In the wake of more mass shootings in cities across the nation, there is a rising anxiety and uncertainty among many, wondering if anyone is truly safe. Big city violence is now coming to small rural towns and fears are mounting.
Whether these attacks come from terrorists, home-grown criminals or desperate prodigals with a point to prove, violence is on the rise. But, now is not the time to give in to this fear! Rather, we must press into prayer and raise up even more local prayer watches to blanket our cities with intercession.
The powers of the air recognize that the prayers of the saints have been getting through to the throne. Our intercession has been filling the bowls and stirring heaven to come to the earth, and the enemy knows it. The reality is that God is about to pour out His glory across the earth, bringing the true fear of the Lord upon this land, and hell is running scared.
All the powers of darkness are about to be exposed for what they truly are. They are making a last-ditch effort to release a demonic terror in hopes that we will be distracted and give in to a fear that is not of God. Where the fear of Lord is heaven-sent to awaken our spirits to the majesty and holiness of God, the terror of hell seeks to destroy our faith and kill our purpose and destiny. What we see happening in many of these horrific attacks is the devil’s preemptive attack to the fear of the Lord that is coming. But we can do something about it.
We must stand by those who are suffering from these attacks with our love, support and prayers. But we must also take our positions in the watch towers of our own communities for the days ahead. We must take the offense in securing our cities for the kingdom by praying with others in agreement for the spiritual and natural protection of the Lord.
Our corporate alignment is key if we are to secure our cities and establish spiritual walls of protection that the enemy can’t penetrate. We must pray for God’s presence to become a wall of fire around our communities and for the fear of the Lord to permeate every street in our neighborhood.
“And I will be like a wall of fire all around her, says the Lord, and I will be as glory in her midst” (Zech. 2:5).
No government can adequately protect us. No legislation can guarantee our safety. Not even a president can provide the protection that is truly needed from heaven’s perspective. It is only when we humble ourselves together before the throne of grace and lift up His banner over our communities in oneness of heart and mind, that our boundaries will be secure from the demonic forces that seek to steal, kill and destroy. I urge you to join with other believers around you and build that wall of fire around your city.
Here is a simple prayer guide that you can use for your own community as you stand with others on the wall of intercession:
Lift up praise and worship over the city.
“Praise the Lord, O Jerusalem; praise your God, O Zion. For He has strengthened the bars of your gates; He has blessed your children within you” (Ps. 147:12-13).
- Magnify the name of Jesus above all other names (Luke 10:17; Phil. 2:9-11).
- Declare His lordship in your community and region (2 Kings 19:19; Ps. 50:23).
- Read psalms of praise to displace any voices of darkness (Ps. 33, 35, 65 and 67).
Declare your home and community to be a dwelling place for God’s presence.
“And I will be like a wall of fire all around her, says the Lord, and I will be as glory in her midst” (Zech. 2:5).
- Celebrate the light of His presence which brings strength and favor (Ps. 89:15-17).
- Praise Him for His presence which disarms the enemy (Ex. 33:14, Ps. 31:20).
- Thank God for His presence which prevents any deception or falsehood from taking hold (Ps. 101:7).
- Invite the fear of the Lord to rest upon your community (Ps. 34:7; Isa. 8:13-14).
Call for unity in the church and oneness of spirit among spiritual leaders.
“Holy Father, through Your name keep those whom You have given Me, that they may be one as We are one” (John 17:11).
- Pray that the hearts of leaders would be drawn together by a oneness of spirit (Gal. 3:26-28; Eph. 4:16).
- Pray that doctrinal differences would give way to demonstrating the power of the gospel (2 Chron. 30:12; 1 Cor. 1:10).
- Pray that a unified voice would arise from the city, reflecting the Father’s heart and will (Rom. 15:5-6).
- Pray that believers would be drawn together in the power of covenant community (Acts 18:9-10).
Disarm any plans of the enemy to cause harm or injury to people or property.
“Do not fear, nor be dismayed because of this great army, for the battle is not yours, but God’s” (2 Chron. 20:15).
- Declare God’s righteous boundaries around the city (Ps. 31:20; Jer. 5:22).
- Renounce (refuse to recognize) and cancel any threats of harm or property damage (Isa. 63:9; Luke 4:28-30).
- Pray that communications of the enemy would be confused and canceled (Jer. 20:11-12; Ps. 55:9-10).
- Counter negative words or curses spoken with the promises of God (Ps. 109:26-31; 2 Cor. 10:2-6).
Declare that the light of truth will dispel any darkness and expose the lies.
“In Him was life, and the life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in darkness, but the darkness has not overcome it” (John 1:4-5).
- Bless the city with an increased awareness of His presence and truth that dispels darkness (Ps. 36:9).
- Pray that those who oppose God’s heart and ways would encounter Jesus (Acts 8:12-13).
- Pray that counterfeits would be exposed, bringing the fear of the Lord (Acts 19:14-17).
- Pray that every evil practice would collide with truth and life (Acts 8:4-8).
Speak God’s blessings and protection over transportation and communication lines.
“The Lord will cause your enemies who rise up against you to be defeated before you; they will come out against you one way and flee before you seven ways” (Deut. 28:7).
- Pray protection over city streets and citizens young and old (Ps. 121:8; Prov. 10:9).
- Bless the roadways and highways with the holiness of God (Isa. 35:8-10).
- Declare the roadways consecrated unto the Lord to bring wandering souls back to Him (Jer. 50:5).
Pray for the Word of God and message of the cross to be shared with power.
“For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your opponents will be able to neither refute nor resist. … You will be hated by all men for My name’s sake, but not a hair of your head shall perish. In your endurance you will gain your souls” (Luke 21:15, 17-19).
- Declare that the power of God’s Word and anointing of the Holy Spirit would disarm the adversary (Acts 6:9-10; 2 Thess. 1:5-7).
- Pray for boldness to declare the truth of the gospel (Acts 4:29-31; Phil. 1:14).
- Pray that the Spirit of truth would be proclaimed and heard (John 16:13-14).
- Declare the favor of God on those who preach and teach the Word of God (Acts 17:16-17, 32).
Thank God for His delivering power in defeating all His enemies.
“You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world” (1 John 4:4).
Wanda Alger is a field correspondent with Intercessors for America. She ministers with her husband in Winchester, Virginia. Follow her blog at wandaalger.me.
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James Lasher 
Abby Trivett 
