Devil, You Can’t Have My Children!

2) Teach About Authority
When the demonic spirit tried to return to Kendall, we were prepared due to our pastor’s counsel. Remember, however, we encouraged Kendall to pray with us, releasing her voice and authority. We did not tell her to shout, but to pray out loud with an expectant faith that the command would be obeyed.

raying this way trains the child in understanding the authority he or she walks in, as well as God’s faithfulness. This sets the foundation for how this young one will continue to respond, especially to spiritual issues, throughout their life.

I must be clear: We did not have our daughter command darkness regularly. We stood with her when fear was taking advantage of her, and together we took authority.

But focusing on darkness too much becomes an open door for torment in the child’s life.

3) Dedicate Your Home
This is one topic all believers should know about. When we purchase homes or move into new dwellings, we need to dedicate the home, the land and the property to God. When there has been repeated sin released on the land or in the home, the demonic doors will remain open. The dark realm will take advantage even under new owners or residents. To rid the home of this dark presence will require prayer.

How can you know if your home or land is defiled? Some of the symptoms include sudden chronic illness; recurrent nightmares; insomnia or unusual sleepiness; behavioral problems; relational problems (fighting, poor communication); lack of peace; disturbed children; unexplained illness or bondage; ghosts or demonic apparitions; the movement of physical objects by a demonic presence; foul, unexplainable odors; difficulty breathing; continual nausea and headaches; financial difficulties.

If you believe your home needs to be cleansed and are saying, “It is time to pray,” then take these steps:

» Repent to the Lord for all defilement from previous homeowners. Repentance breaks the back of the enemy as it places all sin under the blood of Jesus.

» Pray aloud, commanding all spirits of darkness to leave. Pray with your eyes open. We do not want to show respect where it is not due!

» Dedicate your home to the Lord.

Here is a sample prayer you can use: “Lord, as the [owners/residents] of this house, we thank You for the gift You have given us. Because You are in us and are greater than he who is in the world, as 1 John 4:4 states, we say in agreement that all demonic spirits inhabiting this home and property must go now in Jesus’ name. You will no longer harass our family. You have been given your eviction notice. We say you will not return to this home or land.”

Follow this with a prayer of dedication, such as this: “Lord, we desire holiness as You are holy. We bring our home before You, dedicating it to You and Your purposes. May Your peace, love, and joy fill our dwelling. Where there has been demonic activity, we welcome the activity of Your angels. We say, ‘As for me and our house, we will serve the Lord.’ Amen.”

4) Pray for Protection
After Kendall overcame her nighttime visitations, I added requests to her bedtime prayers. I prayed: “Lord, I thank You for a consuming wall of fire to be around Kendall. I ask that You send Your angels.” In response, Kendall began to teach me. She’d let me know God’s angel was always there and didn’t leave. She even told me that an angel was always with my husband and me too!

5) Pray During the Night
One practice that benefits children who are tormented is to pray over them while they sleep. Do this in a whisper. It is important to understand that when we address darkness it must be done in an audible voice with eyes open. We never close our eyes to darkness. This would show respect where respect is not due.

Demons do not have the supernatural power to know what we are praying in our minds and spirits. Therefore, pray aloud. Here is a sample prayer using the name “Ben” as the example: “Father, thank You for Ben and Your love for him; for the precious gift and joy he is. Holy Spirit, I ask that Your presence fill this room. Let Your peace envelop Ben. We call for an anointing for deliverance to be present and that Ben will be set free from harassing assignments of darkness. In Jesus’ name, I command all spirits of darkness to get off Ben. You are not welcome here, and I break your power and cut off all evil plots. Get out of our home “Go now!”

Then release our heavenly Father’s plan: “Father, thank You that everywhere Ben’s spiritual house has been swept clean, You come and fill him up to overflowing with Your Spirit. Where there has been fear, we speak boldness, courage and a sound mind. Where there have been scary dreams, we speak life and good dreams of Jesus, His angels and Your love. Where there have been perverse dreams, we speak purity. Where rejection has tried to steal Ben’s identity, we speak Your security and love. Lord, seal the work that has been done by the blood of the Lamb. Amen.”

Because of what Jesus did for us on the cross, we can live free from fear and oppression: “For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves” (Col. 1:12-13, NIV). Our Lord delivered us from the tyrannical dominion of darkness and drew us to Himself—a transference from a dark tyranny to a well-ordered sovereignty. Jesus, the mighty conqueror, snatched us out of one condition and positioned us in another. We are now part of His kingdom. What a wonderful position!

Stand up to the enemy and exercise your rights as a child of the King. Soon you will begin to see changes in your situation.

Rebecca Greenwood is president of Christian Harvest International and conducts seminars and conferences to teach scriptural truths such as intercession, spiritual warfare, deliverance and prophecy. She and her husband, Greg, have three daughters: Kendall, Rebecca and Katie. Her latest book is Let Our Children Go (Charisma House).