Prayer is an important aspect of who we are as Christians; it’s our priestly ministry to pray. Jesus said, “…men ought always to pray, and not to faint” (Luke 18:1). Oftentimes, people go through difficulties in their lives and don’t know what to do. Not many know how to pray the right way. God told us to pray, not for praying’s sake, but because He planned to answer. In addition, there are vital rules and elements of prayer that, if and when clearly understood and applied, would make your prayers more effective.
One of the elements of prayer is praying in the Name of Jesus. Jesus gave us the power of attorney to use His Name, which means when we pray, we’re standing in His stead: “…Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you” (John 16:23). You’re to live in the Name of Jesus; function in His place, with His authority, and in His character. What a thought! Colossians 3:17 says, “…whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks….” When you pray, it carries the same power and authority as though Jesus Himself were the one speaking.
The second important element of prayer is that we pray in the authority of the Word of God and the revelation and insight given to us by the Word of God. This means our faith must be based on what God’s Word says, because if God’s Word covers whatever we’re praying about, then we can be sure to receive answers, because we’re asking in line with His Word. Faith is based on the Word. True faith is only imparted by the Word. Romans 10:17 declares that faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word.
The third element is that we pray by the power of the Holy Spirit. Some Christians pray, and nothing happens because the words spoken aren’t inspired and communicated by the power of the Holy Spirit. You have to pray always by the Holy Spirit; the words have to be energized, communicated, inspired, and anointed by the Holy Ghost. That’s what makes the difference.
When you study the Book of Acts, you’ll find that the apostles took advantage of these three elements of prayer: the Name of Jesus, the Word of God and the power of the Holy Spirit. No wonder they had such extraordinary results and a marvelous impact with the Gospel.
And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us (1 John 5:14).
God’s Word is His will expressed to us; therefore, praying according to His will is praying the Word. This is a very important element in prayer that not so many understand and practise: praying by the authority of the Word of God. When we pray, it’s important that it’s on the basis of the revelation and insight given to us by God through His Word. We must act our faith in prayer, on the basis of the Word of God; if God’s Word covers the subject, then we’re audacious in faith to receive answers.
We read in our opening verse that when we pray according to His will—His Word—He hears us. The fifteenth verse says, “And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.” This means that when you pray according to His will (His Word), He hears and answers your prayer.
Some people, while praying, just talk and don’t care whether or not what they’re saying is in line with the Word of God. Your prayers must be consistent with the Word to be effective. Don’t just pray; pray the Word. God already gave His Word to show us everything that He’s given to us, everything that He’s made us, and everything that we can do in Christ Jesus.
Thus, when you pray, until and unless your words are in sync with His divine provisions in Christ, you’ll be praying amiss. He’s revealed to us how to ask; how to pray, and what our requests can cover, so you can have faith when you pray to Him. And your faith grows as you learn the Word of God. The more of God’s Word you know, the more faith you’ll have, and the more accurate and effectual your prayers will be.
Our Primary Responsibility As King-Priests
And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen (Revelation 1:6). Every Christian is a king-priest unto God. You may say, “I never answered the call to be a priest.”
But the day you made Jesus Christ Lord of your life, you were immediately catapulted to that office. And your primary responsibility as a king-priest is intercession.
In intercession, you take hold together with God; you side with Him in bringing His will to pass on behalf of someone else. That means you must know His will and purpose concerning a person, a country, a situation, or whatever you’re praying about, to be able to pray accurately.
Some Christians have cultivated the erroneous belief that the ministry of intercession is for certain Christians or for only those in the church’s prayer group, but that’s not true. We all have an obligation of intercession (Ephesians 6:18).
In 1 Timothy 2:1-3, the Apostle Paul, by the Spirit, writes, “I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men…For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour.” So, you have to fulfil your ministry of intercession as a king priest, and in so doing, there’re certain facts to note.
First, the prayer of intercession is always on behalf of another. Secondly, you’ll have to be persistent, because you’re trying to prevail on someone else to align with God’s will. Therefore, you must continue in prayer for as long as it takes, concentrating the influence of God’s power towards the one for whom, or the situation for which, you desire a change. Also, watch out for the note of victory in your spirit; that’s when you become certain that you have what you asked for.
Take up the ministry of intercession and learn to cause changes in the Name of Jesus. God has given you the dominion and the authority to alter the course of events in the earth—the occurrences in your life, in your family, and in the lives of those around you. You can achieve this through your intercessory ministry as a king-priest.
-GSW-