GOING DEEPER WITH GOD

PRAYER PARTNERS

Do you have a prayer partner? One who you can trust and know that when we share our heart, they will not judge your heart nor spread your name as gossip? It takes two (or more) to be your inner circle for prayer. And just as you desire them to be trustworthy so should you be. In other words their name should be safe in your mouth and your name should be safe in their mouth.  We should be faithful in our praying to remember our sister or brother in pray, in other words we don't just say we are going to pray we are committed to praying until God releases us. That person can also be an accountability partner, as you should be to them.

Proverbs 27:17 As iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend.

(This is speaking of accountability)

INTERCESSORS

The definition of an intercessor could be worded like this: an intercessor is fulfilling the need of praying for other people typically dealing with burdens.

In most cases God will place someone, including nation, His church on your heart, it's a heaviness that brings an intercessor into prayer. This burden to pray for this can last for a short time or a long time but you pray until God releases you from the burden. Lets look at a couple of intercessors in the word.

Over and over we find how God's wrath would be kindled against the children of Israel and Moses would begin to intercede for the people. Here is one place found in Exodus 32:9-14, background, Moses had been up on the mountain receiving the 10 commandments and instructions from God; while he was on the mountain with God, the people made the Golden Calf that they erected as their god. At verse 9 God begins to tell Moses of His anger toward the children of Israel and from verses 11-13 is Moses' intercessory prayer for the people, look at:

Exodus 32:11 Then Moses pleaded with the LORD his God, and said: "LORD, why does Your wrath burn hot against Your people whom You have brought out of the land of Egypt with great power, and a mighty hand?

Do you see that word "pleaded" that is interceding on behalf of the people. He even reminds God in verse 13 of God's covenant with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, which is in line with prophetic praying. In verse 14 we see that God relented from doing harm do His people. Some of the Old Testament saints that were powerful intercessors were the prophets, king David, and Daniel read his prayer in Daniel chapter 9.

Look at Paul's instructions to the young pastor Timothy:

1Timothy 2:1-3 Therefore I exhort first of all that all supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings (presidents) and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceful life in all godliness and reverence. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior.

Jesus Christ Himself is both a mediator and intercessor. Mediator being one who intercedes on behalf on a person between another person. Jesus is our Mediator because He intercedes to God on our behalf.

Romans 8:34 Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercessions for us.

1 Timothy 2:5 for there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus.

Though we all are to be intercessors in our prayers for others, some have been gifted by Jesus to be intercessors that hear His voice and pray according to the burden that God has placed on them. Do you see yourself as an Intercessor?

PRAYER WARRIOR

Both intercessors and prayer warriors will fight and travail, even building a hedge of protection around others. But a prayer warrior is a bit different. A prayer warrior engages in a spiritual battle against the powers of darkness and at times can relate to burdens.

A prayer warrior is called by God to engage in battle, not a battle we choose but a battle God places us in through a burden for someone or for the church or for the nation. When I was about 56 years old I prayed to be a prayer warrior, once more I had no clue what I was asking for. But it wasn't until I was around 63 that I began to understand just a little bit of this, and see I was beginning to operate in this.

Have you every been praying out loud and hear the sound of your own voice? I have and I don't like to hear my sound. I would laughingly say "Other people prayers sound so sweet and use such flowery words and me I sound like someone casting out demons" 😁 But in fact that is an over exaggeration of how I pray, because I can pray normally, but when it comes to taking the battle into the spirit realm I take on all of Hell that is coming against you and yes I am casting out demons from a situation.

As most of us know there is both a physical realm and a spiritual realm and a prayer warrior will fight in the spirit realm to come against the kingdom of darkness. Let's look at a few scriptures that talk about the spirit realm.

1 Peter 5:8 Be sober (self control), be vigilant (alert, watchful), because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.

(Notice, the scripture says "like a lion", 2 things: 1. Jesus is the Lion, satan can only copy he isn't the real thing. 2. A lion is powerful, yet Jesus disarmed satan on the cross and took ALL authority and power from him)

2 Corinthians 10:3-4 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds

Ephesians 6:12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.

Jehoshaphat had to go out and face many armies that came against him and the children of God. You will find this recorded in 2 Chronicles chapter 20, would suggest you go back and read the whole thing. Basically the king began to seek God and he began to pray a powerful warriors prayer in verses 6-12 Jehoshaphat called out to God, declaring who God was and what God had done for His people. Then God answered with a word and instructions and promises, here is just part of the story:

2 Chronicles 20:17 you will not need to fight in this battle. (a word)

Position yourself, stand still (instructions) and see the salvation of the LORD, who is with you, O Judah and Jerusalem! Do not fear or be dismayed; tomorrow go out against them, for the LORD is with you (promises).

A prayer warrior is viewed as one who binds, loosens and rebukes in the name of Jesus. Like an intercessor or praying prophetically we declare who God is, we speak His goodness to us, we speak into a situation for others and nations. Now an intercessor will pray until they are released from the burden while a warrior battles over the burden then it is laid down. Always prepared to fight again. 

One key thing any time we pray, 1. We must pray in faith believing God hears and God answers. Without faith our prayers are without power.

CORPORATE PRAYER

I hadn't planning on speaking about this but God reminded me this morning of the importance of praying corporately with our church family.

Throughout the book of Acts we find where the church came together to pray, and we saw the affect their prayer had. In the Old Testament many times the people were all called together, both old and young and weeping and prayer began. I love it when my pastors really have a leading for corporate prayer on Sunday mornings, or a call for corporate prayer at other times during the week. Wednesday nights at one time in our church history was the night for corporate prayer, but along the way in the majority of churches it became a night for bible study. Most churches will confirm that their least attended service is when they call for a prayer meeting. Why do you think that is? Prayer the most essential part of our worship, our lives and our church, is at the bottom of a lot of Christians priorities. 

In this seven week study, we have covered many things yet not all things. The most important thing to remember is we have an intimate relationship with the Creator of the universe and we should long to spend time at the feet of Jesus soaking in His presence; listening to His heart, talking to Him, loving on Him, being thankful, humble and walking out of our prayer time being bold, empowered, and assured.
I hope that you have enjoyed and have been blessed by these sessions.
Linda

GOING DEEPER WITH GOD

YOU WERE CALLED
TO PRAY

PROPHETIC PRAYER

I recently half read an article that pretty well said "PROPHETIC PRAYER" was nonsense. Yet, I truly think they misunderstood what this means. So lets dive into the word. Though this is not about the gift of prophesy or the ministry of a called Prophet, it's simply that every born again Christian is said to be able and should prophesy over our lives and yes even in our prayers. First just a few scriptures about prophecy 

2 Peter 1:21 for prophecy never came by the will of man, holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.

1 Corinthians 14:1 Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy

What does it mean to prophesy? Some contribute it to foretelling coming events and yes to a degree that is true. BUT, for the majority of God's people, by what we read in 1 Corinthians 14:1 every Christian should be prophesying, this is speaking the truth of God's Word over ourselves, and families, when the enemy or our fleshly emotions want to speak the lie. When we pray prophetically it is praying a blessing and praying according to God's word, it's never giving up on a lost loved one, because the word says "God is not slack in His coming but desires for all to come to repentance and be saved," "Anyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved".

When we get a horrible doctors report I call on my Healer, I remember and speak in prayer and over myself many healing scriptures, I am reminded of  King Hezekiah when he was told by the prophet he was going to die, he turned his face to the wall, cried and prayed and God added 15 more years to his life. My favorite verse to pray and hang onto is found in Psalm 27:

Psalm 27:13 I would have lost heart unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.

2 Peter 1:4 by which we have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

There are approximately 7,462 promises by God in His word. His promises are "Yes and Amen"! To pray prophetically is to pray back God's promises in our prayers. Not that we have to use word for word but that His word is so in us we know what it means and as we pray the Holy Spirit brings to us the very promise/word we need to be praying, an example:

Praying for wayward sons and daughters:

Father I believe you have a good plan for my child a plan that is not evil but one that has a hope and a future, I trust that Your plan comes to pass. Your word tells me that a day is coming that my weeping will be over, because you are bringing my loved one out of the land of the enemy back to their own boarders. (Put the name of your love one in your prayer)

I used two scriptures Jeremiah 29:11 and Jeremiah 31:16-17.

The word prodigal which is used to describe our wayward children, actually means "the one who returns" so when you use this you are actually prophesying, that they will come home.

You can use God's word in anything you pray because there is a promise for that. To speak a blessing over ourselves, our spouse, our children and others is powerful in God's eyes. It is written: "out of our mouths we speak death and life" and "both blessing and cursing come from our lips." We never want to place discouraging labels on ourselves or others. Example: stupid, useless, always be poor, never amount to anything.

Go back and read 2 Peter 1:4. Answer this question: who are partakers of His divine nature? Salvation does not automatically make us partakers of His divine nature, it is the ones who align themselves around His promises. It is believing and understanding that His promises are for us today as when He first spoke them.

 Because I know He will never leave me nor forsake me, I have no fear for tomorrow because God is my rear guard and Jesus is my armor, I will not worry about tomorrow and I will cast all my cares on Him. I could go on and on, but His promises about who He is and who I am in Christ is what I live my life by. P.S. I just used 6 promises in what I just said. To prophetically pray says I believe this will come to pass though my eyes do not see, my faith to believe is steadfast..

Romans 4:17b God, who gives life to the dead and calls those things which do not exist as though they did;

FOOTNOTE: This is not name it and claim it, or fake it to you make it.

Pray believing, speak His promises in your prayers, thank Him that though you do not see it yet, you believe He will bring it to pass. If you don't believe His word or His promises then why pray?

EFFECTIVE PRAYERS

These prayers have the power to produce an affect. Because we have spent time in our prayer closet, because we have sought after God, because we have aligned our lives around His promises and His word, because we have learned to recognize His voice, because we allow the Holy Spirit to guide our prayers, (to not seek the Holy Spirit's guidance is to just be praying in the flesh and there is NO POWER IN OUR FLESH),because when we pray we pray in faith knowing God hears our prayers and answers our prayers, we thank Him and we seek His will in our prayers and our everyday lives. And when we can't see, we still trust. Now you will see the power come forth when we invoke Jesus and His promises in our prayers. 

Powerful prayers are not wishy washy, they aren't a "now I lay me down to sleep" prayers, they are mighty prayers as a soldier enlisted in the Lord's army, they are praying the purposes of God, often times these are accompanied by fasting. Many see fasting as only giving up food, or going on a Daniel fast, some say it can include giving up a food or something you enjoy. In the past I have given up my favorite foods, limited my food intake, given up all television for a certain length of time, staying off social media. But if all we do is not do what we like we have accomplished nothing.

1. Fasting is personal, just because God told your friend to fast doesn't mean He told you to.

2. Fasting is private not to be promoted by "look at me."

3. Fasting is not giving up something, but, in fact, spending that time seeking God in prayer and in His word.

Here are a few examples of powerful prayers:

Joshua 10:12-13 Then Joshua spoke to the LORD in the the day when the LORD delivered up the Amorites before the children of Israel, and he said in the sight of Israel: Sun, stand still over Gibson; and moon, in the valley of Aijalon. So the sun stood still, and the moon stopped, til the people had revenge on their enemies.

To do this the earth would have to stop rotating and it took God holding the earth in place during this time.

2 Kings 6:17 And Elisha prayed, and said, "LORD, I pray, open his eyes that he may see". Then the LORD opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw, and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.

A fearful servant was granted vision into the spirit realm, to see greater were those with them, than those in the Syrian army coming against them.

Acts 4:31 and when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the

Holy Spirit and they spoke the word of God with boldness.

Peter and John had been arrested so the church gathered to pray for them, they had prayed for boldness to speak God's word.

Time to stop! One more session on prayer, looking at intercessors, prayer warriors and prayer partners.

GOING DEEPER WITH GOD

THE INGREDIENTS OF PRAYER

Jesus' disciples asked Jesus to teach them to pray. As was the Jewish custom every Rabbi would give their followers a prayer. So we see that Jesus gave all of us an example of prayer. Now prayer is personal, not to be just a ritual or some religious ceremony. But in what we call the Lord's Prayer are certain ingredients:

Luke 11:2 Our Father in heaven, 

( We must know personally who we are praying to) 

Hallowed be your name

 (this is offering up our praise for who He is)

 Your kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven 

(a surrender to praying for His will),

Give us this day our daily bread

( this is our petitions of our prayers)

And forgive us our sins,

(acknowledging our sin in repentance)

For we also forgive all everyone who is indebted to us.

(as we ask God to forgive us, we must acknowledge that we hold no bitterness, no grudges but have forgiven those who have hurt us, this is sharing our brokenness to our Father)

And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one.

(this is asking for God's protection)

In this we find: 1. Adoration 2. Contrition 3. Petitions 4. Thanksgiving & Gratitude 5. Protection.

Later Jesus said that if we ask anything in His name I will do. Found in John 14:12-14.

Psalm 100:4 Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, And into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him and bless His name.

Our prayers should always be an adoration of who He is as well as thanking Him for what He has done. Both words of thanksgiving and adoration are praise yet they are different from one another. Our praise of thanksgiving is to say His goodness that He has been to us, showing gratitude for His blessings. This takes us into His gates. Adoration is recognizing and declaring who He is, Jesus is our strong tower, our shield & our buckler, our Savior, our Redeemer, our Lord, our Healer, our Hope, our Help, our Teacher, our High Priest, our soon coming King, He is the Alpha and Omega, the fourth person in the fire. Just a few of many; but when we come into His presence we must understand our thanksgiving opens the gate into His court and our praise takes us into His throne room. 

Sometimes people are uncomfortable praying out loud, but God gave us voices to speak words of adoration, do I  pray silently, yes I do, do I pray out loud, yes I do. There is an anionting of the Holy Spirit that comes on our verbal prayers. Have you ever listened to someone as they are praying and there is a change in the pitch of their voice? It suddenly gets higher perhaps a little louder? That is the Holy Spirit anionting that begins to bring that prayer to where it needs to go. If you are uncomfortable praying out loud in public begin in your home, in prayer time, let your children and grandchildren hear you pray, it witnesses to them. 

Hebrews 13:15 Therefore by Him let us continually offer a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name.

(Praise becomes a sacrifice when our circumstances don't seem praise worthy. Also notice it says "the fruit of our lips" that means we speak it, to note: everytime you tell someone about God's goodness and faithfulness to you, it is praising and thanking Him)

Sometimes you may not have a petition, make a time just to praise Him, tell Him how much you love Him, remember and thank Him for His faithfulness and goodness in your life, be specific tell Him you remember ___________& _________.

PERSEVERE IN PRAYER

Matthew 7:7-8 Ask, and it will be given to you, seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.

Read the account of the Gentile woman who called out to Jesus continuing to be persistent in her call: Matthew 15:21-28

Or blind Bartimaeus in Mark 10:46-52, when he heard Jesus was passing by he kept calling out "Son of David have mercy on me". The more he was told to be silent the more he cried out until Jesus stood still and responded.

When we are heavy burdened and need Jesus to respond, we keep praying, and praying, Daniel prayed for 21 days before God's answer came to him, because demonic angels were fighting God's warring angel to stop the answer from coming. But the enemy did not prevail and God's answer came, yet, Daniel had kept praying. Everything is in God's timing also, there are times we are praying for something specific yet it is being withheld until the right time. Then there are times we pray when it is not God's will for us, yet we keep praying until God says stop praying.

I want to remind us that in 1Timothy 2:1-3 we are told we are to pray, in supplications, prayers, intercessions and giving of thanks be made for all men. It goes on to say to pray for kings (president) and those in authority that this is well pleasing to God.

FERVENT, EFFECTIVE PRAYER

FERVENT: with deep passion and intensity.

EFFECTIVE: the power to produce an effect.

That brokenhearted fervent prayer coming from deep within us, knowing only our God can help. That weeping in the private place.

James 5:16b The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man (or woman) avails much.

All are in need of God, for without Christ we are nothing and can do nothing. But in Christ we have been given access to the throne room to call on our God to meet our desperation. I often think to myself, have we become too self-sufficient, to be desperate? If we were truly desperate to see the lost saved, especially our loved ones, would we not be a more weeping people, crying out "God we are desperate for You!" As we see scripture unfolding before our eyes, our prayers should be more fervent than ever before. I need to mention here that though we are to persevere in prayer, it not to become "words" we say with no heart in them. Go back and read Matthew 6:7. Never allow just repeating many words that take the place of our brokenness for the one we are praying for.

This has been quiet long, so much to speak about prayer. Next time we look at prophetic prayers, and the power in our prayers (effective prayers)