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