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Day 37: Storm the Gates of Hell
Opening Prayer
Heavenly Father, we come before You today declaring Your victory over satan and all the powers of darkness. You gave Your Son Jesus authority over every demonic stronghold, and through His death and resurrection He conquered sin, hell and the grave. We know that as your church, built upon the unshakable foundation of Christ, we have power and authority over every enemy attack. Forgive us for the times we have been ignorant of our rights and position in Christ. Renew our minds to the truth that through faith, we stand as victors, not victims. By Your Holy Spirit, empower us to storm the gates of hell with Your gospel truth and enforce the defeat You won through the cross. May Your name be praised and Your kingdom advanced as we take dominion in the authority You have given. In Jesus’ mighty name, Amen.
Scripture Reading and Reflection
Matthew 16:18 KJV
And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
Reflection:
When Jesus said the gates of hell would not prevail against His church, He was conferring authority upon believers, not predicting weakness or passivity. Through Christ’s death, we have been granted power over demonic forces that once held us in bondage (Col 2:15). Yet for too long the church has been unaware or afraid to step into this inheritance. We see examples in the Bible of God’s people taking assertive, offensive stands against spiritual darkness. Moses stretched forth his rod over Egypt and the plagues fell, showing God’s supremacy over false gods (Exodus 7-12). Elijah called down fire from heaven to slay the prophets of Baal, and all the people acknowledged the true God (1 Kings 18). Jesus’ earthly ministry was one of confronting demons and illnesses, binding the enemy through His words (Mark 1:21-28). Now as Christ’s body, the gospel has given us a “weapon that has divine power to demolish strongholds” (2 Cor 10:4). When we proclaim Jesus as victorious over sin, death and hell, the gates must yield. We have been given the authority to enforce Christ’s triumph through preaching truth and casting down lies and oppression in His name (Luke 10:19). It’s time for the church to rise up and storm the gates of hell by enforcing Christ’s victory in spiritual battle. We have a right, given by God, to advance the kingdom by pulling down demonic strongholds that oppress communities and nations. Where there is suffering, sickness or societal injustice, we can exercise our dominion and overcome the enemy through intercession, deliverance ministry and advocacy in the power of the Holy Spirit. The gates of hell will crumble as we proclaim with boldness that Jesus has won!Hymn:
Built on the Rock
1 Built on the Rock, the church shall stand even when steeples are falling; Christ build His church in every land; bells still are chiming and calling, calling the young and old to rest, calling the souls of those distressed, longing for life everlasting.
2 Not in a temple made with hands God the Almighty is dwelling; high in the heav’ns His temple stands, all earthly temples excelling; yet He who dwells in heav’n above chooses to live with us in love, making our body His temple.
3 We are God’s house of living stones, built for His own habitation; He fills our hearts, His humble thrones, granting us life and salvation. Yet to this place, and earthly frame, we come with thanks to praise His name; God grants His people true blessing.
4 Through all the passing years, O Lord, grant that, when church bells are ringing, many may come to hear God’s Word where He this promise is bringing: “I know My own, My own know Me; you, not the world, My face shall see; My peace I leave with you. Amen.”
Lyrics: Nicolai Frederik Severin Grundtvig, Translator: Carl Døving, Music: Ludvig Mathias Lindeman
Creative Activities: 1. Scripture Writing
Write out Matthew 16:18 in your best handwriting on the Scripture writing page which you can download below.
Please download the Scripture Writing Page below. It is for personal and educational use (school, homeschooling) as well as for use at church and in ministry only.
Commercial use not allowed.
Download Scripture Writing Page
Creative Activities: 2. Bible Journaling
- Illustrate Matthew 16:18 with images of gates falling or the church advancing.
- Colorfully write out Ephesians 1:20-23 depicting Jesus above all powers.
- Surround 2 Corinthians 10:4 with banners, skulls or strongholds “being torn down.”
- Doodle battle scenes from Exodus, 1 Kings or Mark’s gospel in the margins.
- Note declarations of victory over sins, doubts or strongholds you are enforcing.
- Sketch pictures portraying yourself enforcing Christ’s rule over the enemy.
Creative Activities: 3. Doodling
- Interlinked crosses with crumbling gates and fallen chains.
- Stick figures preaching or praying at gates that collapse inward.
- Clouds of Holy Spirit fire raining on fortress parapets.
- Cross-shapes bursting through skulls or demonic faces.
- Words like “freed,” “healed” and “delivered” emerging from battles.
- Angels aiding the saints as they enforce Christ’s authority.
- Just doodle free expressions of what claiming rule over enemies looks like.
Download Doodle Printable
Creative Activities: 4. Journaling
Reflect and Journal:
- When you reflect on areas in your own life or your community that still seem bound by darkness, what most compels you to enforce Christ’s triumph through focused prayer and bold witnessing?
Download Journal Printable
Applying and Taking Action
- Intercede daily for a specific stronghold, asking God to reveal His strategy.
- Study accounts of spiritual breakthrough and be inspired to boldly confront enemies.
- Find opportunities to advocate for the oppressed and proclaim freedom in Christ.
- Speak truth over any doubts, fears or bondages through affirming Scripture.
- Partner with others to visit places of societal injustice and pray destruction of schemes.
- Present the good news courageously, certain that the advance of God’s rule is irresistible.
Closing Prayer
Heavenly Father, We thank You that through the cross You have granted us total victory over the powers of darkness. You have given Your church authority over every demonic stronghold and principalities that stand against Your kingdom. As we close this time reflecting on storming the gates of hell, We pray that You would stir up holy boldness within us. Fill us afresh with Your Spirit’s empowering that we may courageously live out and proclaim the truths we have meditated on. Guide us to pray strategically and advocate fearlessly for the captives. May Your name be praised and Your rule advanced as we enforce the supremacy of Christ in the earthly realms under His authority. May the enemy flee at the sound of Your church rising up to possess what rightfully belongs to our King. We ask this in the victorious name of Jesus. Amen.
If you have been blessed by this Creative Lent Devotional, please share it with others. Many thanks. God bless you!
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