Having a powerful prayer Life

Introduction :

John 10:10 NKJV – The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.

Abundantly in Greek is called Perissos (which is pronounced as Per-is-soss ); Strong word #4053: A direct translation from Greek to English means Super-abundance, excessive, overflowing, surplus, over and above, more than enough, profuse, extraordinary, above the ordinary, more than sufficient.

The only way to activate an overflowing life is by seeking the perfect will of God. Matthew 6:33 NKJV – But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things shall be added to you.

In reference to our daily lives, it remains a challenge to prioritise. To be efficient, one must plan and execute different tasks. Some of the tasks are more demanding than others. (Covey, 1989) categorised priorities in terms of four quadrants as follows:

1. Do : Important and Urgent e.g., Being sensitive to the Holy Spirit informing you to pray, Prayer meetings, etc.
2. Plan : Important but not urgent e.g., Car maintenance and body exercises
3. Delegate and/or Avoid : Urgent but not important e.g., Posting birthday photos on social media etc.
4. Eliminate : Unimportant and not urgent e.g., reading newspaper and watching TV for hours

How do we seek the kingdom of God? Repentance - By accepting Jesus as our Lord and Saviour, we simple enter a realm of faith. There are specific requirements for running a race of faith (1 Cor. 9:24; 2 Tim.4:7). Hebrews 12: 1-2 NKJV – (1) Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight , and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, (2) looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God

Cloud of witnesses – Heroes of Faith e.g., all Christians who died in the Lord.

Weight – everything that hinders your progress.

Apostle Theo wrote that the most important investment one can make for his or her future is to know how to get answers for his/her prayers. In so doing, one must pay the price and learn how to pray correctly. Christians pray amiss and often their prayers are not heard. Why is so? Most believers are complacent to mediocrity and hardly study the bible. It is a fact; many believers do not know how to pray.

In ( Matthew 6: 5 – 15 ), Jesus had demonstrated the way Christians should pray. Jesus’ prayer model in Matthew reflected the manner we should pray.

1. Mat 6:5, Condemns fake and flashy prayer that attracts attention.

2. Mat 6:6, Encourages believers to pray in secret place in public places with the aim of being seen by people.

3. Mat 6.7, Condemns vain repetitions which is reference to an empty babbling for long hours.

4. Mat 6.8, Reminded Christians that God knows our needs before we ask. However, He still wants us to ask Him for all our needs as stated in Mark 11:23 – 24.

5. Mat 6:9, Jesus directs us to a personal intimate spiritual relationship with our Father in heaven. Hallowed be your name: establishes the principle of prayer on the precept of Worship.

6. Mat 6:10, Informs Christians to ask for the establishment of God’s rule on earth when they pray. This is a prayer of intercession.

7. Mat 6:11, Encourages believers to prayer for their physical needs. God wants us to ask Him for our needs (Mark 11:23 -24). He is delighted to give good things to those who ask Him (Mat 7:11). It is importantly to ask with godly motives as mentioned in James 4:3 and asks according to God’s will (1 John 5:14 ).

8. Mat 6:12, 14 & 15, Prayer for forgiveness is qualified by a readiness to forgive personal hurt. Stephen forgave those who stoned him ( Acts 7:51 –60 )

9. Mat 6:13, Christians must always pray for deliverance and to be kept away from temptations. Psalms 34:17, Psalms 107:6, 1 Peter 5- 8-9, and John 10: 9 -

The model prayer is a directive for believers to know and apply when praying. It is important to apply correct foundational scriptures when praying. A healing prayer cannot be prayed in the same way as a consecration and/or petition prayer. The Bible had identified ten types of prayers which we need to understand and apply as Christians to have a powerful prayer life. These prayers are:

1. Prayer of Intercession
2. Prayer of Consecration
3. Prayer of Healing
4. Prayer of Petition,
5. Prayer of Thanksgiving
6. The Fervent prayer
7. Payer of Supplication
8. Praying in Tongues
9. Prayer of Faith 10.Fasting prayer

For today’s sermon, we will briefly look into all types of prayers and give at least an

example from the bible for each prayer.

1. Intercession prayer:

   Intercession is a prayer on behalf of another and can therefore be defined as praying for others by the help of the Holy Spirit. God’s eagerness to help humanity was shown on the cross when Jesus died for our sins. It is important to note that God is limited by our prayers to help humanity. There is nothing accomplished concerning the realm of God, or in people’s lives, or on the earth without prayer. Whatever good things accomplished on earth; such things were accomplished through prayer when someone somewhere prayed. The Holy Spirit helps and teaches us how to pray. Romans 8:26 - ‘ 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.’

   When we do not know what do to and where to go, it is a perfect time to say, “Holy Spirit help me.” In Galatian 8:27 , Paul said – “ 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 .”

   Jesus is the greatest intercessor. He continues to intercede for us even though he is in heaven ( Romans 8:34 ). He wants people to repent from their evil ways. God does not want humankind to be condemned in hell forever but to receive an everlasting life. Hence, God is looking for a man to stand in the gab for His kingdom to be established fully on earth and for humankind to accept Jesus as their Lord and saviour.

   Daniel stood in the gab for Israelites by interceding as stated on Daniel 9:3 – “ Then I set my face towards the Lord God to make request by prayer and supplication, with fasting, sackcloth and ashes.” Believers, we have a duty to stand on the gab for unbelievers.

2. Consecration prayer:

   I personally heard lots of Christians, Clergies and honourable men praying, “Let your will be done Lord but not mine while they are praying for a specific need and/or healing.” This becomes an incorrect application of the Word.

   In Matthew 26:42 – Again, a second time, He went away and prayed, saying “O My Father, if this cup cannot pass away from Me unless I drink it, your will be done. Jesus made this prayer in agony of associating his death to sin. However, he knew the scriptures will have to be fulfilled as prophesied by Prophet Isaiah who said on verse 53:10 – Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise Him; He has put him to grief. When You (God) make His (Jesus) Soul an offering for sin, He shall see His seed, He shall prolong His days, and the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in His Hand.

   As believers, we can apply this prayer for example when we receive a promotion in another city. It is important to first ask, if it is the will of God to move to another city.

3. Healing Prayer:

   When Jesus died on the Cross, he became the payment for our sins. Before breathing his last, he said it is finished. This means our healing was fully paid for on the cross. Prophet Isaiah prophesied in Chapter 53 verse 4 and 5 – “ Surely, He has borne our grief and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed Him stricken, Smitten by God, and afflicted. But He was wounded for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed .” Therefore, there is absolutely no need to say, “Lord! Let your will be done,” when praying for any sick person. As Christians, we ought to tell the sickness to go in the name of Jesus. Jesus gave us power to heal the sick.

   Peter also bears witness to Prophet Isaiah’s prophesy in 1 Peter 2:24 – “ who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness – by whose stripes you were healed”.

   Jesus cast out demon spirits with the Word and healed all who were sick ( Matthew 8: 16 – 17 ). As believers, we are given power to heal the sick.

4. Petition Prayer:

   It is important to note that this is a prayer we request God to give us our needs and as well as wants. It might be a job, finance, property, child, etc. Mark 11: 23 – 24 , “ For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, be removed and be cast into sea, and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says. Therefore, I say to you whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them .” John 16: 23 – 24 , “ And in that day you will ask me nothing. Most assuredly, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you. Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full .”

• The key points illustrated in the above scriptures are as follows:
  • You must believe you receive When you pray – right there and then.
  • If you do, Jesus said you shall have whatever you asked – that is some time in the future.
  • In everyday language, this means you must first believe you have got it before actual delivery.
  • But if you do not believe you have received, you are never going to get it.
  • Do not ask for it repetitively. It is a sign of unbelief.
  • After asking, keep on thanking God for it specifying the time you received it. (the initial day of prayer).

5. Thanksgiving Prayer:

   Means adoration or praise. To thank or praise God is “to lift or extent one’s hands” in thanks to Him. David in Psalm 95:2 said, “ Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving; let us shout joyfully to Him with psalms. Paul said in Colossians 4: that, “ Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving .”

   It is important for believers to give thanks to God. Thanksgiving shows appreciation and acknowledges God who gives us power to reign as kings on earth.

6. Prayer of Worship:

   In Matthew 15:9 , Jesus wants us to worship God whole-heartedly and further warns against worshiping insincerely. True worship requires that the mouth and the heart be together to avoid Jesus’ charge of hypocrisy. In Genesis 22:5 , while Abraham was on Mount Moriah, he took Isaac his son and ordered his young men to stay behind because he wants to go further with his son to worship God.

7. The Fervent prayer:

   It is paramount important to pray whole-heartedly. It shows commitment, passion, and love. James 5: 16 -17, teaches us to “ confess our trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three years and six months .”

   God’s power is often seen through committed believers. In ( Genesis 32:22-32) , Jacob wrestled with an angel until the breaking of the day, and he said, I will not let you go unless you bless me. Jacob’s (Deceiver) name was changed to Israel (Prince with God) because he struggled with God and with men and have prevailed.

8. Praying in Tongues (Pray fervently in Spirit):

   The foundation of all prayers is love. One can only stand in the gap because of obeying the commandment of love. Paul in Romans 8:26 – 27 , said – “ Likewise the Spirit helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for is with groanings which cannot be uttered. 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.

   When we pray in Spirit, a natural mind idles and the Holy Spirit with his infinite wisdom and knowledge enables an intercessory pray through us. At this point, we intercede with the help of the Holy Spirit according to the will of God. We achieve this level by resting our souls patiently in God and allow Him to move on and through us as David said in Psalm 62:5 , “ My soul, wait silently for God alone, for my expectations is from God .” Paul settles David’s experiences in Corinthians 14:14 , which says, “ For I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful.

   Without love, even the gift of speaking in tongues is meaningless ( 1 Corinthians
   13:1 )
   

9. Supplication prayer:

   Supplication is an intensity of sincerity in extended prayer not to gain merit by many words, but to fully transfer the burden of one’s soul into God’s hands. Paul lectures us to put the whole armour of God to stand against the forces of hell and put a battle-stand (pray) against satanic structure using the Word of God as our weapon. In Ephesians 6:18 , Paul encourages believers to pray always with all prayers and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplications for all the saints.” Paul further gave believers an antidote of fear by writing a letter to Philippians while he was in prison to tell them not to be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let their request be known to God.

10. Prayer of Faith (Praying with understanding):

    Praying with understanding is when one uses his intellect to apply the Word of God when praying ( 1 Corinthian 14:15 ). Paul refers this act as an edification of one another. For example, if one blesses in Spirit, the receiver will not be thankful because of lack understanding.
    It is through the Word of God that the Holy Spirit awaken response of faith within us. Rom 10:17 , so the faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. By inclining, remembering, and applying the Word of God ( Proverbs 4:20 ), our faith in God is awaken. Hebrews 11:1 , Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. In Mark 4: 35 – 40 , Jesus compare fear with faith and refers fear as with no faith.

Conclusion :

The most important investment one can make for his future is knowing how to get answers to his/her prayers. When everything else fails you in life, especially in a time of crisis,

knowing how to receive definite answers to our prayers may be a matter of life or death

References:

1. Dr. Theo Wolmarans, How to Pray correctly by Theo & Beverly Christian Enterprise
2. New Spirit-filled life Bible (NKJV)
3. 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Steven R. Covey