Jack Taylor’s book, Prayer: Life’s Limitless Reach. He writes, "I come to discuss something that is to me a vital secret in prayer, praying down strongholds. [It] accomplishes something that is accomplished in no other form of praying....

"When we come against [a stronghold] in our lives or in that of someone else, we are coming in the name of Jesus, on the authority of the Word of God, standing in victory attained by the shedding of his blood....

"In the process of the mighty advance of our prayers, thoughts are taken captive! Imagine that! You and I through prayer can have effect on the thinking of those around us.

"Begin with yourself. Identify a stronghold. Confess the sins that have aided that stronghold and perhaps caused it. Dismiss the enemy just as you have encouraged him before. Declare that you are God’s property and he (the devil) is a trespasser. Confess that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who lives in you. Take your stand against any encroachment of the enemy in your mind and body. Declare your right to be free in Christ. Receive your freedom! Thank God for it. Then stand ready to help others in becoming whole people in Christ." [Jack Taylor, Prayer: Life’s Limitless Reach, Broadman Press, Nashville, TN, 1977, pp. 144-149.]

Pray with me now -- Father, not every problem is a stronghold, but we know strongholds are real. We ask for discernment as we pray, in Jesus’ name, amen.

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