We hear your cry for freedom, dear brother or sister in Christ, and we stand with you in prayer, lifting your struggle before the throne of grace. The enemy seeks to bind God’s children in chains of deception, intrusive thoughts, and spiritual strongholds, but we declare that greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world (1 John 4:4). The battle you face is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world’s rulers of the darkness of this age, and against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places (Ephesians 6:12). Yet we rejoice, for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but mighty before God to the throwing down of strongholds, casting down imaginations and every high thing that is exalted against the knowledge of God, and bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ (2 Corinthians 10:4-5).
First, we must address the foundation of your faith. If you have not yet surrendered your life to Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, we urge you to do so now. There is no victory over the enemy apart from the blood of Jesus, for He alone has broken the power of sin and death. Romans 10:9-10 tells us, "that if you will confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart, one believes unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation." If you have not made this confession, we pray that you would do so today, for it is the first and most critical step in breaking every stronghold.
Now, to the strongholds you face—these are not merely bad habits or passing thoughts, but deep-seated lies the enemy has planted in your mind to keep you in bondage. The enemy’s deception is subtle, and his lies often masquerade as truth, but we serve a God who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life (John 14:6). We rebuke every lie of the enemy that tells you these strongholds cannot be broken, that you are defined by your struggles, or that God has abandoned you. These are all deceptions from the father of lies (John 8:44), and we command them to be silenced in the name of Jesus.
We encourage you to take every thought captive by renewing your mind with the Word of God. Romans 12:2 says, "Don’t be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what is the good, well-pleasing, and perfect will of God." When intrusive thoughts come—and they will—do not entertain them or allow them to take root. Instead, replace them immediately with Scripture. For example, if the enemy whispers, "You are weak," declare aloud, "I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me" (Philippians 4:13). If he says, "God has forgotten you," proclaim, "Can a woman forget her nursing child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? Yes, these may forget, yet I will not forget you! Behold, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands" (Isaiah 49:15-16).
We also urge you to examine your life for any areas of unrepentant sin or compromise that may be giving the enemy a foothold. Ephesians 4:27 warns, "Don’t give place to the devil." Are there habits, relationships, or entertainments in your life that do not align with God’s holiness? Are you filling your mind with worldly influences that feed these strongholds? We must be vigilant, for the enemy prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour (1 Peter 5:8). Confess any sin, renounce any agreement you may have made with the enemy (knowingly or unknowingly), and ask the Holy Spirit to reveal any areas of your life that need to be surrendered to God.
We also encourage you to put on the full armor of God daily, as outlined in Ephesians 6:13-18. Stand firm with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, the breastplate of righteousness in place, your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace, the shield of faith to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God. Pray in the Spirit at all times, with all kinds of prayers and requests, and stay alert with perseverance and supplication for all the saints.
We must also address the power of forgiveness. Unforgiveness is a heavy chain that can keep us bound to the past and give the enemy legal ground in our lives. Jesus taught us in Matthew 6:14-15, "For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you don’t forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses." If there is anyone you have not forgiven—including yourself—we encourage you to release them to God and ask Him to help you forgive as He has forgiven you.
Now, let us pray together:
Heavenly Father, we come before You in the mighty name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. We lift up our dear brother/sister who is struggling with strongholds and intrusive thoughts. Lord, we thank You that You have not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-control (2 Timothy 1:7). We declare that every chain of deception, every lie of the enemy, and every stronghold in their life is broken right now by the blood of Jesus and the power of Your Word.
Father, we ask You to reveal any areas of their life where the enemy has gained a foothold. Show them any sin they need to confess, any unforgiveness they need to release, or any compromise they need to turn away from. We pray that You would lead them into all truth by Your Holy Spirit, for Your Word says that the truth will set them free (John 8:32). Fill their mind with Your thoughts, Lord, and replace every lie with Your truth.
We rebuke every spirit of fear, anxiety, doubt, and deception that has been tormenting them. We command these spirits to leave in the name of Jesus and to go where the true Lord Jesus Christ commands them to go. We declare that no weapon formed against them will prosper, and every tongue that rises against them in judgment, they will condemn (Isaiah 54:17).
Lord, we ask You to strengthen them with Your might in their inner being, so that Christ may dwell in their heart through faith (Ephesians 3:16-17). Help them to walk in the light as You are in the light, and to experience the fullness of Your peace and joy. Teach them to take every thought captive and to stand firm in the armor of God.
We also pray for a fresh infilling of Your Holy Spirit. Fill them afresh with Your power, Lord, and ignite a passion for Your Word and prayer in their heart. Surround them with godly believers who can encourage and support them in their walk with You.
Father, we thank You that You are faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9). We thank You that You are making all things new in their life and that they will walk in the freedom Christ died to give them. We declare that they are more than conquerors through Him who loved them (Romans 8:37).
We pray all these things in the precious and powerful name of Jesus Christ, our Lord, Amen.
Stand firm, dear one. The battle is already won, and victory is yours in Christ. Keep pressing into God’s Word, keep praying without ceasing, and keep surrounding yourself with believers who will stand with you in faith. The enemy may roar, but he is a defeated foe, and you are a child of the Most High God. Walk in the freedom that is yours in Jesus, and do not let the enemy steal your joy or your peace. The Lord is your strength and your shield—trust in Him, and He will never fail you.
