Eph 6: Tearing Down Strongholds

Scripture

Ephesians 6:10–18 (NIV) “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes… And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.”

Scripture Reflection Revival does not come without resistance. Wherever God is moving, the enemy will scheme to oppose, distract, and discourage. Paul reminds us that our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against spiritual forces of evil. Strongholds — deeply rooted patterns of sin, deception, and oppression — stand in opposition to the advance of God’s Kingdom.

In our region, strongholds take many forms. Secularism has created an immanent frame — a worldview that blocks out transcendence and seeks the kingdom without the King. Another stronghold is American civil religion, a syncretistic blend of national pride and selective Christianity that dilutes the gospel’s power. Add to these the strongholds of unbelief, apathy, addiction, generational injustice, and pride, and you can see why we must engage in spiritual battle.

God has given His people spiritual authority and weapons to tear down these strongholds. Through the armor of God, we stand protected and empowered. Through prayer, we strike decisive blows against the enemy’s schemes. Revival intercessors must take up the shield of faith, the sword of the Spirit, and pray in the Spirit on all occasions, refusing to give the enemy any ground.

Let us stand together in prayer, contending for these strongholds to crumble so the gospel can run freely in our day.

Praying it UP / IN / OUT

UP: Praise God as the victorious Warrior who has already conquered the powers of darkness through the cross.

IN: Pray for courage and discernment to recognize and resist the enemy’s schemes in your own heart and mind.

OUT: Intercede for the breaking of strongholds across New England — especially secularism, American civil religion, unbelief, pride, addiction, and injustice — so that many would turn to Christ with open hearts.

Closing Prayer

Mighty God,

You are our strength and our defender. Thank You for arming us with spiritual authority and victory in Christ.

We pray that every stronghold in our region — secularism, cultural idols, a kingdom-without-the-King mindset, civil religion that dilutes Your gospel, addictions, and patterns of injustice — would be torn down in Jesus’ name.

Empower Your Church to stand firm, to pray boldly, and to resist the enemy’s schemes with courage and faith. May New England see true freedom and deliverance as the gospel goes forth in power.

We ask all this for Your glory,

Amen.