Today, I am delighted to welcome my wise friend, Kelley, to encourage us as we pray: Lord, set captives free.

More than two decades later, I can vividly recall how my pulse quickened and my stomach clenched as my friend walked out the door for her Friday night plans. She had a track record of making choices that led to regret, and my gut told me she was heading toward more trouble.

Whether they’re a family member, co-worker, friend, or neighbor, it’s an alarming feeling to watch a person you care about run down a path that will inevitably lead them into a pit. We often search for ways to intervene, and that’s not always wrong. But it’s a heavy burden to bear when we take on the responsibility of rescuing someone from their cycle of sin. Rarely do we have the power, resources, or authority to change someone’s circumstances, much less their heart. But we know the One who does.

Isaiah 61:1 records a prophetic message of hope that Jesus would ultimately declare and fulfill:

The Spirit of the Lord God is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and freedom to the prisoners…

Isaiah 61:1 (CSB)

Throughout history, God’s people have repeatedly turned away from Him. The Jews’ were so relentless in their rebellion that it took a 70-year exile in Babylon to bring them to repentance. But God never gave up on them and always remained faithful as He waited for the right time to send the ultimate Rescuer, His Son.

Setting captives free was Jesus’ ministry. He gave His life for us so we no longer have to be prisoners of sin and death. For those who place their trust and faith in Jesus, He not only forgives their sin but also frees them from the power of sin. No one is beyond the reach of His redeeming hand.

Jesus’ ministry is now also our mission. He has called us to share the Good News of the Gospel, to “proclaim liberty to the captives,” to show the way to salvation. It’s not our responsibility to save anyone, but it is our calling to point them to the Savior.

When in doubt of what to do or say, we can hit our knees to pray. I love Richard Foster’s quote that says, “If we truly love people, we will desire for them far more than it is within our power to give them, and this will lead us to prayer: Intercession is a way of loving others.”

The power of intercessory prayer happens when we stand in the gap between God and others and plead on their behalf. We earnestly ask God to step in with His help, guidance, knowledge, wisdom, healing, or deliverance. As Paul testified, God even enables us to find joy and contentment when physically imprisoned.

As we call on the name of Jesus, the powers of darkness are weakened through our prayers and petitions. And on those days when worry or heartbreak overwhelm us, when we can’t seem to form words, much less a prayer, the Holy Spirit intercedes for us. (Romans 8:26-27)

A word of warning: the enemy thrives on distracting and discouraging believers, especially when we pray a prayer as powerful and faith-filled as “Lord, set captives free.” But don’t fear! Paul reminds us in 2 Corinthians 10:3-4 (NIV): “For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.”  We may live in a world under the enemy’s influence, but we are never outside of God’s providence. Trust the Lord to fight your battles.

What else can we do as we wait for God to move in our loved one’s life?

• We love with patience and grace.
  
  
• We depend upon the Holy Spirit for strength and endurance.
  
  
• We nourish our souls with the Bread of Life —God’s Word.
  
  
• We continue to persevere in prayer.
  
  
• We trust in the Lord’s power and providence to break the chains that bind.
  
  
• And we celebrate God’s faithfulness like the psalmist who praised God with these words:

He brought them out of darkness and gloom and broke their chains apart.

Psalm 107:14-15 (CSB)

The reality of this life is that we all have moments of feeling trapped, whether it’s in a cycle of sin or a set of circumstances we can’t escape. 

Lord, set captives free. 

Kelley Brown is a Bible teacher, speaker and writer. Holding a Master’s degree in Theological Studies from Beeson Divinity School, she enjoys equipping women to study the Bible with confidence and curiosity. In addition to writing for the First 5 app, Kelley is a regular contributor to LifeWay’s devotional magazine Journey and serves her local church as Director of Women’s Ministry. She and her husband, Scott, live in Birmingham, AL with their four children (2 biological, 2 adopted). She would love to connect with you via Instagram, Facebook or at kelleybrown.com.

The Pray Big Sisterhood

Every morning, I wake up and lift my heart to God in prayer.

I praise Him for His glory and goodness.

I surrender my agenda and expectations to His greater kingdom purposes.

I yield my desires to do His will.

And, then I ask for Him to move a mountain.

I cry out to Him for that mountain to crumble.

I believe that God is bigger than any obstacle or stronghold.

Yet, my mountain remains — immovable and unyielding.

Do you have a mountain?   I bet you do.

Like me, you may be discouraged by the darkness that looms large in your view.

You aren’t alone. If we sat down today in my kitchen and shared our stories, I bet we would see similarities.

Together, we would ask God to move two mountains.

With worshipful hearts, let’s keep crying out to the Lord for those mountains to crumble.

Let’s pray big!

Do you want to see God set captives free in your community? God moves big mountains as we pray big and believe. To help you get started, I’m sharing a copy of My Pray Big Prayer Calendar with you. Join the Wildfire Faith Community and  grab a copy in our Faith Fuel Library. Print out your copy and start each morning inviting God to strengthen your step and breathe fresh wind into your weary spirit.  

 If you are visiting from Kelley’s today,

welcome to my little space on the web!

Here you will find fuel for a wildfire faith to help you

• • LOVE DEEP: Fervently extend God’s kindness and grace to pesky people.
  • PRAY BIG: Go down fighting on your knees with fire in your bones.
  • HOPE FULL: Stay tethered to a confident anticipation that keeps your heart ablaze.
  • STAND STRONG: Rest courageously on God’s promises with red-hot resolve.

SIGN UP TO GET WEEKLY #FAITHFUEL IN YOUR INBOX.

YOU’LL RECEIVE “4 SUREFIRE WAYS TO IGNITE YOUR FAITH” AS MY GIFT TO YOU.

YOU’LL ALSO GET ACCESS TO THE PRACTICAL RESOURCES IN OUR PRIVATE FAITH FUEL LIBRARY.

Challenge: 

BEGIN EACH DAY THIS WEEK BY PRAYING: LORD, SET Captives free.

ARE YOU STUCK IN A SPIRITUAL RUT?

I CAN PARTNER WITH YOU TO HELP YOU SPARK A TRANSFORMATION IN YOUR LIFE.

CHECK OUT MY COACHING SERVICES TO DISCOVER STRATEGIES TO REKINDLE YOUR SPIRITUAL LIFE.