Day 2 - Jesus died to destroy captivity
“18 ‘The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, 19 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour.’”
Good News for Captives
Today on our second day of prayer and fasting, we are looking at how Jesus died to destroy captivity.
The Bible teaches that all people are born into sin and are separated from God because of it. However, Jesus' death and resurrection provide a way for people to be set free from sin's captivity and receive eternal life.
Through faith in Jesus Christ, we can be forgiven of our sins and reconciled with God. Jesus paid the penalty for our sins on the cross and defeated the power of sin and death through His resurrection.
As a result, we no longer have to be enslaved by sin, fear, or any other form of captivity. We can experience freedom and newness of life through our relationship with Jesus Christ.
Freedom in Every Part of Life
Jesus read these words from the prophet Isaiah in the synagogue at Nazareth. Then He sat down and said that the Scripture had been fulfilled that day in their hearing (Luke 4:21). He was announcing what He had come to do.
The rest of the Gospels show it happening. God anointed Jesus with the Holy Spirit and with power, and He went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil (Acts 10:38). At the cross He broke the hold of sin, so that we are no longer its slaves (Romans 6:6). By His death He also frees those who have lived all their lives in fear of dying (Hebrews 2:14–15).
The freedom He gives is real. If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed (John 8:36). And the same Holy Spirit who rested on Jesus now lives in His church, so that we can carry this good news to others.
Pray It Through
Name your captivity. Is there a habit, a fear or a memory that still holds you? Bring it to Jesus by name.
Receive His freedom. Thank Him that the cross has broken its power, and ask the Holy Spirit to help you walk free.
Pray for the oppressed. Remember people who are trapped by addiction, debt or injustice, and ask God to release them.
Let us pray
Heavenly Father, We thank you for sending your son to proclaim good news to the poor, to heal the broken-hearted, to proclaim freedom to the captives, and to release the prisoners from their bondage. We ask this in the name of your son, Jesus Christ, who came to set the captives free. Amen.
Keep going
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