Saturday, 9th November, 2024
Bible Reading: Acts 13: 6-12
Memory Verse: For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Ephesians 6:12 (NKJV)
A village, community or nation could be kept in a siege/captivity. You remember Elymas otherwise known as Bar-Jesus and the people of Samaria (Acts 13: 6-12)? The people of Samaria had been caged. Elymas had bewitched the entire city through witchcraft. He was a principality (prince-pality) i.e. the prince of darkness over the territory. He controls the mode of worship, administers laws, and supervises the entry and exit of blessings and curses that enters into the city, and unto whom. Indeed, he was the strongman of that city until the arrival of Paul and Barnabas. Friend, until the people of God arise, wickedness will continue to parade itself. When a higher power comes into the scene, a lesser power must bow.
The people of Samaria were in darkness. They were suffering and smiling at the same time. Surely, they’ve been hypnotised! Imagine a whole city being led as a sheep into the slaughter house, yet praising their captors. A whole city! Even their leaders were not spared. That’s the power of sorcery. The people of Samaria have come to accept the words of Elymas has the words of an oracle; the only authentic access into the spirit realm. He must have given them a measure of wealth, but killed their children. Heal some of their sicknesses only to cause a greater disaster in the future. The devil nor his agents have got no free gift. One important thing a principality like Elymas does is to suppress the gospel of Jesus Christ. They do everything within their power to prevent the light of the gospel from shining. No wonder he tried to stop the Apostles from preaching to the deputy governor. Elymas tried to stop the deputy governor from receiving the gospel of Jesus (Acts 13:7). He was eventually struck with blindness. The Word of God liberates. The Word of God illuminates. The Word of God delivers. The Word of God is an eye-opener to our eternal riches in Christ Jesus. Similarly, there is a particular country where an entire family including a two-year-old were killed because a Bible was found in their house. Such is the activity of a principality. They repress and suppress the light of the gospel of Jesus. But, who can battle against the Lord (1 Sam.17:47)? The earth is the LORD’s and its fullness thereof (Psalm 24:1).
Quote: Until the prince in your territory is dethroned, there can’t be outstanding progress.
Prophetic Decree: I command the obituary of the strongman in your territory, in Jesus name.
Prayer Focus
1. After the order of Elymas, let every principality upon my land receive blindness, in Jesus name.
2. Any unrepentant sorcerer holding my blessings in captivity in this neighbourhood, be wasted, in Jesus name.
3. I nullify by the Blood of Jesus every known and known curse upon this territory in Jesus name.
4. I command the heavens of this land to open for me, in Jesus name.
5. I command a total recovery of every blessing I might have lost, in Jesus name.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Matthew 26, Mark 14