1
Deliverance from Familiar Strongholds
By AP. James Kawalya
In a biblical context, familiar strongholds are
often understood as deeply rooted patterns of 2
thought, behavior, or spiritual influences that
hinder a person’s relationship with God and their
spiritual growth.
These strongholds can be tied to sinful habits,
generational curses, or spiritual oppression that
feel "familiar" because they are ingrained or
passed down through family, culture, or personal
experience.
They are mentioned in connection with 2
Corinthians 10:4-5, which speaks of "pulling down
strongholds" and "casting down arguments and
every high thing that exalts itself against the
knowledge of God."
What Are Familiar Strongholds? 3
Familiar strongholds can manifest as:
❖ Recurring Sinful Patterns: Persistent sins like anger, lust, pride, or addiction
that seem difficult to overcome.
❖ Generational Curses or Patterns: Behaviors or struggles passed down through
families, such as abuse, alcoholism, or occult practices (Exodus 20:5 mentions
the sins of the fathers affecting generations).
❖ Spiritual Oppression: Demonic influences or "familiar spirits" (Leviticus 19:31,
1 Samuel 28:7) that may mimic familiarity or deceive through spiritual
manipulation.
❖ Mental and Emotional Strongholds: Negative thought patterns like fear,
anxiety, unforgiveness, or low self-worth that resist God’s truth.
These strongholds gain power through familiarity—they feel like part of your
identity or are so normalized that they go unchallenged.
Biblical Steps to Break Familiar 4
Strongholds
The Bible provides a framework
for overcoming strongholds
through spiritual warfare, faith,
and reliance on God’s power.
Here are key steps based on
Scripture:
5
1 .Repent and Confess Sins:
Acknowledge any personal or
generational sin that may have opened
the door to the stronghold (1 John 1:9).
Repentance involves turning away from
sin and seeking God’s forgiveness.
Example: If a family has a history of
anger, confess it and ask God to break its
hold.
3 .Renew Your Mind with God’s 6
Word:
➢ Strongholds often reside in the mind.
Replace lies with truth by meditating on
Scripture (Romans 12:2). For example, if
the stronghold is fear, focus on verses
like 2 Timothy 1:7 ("God has not given
us a spirit of fear").
➢ Memorize and declare God’s promises to
counter negative thought patterns.
4 .Use Spiritual Weapons: 7
Ephesians 6:10-18 describes the armor
of God (truth, righteousness, faith,
salvation, the Word, and prayer). These
are essential for standing against
spiritual attacks.
The name of Jesus and His blood are
powerful in breaking spiritual oppression
(Philippians 2:9-11, Revelation 12:11)
6 .Seek Deliverance and Community 8
Support:
➢ Some strongholds, especially those
involving demonic influence, may
require prayer for deliverance (Mark
16:17). Seek help from mature believers
or spiritual leaders.
➢ James 5:16 encourages confessing sins
to one another and praying for healing.
7 .Walk in Obedience and Faith: 9
- Breaking a stronghold is not a
one-time event but a process.
Continue to live in obedience to God’s
Word and trust His transforming
power (John 8:31-32).
- Avoid environments or influences
that reinforce the stronghold.
Practical Example
If someone struggles with a familiar stronghold of bitterness (perhaps due to 10
family patterns of unforgiveness):
❖ Confess: Acknowledge the bitterness and any unforgiveness (Matthew
6:14-15).
❖ Pray: Ask God to reveal the root and break its hold, forgiving those who
caused pain.
❖ Replace: Meditate on Scriptures about love and forgiveness (e.g., Colossians
3:13).
❖ Act: Choose to forgive and bless those who hurt you, even if feelings linger.
❖ Guard: Avoid dwelling on past hurts and seek accountability from a trusted
Christian.
Biblical Assurance
God promises victory over strongholds through Christ. John 8:36 declares, “If
the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.” By aligning with God’s truth,
power, and community, believers can break free from familiar strongholds and
walk in spiritual freedom.
REQUIREMENTS 11
1. Deliverance by precision of the
prophetic authority
2. Sharp flesh anointing
3. Knowledge of the spiritual
world
4. Consistent prayer altar
5. The gift of healing
12
Prayer Points for Deliverance
from Familiar Strongholds
13
1. Repentance for Personal and
Ancestral Sin
Heavenly Father, I confess and repent
of any personal sins and ancestral
iniquities that have opened doors to
familiar strongholds in my life. Cleanse
me by the blood of Jesus (1 John 1:9).
Amen.
2. Breaking Generational Curses 14
Lord, I renounce and break
every generational curse or
pattern passed down through
my family, claiming freedom
through Christ’s sacrifice
(Galatians 3:13). Amen.
3. Demolishing Mental Strongholds 15
Father, by Your divine power,
demolish every stronghold of lies,
fear, or pride in my mind, and let
my thoughts align with Your truth
(2 Corinthians 10:4-5). Amen.
4. Authority Over Demonic 16
Influences
In Jesus’ name, I bind and cast
out every familiar spirit or
demonic force attempting to hold
me captive, for I have authority in
Christ (Luke 10:19). Amen.
5. Renewal of the Mind 17
Lord, renew my mind with
Your Word, replacing every
deceptive thought with the
truth of Your promises
(Romans 12:2). Amen.
6. Freedom from Bondage 18
Father, deliver me from any
bondage—addiction,
unforgiveness, or fear—that
has become a familiar
stronghold in my life (John
8:36). Amen.
7. Breaking Ungodly Soul Ties 19
Lord, sever every ungodly
soul tie or connection that
reinforces familiar
strongholds, and restore my
soul in Your love (Psalm
23:3). Amen.
8. Protection from Cultural 20
Strongholds
Almighty God, shield me from
worldly philosophies or
traditions that exalt themselves
against Your truth, keeping me
rooted in Christ (Colossians
2:8). Amen.
9. Release from Familiar Spirits 21
In Jesus’ name, I rebuke any
familiar spirit operating in my
life or family, and I command it
to flee by the authority of Christ
(James 4:7). Amen.
10. Healing from Past Wounds 22
Lord, heal every emotional or
spiritual wound that has
allowed familiar strongholds to
take root, filling me with Your
peace (Philippians 4:7). Amen.
23
11. Strength to Resist
Temptation
Father, grant me strength to
resist the devil and overcome
temptations that reinforce
familiar strongholds, standing
firm in Your power (Ephesians
6:10-11). Amen.
24
12. Filling with the Holy Spirit
Holy Spirit, fill every area of
my life where strongholds
have been broken, so that I
walk in Your freedom and
truth daily (Ephesians 5:18).
Amen.
25
Guidance for Praying
❖ Pray with Faith : Approach these prayers with
confidence in Christ’s victory (Colossians 2:15).
❖ Use Scripture : Declare relevant verses aloud to
reinforce your prayers.
❖ Seek Accountability : Consider praying with a
trusted believer or pastor for added support
(James 5:16).
❖ Persist : Breaking strongholds may require
consistent prayer and fasting
