Every year many countries participated in the international day of prayers. On this day those who participate believed that uniting the country in prayer will be effective in having a better society. The people pray for the government, economy, churches, and for each other.

Some people claimed that the prayers are useless because they do not see any positive results. People are still backbiting and fighting, crime and violence are still rampant, and families are broken while the church is still divided. Isn’t the Lord answering our prayers?

David sometimes felt dejected and he cried out to God that He should not to forsake him and let not his enemies triumph over him. Even though the Lord appeared to be delinquent I am sure He hears but He is waiting for us to take action. He has already given us the answers to our prayers and He is waiting on us to obey his words.

We were given the authority to control everything on earth which includes wealth, poverty, crime and justice. However, because the enemy has corrupted the minds of people our world only grows lopsided with the rich getting richer and the poor poorer. We live in a world where greed for money is precedent and selfishness is the rule of the game.

Thus the enemy appears to have the advantage and our prayers powerless.  But should we give up? God forbid! because we are more than conquers if we only believe and obey the Lord. The bible also stated that the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. (James 5:16)

So when you pray it is important to first repent and release your sins at the cross. Ensure that you honestly mean every word that you pray. By faith you must believe that the Lord has already answer your prayers. Finally activate on your belief.

When praying for your country you must identify the spiritual stronghold that the enemy place over your country and pull them down. The devil places a stronghold over every country in order to hinder the prayers of the people.

Daniel prayers for his people was hindered by the prince of Persia who was fighting with Lord to prevent him from taking the answer to Daniel’s prayer. (Daniel 10:13)

What is a spiritual stronghold? It is an evil spirit that the devil uses to infiltrate the heart of the residents within the country. These spirits will settle in their lives so that they become a part of them and they are unable to recognize their negative effects until it is too late.

In 2001, when I arrived in the BVI, I sensed a strong spirit of deception. I could not understand my feelings since I never felt this way in Jamaica which has much more crime and violence. I baffled with this feelings for many years without being able to comprehend it.

Finally in 2012 when I became closer to God, He explained my feelings. He told me that deception is from pride and those were the spiritual strongholds over this country. Pride and deception are two of the devil’s most powerful evil spirits and he uses them in areas where he is most threatened and God’s divine purpose for the people is great.

Unfortunately many people even Christians in this country are unaware of this so they accept pride in their heart and embrace it as family tradition. They believe it is harmless and insignificant. The devil smiles at our lack of knowledge because he can silently and freely plot and trick until he destroys.

What the enemy has plotted in secret the Lord has revealed to his servants and prophets who dwell daily in His secret place.

Therefore, people of the BVI I implore you to rise up and tear down the stronghold of pride and deception from over your country.

Pull them down and remove them from your life. The Lord also wants you to dig out the roots of pride that are planted in many people’s homes.

The children and young people are been hurt by these spirits and they need to be healed and delivered. Tear down the strongholds and live.

Additional reading: Psalms 25:2; Psalms 27:9; Psalms 38