Prayer Points: Strongholds
“Lord, we ask You in the name of Jesus to expose the strongholds holding the nation of Spain. We thank You that You’ve given us authority over those strongholds, and we have the grace to pull them down. Thank You that You’ve given us power over the enemy, and even the enemy’s greatest weapons can be used for Kingdom increase!”
Read: Acts 13:13-52
The greek word for stronghold used in 2 corinthians 10:4 is “ochyroma” meaning: to fortify, carrying the idea of holding safely; a castle (figuratively). The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines stronghold as: (1.) a fortified place or (2.) a place dominated by a particular group or marked by a particular characteristic.
According to 2 Corinthians 10:4-5 our spiritual weapons (which we know as being prayer, the Word of God, and faith, Ephesians 6:16-18) are given to us for the purpose of bringing down strongholds (verse 4). Verse 5 gives a bit clearer picture into what these are... it says “casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.”
The Amplified Classic version states it this way:
“[Inasmuch as we] refute arguments and theories and reasonings and every proud and lofty thing that sets itself up against the [true] knowledge of God; and we lead every thought and purpose away captive into the obedience of Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One)”
We can conclude that strongholds are arguments and reasonings - mindsets - which are contrary to the truth. These strongholds are hidden in our thoughts.
Understand that not every thought we have originates with us. Ephesians 6:16 tells us to take the shield of faith with which we are able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. What are these darts? They are the thoughts, reasonings, arguments that the devil throws at us to subvert the truth, and they are to be dealt with in Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5).
Something I find really interesting in Acts 13 is the fact that at first, the Jews welcomed Paul and Barnabas. They had just preached a strong message revealing Christ in the law, showing that It was all pointing to Him. We read in verse 42 that when they went out of the synagogue, the Gentiles begged that they might hear this word preached to them. We also read that the Jews were encouraging Paul and Barnabas, persuading them to continue in the grace of God. They had their support - that is until the next Sabbath when practically the whole city came out to hear them preach.
The Jews who had just given them support and encouragement were found to be contradicting, blaspheming, and opposing the things that Paul spoke.
Why is this? There were strongholds holding them in bondage. What they saw stirred up thoughts, ideas, reasonings that blindly opposed the truth Paul was speaking. Remember - strongholds are the ideas, reasonings, arguments, thoughts that present themselves contrary to the truth of the Word of God. Many times, our thoughts can blind us and if we’re not careful, they can lead us down thought paths and into actions that we would have never imagined ourselves doing. This is what happened that day.
The enemy’s stronghold at work that day was envy. The greek word used for envy there is “zelos” an onomatopoeic term connoting a bubbling up - and it’s used both positively and negatively in scripture. Here, it’s negative. When you’re cooking spaghetti on the stove, and it boils over, it doesn’t go from being still to boiling over right away. The reason it eventually gets out of hand is because it wasn’t stirred , releasing the steam. When this bubbling over happens with our thoughts - it’s because they weren’t checked. That’s why we are to take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ… we are to take control over our thoughts by comparing them to the truth of the Word of God. If we don’t, they will get out of hand.
The Jews at Antioch didn’t check those jealous thoughts. All they saw when they looked at the crowds gathered was the popularity they didn’t have. Instead of rejoicing that so many Gentiles were hearing the truth, they did everything they could to resist the truth because of this jealousy. Their thoughts kept them from receiving.
Praise God, He’s given us spiritual authority over strongholds! 2 Corinthians 10:4 says that our spiritual weapons are MIGHTY IN GOD for the PULLING DOWN of strongholds! We can and should exercise our authority over these spiritual fortresses the enemy has set over people’s hearts.
When we walk in the authority we have over strongholds, both in our lives and in the lives of those we’re ministering to, even the enemy’s greatest weapons can be used to increase the harvest for Heaven’s kingdom.
Acts 13:46-49
The results speak for themselves - instead of the enemy being victorious, and the stronghold envy being used to squelch the message - truth increased! We read that truth spread throughout all the region! God is masterful at taking something the enemy meant for destruction and using it for His purposes!
Even when Paul and Barnabas were expelled from that region (the enemy doesn’t give up easily - and neither should we) the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.
No stronghold is too strong for the truth.
Jesus said: “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” John 8:31-32
The truth of the Word of God can set you free from strongholds when you are open to receive it. Why is it so important to recognize strongholds? Simply so that we can know what scriptures to use. It’s just a matter of using the right medicine to treat the right ailment!
Spain is a land filled with religious strongholds.
As a partner in this ministry, I ask that you join me in praying that the strongholds the enemy has in place - the thoughts, ideas, reasonings and beliefs - over the people in Spain would be revealed and pulled down in the name of Jesus. Pray that Life and Light would be released into those areas, and that the weapons the enemy is planning on using against us are turned against him.
Thank you for partnering with us to reach the nations! When you partner with us, YOU GO with us, sharing the Gospel of hope with the lost, making disciples, and reaping a harvest for the Lord Jesus!
Amen!
