The python spirit is in the cross-hairs of many spiritual warriors, and practical revelation about how this demon operates has surfaced in recent years. Still, there are many who aren't aware of this enemy's devices. I wrote a column called What the Python Spirit Really Wants last week to open the eyes of those who may not realize this coiling spirit could be working to squeeze out the breathe of life (the Holy Spirit) and cut off your lifeline to God (prayer).
Before we go any further, let's do a quick review of last week's column so you can see this spirit at work in the Bible. You'll find it in Acts 16:16 when Paul encounters a girl possessed with a spirit of divination. The word divination in this verse comes from the Greek word for puthon, which translates in English as “python.” That's why many call this evil force the python spirit. Here's the Scripture in context:
“Now it happened, as we went to prayer, that a certain slave girl possessed with a spirit of divination met us, who brought her masters much profit by fortune-telling. This girl followed Paul and us, and cried out, saying, 'These men are the servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to us the way of salvation.' And this she did for many days” (Acts 16:16-17).
The prayer-hating python spirit drew attention to Paul and Silas in a hostile land, distracted them from their apostolic mission, and ultimately persecuted them sorely, even putting them in literal bondage. But Paul and Silas didn't stay there. They prayed and praised their way through—and so can you. But not just any type of prayer will root this spirit out of your midst.
After You Put on Your Armor
In spiritual warfare circles we talk a lot about the armor of God. Some of us even symbolically get dressed in our armor every day. We've memorized Ephesians 6:10-17—but a freedom key is in verse 18: “Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints (emphasis mine).”
That's right, wearing heavy battle armor is not enough without prayer—and the right kind of prayer. Remember, Paul was on his way to the house of prayer when python attacked. Python doesn't want you in the place of prayer in the presence of God because when you are engaging in Spirit-led prayer you're doing damage to the kingdom of darkness. The enemy knows that your authority in prayer in Christ's Name is what sets you free from his oppression—and sets others around you free. Scripture makes it clear:
“But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone's chains were loosed. And the keeper of the prison, awaking from sleep and seeing the prison doors open, supposing the prisoners had fled, drew his sword and was about to kill himself. But Paul called with a loud voice, saying, 'Do yourself no harm, for we are all here'” (Acts 16:25-28).
Rooting Python Out of a City
The prayers and praise of Paul and Silas set the captives free, but that spirit of python was still reigning over the city when they left on the next leg of their mission. The python spirit can reign in a life or a region where people are ignorant of the devil's devices (see 2 Cor. 2:11).
We need revelation from the Holy Spirit about what is operating in our lives and in our territories in order to ultimately root it out and set up a guard against its re-entry by our authority in Christ. Now here's the rub: Although many have come to understand python's life-squeezing, breath-stealing tactics, we too often fail to engage Spirit-led prayer that would render this principality powerless.
This python spirit is a major influence in Florida, where we have more houses of prayer per capita than any other state. Python is so spiritually active in our state that it has manifested with an overrun of natural pythons in the Everglades. Experts point to as many as 100,000 Burmese pythons in the Florida Everglades that are reproducing rapidly. This snake is driving down populations of opossums, bobcats and raccoons and even swallows deer and alligators whole.
Although reciting rote prayers from a book may push back darkness for a moment, ultimately that spiritual-warfare strategy isn't going to deliver you—and keep you free—from python's grip. Freedom from python demands a deeper intercession. It starts with repentance and works its way into travailing prayer by the leading of the Spirit of God (Rom. 8:26-27).
What do we do, practically speaking? We need to pray to the righteous Lord who “has cut in pieces the cords of the wicked” (see Ps. 129:4) that python has coiled around us. We need to repent for our sins—and the sins of our cities—that have allowed python a stronghold so God can surround us with songs of deliverance in His presence (Psalm 32). We have authority in Christ to cut in pieces this coiling spirit but, again, it often takes travailing prayer with the Spirit of God to free the body from the head of the snake in a region.
I'll talk more about travailing prayer in next week's column. In the meantime, meditate on Romans 8:26-27 and ask the Holy Spirit to give you revelation on those verses. Amen.
Click here to download a free chapter of Jennifer's new book, Satan's Deadly Trio: Defeating the Deceptions of Jezebel, Religion and Witchcraft.
Jennifer LeClaire is news editor of Charisma. She is also director of Awakening House of Prayer in Fort Lauderdale and author of several books, including Satan's Deadly Trio: Defeating the Deceptions of Jezebel, Religion and Witchcraft, and The Spiritual Warrior's Guide to Defeating Jezebel. You can visit her website here. You can also join Jennifer on Facebook or follow her on Twitter.
Where is the third article in this series on travailing prayer please?
I am looking for that one also
See the above reply to Anne’s question.
Omg I love thus…I know the Lord has shown me this and I am desperate to see revelation n captives free.. Sin opens the door n repentance is key. .thank you thank you
By the date of the Article and the last line of the second paragraph and the second line in the fourth paragraph, I believe this is the followup article you are looking for.
I heard the word PYTHON spoken in my head while casually speaking2 my new ATTENDANT.
So today I decided to just look up PYTHON SPIRIT. Now I know.
I loved reading this. Needing to war against the enemy in spiritual warfare. To break down strong holds thru prayer. I also am having a hard time getting into prayer. I mean travialing prayer. I want to do this for our loved ones and those who need deliverance.
Thank you for the word.
When I first moved into my house , one day in prayer with my friend and I, we both saw snakes. His was a rattle snake mine was a python. I kept praying and saw a hand reach out and cut it’s head off.
I’ve seen many things in the spirit.
If you would stand with me in prayer for the man that I love.
The enemy has convinced him all his life that he’s bisexual. He just revealed it to me recently. I’ve been coming against the lie. God has many things ahead for us and the enemy WILL NOT STOP IT !
Thank you.
Thank You for this message.I agree with every word but the message is too short.The LORD JESUS CHRIST once revealed to me how millions of people are under the grip of this powerful evil spirit. I saw in a vision a big green python very hugh in size coiling around 1000s of people in many cities towns and villages or counties. All people were living normal lives none cared about the grip around their lives.Not one person was interceding against this spirit. It has millions in its perfect grip none care or no one knows what to do against this spirit or how to pray. In India Nepal Bhutan Pakistan and other SARRC countries python spirit has millions in its grip. So many churches are dead without power of the Holy Spirit. There are is no love of LORD JESUS CHRIST in people lives. A form of godliness without the love of jesus and the Power of the Holy Spirit.
I request you to please guide me how to pray fervently against this evil spirit and to cast it out. I like to keep in touch to find help to continue in ministry in the MISSION FIELD.
I PRAY ANGELS KEEP A WALL OF PROTECTION AROUND YOUR LIFE-Ps91:11-12.
Yours LOving
Ian Pacheco.
Praise the Lord this kind of teaching is needed. Do you know the strongholds in Laplace, La.
I had a dream about this (pythons being cut in pieces) a few days ago and the next day I just happened to search online and found some information about this. Now I want to know what to do next.
I dreamt more than this, but woke up alarmed since this is probably the third time I dreamt about snakes in the past week. I remember walking into someone’s home that was available to rent or buy and there was another person interested inside. Though dark inside, I was amazed at how enormous the home was, like an unreal mansion that you wouldn’t suspect from the outside, but saw a python in a glass box, and warned everyone about it now being loose, and running to pick up someone’s tiny puppy for safety. In the dream I remember thinking how this is like the 3rd time I’ve dreamt of snakes recently and how a friend shared with me how the Python spirit comes to squeeze the life of out ppl or me. Please help.
The other night I was sleeping and I saw a phyton coming from the neck from the right shoulder of a man wearing a black American suit. And when I went to church yesterday my pastor wears a suit. It’s true in Acts 16 that the girl who declared Paul and Silas as man of God who is showing salvation through Christ. We need to pray for our pastors and their families and ministries as satan is trying to hinder God’s salvation through our church pastors and lay leaders. Thank you for posting articles about the phyton spirit. Now I understand fully. God bless
this spirit has been active in my life for many many years. i ask 4 interceders as i pray against this spirit. he comes with many visitors….
Please pray for me
I am addicted to porn for 40 years
I am a Pastor and am financially broked
I urgently need to to be delivered and i need to pay my bills.
Pleeaaase Pray!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
i am affected by this deadly spirit. i cannot pray or bring myself to worship. Please help me. What should i do?
This spirit is currently inhabiting my body and has made it hard for me to breathe and i have had a huge loss of apetite….i need help