I just got back from our Prayer Walk at Coast. We walked through several neighborhoods and appartment complexes near our Church. I so strongly felt the presence of the Holy Spirit leading us as we prayed. I instructed our prayer partners to not just have a one way conversation with God but to take time to listen as well.
As we started to walk, I felt really led to pray for the breaking of strongholds. I began to pray for bondages to be broken, for people to be free from addictions, and then strongly felt led to pray for the spirit of deception to be broken over people's lives. I believe many are deceived into believing there is no God, or God does not care about them. I think many are deceived into thinking that they are capable of doing just fine without God.
As we rounded a corner and came into an appartment complex, I stopped and felt in my heart that God was showing me a vision of angels, dressed in full armor, ready to go into battle... and yet they couldn't because the order had not been given. I was reminded of a book that I read many years ago called This Present Darkness by Frank Peretti, and how in the book, the angels were ready and waiting to work on the behalf of the people, but they were held back because people weren't praying.
So I prayed for God to release his angelic army into these neighborhoods, to fight the war in the heavenlies as we battle here on earth. I am reminded that our battle is not against flesh and blood (Eph. 6:12) but it's against the enemy that is making war in the heavens.
I believe that prayer is the key to reclaiming our neighborhoods, and freeing people from the bondages of fear, hopelessness, addiction, lust, and so much more.
Our next Prayer Walk at Coast is June 23 from 9:00 to 10:00 AM.
Recommended resource: The Circle Maker by Mark Batterson. We also have a small group using this curricullum starting soon, contact the church office at 850-916-0346 for information.