September 30, 2025

Dutch Sheets
Sep 30
5 min read

We Will Not Fear; We Will Not Back Down

Another church was viciously attacked over the weekend, a Mormon church in Grand Blanc Township, Michigan. On Sunday, at least four people were killed and eight others wounded in the shooting attack, then the shooter set the church ablaze, with many people inside. At the time of this writing, it was feared they may find more casualties in the rubble of the burned building.

Spirits of violence, hatred, and murder have been unleashed in our nation. This has been happening for some time, but now seems to be escalating. I don’t want to overspiritualize what is occurring – there are obviously multiple reasons and causes – but one of them is most certainly a spiritual door of violence and murder opened in America by the shedding of innocent blood through abortion. We are told very clearly in Scripture that this releases a curse on the land (Numbers 35:33; see also Proverbs 6:17).

We are also instructed to “give no place to the devil” (Ephesians 4:27). “Place” comes from the Greek word topos,(1) from which we get the English word topography. This word is used not only to literally speak of lands or places, but also figuratively, as it is here, in reference to giving or providing a “place of opportunity” or a “place of power.” In this same sense, topos is the word for a scabbard, a place in which to carry a sword or gun. “Don’t give satan ground or territory upon which he has a legal right, spiritually speaking, to implement his weapons or his control.”

Paul used the term “topos” in Acts 25:16, referencing his “license” (KJV) or legal right in Roman law to defend himself against the charges brought against him. The point of these references is that sin can provide a legal right to satan, giving him a “place” from which to release his stealing, killing, and destroying (John 10:10). These sins can actually defile and bring curses to the very land upon which we live, according to the above verse in Numbers, as well as others.

America’s sins, especially abortion, have given satan access to our land. Another sin that has opened the door to satan’s activities is the sin of rebellion. America rebelled against God, His Word, and His Lordship. Rebellion, we are told in Scripture, is the equivalent of witchcraft (1Samuel 15:23), opening the door to demonic activity and control. It cost Saul his position as king of Israel.

Idolatry could also be listed as a sin that defiles the land and brings curses upon people and nations. We could certainly list others, but it is not my purpose to offer a list of America’s sins. I am simply pointing out that as a nation, we are still reaping the results of giving place to satan, one of those results being the violence and murder we are experiencing. (I am not suggesting that those affected are experiencing the violence because they personally sinned. But rather that in a general sense, it is taking place.)

And yet, there is “good news,” which is the meaning of the word “gospel.” The good news/gospel is that we can be forgiven – both individually and corporately – through the blood of Jesus, which was shed for our sins and is now on deposit, sprinkled on the Mercy Seat in heaven (Hebrews 9). The good news is also that God loves to redeem, not judge, and that His mercy triumphs over judgment (James 2:13).

Americans have been unlocking this corporate forgiveness and cleansing, removing satan’s legal right to release death and violence, through repentance, the reversal of Roe vs Wade, and the enactment of righteous laws. The cleansing is not yet complete, however. One of the reasons is that the shedding of innocent blood is ongoing, as is rebellion and other forms of sin. But the cleansing IS occurring!

Do not underestimate the power of our prayers. And don’t underestimate the power released when our national government reverses evil laws and enacts God-honoring edicts. The cleansing effects flow from the head to the body, and they remove the spiritual ground satan was given. Also, do not underestimate the power of those in government who pray and repent on behalf of our nation, calling on God for His forgiveness and mercy. Reread the post of September 26, titled “Mercy is Our New Currency.” We are appealing to heaven for this mercy, “purchased” for us through the blood of Jesus. Pray that believers in our government become increasingly bold in doing so, even publicly.

In the natural realm, I am expecting President Trump and his team to take stronger actions against the violence in our nation. God has given him and his team backbones of steel; they won’t back down, but will do everything they can to quell the violence and rebellion. This will generate more demonic manifestations and rebellious “tantrums” for a season, perhaps even more violence. When you see this, don’t fear. Stay in faith.

I am suggesting that churches all across our nation pray prayers of repentance in their corporate gatherings, asking God’s forgiveness for the shedding of innocent blood and for our rebellion against Him. Then ask that all of the territory given to satan through this defiling of our land – his “place” – be removed from him, and the spirit of violence and murder be broken off our land. Pray for protection over your members and your gatherings.

I also suggest that we all do this for our homes and families. Declare that through the blood of Jesus, Psalm 91 will be fulfilled over you and yours.

Satan is trying to stop what God has begun in our nation. He wants us to cower in fear and retreat from our stand for righteousness and truth. The current violence is one of his weapons for this. We will resist his attempts; we will not fear, we will not back up, we will not back down, and we will overcome him by the blood of the Lamb and the name of Jesus.

“There’s an amazing door of opportunity standing wide open for [us] to minister here, even though there are many who oppose and stand against [us]… Remember to stay alert and hold firmly to all that you believe. Be mighty and full of courage.” ‭‭(1 Corinthians‬ ‭16‬:‭9,13‬ ‭TPT‬‬)

Pray with me:

Father, we begin today by asking You to forgive our nation for taking the lives of over 60 million innocent children through abortion. We could never atone for this gross evil. America deserves nothing but judgment and curses. But we thank You that through the blood of Jesus, we can receive – not what we deserve – but Your mercy. We thank You that Jesus took the punishment we deserve, and through His blood sprinkled on the Mercy Seat of heaven, provided mercy for us.

Through this, we ask You to cleanse America, washing away all of our sins and their resulting curses. We ask that the “place” that has been given to the spirit of murder in America be removed. Break the hold of violence and bring peace to our nation.

We ask for a continuation and increase of the revival that has begun; it will further cleanse and remove the deception that allows our great national sins. And we ask You to raise up more and more righteous leaders in our government who understand principles of repentance and spiritual cleansing, and who desire to follow Your ways. Give them the faith and boldness to repent on behalf of our nation and to make biblical, life-giving decrees. All of these things we ask in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Our decree:

We decree that God’s mercy endures forever, knowing no end.

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