FOUNDATION FOR LIBERATION PRAYER

PROF. BEN ONYEUKWU (REV.)

NCE (English); Dip (Computer Studies); ND/HD (Journalism); Dip, BA (Theology) MA, PhD.

Call: +2348037346939  E-mail: professorbenonyeukwu@yahoo.com

FOUNDATION FOR LIBERATION PRAYER

MAIN TEXT:

“Some Jews who went around driving out evil spirits, tried to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those who were demon - possessed. They would say, in the name of Jesus, whom Paul preaches, I command you to come out. Seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, were doing this. One day the evil spirit answered them, Jesus I know, and I know about Paul, but who are you? Then the man who has the evil spirit jumped on them and over-powered them all. He gave them such a beating that they ran out of the house naked and bleeding” (Acts 19:13-16).

INTRODUCTION:

                The spate of mysterious deaths of prayers warriors in Nigeria and elsewhere while in active exercise of liberation as reported by the media in recent times have taken a worrisome dimension that the writer is no longer comfortable seeing the precious people of God being destroyed by the devil, out of sheer ignorance.

                Community or family liberation, as it is called, is a worthwhile activity aimed at the breaking of curses or spells placed on people by Satan and his agents of destruction. But, such an effort should consider the biblical guidelines that go with it, to avoid needless pains. To cite two examples, Jesus cautions against any attempt to spoil a strong man’s house without binding him, (Matt. 12:29). He further stresses that certain demons cannot be expelled without intensive prayers, preferably with fasting, (Mark 9:29). These suggest that liberation prayer carries spiritual undertones which should not be compromised if the desired results would be achieved without problems. Having cited the above, Please observe also that;

LIBERATION PRAYER IS NOT BASED ON HUMAN MIGHT

                The divine cable that links-up one to God’s realm of power for liberation is the Holy Spirit, (Acts 10:38). And, the seal of authority for such operations is the name of Jesus, (mark 16:17). This implies that the power that can destroy the domains of Satan to set the captives free is not the “Dick Tiger” of “Power Mike” type of strength, but, that of the Spirit of God, (Zec. 4:6).

                Notice as well that one who must cast out demons in the name of Jesus must possess His character through personal relationship. In fact, one without such a spiritual foundation risks one’s life in any attempt to deal with demons. The experience that nearly consumed the seven sons of Sceva as cited in the text of this project confirms this, (Acts 19:13-16). Therefore, for one to engage in a liberation prayer that would not permit any successful counterattacks from the kingdom of hell, one must:  

(i)                  have a personal relationship with Jesus, (John 1:12)

(ii)                be connected to the Spirit of God, (Luke 4:8)

(iii)               be anointed for the purpose, (Acts 10:38B),etc,

LIBERATION PRAYER IS NOT BASED ON MINISTERIAL TITLES

The “hood”, they say, does not make a monk. So, spiritual power(s) does not come by religious title or position, but, by divine calling and giftedness. In the body of Christ, God has appointed and given certain individuals gifts for both liberation and other purposes, (I Cor. 17:7-12, 28-29).  

Prior to the era of the Christian church, Jesus called His disciples and gave them authority to heal the sick and drive out evil spirits, (Matt. 10:1). This indicates that people must be called and commissioned for liberation and other related spiritual operation. It is not an “all comers” affairs, nor is it the “title holder” prerogative, but, God makes the choice of one whom He uses in that capacity. This, also, does not rule-out the giftedness of certain religious title holders, rather, it point out the fact that liberation power is not based on any form of church ordination. Unfortunately, people get into liberation prayers ill-equipped and off the domains of divine powers, and so, attract to themselves the wrath of Satan, which in most cases results in disasters. Here lies the kernel of the problem associated with the mysterious death of prayer warrior anywhere in the world. So, be cautioned that a;

(i)                  bishop or pastor who is not called into the acts of liberation by the Lord risks devastation from the kingdom of hell after such prayer sessions, (Acts 19:13-16);

(ii)                member of a liberation team who engages in the exercise just for the sake of money is likely to experience the worst heat of poverty in life, (verse 16)

(iii)               person whose participation in liberation prayer hinges on mere interest may be beaten into the abnormality of madness by demons, (verse 17), etc.

LIBERATION PRAYER IS BASED ON CHRIST AND HIS TEACHINGS

                Liberation prayer aims at setting people free from satanic operations. Jesus introduced it when He says, “the Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because He has anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor, He has sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives… And, to set at liberty them that are bruised, (Luke 4:18). By this, he set in motion a process through which any person, family, community, or nation could receive freedom from the brutalities of demons, (John 20:21). But the question is, how did Jesus do it? And what are His teachings about it?

                From the account of the Bible, one gathers that Jesus approached the issue of the liberation of mankind from the angle of devotional fasting and prayer, (Matt. 4:2). So, to every prayer warrior, such a consecration is important if harmless victory in liberation exercise is to be achieved.

                Learn also that liberation victory is won at the prayer closet. An informed prayer warrior prays to conquer every foe in his secret prayer chambers before approaching the scene of liberation. This is what Jesus means when He says, “bind a strong man before dispossessing him”, (Matt. 12:29). Equally of importance on the subject of liberation is the fact that strong demons are better cast out by fasting and prayers (Mark 9:29). As such, one who must engage in liberation operations must;

(i)                  engage in fervent prayers, (Mark 9:29);

(ii)                also be willing to pay the price of fasting, (verse 29);

(iii)               ensure that the powers of darkness are bound through fasting and prayer before the actual work of liberation, (matt. 12:29), etc. 

In conclusion, the reader should note that it is dangerous to initiate any attacks against the kingdom of darkness without the whole armour of God, (Eph. 6:11-18). So, to be on the safe side, one should not take spiritual matters for granted. GET IT RIGHT AND FIGHT ON.