Prayer to break free from isolation
Leave the graves behind.
Last year, a spiritual leader asked me to pray against isolation and discouragement in the church.
He was specifically worried about the amount of Christians who were turning to suicide as a way to resolve their depression.
During my prayer time, the Holy Spirit reminded me of the story about Jesus and the demoniac.
At first, I was confused, but the more I thought about it, the more it made sense.
Jesus delivers the Demoniac
For those who don’t remember, this passage follows Jesus as he’s confronted by a demonized man who “lived among the tombs.”
This man was so tormented that people locked him in chains to protect themselves. But the harassing spirits were so powerful, the man always broke free!
By the time Jesus met the demoniac, there was a frightened atmosphere covering the area.
Eventually, the man encountered Jesus’ power and received healing. But it was an intense exchange that left many terrified. Scripture says:
“Those who had seen it told the people how the demon-possessed man had been cured. Then all the people of the region of the Gerasenes asked Jesus to leave them, because they were overcome with fear. So he got into the boat and left.” (Luke 8:36-37 NIV)
Coming out of the graves
What surprised me is that the demoniac didn’t receive his healing until he stepped out from the tombs to meet Jesus. He had to leave his place of trauma, fear, and separation to experience breakthrough.
I feel this passage relates to us because it’s easy to let disappointment isolate us. Our sorrows can shut us down and cause us to pull away.
But separation is not the path to healing! As Christians, we need to be around each other, so we can grow.
Say “No” to Disappointment
If disappointments are causing you to withdraw, hand them over to Jesus. Release your pain and ask Him to breathe new life. Then, get around healthy believers!
Scripture tells us that satan “prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” If we isolate, we leave ourselves open to attack.
It’s time to experience all that God has for you. Forgive those who have hurt you, and come out of the tombs!
Father, I renounce participation with the spirit of isolation. I break agreement with it and ask You to forgive me for living among the tombs. I hand to You what I’ve lost, what didn’t happen, and all my regrets. I accept the truth that I can’t stay in this place forever. I let every disappointment go and break agreement with them in Jesus’ Name. Holy Spirit, detune my ears to the call of isolation. Father God, make it so that I can’t pick up its broadcasts anymore, and help me find safe relationships. I ask this all in Jesus’ Name, amen.