Bondage

As I looked through photographs and artwork trying to find the most appropriate image for the subject of my blog post, I found the one above and I couldn’t scroll past it. I do realize the irony of writing an electronic blog post about bondage while showing an image of a man bound to his computer. Still, in our modern, technology cramped world, if electronics somehow enhance your relationships, especially with God, may they be a blessing to you. However, if electronics seem to be draining your energy and keeping you from relationships…real ones, may your eyes be opened to the bondage you’re in.

Electronic bondage isn’t necessarily what I’m referring to as I write today, though. My son went through a phase in which he felt like he had to confess everything to me. After bedtime prayers, as I tucked him, my son would begin to share his feelings with me. I am so thankful he feels comfortable talking with me! I relish the opportunity to pray with my loved ones and point them to the one who loves them even more than I do. However, as a child my son’s confessions were what I would consider not worth confessing. Yet, as he was beginning to learn about our mighty God, my son had a hard time remembering he was forgiven. Then one morning in my quiet time with our Lord, God gave me the prayer displayed below. Our heavenly Father opened my eyes to just how much was affecting not only my children, but all of our children. In all honesty, I think we’d be surprised to know how much we are affected by what we are exposed to every day. So I submit this humble prayer. I hope it helps you and your family as much as it has helped mine and given us peace.

Father in heaven, holy and loving Lord, break the chains of influence and bondage our children, all of us, are bound by due to demonic exposure through dirty books, magazines, through television, YouTube, the internet, magic arts, and other demonic influences. You have forgiven us in your great mercy, Father, but we also need your deliverance from these influences. We bind these demonic spirits in our lives according to Matthew 18:18, and cast them out in Jesus’ name. We also claim the blood of Jesus over our minds, hearts, and bodies as protection from further bondage. Help us to recognize these sources of demonic influence and give my children, my spouse, and me a strong desire to avoid them at all costs.

I also ask, Father, in Jesus’ name, that you break the evil spirits of addiction and adultery that held our fathers in bondage. Deliver my children, my spouse, and me from these evil influences. Place the blood of Jesus between the generation of our fathers, our generation, and our children’s generation so we can be truly free from any evil bondage or influence passed down to us.

Finally, loving Lord, fulfill Isaiah 61:1-3 in our lives. Do what you came to do. Bind the hearts of my children, my spouse, and me, broken due to past injury that has been forgiven, but not properly healed. Our deliverer, our physician, wonderful counselor, our hope is in you!

In Jesus’ name we pray! Amen!

The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, because the LORD has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn; to grant to those who mourn in Zion-to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit; that they may be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he may be glorified.

Isaiah 61:1-3 ESV

Truly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

Matthew 18:18 ESV