PULLING DOWN STRONGHOLDS THROUGH PRAYER

*TEXT: 2 COR 10:4-5, ROM 12:12*

No doubt, stronghold are difficulties. It can be either spiritual or physical but you need to pray faithfully to demolish them. Man pray, they pray hard, spend long hours in prayers, quote all notable bible passages but one of the reasons for lack or answers is the unfaithfulness of the personality.

Prayer is the privilege to be able to speak to God Himself. Ability to take my matter to my creator without an intermediary. *Prayer is not what is said to force God to give unto us, but prayer is what is said to receive from God that which he already longs to give us.*

God longs to give us Joy, victory, blessings, a peaceful nation, good health, a blessed country. Therefore, when these promises are not forthcoming, there are strongholds to be pulled down. Starting from sins.

Ruth Billgram, wife of Evan. Billgram says *"pray when you feel like, for it is a sin to neglect such opportunity. She continued, pray when you don't feel like, for it is dangerous to remain in that condition.*

Therefore, that condition you don't love to remain are strongholds. That condition you don't love, or want to find yourself in are strongholds. That condition you are struggling with or are struggling with you are strongholds. That condition that has put you in a disadvantaged position, brought shame, reproach, mockery to you are strongholds. Those conditions that have landed this nation in a practical mess and generality wickedness are strongholds (these strongholds as made this nation into a deceptive country). 

But hear this, they can be broken, destroyed, and cast off. No matter how strong a stronghold is, remember that prayer of the faithful is powerful and effective. Prayer can restore life, nation, change minds and can heal a nation.

I know what prayer can do based on my experience.

I know what prayer can do based on what the scripture recorded.

(Daniel in the lion's den, Paul and Silasnin jail, even Peter in prison. The church was praying.)

Walk with me round the text.(2cor 4:10

There is a weapon to destroy strongholds. This weapon is easy to use and carry. You don't need training to use it. You don't need academic qualification to use it. You don't need to be anointed a priest or be in a position to use it. It can be used anytime, anyhow, anywhere, anyday by anybody. You don't need to be a pastor's wife to use it effectively. You don't need to be a deacon or Deaconess to use it effectively.

When the situation is smarter, bigger, mighter, powerful, heavier than you, you don't need to cry. Just pray. Don't think, just pray. Don't give up, just pray. The word "just" pray, (Aduralasan) moves mountain and cast them into the sea.

These strongholds are (Eph 6:12)

- Family wickedness.

- Career wickedness.

- Political wickedness.

- Religion, relationship, environmental wickedness.

- Office/ job wickedness etc.

They're not jokete, they are controllers, dictators, thieves, manipulators, strategists, killers and destroyers. So, don't joke in with them." just pray.

*To pull down strongholds.*

- Be a child of God. (A faithful believer)

- Use his name.

- Believe in his name.

Conclusion: When Peter was called to Joppa, when Tabitha (Dorcas) died.

 Peter sent them out. If crying could have bought her back, it would have happened long before I reached here.

And Peter remembered, 

If Joshua could pray, if Moses could pray, Elijah could pray, if Daniel could pray, if the church could pray for Peter,, if Jesus could pray for Peter, and no strongholds held back theor answers. 

Peter knelt down and also prayer and he turned to Tabitha and said "Arise!"

Let us all go our our knees today in prayer and turn to our nation, home, ministry, life and with Faith, 

Nigeria arise and shine!

My life arise and shine!.

My marriage, ministry, business arise and shine!

We can cry as long as we like in Nigeria, that is not the solution, but prayer.