Unshackled

UNSHACKLED

By: Julie Souza Bradley Lilly

“About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everyone’s chains came loose.” – Acts‬ ‭16:25-26‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Miracles happen in prison.  They happen every day. There is no place on earth beyond His reach to save; no shackles so strong that He cannot loose them.

We all have those we pray for who find themselves imprisoned—whether a physical prison or one constructed of fear, addiction, bitterness or unbelief.  Even we ourselves are not beyond erecting prisons of our own, where we are enslaved to destructive behaviors, defeated thoughts and unrealized futures.  The walls restrain us from walking in freedom and separate us from the embrace of those beyond our walls who pray.

Does your heart weep for a loved one who is imprisoned?  Are you yourself held in a prison with unseen walls?

Beloved, let’s pray!  But even more, let’s take counsel from Paul and Silas.  In the darkness of midnight, let’s exchange our worried and nervous prayers, for worship to our God who is ABLE—our God who will stop at nothing to reach us.

Father, we lift up our lives and those for whom we pray.  Where You have handed us the keys to our freedom, give us the wisdom and strength to use them.  Where we are held against our will, we declare our belief in Your power to save us.

Lord, we worship You! Truly nothing is too difficult for You!  Your heart is moved with compassion and Your hand moves in great power!  We sing of Your heart of mercy, Your love and marvelous ways.  We trust in Your goodness, timing and wisdom. Unlock our prison doors! Strengthen us to walk in unshackled freedom.  We contend for Your move and thank You in advance of its appearing.  To You, Lord, be the glory!  For who the Son sets free is free indeed (John 8:36)! In Jesus’ Name ❤️

https://www.facebook.com/Prayers-of-a-Ragamuffin-Warrior-171515087035441/

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

A City On A Hill

Image
A CITY ON A HILL By:  Julie Souza Bradley Lilly “You are light for the world. A city cannot be hidden when it is located on a hill. No one lights a lamp and puts it under a basket. Instead, everyone who lights a lamp puts it on a lamp stand. Then its light shines on everyone in the house.” – Matthew‬ ‭5:14-15‬ ‭GW‬‬ And I saw thousands of souls struggling in a churning sea.  Under the darkness of a moonless sky, without a boat, they were tossed.  Beneath them sharks swam, nipping at heels, eliciting sharp cries from those who flailed.  It caused them to cling to their neighbor, pushing them to submerge, sputter and gasp.  Exhaustion, chaos and hopelessness hovered over the waters like a mist, obscuring the small points of light that seeped out from around the boarded windows of the nearby city on a hill.  The city on a hill—a beacon of hope to those drowning, contained behind windows shuttered with fear. Lord, we see chaos all around us —man’s inhumanity to man— fear, anxiet
Read more

Paul’s Handkerchief Prayer

Image
Good morning, my friend!  Good morning, Father! “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” - Deuteronomy 31:6 Lord, we don’t have to be the only one in a room to feel alone.  We can be in a coliseum full of people and still feel lonely.  We feel alone in our skin.  You encourage us to not forsake meeting together as a church (Hebrews 10:25), but it is the internal companionship that keeps us from feeling loneliness in that packed coliseum. Father, I lift my friend.  Your Word says that where two or more are gathered in Your Name, You are there in the midst of them.  So Lord, as in Acts 19:12 when Paul sent a blessed handkerchief to the sick and they were healed, likewise, across time and space I take hands with Your precious child.  Together we bow before You and admit we need You.  We invite Your presence.  If they feel lonely or alone today, in their life or in
Read more

Beauty Among the Ashes

Image
Good morning, my friend!  Good morning, Father!   “I would have lost heart, unless I had believed that   I would see the goodness of the Lord in  the land of the living.   Wait on the Lord; Be of good courage,   And He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the Lord!” - Psalm 27:13-14 Father, we thank You that with You all things are possible.  All around us there are financial troubles, poverty, disease, depression, anxiety, divorces, confusion, disappointment, illness, loss, pain and grief.  The list goes on and on.  People are suffering, Father, and are clinging to the last vestiges of hope.   Lord, I lift up my friend.  You know precisely what weighs on their mind today, and which troubling thoughts strike fear in their heart.  Long seasons of struggle bring with them weariness and discouragement.  I cry out to You on their behalf, Lord.  You are able.  We ask for miracles.  Nothing is too difficult for You.  We ask that You take what the enemy intended for evil
Read more