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Praying Luke 8:26-39

by Andy Johnson

MRN Missionary Care Director & Prayer Coordinator

They sailed to the region of the Gerasenes, which is across the lake from Galilee. When Jesus stepped ashore, he was met by a demon-possessed man from the town.

We confess, Father, that evil sometimes threatens to overwhelm us. We are startled, we are caught unprepared, and we forget that we have an enemy and that he prowls like a lion. We praise You that Jesus was never caught unaware. Even as he set sail, he knew the schemes of the evil one. Give us today, Lord, the confidence never to be afraid of the enemy, his ways, or those who have listened to his lies. We need Your gift of discernment never to be caught off-guard by the enemy’s activity.

For a long time this man had not worn clothes or lived in a house, but had lived in the tombs. When he saw Jesus, he cried out and fell at his feet, shouting at the top of his voice, “What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg you, don’t torture me!”  For Jesus had commanded the impure spirit to come out of the man. Many times it had seized him, and though he was chained hand and foot and kept under guard, he had broken his chains and had been driven by the demon into solitary places.

We intercede today, Loving Father, on behalf of Your sons and daughters chained hand and foot – both those literally chained in modern-day slavery or unjust systems and those spiritually chained in the darkness of hatred and other sins. We pray against the evil one who drives Your sons and daughters into those solitary places that lead to suicidal and self-harming thoughts. In the name of Jesus, the Son of the Most High God, we beg You to break the chains binding Your lost sons and daughters held captive by guilt, fear, and shame – in our neighborhoods and throughout Your world.

Jesus asked him, “What is your name?”

Thank you, God, that You know our name. Thank You that You have redeemed us, that You have called us by name, that we are Yours. Thank You that we are not defined by our sins or the times we’ve caved to temptation or the demons we’ve given leave to enter us or our homes. Thank You for the promise of a new name given us written on a stone.

“Legion,” he replied, because many demons had gone into him. And they begged Jesus repeatedly not to order them to go into the Abyss.

All-knowing King, we also praise You that You know our enemy and that our enemy knows You – and knows he holds no power over You or Your beloved!

A large herd of pigs was feeding there on the hillside. The demons begged Jesus to let them go into the pigs, and he gave them permission. When the demons came out of the man, they went into the pigs, and the herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and was drowned.

Only a Lord as creative and wise as You could have ever imagined how to cleanse a man of his demons at the same time You cleansed a land of unclean animals! We marvel at Your wisdom and at Your goodness. Chase the evil from our hearts and our land and fill them with Your goodness. Particularly in the wake of racially-motivated murders, chase the evil of white supremacy from hearts and minds. Drown all false notions of superiority in the waters of Your love for all people.

When those tending the pigs saw what had happened, they ran off and reported this in the town and countryside, and the people went out to see what had happened. When they came to Jesus, they found the man from whom the demons had gone out, sitting at Jesus’ feet, dressed and in his right mind; and they were afraid. Those who had seen it told the people how the demon-possessed man had been cured. Then all the people of the region of the Gerasenes asked Jesus to leave them, because they were overcome with fear. So he got into the boat and left.

Why is it, Lord, that we so often misunderstand Your work? We ask You to act, You give us what we really need, and then we no longer want Your Presence! Our region needs cleansing; we need You to chase out the enemy’s servants and defeat the evil in our neighborhoods. And, most of all, we need You. Please, Lord, never take Your Presence from us.

The man from whom the demons had gone out begged to go with him, but Jesus sent him away, saying,  “Return home and tell how much God has done for you.” So the man went away and told all over town how much Jesus had done for him.

You have done so much for us – in the heavenly realms and in the physical! Lord of the Harvest, now send us out to tell all over our town how much Jesus has done for us. Come, Lord Jesus.

 


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