Why Deliverance is Rarely Seen in Today’s Churches by Bishop Martin Wilson

Deliverance ministry, once a staple in many churches, has become a rare sight in today’s congregations. While it might seem absent in many services, the reality is that deliverance often happens quietly or behind the scenes. However, with the release of the new Netflix movie The Deliverance, the topic of spiritual warfare and demonic oppression has gained renewed attention. The film, which portrays a powerful story of deliverance from demonic forces, reminds us that the supernatural battle is very real—and that the church must not shy away from addressing it. But why don’t we see deliverance as openly in churches anymore? To fully restore deliverance ministry, churches must embrace four critical values—a “4x4” approach that creates an environment for the power of God to work.

1. The Importance of Passionate Prayer

A church that lacks fervent prayer lacks the spiritual power to confront demonic forces. Prayer prepares the atmosphere for God’s presence to manifest, and in that presence, demonic entities cannot stand. Churches that are not engaged in deep, passionate prayer and fasting often do not witness deliverance because the spiritual climate is not conducive to it. In The Deliverance, the intensity of prayer and spiritual battle is evident—this is the type of atmosphere the church must cultivate to see similar breakthroughs.

2. Prioritizing Evangelism

Deliverance and evangelism go hand in hand. When churches actively reach out to the lost, deliverance often follows as new believers experience freedom from spiritual bondage. If a church isn’t bringing in new souls, it’s less likely to see deliverance take place. The Deliverance reminds us of the necessity of confronting the spiritual forces that keep people bound. When people encounter Christ, they must also experience liberation from the spiritual forces that held them captive. Churches must prioritize evangelism to facilitate deliverance.

3. Expecting the Miraculous

Too many churches today have grown comfortable with explaining the absence of miracles rather than expecting them. To see deliverance and the miraculous, we need to foster an environment where faith is alive, and the impossible is expected. Services should be designed with a sense of anticipation that God will move in supernatural ways. Just as The Deliverance portrays miraculous moments of spiritual breakthrough, churches must also encourage a mindset that God’s power is available to deliver people from demonic oppression.

4. Directly Confronting the Demonic

Deliverance cannot happen without addressing the reality of demonic oppression. Unfortunately, many churches avoid this aspect of ministry, either out of fear or lack of knowledge. To see true deliverance, the church must be willing to confront demonic forces head-on. Those involved in leading deliverance prayers need to be equipped and trained for spiritual warfare. In The Deliverance, this confrontation is vividly depicted—showing that freedom only comes when the demonic is directly dealt with. The church must not shy away from this reality.

Igniting the Fire of God’s Presence

One of the key moments in The Deliverance is when the presence of God exposes the forces of darkness. This resonates with the biblical principle that when we build a fire of God’s presence, the enemy will be forced out. In the same way, the church needs to focus on stoking the fire of God through prayer, worship, and spiritual discipline. When we do, the “snakes” of demonic oppression will reveal themselves and be cast out. The goal is not to seek out the enemy but to build the fire of God’s presence, allowing it to drive the enemy away.

At the same time, church leaders must prioritize the fear of God over the fear of people’s opinions. Many ministers hesitate to practice deliverance because they worry about how it will be perceived by the congregation. But as The Deliverance shows, the reality of spiritual warfare is undeniable, and it is something that must be confronted. Ministers must choose to obey God’s call to set the captives free, rather than bowing to public pressure or fear of controversy.

Criticism of Deliverance Ministries

One of the reasons deliverance is rare today is that those who operate in deliverance ministry are often met with skepticism or criticism. In The Deliverance, the resistance to the supernatural is evident, as many people are afraid to acknowledge the spiritual battle around them. The same is true in many churches—when we criticize or dismiss deliverance ministry, we cut ourselves off from the anointing that brings freedom. Instead of criticizing, we should learn from those who are effectively ministering in deliverance and ask God for the wisdom to do the same.

Conclusion

Deliverance is still relevant, and the new Netflix movie The Deliverance has reignited a conversation about the reality of demonic oppression and the need for spiritual warfare. The absence of deliverance in many churches is not because it is no longer necessary, but because we’ve allowed fear, complacency, and misunderstanding to take precedence over the pursuit of God’s power. By returning to foundational practices like passionate prayer, evangelism, expecting the miraculous, and confronting the demonic, we can restore deliverance to its rightful place in the church. As we do, we will see the fire of God’s presence grow, and deliverance will follow naturally, bringing freedom and healing to those in need. Let us heed the lessons from The Deliverance and step boldly into the ministry that Jesus called us to, setting captives free by the power of His name.

From the Episcopal Desk of 

+Martin Wilson’s 

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