If you missed Day 2 of 7 Days of Prayer and Fasting Click Here
Welcome to day 3 of our 7 days of prayer and fasting. You are doing a great job, keep up the good work. If you fell off a little bit it is ok, shake the dust off your feet and get back on track. Today, we are exploring the power of fasting in breaking strongholds and generational curses. We will understand the reality of strongholds and generational curses in our lives and discover the liberating power of God’s Word.
In 2 Corinthians 10:4, the Apostle Paul writes, “For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds.” Fasting, as a spiritual discipline, becomes a powerful weapon in our arsenal as we confront and break the strongholds that bind us and our families.
Defining Strongholds:
A stronghold is a place of captivity—a spiritual fortress that hinders our growth and relationship with God, a place of captivity where the enemy seeks to keep us bound. Often, these strongholds have roots in generational patterns of sin and dysfunction. These strongholds can manifest as patterns of sin, addictions, and unhealthy behaviors passed down through generations. Below you will find examples of strongholds and sample prayers to pray.
Examples of Strongholds:
- Addiction Stronghold:
- Scripture: Romans 6:16 (NIV) – “Don’t you know that when you offer yourselves to someone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one you obey—whether you are slaves to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience, which leads to righteousness?”
- Example: A family struggling with a generational stronghold of substance abuse.
- Prayer: “Heavenly Father, we come before you, acknowledging the stronghold of addiction that has bound our family for generations. We repent of our past choices and ask for your deliverance. Break the chains of addiction and release your healing upon each family member. In the name of Jesus, we declare freedom from the bondage of substance abuse. Amen.”
- Unforgiveness Stronghold:
- Scripture: Hebrews 12:15 (NIV) – “See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many.”
- Example: A family marked by a generational pattern of unforgiveness.
- Prayer: “Lord, we bring before you the stronghold of unforgiveness that has gripped our family. We choose to forgive those who have hurt us, just as you have forgiven us. Break the chains of bitterness and resentment. Let your love and forgiveness flow through our family, healing wounds and restoring relationships. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.”
- Financial Stronghold:
- Scripture: Proverbs 22:7 (NIV) – “The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is slave to the lender.”
- Example: A generational curse of financial hardship.
- Prayer: “O Lord, we recognize the generational curse of financial struggles that has plagued our family. We repent for any wrong financial choices made in the past. Break the cycle of poverty and lack. Open doors of provision and bless the work of our hands. Help us be good stewards of the resources you provide. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.”
- Dysfunctional Relationship Stronghold:
- Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:33 (NIV) – “Do not be misled: ‘Bad company corrupts good character.'”
- Example: A generational pattern of toxic relationships.
- Prayer: “Gracious God, we come to you with the stronghold of dysfunctional relationships in our family. Heal the wounds caused by toxic connections. Guide us in choosing healthy relationships and break the patterns of dysfunction. Let your love and peace reign in our homes. In Jesus’ name, we ask for restoration. Amen.”
Generational Curses:
Scripture acknowledges the impact of generational sin. Exodus 20:5a (ESV) states, “You shall not bow down to them or serve them, for I the Lord your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me.” Generational curses are patterns of sin or dysfunction that seem to repeat in families, affecting successive generations.
Generational curses often perpetuate a cycle of sin, bondage, and brokenness. In Jeremiah 17:1 (NIV), we read, “The sin of Judah is written with a pen of iron; with a point of diamond, it is engraved on the tablet of their heart.” These deeply rooted sins can become engraved on our hearts, passing from one generation to the next. Below you will find examples of generational curses and sample prayers to pray.
Examples of Generational Curses:
- Health Issues:
- Scripture: Exodus 15:26 (NIV) – “He said, ‘If you listen carefully to the Lord your God and do what is right in his eyes, if you pay attention to his commands and keep all his decrees, I will not bring on you any of the diseases I brought on the Egyptians, for I am the Lord, who heals you.'”
- Example: Chronic health issues recurring in successive generations.
- Prayer: “Lord, we bring before you the generational curse of health issues that has affected our family. We declare your promise of healing over our bodies. Break the chains of sickness and disease. Pour out your healing balm upon us. We trust in your power to restore and renew. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.”
- Poverty:
- Scripture: Deuteronomy 28:15, 38-40 (NIV) – “If you do not carefully follow all the words of this law… You will sow much seed in the field but you will harvest little, because locusts will devour it…”
- Example: A family consistently facing financial struggles.
- Prayer: “Dear Lord, we acknowledge the generational curse of poverty in our family. We repent for any mismanagement of resources and financial irresponsibility. Break the cycle of lack and want. Open doors of opportunity and prosperity. Let your abundance flow through our lives. In the name of Jesus, we break the curse of poverty. Amen.”
- Destructive Patterns of Behavior:
- Scripture: Exodus 20:5a (ESV) – “You shall not bow down to them or serve them, for I the Lord your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me.”
- Example: A family with a recurring pattern of destructive behavior.
- Prayer: “Heavenly Father, we come humbly before you, recognizing the generational curse of destructive behaviors in our family. We repent for the sins of the past and ask for your transformative power. Break the chains of destructive habits and set us free. We declare our allegiance to you, O Lord, and renounce any patterns of darkness. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.”
- Spiritual Bondage:
- Scripture: Galatians 4:3 (NIV) – “So also, when we were underage, we were in slavery under the elemental spiritual forces of the world.”
- Example: A generational curse of spiritual bondage.
- Prayer: “Almighty God, we bring before you the generational curse of spiritual bondage that has kept our family in slavery. We declare that in Christ, we have freedom. Break the chains of spiritual darkness, and let your light shine in our hearts. Release us from any bondage to sin, false beliefs, or spiritual oppression. In the mighty name of Jesus, we claim our freedom. Amen.”
It’s important to note that these examples are not exhaustive, and individual situations may be complex and unique. The power of Christ’s redemption and deliverance is evident in breaking these strongholds and generational curses. As we engage in these prayers, let us do so with faith, trusting in the power of God to break strongholds and generational curses in our lives and families.
The Power of Christ to Break Strongholds:
The good news is that in Christ, we have the power to break free from strongholds and generational curses. Galatians 3:13-14 (ESV) declares, “Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us… so that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promised Spirit through faith.” Christ’s redemptive work on the cross breaks the chains that bind us.
Fasting is a powerful means of aligning our hearts with God’s purposes. Fasting allows us to break the yokes of spiritual oppression and generational curses by seeking God’s intervention in our lives. Isaiah 58:6a declares, “Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the straps of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free?”
The promise of freedom is woven into the fabric of the gospel. Galatians 5:1 proclaims, “For freedom, Christ has set us free; stand firm, therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.” Through fasting, prayer, and repentance, we position ourselves to receive the transformative freedom that Christ offers—breaking the chains of strongholds and generational curses.
The Power in the Blood of Jesus:
The blood of Jesus represents the atoning sacrifice and offers redemption, cleansing, and freedom. Here is a prayer that incorporates the power of the blood of Jesus for breaking strongholds and generational curses:
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, we come before your throne with gratitude for the immeasurable gift of your Son, Jesus Christ, and His precious blood shed for our redemption. We acknowledge that through His sacrifice, we have been given authority over every stronghold and generational curse.
Breaking Strongholds:
In the mighty name of Jesus, we plead His precious blood over every stronghold that has bound our lives and the lives of our ancestors. We declare that the blood of Jesus is more powerful than any chain, addiction, or pattern of sin. By the power of His blood, we break the hold of every stronghold in our lives and families. We proclaim liberty, healing, and deliverance in the name of Jesus.
Claiming Scripture:
- Revelation 12:11 (NIV) – “They triumphed over him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony…”
- Colossians 1:20 (NIV) – “and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.”
Breaking Generational Curses:
We stand before you, Lord, recognizing the impact of generational curses that have affected our families. We plead the blood of Jesus over every curse, known and unknown. We declare that the power of His blood breaks every chain of inherited sin, sickness, poverty, and destructive behavior.
Claiming Scripture:
- Exodus 12:13 (NIV) – “The blood will be a sign for you on the houses where you are, and when I see the blood, I will pass over you…”
- Galatians 3:13-14 (ESV) – “Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, ‘Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree.'”
Renewal and Restoration:
We receive, by faith, the cleansing power of the blood of Jesus. We invite the Holy Spirit to renew our minds, transform our hearts, and restore what the enemy has stolen. We declare that we are washed clean, sanctified, and set apart for your glory.
Claiming Scripture:
- 1 John 1:7 (NIV) – “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.”
Closing Prayer:
Thank you, Lord, for the victory we have through the blood of Jesus. We walk in the authority bestowed upon us by His sacrifice. May our lives and the lives of our descendants be marked by the transformative power of the blood of the Lamb. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
Steps to Break Strongholds Recap:
- Recognition and Repentance: Acknowledge the existence of strongholds and generational patterns in your life. Confess your sins and the sins of your forefathers, seeking God’s forgiveness (1 John 1:9).
- Renewal of the Mind: Romans 12:2 (NIV) encourages us, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” Allow the Word of God to transform your thinking and break the cycle of negative thought patterns.
- Prayer and Fasting: Engage in earnest prayer and fasting to seek God’s intervention and deliverance (Matthew 17:21).
- Declaration of God’s Word: Speak God’s promises over your life, declaring victory in Christ and breaking the power of generational curses (Isaiah 55:11).
As we continue fasting, let us do so with a deep awareness of the spiritual battle at hand. May our fasting be a deliberate and focused effort to break the strongholds that bind us and our families. Through the power and the blood of Jesus Christ, may we experience freedom, transformation, and the breaking of generational curses. May the Holy Spirit guide us on this journey of breaking strongholds and generational curses, leading us into the fullness of God’s freedom. In the Jesus’ Name, Amen!
As you go about your day, try to make God your focus. Set the tone by beginning your day with praise and worship. I have a Spotify playlist that we use for the prayer line, click here to access it. Avoid TV, social media, drama, gossip, or any other distraction that’ll lessen your spiritual focus. Invite the Holy Spirit to lead and guide you during this time. Ask Him about what you should be reading and give your revelation on what He wants you to meditate on when it comes to God’s Word, as it is your spiritual food.
Fasting and Prayer Details:
Each day fasting from 6 AM to 6 PM Water Only throughout the day.
After 6 PM Fruits and Veggies Only, no meat.
What you need:
- Bible (Read at least a chapter a day)
- Get your prepare your fruit and veggies in advance
- In a journal, write down what God may be speaking to you through His Word or your dreams.
- 3 prayer points, what are you looking for God to do for you during this time of fasting and prayer?
- Have 3 -7 scriptures concerning your prayer points
- At least one person you want to focus on praying for.
- Prayer points for the body of Christ list
Church Prayer Points
- Pray for unity in churches and in the body of Christ.
- Pray for the pastor and church leadership.
- Pray for revival and a great awakening in the world.
