We can return God’s word to Him and believe in faith that He will
release the answers for our petitions in His timing. In biblical terminology, a
"declaration" is a message or a word that makes known what is already true
about something. The purpose of declarations is to make known the truth
about who God is and what He has done. Christians may use declarations to
make these truths known.
The term decree refers to a legally binding legal decision made by a legal
authority, such as a court of law, a head of state, or a governmental body.
As such, the decision has what is called "the force of law," and what is
decided becomes a command. If you recall, Queen Esther wrote an
authoritative announcement, signed in the king’s name and stamped with
the king’s signet ring. This indicated that Esther’s Decree carried the same
authoritative power as the king and was to be treated with the same respect.
This is an example of us being given “all authority” over the enemy. (Luke
10:19) This possession of knowledge as we find in Matthew 16:19 is what
gives us confidence towards making decrees. Jesus said, “I will give you the
keys of the kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth will be bound in
heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” The fact
that it is in past tense reminds us that the work has already been done by
Jesus himself and we are simply coming into agreement with the truth and
reinforcing the laws of our homeland. “On earth as it has already been
decided in heaven.” The words “all authority” found in Luke 10:19 speaks of
delegated authority, being given jurisdiction and legal empowerment to act in
accordance with faith towards God’s revealed word. (See Exousia, #1849 in
the Strong’s Concordance). So, in reality, we are not making decrees
outside of the law or trying to create something in our own power or ability by
forcing our will into circumstances (which would be a form of manipulation
and witchcraft); but, we are agreeing with the heart of the Father and
speaking forth His word in the way that He would want His laws to be
enforced. Knowing the heart of the Father is vital to being able to make
honorable decrees that He will enforce, because God will not ever enforce
decrees that are spoken out of wrong motivation. His heart is a balance of
love, mercy, justice and equity, and he alone determines when and how
decrees, declarations and prayers come to pass.
Declarations and decrees are not intended to imply that we can somehow
manipulate God into doing what we demand, rather to partner in faith with
Him to declare what He has already spoken and believe that we can partner
with His word to ‘call those things that do not exist as though they do’
(Romans 4:17).
When the heavens are shut up, the principalities
in that area grow stronger. A principality becomes the authority over a
region and its influence affects everything in the land. It brings a heaviness,
depression, oppression and creates a sense of hopelessness and
despair. People are subject to many bondages. Unbelief takes over,
and people curse their land because of all the problems. They release
word curses over themselves with all their negativity and complaints.
A root of bitterness grows in the hearts of the people. Crime rates soar.
Death rates increase, because people dwell in the valley of the
shadow of death. They don’t understand that all their false gods
jealously guard and enforce the agreements they have made with
them. Demonic forces of darkness lord over those covenants, and
without strategic prayers and decrees, those covenants remain to
keep people in captivity. Praying without a plan results in
discouragement and spiritual exhaustion in those that are interceding
for change.
Spiritual atmospheres affect communication, attitude, beliefs, health,
activities - absolutely everything. It is time to infiltrate the demonic
strongholds with the fire of God so that injustice loses its grip and the chains
of oppression are broken.
We need an open heaven because that is where revelation flows
from, and revelation is key to breakthrough. We cannot achieve
miracles, signs and wonders in our own strength. We must have
the Holy Spirit ministering to us and through us, and that comes
from first ministering to the Lord. An open heaven is available to
anyone that truly seeks the presence of the Lord, but on a corporate
level, if we want revival for others we must all commit to praying
the heavens open again. As intercessors, we can intercede for
others and repent on their behalf, which is known as identificational
repentance. Intercessors pray on behalf of others until they can
do it for themselves.
Our cities have been claimed by the devil but they belong to the Lord. Leviticus 26:8 says that 5 can chase 100 and 100 of us can put 10,000 to
flight, and our enemies will fall by sword. We need an army of prayer
warriors in one accord to take authority together, as we come together in
Jesus’ name. We have multiplied power as we pray in unity.
It’s our job to get the strongman out so that the Holy Spirit moves in. An atmosphere that has been prayed over is more receptive to the
Holy Spirit. Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is peace. It changes the way people feel, so that they are more receptive to the Holy Spirit.
It’s up to us to invite and welcome the Holy Spirit to move in our cities just like we would do in our local church. Remember, Jesus sees one
collective church in a city, and that includes people inside and outside the local churches. WE ARE HIS CHURCH.
The following prayer is constructed by researching the causes for
curses listed in Levitcus 26 and Deuteronomy 28. There are main
categories and prayer points under each one that are scriptural
causes for the heavens becoming "as brass." My suggestion is to
gather in small groups with other intercessors and pray through
them. Please share with other intercessors so that
more people begin to pray strategically and release angels on
assignment!
Here are some tips to pray smart and stay safe:
We need to ask the Holy Spirit to convict us of sin where we may not think
we have sin. Sins of presumption, comparing ourselves to others, judgments
and retaining offenses are so common, and we may not even consider that
we actually have those things in our heart. Ask Holy Spirit to reveal your own
blind spots and to connect the dots in your understanding so that you can
see your faults the way God sees those things. If we don’t, we can still fail to
turn and repent from things that hinder our healing. This is where we as
God’s people have failed to turn from our wicked ways. Those are the things
that leave open doors to the enemy’s backlash.
1. Pray for the peace of your city. Pray for the enemies of God to be crushed under His feet, according to Romans 16:20.
2.Pray for unforgiveness and bitterness to be uprooted in individual lives. Declare that forgiveness, mercy and compassion abound.
3. Pray for the kingdom of God to manifest in your city on earth as it is in heaven.
4. Pray for people's needs to be met so that they would not feel tempted to resort to crime and illegal activity.
5. Pray for all leaders to submit to God’s authority and for them to have wisdom to govern the people under them. Declare all spiritual portals that have been opened to bring a curse are closed and the doors locked according to Isaiah 22:22. Declare the authority that governs with wisdom and protects the citizens of the city is established like a firm peg according to Isaiah 22:23.
6. Pray in tongues sometimes so that you know you are praying God’s will.
7. Praise and worship - establish a throne for Jesus to rule and reign in the midst of your enemies. Pursue the Lord and keep your eyes fixed on Him.
8. Use your authority within your area of influence to bind the enemy to the laws of God by declaring the Word.
9. Cleanse your home and your life of anything that could be used by the enemy to form an attachment to you or your family.
10. Pray the scriptures over the spirits of intimidation and rebellion, and stand in agreement with one another, pleading the blood of Jesus over every family and household within your sphere of influence.
11. Declare Jesus Christ is the shield and exceedingly great reward for every family and household within your sphere of influence.
12. Declare your neighborhood, family, and those in your city are the bride of Christ and belongs to the Lord Jesus Christ.