“A wise man scales the city of the mighty, and brings down the stronghold in which they trust.” -Proverbs 21:22
Our society has embraced devilish ideas that undermine the life and blessing of God. It has become the norm of our culture to call what was once commonly known as “evil’ good and “good” evil. These ideas and attitudes crept in as an anemic Church watched from the sidelines in silence. To some extent we were guilty of hypocrisy and loveless judgement. Satan took advantage and here we are.
This cultural deception is so entrenched that it is difficult to see the possibility of it changing. Portland, once the home of revival, now proudly boasts itself a bastion of “weirdness” where anything goes. Our culture trusts in deception. It trusts that it’s good to kill a baby in the womb; it trusts that gay marriage is normal; it trusts that any mention or acknowledgment of God in public life is bad. The depth of these deceptions is so deep, so pervasive that it appears impenetrable, like a wall.
Satan uses this wall to surround and imprison the people God loves. Our mandate is to scale those walls and pull down deceptions of counterfeit trust. It’s our job to release the Light and expose darkness. Ephesians teaches that we don’t wrestle against flesh and blood but against principalities and powers and rulers of darkness and spiritual wickedness in high places.
When God speaks His voice causes a shaking. He is speaking today and He is shaking those strongholds to pieces, tearing down the high places so the only remaining place of trust is in Him. “He shakes not only the earth but the heavens also” (Hebrews 12:26). Rulers of darkness are losing grip on territories they once owned. They see what is coming and are fighting back fearfully, savagely. Instead of giving place to fear, the Church needs to stand and enforce what God is speaking, making His enemies a footstool for His feet. If we want to take cities then we must tear down the spiritual constructs, the high places, satan has built up over our cities and regions.
So we pray especially in this time of elections, Lord God, that Your voice be heard from heaven and shake our land to set us free from the devilish lies that have enslaved our culture, our people, our nation. We plead the Blood of Jesus over Central Oregon, over Oregon, and over the United States. Forgive our sin and heal our land. Pull down every stronghold of bondage and replace it with the truth of your Word and invade us with Heaven. You said, “By the transgression of a land many are it’s princes but by a man of understanding and knowledge so it endures.” We pray for men and women of understanding to be brought into power and authority over our land. People who will lead in righteousness and justice. People not afraid to call “evil” evil and “good” good. People whom You will use to restore Your favor and blessing and the promise of Your Kingdom on earth.
(originally published 10/30/14)