Welcome, friend, to week 3 of our Unshakable series – Praying With Authority. Today, we’re going to discuss the prayer strategy of binding and loosing, what it entails, and how we can apply this biblical principle to our own lives. So grab something cozy to sip on and let’s chat!
Scriptures of the week:
Matthew 16:19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.
Matthew 18:18 Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.
WHAT IS BINDING AND LOOSING
Let’s think of binding as restricting or forbidding something spiritually. Think of it as calling on God to shut the door on sin, lies, fear, pride, unforgiveness, anger, or any schemes of the enemy. You can think of loosing as permitting or releasing what God has for you. Things like freedom, peace, healing, generosity, love, or blessings that have been withheld.
Bind = forbid
Loose = allow/release
THE SPIRITUAL AUTHORITY of binding and loosing
As we discussed in Week 1, as believers in Christ, we aren’t powerless; we are given authority.
Luke 10:19 I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you.
When we bind or loose in prayer, we are stepping into the authority we’ve been given from God, from Jesus’ finished work on the cross, not our own power. We can use this practice to partner with God in order to see his purposes fulfilled.
STEPS FOR BINDING AND LOOSING
- Think of what situations need God’s freedom right now. (Fear, addiction, family conflict, sickness, etc.)
- This is not a magical formula; it’s a faith-filled declaration rooted in God’s word, so next, use Scripture to guide your prayer. Invite the Holy Spirit’s guidance and remember it’s Christ’s power,r not ours.
- Pray out loud. Words are our weapon, so speak them out!
PRACTICAL WAYS TO BIND AND LOOSE
So, what does this look like in our everyday lives? Let’s look at some ways we can apply this.
- In your personal life: Bind fear, anxiety, harmful habits, and loose peace, faith, and healing. Speak scripture over your circumstances.
- In relationships: Bind conflict, division, unforgiveness, resentment, and loose love, understanding, and reconciliation.
- For others through prayer: Stand in prayer for family, friends, your community, binding any harmful spiritual influences and loosing God’s protection and blessings.
Here’s a simple example of what a prayer could sound like:
“Father, in the name of Jesus, I bind fear and anxiety from my heart and mind. I loose Your peace, courage, and clarity over my life. Let Your will be done in every area of my life today.”
10 EXAMPLES of binding and loosing:
Below are examples of everyday ways to pray a binding/loosing prayer, always checking that they align with God’s word.
- Fear & Peace: “In Jesus’ name, I bind fear and loose God’s perfect peace over my mind.”
- Anxiety & Calm: “Father, in the name of Jesus, I bind anxiety from my heart and mind and loose the calm of Christ.”
- Division & Unity: “I bind division in my family and loose love and reconciliation.”
- Temptation & Purity: “I bind lustful thoughts and loose purity and self-control.”
- Sickness & Healing: “I bind sickness and loose God’s healing power.”
- Discouragement & Hope: “I bind discouragement and loose the hope of the Holy Spirit.”
- Anger & Patience: “I bind uncontrolled anger and loose patience and gentleness.”
- Confusion & Wisdom: “I bind confusion and loose the wisdom of God.”
- Poverty Mindset & Provision: “I bind a spirit of lack and loose God’s provision and contentment.”
- Spiritual Apathy & Hunger for God: “I bind apathy and loose a deep hunger for God’s presence.”
STEP INTO YOUR AUTHORITY
Whatever you are going through today, you don’t have to sit back and accept it. You are not powerless. God has equipped you with authority in Christ, so use it! I read this comparison: each year, over five million dollars in gift cards go unclaimed. In the same way, when we don’t step into the authority God has given us, we’re leaving his promises on the table that are meant for each one of us. Let’s claim them and use them up!
CHALLENGE
This week, I challenge you: each day, take a moment to quiet your heart. Reflect on Matthew 18:18 and Luke 10:19, and ask God what you need to bind and what you need to loose. Grab a cup of tea, open your Bible, and let God guide you as you step into the authority he’s already given you. Write down your own binding and loosing prayers, speak them out loud, and watch how His Spirit moves!
Here’s a great video that talks more in-depth about binding and loosing. I highly recommend you check it out!
What will you be binding and loosing this week? I’d love to know below in the comments or on Instagram with the #UnshakablePrayer. See you back here next week, where we’ll be talking about The Prayer of Agreement.