PRAYING WITH POWER AND AUTHORITY
PRAYER GUIDE
Scripture: Matthew 6:9-13
Matthew 26:38-40
Introduction
The motive for the Christian is to glorify God: the method is prayer. Prayer is the desire of your heart: let it become a delight. "Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee. For behold the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the Lord shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee." (Isaiah 60:1-2) Prayer always enlightens and illuminates. "Let my prayer be set forth before thee as incense; and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice." (Psalm 141:2) "It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer...." (Matthew 21:13) If we make his house a house of prayer it will lead to purity, power, perfected praise, and the perfected manifestation of God.
I. Our Father which art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name
Hallowed: clean, holy, pure, sanctified: to venerate, to worship or revere mentally in a humble posture before God
A. Picture Calvary and thank God you can call Him "Father" by virtue of the blood of Jesus
And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name that is above every name That at the name of Jesus every knee shall bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2:8-11)
B. Hallow the names of God corresponding with the five benefits in the new covenant, and make your faith declarations
1. Set your will to wait upon the Lord
2. Visualize Jesus sitting upon his throne in majesty and power
Benefit Name Meaning
Sin JEHOVAH-TSIDKENU Jehovah our righteousness
Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth. In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this is his name whereby he shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS. (Jeremiah 23:5-6)
For if by one man's offense death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ (Romans 5:17)
For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. (2 Corinthians 5:21)
JEHOVAH-M'KADDESH Jehovah who sanctifies
And ye shall keep my statutes, and do them: I am the Lord which sanctify you. (Leviticus 20:8)
And such were some of you: but ye are wash but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the spirit of our God. (1 Corinthians 6:11)
Spirit JEHOVAH-SHALOM Jehovah is peace
Then Gideon built an altar there unto the Lord, and called it Jehovah-shalom.... (Judges 6:24a)
And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself: by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven. (Colossians 1:20)
For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us.... (Ephesians 2:14)
...and the name of the city from that day shall be, The Lord is there. (Ezekiel 48:35b)
...and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen. (Matthew 28:20b)
And I heard a great voice of heaven saying, Behold the tabernacle of God is with men, and he shall dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. (Revelation 21:3)
If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the Lord thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the Lord that healeth thee. (Exodus 15:26)
When the even was come, they brought many that were possessed with devils: and he cast out the spirits with his word, and healed all that were sick: That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, Himself took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses. (Matthew 8:16-17)
He was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. (Isaiah 53:5)
And Abraham called the name of that place Jehovah-Äjireh.... (Genesis 22:14)
But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:19)
Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. (Matthew 7:7)
And Moses built an altar, and called the name of it Jehovah-nissi: (Exodus 17:15)
When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord shall lift up a standard against him. (Isaiah 59:19b)
Because thou hast made the Lord, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation. There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling. For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. (Psalm 91:9-11)
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. (Romans 8:35, 37)
These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful. (Revelation 17:14)
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. (Psalm 23:1)
I am the good shepherd, the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. (John 10:11)
Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant.... (Hebrews 13:20)
II. Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done
A. Principles of prayer for God's will and His coming kingdom
1. Greek tense here is the imperative: "Come thy kingdom, be done thy will"
2. No one but Jesus is going to run me, my family, my church, or His harvest
Not everyone that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. (Matthew 7:21)
3. Get violent against Satan and seize the kingdom of God now
(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ. (2 Corinthians 10:4-5)
For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power. (1 Corinthians 4:20)
B. Prayer priorities
1. Yourself
Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine be done. (Luke 22:42)
a. Picture with spiritual eyes of understanding, Jesus sitting on the throne of your heart
b. Pray for God to decrease your ego and enlarge your spirit
c. Get everything out of me you can this day, Lord
d. Be a servant
And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, In meekness instructing those who oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give knowledge of the truth; And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will. (2 Timothy 2:24-26)
2. Your family (mate, children, other family members)
a. Pause and listen, wait on God to tell you what to pray about your family
b. Intercede on behalf of each family member
3. Your church (Pastor, leadership, faithfulness of people, harvest)
Since thou wast precious in my sight, thou hast been honorable, and I have loved thee: therefore will I give men for thee, and people for thy life. Fear not: for I am with thee: I will bring thy seed from the east, and gather them from the west; I will say to the north, Give up; and to the south, Keep not back: bring forth my sons from far, and my daughters from the ends of the earth; Even every one that is called by my name: for I have created him for my glory, I have formed him; yea I have made him. (Isaiah 43:4-7)
4. Nation (city, state, and national political and spiritual leadership, harvest)
Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth laborers into his harvest. (Matthew 9:38)
a. Moses interceded for Israel -- Exodus 32:32; Numbers 14:17; Deuteronomy 9:26
b. Laws and leaders are positioned by God -- Romans 14
c. Harvest is a sovereign work of God
Pray ye therefore the lord of the harvest, that he will send forth laborers into his harvest. (Matthew 9:38)
III. Give us this day our daily bread
A. Be in the will of God (prayer life, church work, habits, obedience in giving)
1. Be diligent with balanced work habits
Avoid extremes (Living by faith vs. Too busy to pray) unless you are called into that specific walk
2. Give when God tells you to
Bring all the tithes into the storehouse that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith saith the Lord of hosts, If I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing that there shall not be room enough to receive it. (Malachi 3:10)
The Lord shall make the head, and not the tail; and thou shalt be above only, and thou shalt not be beneath; if that thou harken unto the ten commandments of the Lord thy God, which I command thee this day, to observe and to do them. (Deuteronomy 28:13)
3. Get free from the love of "stuff"
But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19
Men do not despise a thief, if he steal to satisfy his soul when he is hungry: but if he be found, he shall restore sevenfold, he shall give all the substance of his house. (Proverbs 6:30-31)
B. Believe it is God's will to prosper you; believe God's Word will work for you
Give and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down and shaken together, and running over shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that you mete shall it be measured to you again. (Luke 6:38)
But Jesus answereth again, and saith unto them, Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God. ...But he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time. (Mark 10:24, 30)
Who goeth a warfare at his own charges? Who planteth a vineyard, and eateth not of the fruit thereof? or feedeth a flock and eateth not of the milk of the flock? (1 Corinthians 9:7)
But thou shalt remember the Lord thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day. (Deuteronomy 8:18)
Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth. (3 John 2)
C. Be specific in your prayer (about your needs)
If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will and it shall be done unto you. (John 15:7)
...for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him. (Matthew 6:8)
The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. (James 5:16)
D. Be tenacious
And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap if we faint not. (Galatians 6:9)
And I say unto you, Ask and it shall be given you; seek and ye shall find; Knock and it shall be opened unto you. For everyone that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened! (Luke 11:9-10)
If ye then being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him? (Luke 11:13)
Yet because this widow troubleth me I will avenge her, lest by her continued coming she weary me. (Luke 18:5)
And shall not God avenge his own elect which cry day and night to him, though he bear long with them? (Luke 18:7)
And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. (Luke 23:42)
Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months. (James 5:17)
And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness. (Acts 4:31)
E. Promises to God's people
And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten, the cankerworm, and the caterpillar, and the palmerworm, my great army which I sent among you. And ye shall eat in plenty, and be satisfied, and praise the name of the Lord your God that hath dealt wondrously with you: and my people shall never be ashamed. (Joel 2:25-26)
F. Biblical examples of God given success
1. Adam
And God saw everything that he had made and behold, it was very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day. (Genesis 1:31)
2. Noah
Every moving thing that liveth shall be meat for you; even as the green herb have I given you all things. (Genesis 9:3)
3. Abraham
And the Lord hath blessed my master greatly; and he is become great: and he hath given him flocks, and herds, and silver, and gold, and men servants, and maid servants, and camels, and asses. (Genesis 24:35)
4. Isaac
Sojourn in this land, and I will be with thee, and will bless thee; for unto thee , and unto thy seed, I will give all these countries; and I will perform the oath which I sware unto Abraham thy father
And I will make thy seed to multiply as the stars of the heaven, and will give unto thy seed all these countries; and in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed.
Because that Abraham obeyed my voice, and kept my charge, my commandments, my statutes, and my laws. (Genesis 26:3-5)
5. Jacob
And the man increased exceedingly, and had much cattle, and maid servants, and camels, and asses. (Genesis 30:43)
6. Joseph
And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, See I have set thee over all the land of Egypt. (Genesis 41:41)
7. Moses
But thou shalt remember the Lord thy God: for it is He that giveth thee the power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers , as it is this day. (Deuteronomy 8:18)
8. David
And David went on and grew great, and the Lord God of hosts was with him. (2 Samuel 5:10)
9. Solomon
And I have also given the that which thou hast not asked, both riches, and honor: so that there shall not be any among the kings like unto the all thy days. (1 Kings 3:13)
10. Job
His substance was seven thousand sheep, three thousand camels, and five hundred yoke of oxen, and five hundred she asses, and a very great household, so that this man was the greatest of all the men of the east. (Job 1:3)
11. Daniel
So this Daniel prospered in the reign of Darius, and in the reign of Cyrus the Persian. (Daniel 6:28)
IV. Forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors
Woe unto the world because of offenses! for it must needs be that offenses come; but woe to that man by whom the offense cometh! (Matthew 18:7)
A. Three types of offenses
1. Direct confrontation
2. Indirect confrontation -- taking up the offenses of others
3. We offend ourselves -- sin or mistakes haunt us
Example: David, Uriah, and Nathan -- 2 Samuel 11
B. Ask God to forgive you
I have blotted out, as a thick cloud, thy transgressions, and as a cloud, thy sins: return unto me; for I have redeemed thee. (Isaiah 44:22)
As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us. (Psalms 103:12)
C. Forgive and release others
Whose soever sins ye remit (Greek: Yield up), they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain (Greek: Hold onto), they are retained. (John 20:23)
1. Unforgiveness binds the sins of others to ourselves
But if we forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive you your trespasses. (Matthew 6:15)
a. The characteristics we hate in others become a negative goal
b. We tend to develop the very characteristics which we hate in others if we do not forgive
2. Unforgiveness develops bitterness
He that saith he is in light, and hateth his brother, is in darkness even until now. (1 John 2:9)
Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled. (Hebrews 12:15)
3. Releasing others through forgiveness lets God right the wrong
Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath; for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. (Romans 12:17-21)
Grudge not one against another, brethren, lest ye be condemned: behold the judge standeth before the door. (James 5:9)
And be ye kind one to another, tender hearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you. (Ephesians 4:32)
Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there remember that thy brother hath ought against thee; leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift. (Matthew 5:23-24)
But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive. (Genesis 50:20)
And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28)
4. Note the parable of the unmerciful servant in Matthew 18:23-35
D. Set your will to forgive those who sin against you
1. Decide to forgive others before any offense has occurred
a. Set your will in advance to forgive, so the petty debts of others won't rob you of your relationship with God. We can walk in full joy of our salvation, being free from demonic oppression so Satan can't bind us to "tormentors"
b. Make it an act of your will in discipline to release other's offenses against you. Do this by meditating on what is good. Philippians 4:9 tells how
2. Five things to do when you are offended
a. Don't curse it or disregard it
1) Forgive and release the offense
2) Tombstone vs. stepping stone into God's grace
b. Don't rehearse it
1) Repeat it to self; go over it again and again
2) It will grow on you
c. Don't nurse it
1) Have a pity party over it
2) Don't live life in the rear view mirror over it for sympathy
Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert. (Isaiah 43:18-19)
d. Disperse it to God
And Joseph said unto them (his brothers), Fear not: for am I in the place of God? (Genesis 50:19)
1) He gave his brothers' offense to God
2) He did not try to usurp what belonged to God
e. Reverse it
1) God reversed the sentence by judging the actions of the uncompassionate servant
Should not thou also have compassion on thy fellow servant, even as I had pity on thee? (Matthew 18:33)
2) Turn the forgiveness you have received from God around upon the offender
NOTE: In the parable of the unjust servant, God withdrew the forgiveness he had previously bestowed upon the unworthy servant
V. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil
Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man.
But every man is tempted , when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.
Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death. (James 1:13-15)
A. Put on the whole armor of God (Put on the Lord Jesus Christ)
Put on the whole armour of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
And having your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye are able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. (Ephesians 6:11-12, 14-17)
1. Loins girt about with TRUTH
And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. (John 8:32)
2. Breastplate of RIGHTEOUSNESS
...all our unrighteousnesses are as filthy rags.... (Isaiah 64:6)
But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: (1 Corinthians 1:30)
3. Feet shod with the PREPARATION (Readiness) of the gospel of PEACE
But sanctify the Lord in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: (1 Peter 3:15)
4. Shield of FAITH
He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God;
And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able to perform (Romans 4:40-21)
5. Helmet of SALVATION
Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. (1 Peter 1:13)
6. Sword of the Spirit which is the WORD OF GOD
For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit. (Hebrews 4:12)
B. Pray a hedge of protection (You are my Refuge, my Fortress, my God)
1. Because thou hast made the Lord thy habitation
Because thou hast made the Lord, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation;
There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.
For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. (Psalms 91:9-11)
2. Because he hath set his love upon Me
Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: (Psalm 91:14a)
3. Because he hath known My name
...I will set him on high, because he hath known my name.
He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him.
With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation. (Psalm 91:14b-16)
VI. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever
A. Make your faith declarations
1. Have a revelation of God's will for you
2. Declare as a reality what God has revealed
B. Return to praise