Praying Down Powers and Principalities

What Happens in the Spirit Realm When We Pray?

Daniel 10 gives us a snapshot of what happens in the spirit realm when God’s people pray. This is a favorite chapter for many intercessors because the veil is drawn back, allowing us to see how our prayers affect angels and demonic powers and principalities. It also reveals the intense and ongoing conflict between high-ranking angels and demons that is manifest in earthly spheres of government.

Angelic and demonic authority structures exist over each city and region in the world. There are high-ranking angels that serve God’s purposes, and there are high-ranking demons that fight His purposes. The conflict between these angelic and demonic beings is dynamically related to the prayers and deeds of the people in the city or region the beings preside over. If we could see into the spirit realm, I believe we would be amazed by how much the heavenly host is involved in earthly affairs and how they respond to our prayers.

There is a dynamic correlation between what people do on earth and the measure of demonic activity released in the areas in which they live. For example, as people sin more in a particular city or region, they give greater access to the demonic realm to increase the amount of spiritual darkness in that city or region. The same principle operates in the angelic realm—the righteous deeds and prayers of the saints affect the measure of angelic activity in a specific area.

Political leaders and the governmental infrastructures under them are deeply affected by the activity of angels and demons, though many of these leaders are completely unaware they are wrestling against, and being oppressed and influenced by, demonic powers and principalities (Eph. 6:12). Whether they are kings, presidents or prime ministers, they have high-ranking angels and demons related to their political sphere of authority. The result of the conflict between these forces affects many events and political decisions as well as the spiritual culture of the cities of the earth.

I believe there are demonic assignments focused on deceiving and harassing every governmental leader. When a person steps into office, he is stepping into an increased assault. For this reason we need to stand for him before God’s throne—and the only way to prevail in wrestling with demonic principalities is by submitting to Jesus’ leadership and exerting His authority over these evil powers in prayer.

When we pray, the Holy Spirit and the angels increase their activity on behalf of all those for whom we pray, and the result ultimately benefits us. Paul understood this truth, so he encouraged the body of Christ to make it a priority to pray for all in authority: “I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence” (1 Tim. 2:1-2).

Paul also knew from Scripture that the heart of a king or political leader “is in the hand of the Lord, like the rivers of water; He turns it wherever He wishes” (Prov. 21:1). God can turn the hearts of those in authority like channels of water, and He can use angels in this process.

Consider an example of how our prayers can affect a political leader. Sometimes when the leader of a nation feels oppressed, it is due to the influence of a demon. For example, when the president of a nation is having a difficult day, he may think he’s simply in a bad mood. It may be just that, but in reality it may be that a demonic spirit is attacking him. One purpose of the oppression is to get the leader to establish new laws and decrees while under the negative, oppressive influence of a demonic power. As a result of our prayers, angels drive back demons and hinder their negative influence on political leaders of all stripes.

Just as demons can influence leaders to make poor decisions, angels can influence them to make wise decisions. When an ungodly king or president feels a sudden surge of peace in his heart, often because of the prayers of the saints, he is far more likely to make good decisions for his nation. Therefore, even the tone and attitude in a president’s cabinet meetings can be affected by such prayers, which release angelic activity that hinders the oppressive feeling demons can incite.

If the demonic hierarchy is not hindered sufficiently, then the human leader is influenced to make evil decisions. The leader has a free will; but if he has a happy mind-set with peace, even though he is an unbeliever, then his decisions will be different from those he may make when he is angry, fearful, jealous, bitter and oppressed by a demon. The leader still makes his own decisions, but under a very different influence, according to the angel or the demon that may be “putting his hand on their chest,” so to speak.

Our prayers for kings, presidents and other leaders really matter, and they can affect the decisions a leader makes. His decisions can then affect our lifestyles, families and economies. This is the reason Paul exhorted us to pray for all who are in authority “that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life” (1 Tim. 2:2).