Part 2 of 6- From Cursed to Blessed

Overcoming Strongholds

Notes: Overcoming Strongholds- Derek Prince

Daniels prayer was heard by God then God sent an angel to Daniel who encountered the Spirit Prince of Persia and the Spirit Prince of Greece. “Then he said, “Don’t be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day you began to pray for understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your request has been heard in heaven. I have come in answer to your prayer. But for twenty-one days the spirit prince of the kingdom of Persia blocked my way. Then Michael, one of the archangels, came to help me, and I left him there with the spirit prince of the kingdom of Persia."

"He replied, “Do you know why I have come? Soon I must return to fight against the spirit prince of the kingdom of Persia, and after that the spirit prince of the kingdom of Greece will come.”

Daniel 10:12-13, 20 NLT

The Prince of Persia and the Prince of Greece are strong spiritual beings that influenced the timing of the answer to Daniel's prayer. They are "strongmen"

Identify the strongman over your life and family and BIND HIM. 

People groups have certain spiritual strongmen over them. These are enemies without bodies. 

Nations also have strong enemies without bodies over them. 

There are weapons to overcome strongholds, strong enemies without bodies, and Jesus gave us  affirmation to understand that there is power to bind and loose in the spiritual realm in Jesus name: 

Ephesians 6:10-20

“A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere. And pray for me, too. Ask God to give me the right words so I can boldly explain God’s mysterious plan that the Good News is for Jews and Gentiles alike. I am in chains now, still preaching this message as God’s ambassador. So pray that I will keep on speaking boldly for him, as I should.”

Ephesians 6:10-20 NLT

“Let me illustrate this further. Who is powerful enough to enter the house of a strong man like Satan and plunder his goods? Only someone even stronger—someone who could tie him up and then plunder his house.”

Mark 3:27 NLT

You must meet the conditions on earth so you can bind the enemy in the spiritual realm. Don't be passive. This means you must hear God and listen to his voice at all costs!

What are the conditions that we must meet on earth in order to be stronger than Satan, stronger than enemies without bodies like the Prince of Persia or the Prince of Greece or spiritual principalities and powers that influence nations and people groups?

Condition 1: AGREEMENT IN THE SPIRIT & PRAYER. Symphonize or harmonize in prayer = two or more people asking by the Holy Spirit. This is the challenge. For example,  if a husband and wife will harmonize/agree in the Spirit and in Jesus' name they will get whatever they want through prayer. Satan resists this mightily and is afraid of it. ““I also tell you this: If two of you agree here on earth concerning anything you ask, my Father in heaven will do it for you. For where two or three gather together as my followers, I am there among them.”” Matthew 18:19-20 NLT

Condition 2: THANKSGIVING- Jesus thanked the Father and the fish and the bread multiplied and Lazarus was raised from the dead. “Then Jesus took the loaves, gave thanks to God, and distributed them to the people. Afterward he did the same with the fish. And they all ate as much as they wanted.” John 6:11 NLT //“So they rolled the stone aside. Then Jesus looked up to heaven and said, “Father, thank you for hearing me. You always hear me, but I said it out loud for the sake of all these people standing here, so that they will believe you sent me.” Then Jesus shouted, “Lazarus, come out!” And the dead man came out, his hands and feet bound in graveclothes, his face wrapped in a headcloth. Jesus told them, “Unwrap him and let him go!””

John 11:41-44 NLT

Condition 3: PRAISE- silencing the enemy and the avenger. Acts 16: prisoners prayed and praised. “Around midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening. Suddenly, there was a massive earthquake, and the prison was shaken to its foundations. All the doors immediately flew open, and the chains of every prisoner fell off!”

Acts 16:25-26 NLT

Condition 4: PROCLAMATION- boldly proclaim what the Bible says about you and your family.  

““I tell you the truth, whatever you forbid on earth will be forbidden in heaven, and whatever you permit on earth will be permitted in heaven.” Matthew 18:18 NLT