Stronghold Buster: Prayer Exercise for Tearing Down Strongholds
Strongholds rarely disappear simply because we recognize them. Set aside some uninterrupted time with God and prayerfully work through these steps, allowing the Holy Spirit to expose lies, bring conviction, and renew your mind with the truth of God's Word.
1. ASK — Invite the Holy Spirit to Lead
Begin with prayer. Acknowledge that the Holy Spirit guides us into all truth (John 16:13), and ask Him to reveal what needs to be addressed in your life.
Name the stronghold as specifically as you can: unforgiveness, fear, worry, an addictive habit, bitterness, lust, anger, insecurity, or something else.
2. ALIGN — Begin with God's Word
Read and pray a passage of Scripture related to the stronghold. Before examining your thoughts and feelings, establish your mind in the truth of God's Word.
For examples, see Scripture for Spiritual Warfare.
3. IDENTIFY — Bring the Sin into the Light
Prayerfully write down what the Holy Spirit is convicting you about. Be honest and specific.
Perhaps you have refused to forgive someone. Maybe you are consumed with worry about your future. Perhaps you repeatedly participate in something you know is sinful or unhealthy.
Don't excuse it, minimize it, or hide it. Bring it into the light.
4. CONFESS — Agree with God About the Sin
Confess the sin to God. Acknowledge that it contradicts His ways and has created an opportunity for the enemy to gain a foothold in your life.
Then receive the truth of the gospel: Jesus has already atoned for your sin. When we confess our sins, God is faithful and just to forgive us and cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9).
You do not have to remain under condemnation for something Jesus has already forgiven.
5. EXPOSE — Identify the Lie Beneath It
Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal the lie you have believed or repeatedly agreed with.
Write it down.
It might sound like:
“I can't forgive them because they don't deserve it.”
“God doesn't care about me because He didn't intervene when I prayed.”
“I need this to be happy.”
“I have to control this because I can't trust God with the outcome.”
For more examples, see 85 Lies We Believe—and the Truth That Breaks Them.
6. REPLACE — Confront the Lie with God's Truth
Find Scripture that directly confronts the lie you have believed. Read it slowly. Pray it. Write it down. Declare its truth over your life.
The Scriptures connected to each of the 85 Lies can help you get started. They aren't formulas or magic words; they are simply passages that point you back to the truth of God's Word.
7. LISTEN — Ask the Holy Spirit to Reinforce the Truth
Spend some time quietly listening to the Holy Spirit. Ask Him:
“What truth do You want me to believe instead of this lie?”
His direction will always be consistent with Scripture and will often bring a particular passage to mind. You may also sense a phrase, thought, or image that helps you understand or apply that biblical truth personally.
Write down what comes to mind, test it against Scripture, and allow God's truth to renew your thinking and bring healing where lies have taken root.
8. THANK — Stand Firm in God's Promises
Conclude by thanking God for what He has done and for what He promises to continue doing in you.
Thank Him that He is faithful, that He will strengthen and guard you from the evil one (2 Thessalonians 3:3), and that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion (Philippians 1:6).
Then walk forward in that truth. When the old lie returns, recognize it, reject it, and return again to what God has said.
If you’ve worked through this exercise and would like to discuss more with our pastors or celebrate God’s healing, please let us know at info@visitlegacy.org