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“For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds.”

2 Corinthians 10:4

Praying for someone in the grip of addiction is an exercise in frustration and disappointment. Just when you think they’re on the brink of breakthrough and your prayers are making a difference, whack, a setback happens.

Here we go again.

In those moments of defeat it is tempting to give up praying and hoping that things can change. It feels like it’s no use. You’ve been through it with them way too many times.

Spiritual strongholds are just that. They hold on strong and don’t let go on their own. They must be pried open finger-by-finger with persistent and stubborn prayer that calls upon nothing less than the power of God.

Moses experienced the emotional toll that comes with praying for a hard case. He prayed over and again for Pharaoh to stop abusing the people of God. But Pharaoh was addicted to power. He couldn’t put it down. It was his crackpipe. His heart was so hard, his will so obstinate, that every time he promised to let them go, he would go back on his word and get strung out on power again.

But Moses didn’t stop praying. His stubbornness was of the righteous variety and proved to be stronger than Pharaoh’s wicked addiction. It took a while for Pharaoh to break, but finally, after 10 devastating catastrophes, he did and the Exodus began.

Then [Pharaoh] summoned Moses and Aaron by night and said, “Up, go out from among my people, both you and the people of Israel; and go, serve the Lord, as you have said.”

Exodus 12:31

Let this be an encouragement to you as you think about and pray for the hard cases in your life. Strongholds are not easily broken but they can be broken. How? In the Name of Jesus, pray, pray again, and keep on praying. In faith, ask God to do what only He can do.

By the 9th go-around, Moses was probably ready to throw in the towel. But it’s a good thing he did not, because freedom came on the tenth.

It’s a new day with God. Run with it.