Our Lord granted me a vision today. It’s been a while since I received one. It occurred on June 16th during the Break We Break worship event in Grant Memorial Baptist Church. As I was engaging in the worship session, I sensed an awareness to put my hands together and pray. The moment they touched, I heard a “clang,” like two metals coming into collision. Without realizing it, I began to worship in the spirit.

The Vision

In this vision, I noticed these thick rusted chains dangling with two cuffs around my wrists. I didn’t ask why they were there. There was no sense of fear, only a sensation of peace. I noticed a key in the lock, where I could have easily set myself free them, but I knew my hands were there for a reason. My spirit comprehended the identity of the One at the other end of those chains and my spirit began to pray for me “Lord, use me. Please use me. Take me where you want to take me. You gave your life for me so I can live and now I’m here before you asking you for help. I don’t know what I am doing. I am not worthy to be your slave but all I can offer is my own life to you.” As the prayer was being uttered, there was an overwhelming pressure rising and Jesus spoke to me through a verse.

“Don’t you realize that you become the slave of whatever you choose to obey? You can be a slave to sin, which leads to death, or you can choose to obey God, which leads to righteous living.” Romans 6:16 NLT

When I opened my eyes, the insight into the vision was revealed.

Have you ever wondered why we pray with our hands together? Growing up, I never explored the significance of its meaning. It was just something we did while praying. However, after hearing this verse, it all made sense. When you put your hands together to pray, you are humbling yourself before God. You willingly put yourself in chains and yield to Him because, in that moment, you realize your utter helplessness. You submit to Him, saying, “Guide me! Help me!” You choose to be a slave to righteousness. I could have taken the chains off, but I was willing to place myself in subjection to Jesus, the Master.

When we were controlled by our old nature, sinful desires were at work within us, and the law aroused these evil desires that produced a harvest of sinful deeds, resulting in death. But now we have been released from the law, for we died to it and are no longer captive to its power. Now we can serve God, not in the old way of obeying the letter of the law, but in the new way of living in the Spirit. Romans 7:5-6 NLT

This vision served as a reminder that I am no longer a slave to sin and am no longer bound by the law. My life has been redeemed by the blood of Christ. I have been set free and called by God in Christ to be adopted into His family. I now have the freedom to choose whether to return to a life of sin or to serve Him and receive eternal life.

“Therefore, dear brothers and sisters, you have no obligation to do what your sinful nature urges you to do. For if you live by its dictates, you will die. But if through the power of the Spirit you put to death the deeds of your sinful nature, you will live. For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, “Abba, Father.” For his Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God’s children.” Romans 8:2-16 NLT

Even though I have been adopted into God’s family, I still experience temptations to smoke cigarettes and give in to my sinful desires. Sin still dictates my action because I choose to let it. However, Jesus is the key that unlocked all oppression and addiction when He died on the cross. It is through His death that we are set free. God has given us the Holy Spirit, and by being obedient to His guidance, we become children of God. His Spirit leads us to the Truth. When we seek Him in times of temptation and trials, He will show us the path to Life. But if we choose to obey our fleshly desires, we choose to remain under the influence of sin and become its children.

Unfortunately, some people do not have the luxury of having a Master like Jesus. They struggle with strong urges and cravings for worldly things. Satan has a hold on them, feeding them lies and enticing them to seek satisfaction in earthly desires. However, they will never find true fulfillment. They are trapped in a cycle of wanting more until, eventually, death consumes them. As children of God, it is our responsibility to share the good news with them and pray for those who are still bound by sin. We were once in their position and understand their struggles, so let us seek guidance from the Holy Spirit on how to pray for them. When we pray with our hands together, we humble ourselves before God and choose to submit to His will rather than following our own desires. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, we can overcome our weaknesses and live a life that brings glory to God. As we share the good news of Jesus with others and pray for those who are still bound by sin, we can be confident that God is at work in their lives, drawing them to Himself and transforming them from the inside out. May our compassion and faith move God. Let us be confident that God is at work in their lives, revealing Himself and transforming them from the inside out so they too can be adopted into God’s family, just as we have been.

“Yes, each of you should remain as you were when God called you. Are you a slave? Don’t let that worry you—but if you get a chance to be free, take it. And remember, if you were a slave when the Lord called you, you are now free in the Lord. And if you were free when the Lord called you, you are now a slave of Christ. God paid a high price for you, so don’t be enslaved by the world. Each of you, dear brothers and sisters, should remain as you were when God first called you.” 1 Corinthians 7:20-24 NLT

So, let’s count our blessings and be grateful for God’s mercy. Let’s remind ourselves that our freedom has been purchased by the blood of Christ. He has equipped us with wisdom and understanding if we just ask for it. There is nothing holding us back except the choices that we make. Prayers are powerful. My questions for you are: are you going to choose something that will bring life or something that brings death? Are you in the stronghold of the devil or in the stronghold of Jesus Christ? To whom are you a slave?