Plus, Prayer for California In last Sunday's Gathering, we began a season of intense prayer for California. We could feel the deep sincerity of everyone’s heart as we prayed for our state. Since then, the Lord has been speaking to me about the importance of praying, not only with sincerity, but with authority as well.
In Matthew, when Jesus finished delivering the Sermon on the Mount, the people took note that unlike the scribes, Jesus taught with authority. The Lord continues to remind me that as His disciples, He has made us kings and priests. Therefore, unlike the scribes of our day, shouldn't we be praying with authority, as well? During the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus warned his followers not to pray as the religious people pray, using vain repetition, thinking they'll be heard through much speaking. He then gave us the model prayer, which we've come to know as the Lord's Prayer, directing us to pray after this manner. He did not say, “Pray this (or any other) prayer over and over," but I believe He intended it as a guide for our prayers to our Heavenly Father (Matt.6:5-13).
Jesus taught and prayed with authority, because he knew His identity—a Son in right relationship with His Father who sent Him. He knew personally Who He was talking about, and Who He was praying to. Praying with authority is praying in faith! James said, "The effective, fervent (energeo – active, not passive) prayers of a righteous man avails (ischuo – has force, power) much (Jas.5:16)." A righteous man knows who he IS in Christ, and who he IS NOT without Him!
What it’s NOT
Praying with authority is not praying in doubt, or unbelief. It's not praying in fear. It's not trying to convince God that He should move in someone's behalf. It's not praying to invoke pity from God. Praying with authority is praying with power! It's the place in the spirit, where exousea (authority) and dunamis (miraculous power) collide and connect. It's the prayer that produces miracles. Praying with authority is not trying to get God to do what he's already done. Instead, it's knowing what He's done, and thanking Him for it. Praying with authority is not asking God to do something he has already given us authority to do, such as to bind and cast out demons (Lk 10:19).
The BIG PICTURE
It’s clear to us all, even more so on some days, that we live in a cursed and fallen world, filled with lots of disappointment and frustration, along with much death and destruction! But do you ever wonder where all this frustration and suffering comes from?
Romans 8:18–27 18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. 19 For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God. 20 For the creation was subjected to futility (mataiotes – purposelessness, frustration, vanity [Eccl.1:1-2 “All is vanity.”]), not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in hope (elpis – confident expectation); 21 because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. 22 For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now.
In Romans 8, we learn that God subjected the entire creation, which I believe includes the entire universe and every living creature in it, to futility, frustration—the curse. Remember, after Adam sinned, God told him, “Cursed is the ground for your sake (Gen 3:17-19).” Notice, He didn’t say Adam was cursed, but the ground (which his body was made from was cursed, but not his spirit—the God part that was breathed into him and all of us).
But we also learn in Romans 8, that God subjected the creation to purposelessness, not with purposelessness or despair in Himself, but IN HOPE (utmost expectation which faith affords)! Fully expecting the creation to be delivered from the bondage of corruption from the curse. But, by what means could the entire creation be moved from bondage into freedom? We know firsthand that law and religion can’t do it, because they cause our sin to abound (Rom.5:20) and add more chains and bondage. Neither can the sons of men (the sons of Adam) do it, but the SONS OF GOD CAN and ARE DOING IT NOW(remember, there is neither male nor female in Christ, Gal.3:28)! The creation waited four-thousand years for THE SON OF GOD to be revealed and continues now to groan in travail as the sons of men are birthed naturally, but then given new Spiritual birth miraculously by the Lord to become THE SONS OF GOD! This is “when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be (is now) brought to pass the saying that is written: “Death (and the curse) is swallowed up in victory (1 Cor.15:45).” Contrary to much religious teaching, this is NOT the point where the Sons of God die, go to heaven, and float on a cloud with a harp!
The Kingdom Purpose of PRAYER and INTERCESSION
26 Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should PRAY for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes INTERCESSION for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. 27 Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God. (NKJV)
This is the point where the Sons of God connect and are filled with the Holy Spirit and begin fulfilling God’s eternal purpose and expectation of delivering the cursed creation through PRAYER and INTERCESSION for the saints (by the saints) according to the will of God.
TIMING for Answered Prayer
Mark 11:24 Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them. (NKJV)
There are so many promises in the Bible that we can claim when we pray! True faith says, “I have it NOW!” Yet, something the enemy can use to discourage us is in our prayers is making us think we should “see” the answers immediately. But notice, Mark associates prayer with “believing,” “receiving, and “having,” but doesn’t say anything about “seeing.”
Remember in when the disciples came to Jesus and asked Him, “When will these things be (Mat.24:3)?”
Matthew 24:36 “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only. (NKJV)
Kingdom Authority
Mark 1:21–28 21 Then they went into Capernaum, and immediately on the Sabbath He entered the synagogue and taught. 22 And they were astonished at His teaching, for He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.
23 Now there was a man in their synagogue with an unclean spirit. And he cried out, 24 saying, “Let us alone! What have we to do with You, Jesus of Nazareth? Did You come to destroy us? I know who You are—the Holy One of God!” 25 But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be quiet, and come out of him!” 26 And when the unclean spirit had convulsed him and cried out with a loud voice, he came out of him.
27 Then they were all amazed, so that they questioned among themselves, saying, “What is this? What new doctrine is this? For with authority He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey Him.” 28 And immediately His fame spread throughout all the region around Galilee. (NKJV)
Matthew 28:18–20 18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen. (NKJV)
Luke 9:1–6 1 Then He called His twelve disciples together and gave them power and authority over all demons, and to cure diseases. 2 He sent them to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick. (NKJV)
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