Becoming A Prayer Warrior - Alves - noPW

Praise for Becoming a Prayer Warrior
Beth Alves has a beautiful way of expiessing ueep tiuths with

simplicity anu claiity. Becominq o Piayei Waiiioi has blesseu my
life, anu you, too, will ieceive blessing anu insight thiough the pages
of this book.
Bobbye Byerly
Birector of Proper, WorlJ Proyer Center
ColoroJo Sprinqs, ColoroJo
"Been theie, uone that" is a populai slogan these uays. When it
comes to in-uepth inteicession anu piactical patteins foi peisonal
piayei, Becoming o Piayei Waiiioi will take you wheie Beth Alves
has "been" so you can uo "that," too!
Dick Eastman
lnternotionol PresiJent, Fvery Eome for Cbrist
Aie you a believei who longs to ueepen youi piayei lifeyet you
stiuggle with feeling guilty anu inauequate Becoming a Piayei
Waiiioi will inciease youi unueistanuing of piayei anu pioviue
piactical guiuelines to help you become an effective piayei waiiioi.
Rutbanne Carlock
Cooutbor, Bow to Piay foi Youi hiluien
BulverJe, Texos
Beth Alves is a woman of piayei! She has taught the piinciples of
piayei founu in Becoming a Piayei Waiiioi at oineistone huich,
piouucing a blesseu time of biokenness anu spiiitual iefieshing. I
iecommenu hei book to you.
)obn Hagee
Senior Postor, Cornerstone Cburcb
Son Antonio, Texos
Beth Alves is a peisonal fiienu, anu Ive appieciateu the influence of
hei piayeis on my life. Bei book Becoming o Piayei Waiiioi
contains the essentials foi a poweiful piayei life. It teaches the
basics of piayei as well as piinciples that can make all of us mighty
anu effective waiiiois.
Ted Haggard
Senior Postor, ew ife Cburcb
As a "mothei in Isiael," Beth Alves has much to shaie with the Bouy
of hiist. She wiites fiom a vast ieseivoii of wisuom anu
unueistanuing gaineu fiom yeais of expeiience in the inteinational
piayei movement. Bei teachings aie not only piactical, but veiy
-uo-able" as well. She has the wonueiful ability to biing the powei
of piayei to wheie we live anu walk eveiy uay I highly iecommenu
this book!
)ane Hansen
PresiJent,CF0, Aqlow lnternotionol
FJmonJs Wosbinqton
Beth Alvess Becominq o Proyer Worrior is one of the most piactical
books on piayei evei wiitten. Full of insight anu a must foi eveiy
believeis libiaiy, this book will piove useful to beginning piayeis
anu seasoneu inteicessois alike. I highly iecommenu it.
Cindy )acobs
CofounJer, 6enerols of lntercession
Autbor, Women of Bestiny onJ he voice of uou
Beth Alves has authoieu a iaie book. Iueal foi use by inuiviuuals
anu piayei gioups, Becominq o Proyer Worrior seives as both a
"piayei piimei" foi hiistians newly seeking to be effective in
piayei, as well as a giauuate manual foi seasoneu piayei waiiiois.
Dee )epson
Birector, Women of Ioitb
Port Cborlotte, IloriJo
Beth Alves is a woman of piayei anu a wonueiful human being. Foi
Beth, piayei is not theoiy. She lives what she wiites, anu she wiites
what she lives. In this veiy special book, Beth opens hei heait about
uown-to-eaith piayei that ieaches heaven anu assaults hell.
Cary D. Kinnaman
Senior inister, WorJ of 6roce
eso, Arizono
Piactical anu poweiful! Wisely, Beth Alves infoims, tiains anu
equips uous aimy befoie maiching us off to the spiiitual wais.
With stiong. Spiiit-leu instiuction, she shows you how to stanu up
to the uevil anu establish a neaily impenetiable piayei coveiing foi
youiself, youi family anu youi leaueis.
)immy and Carol Uwens
IounJers, Beal 0ui Lanu Novement
Piayei is the key uiscipline wheieby all spiiitual woik anu vision is
accomplisheu. If you aie a new hiistian seeking youi cieateu
uestiny, you must fiist uevelop a vibiant ielationship with a Boly
uou, anu Becominq o Proyer Waiiioi will help you to entei Bis
hione Room boluly. Foi you who have been piayei waiiiois foi
yeais, this book is like a seconu honeymoon!
Cbuck ierce
Birector, WorlJ Proyer Center
ColoroJo Spiings. ColoroJo
A sounu, thoioughly sciiptuial, uown-to-eaith piesentation of
piayei.
)obn Robb
WorlJ vision Proyer lnitiotives CoorJinotor
onrovio Colifornio
A wisuom-packeu manual foi tiansfoiming youi piayei life
Becoming o Proyer Worrior will cause uemons to tiemble as togethei
we change the woilu thiough piayei!
Dutcb Sbeets
Postor, Sprinqs Eorvest Iellowsbip
Stanuing in the piayei gap foi otheis is much easiei when you
piactice what Beth Alves teaches in this excellent book. 1
iecommenu it to all who aie inteiesteu in a moie seiious,
uisciplineu piayei life hank you, Beth. You have long been a
leauei, teaching otheis how to piay moie effectively. You have
gieatly mentoieu me in this aiea. Now you have given the huich a
book to help us all giow in oui communion with Bim.
uin Sberrer
Autbor Bow to Piay foi Youi hiluien onJ
Niiacles Bappen When You Piay
Beth Alves is an outstanuing piayei leauei anu teachei. uou has
uniquely gifteu hei to teach otheis how to piay effectively. }oin hei
at the feet of }esus anu you, too, will become a mighty waiiioi.
Mary Lance . Sisk
Cboirperson ove our eiqbbor As ourself 0SA otionol Committee
A B 2000 ortb Americon Women's Trock
Cborlotte, orm Corolino
hiistians have been calleu to become piayei waiiiois in uous
aimy anu I know of no othei peison who has eaineu the iight to be
calleu waiiioi* moie than Beth Alves. I appieciate the houis anu
yeais Beth has investeu in the piayei closet that, thiough this book,
we may become the beneficiaiies.
Alice Smitb
Proyer CoorJinotor, 0S Proyer Trock of tbe AB 2000 & BeyonJ
ovement
Eouston, Texos
A Division o Cospel Ligbt
entura, Caliornia, U.S.A.
ublisbed by Renew Books
A Division o Cospel Ligbt
entura, Caliornia, U.S.A.
rinted in U.S.A.
Renew Books is a ministry o Cospel Ligbt, an evangelical Cbristian publisber dedicated to serving tbe
local cburcb. e believe Cod's vision or Cospel Ligbt is to provide cburcb leaders witb biblical, user-
riendly materials tbat will belp tbem evangelize, disciple and minister to cbildren, youtb and
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It is our prayer tbat tbis Renew book will belp you discover biblical trutb or your own lie and belp
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All Sciiptuie quotations, unless otheiwise inuicateu aie taken fiom the the ew Americon StonJorJ
Bible, 196u,1962,196S,1968,191,192,19S,19,19 by he Lockman Founuation. seu by
peimission.
0thei veisions useu aie
AP T Sciiptuie quotations aie taken fiom the AmplifieJ ew Testoment, copyiight
194,198.198 by he Lockman Founuation. seu by peimission.
AP u..Fiom Tbe AmplifieJ Bible, 0lJ Testoment opyiight 196, 198 by he
onueivan oipoiation. seu by peimission.
K}vKinq }omes version Authoiieu ing }ames veision.
lv Sciiptuie quotations aie taken fiom the Eoly Bible, ew lnternotionol version ) lv) opyiight
19S,198,1984 by Inteinational Bible Society. seu by peimission of onueivan Publishing
Bouse. All iights ieseiveu.
opyiight 1998 by liabeth Alves
All iights ieseiveu.
ovei Besign by Baibaia Levan Fishei
Inteiioi Besign by aiolyn Benueison
uiteu by aien aufman
Li bi ai y of ong i es s at al og i ng - i n- Publ i c at i on Bat a
Alves. liabeth, 19S8-
Becoming a piayei waiiioiliabeth Alves.
p. cm.
Incluues bibliogiaphical iefeiences anu inuex.
ISBN u-8Su-2SSS-1 pbk.
1. Piayeihiistianity. 2. Spiiitual waifaie. I. itle.
Bv21u.2.A46 1998
248.S2-uc21
Foimeily publisheu by anopy Piess as Tbe iqbty Worrior
4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 / 05 04 03 02 01 00
Rights foi publishing this book in othei languages aie contiacteu by uospel Liteiatuie
Inteinational uLIN. uLIN also pioviues technical help foi the auaptation, tianslation anu
publishing of Bible stuuy iesouices anu books in scoies of languages woiluwiue. Foi fuithei
infoimation, wiite to uLIN at P.0. Box 4u6u, 0ntaiio. A 9161-1uuS, .S.A. You may also senu
e-mail to ulintintaol.com, oi visit theii web site at www.glint.oig.
98-4u69 IP
BeJicoteJ to
Tbe qlory of 6oJ, tbe Iotber,
Eis Son onJ tbe Eoly Spirit
onJ to
Ioitbful intercessors tbrouqbout tbe worlJ
wbo stonJ in tbe qop for Eis leoJers, continuolly
builJinq o beJqe of protection orounJ tbem,
tbot kinqs onJ kinqJoms miqbt be cbonqeJ
for tbe qlory of 6oJ
Foiewoiu 11
Acknowleugments 1S
Intiouuction 1
I. he Puipose of Piayei 19
1 Why Piay 21
2 each Ne to Piay S1
S ypes of Piayei 41
II. Beaiing fiom uou
4 Beaiing uous voice 9
nueistanuing the Boly Spiiit 6
6 }ouinaling Recoiuing What You Beai
III. Spiiitual Waifaie 8S
Youie in a Battle 8
Iv. Weapons of Waifaie 1u
8 he hiistian AisenalPait I 1u9
9 he hiistian AisenalPait 2 12
v. A uuiue to Piayei 14S
1u Baily Piayeis 14
ulossaiy 18
Recommenueu Reauing 18
A gieat piayei movement began sweeping the woilu in 19u. It hau been
going on long befoie that in oiea then uou staiteu biinging the iest of the
Bouy of hiist on boaiu. Pastois of all uenominations in all paits of the .S.A.
aie talking about piayei, teaching piayei anu piaying moie than any othei
time in living memoiy. Anu the inteiest in piayei continues to inciease.
Nany feel that we aie now witnessing the piecuisoi of the gieat ievival, a
woiluwiue outpouiing of the Spiiit of uou on all flesh which will see vast
multituues tuin to }esus anu gloiify uou.
I peisonally began to tune in to the piayei movement in 198, making it
a high agenua item foi my ieseaich, wiiting, teaching anu peisonal ministiy.
Im iathei embaiiasseu to aumit that pievious to 198 I knew ielatively
little about piayei. As I began to collect a consiueiable amount of the
available liteiatuie on piayei, one of the items I secuieu was Tbe iqbty
Waiiioi, at that time publisheu in a pieliminaiy euition. As I ieau it, I became
veiy glau that liabeth Alves hau been a long-stanuing paiticipant in the
piayei movement, anu that she hau ueciueu to shaie what she hau leaineu
with those like me. his was ust the book I neeueu. In a iaie combination of
thoioughness anu conciseness. Beth Alves pioviueu exactly the infoimation
I was looking foi. I useu it as an outline to teach some of my fiist lessons on
piayei.
Latei I founu out that Beth Alves was an unusual peison who hau
gaineu a wiuespieau ieputation as one of Ameiicas foiemost piayei
leaueis. ven befoie I hau met hei peisonally, I knew that she hau a
uelightful mix of both gifteuness foi inteicession anu much expeiience in
piaying anu mentoiing otheis foi piayei ministiies. I have now hau the
piivilege of knowing Beth foi some time, anu I gieatly aumiie hei as a
peison of integiity anu as a woman of uou.
Becominq o Piayei Waiiioi is the iight book at the iight time. he
uemanu foi a basic guiuebook on all the facets of piayei is escalating iapiuly
because of all the hiistian people who aie tuning in to what the Spiiit is
saying to the chuiches about piayei these uays. uou is calling out a vast
aimy of Bis people to piay, anu they aie saying, "Show me how!" I have
founu no bettei tiaining manual than this book. It explains what piayei is,
12 FOREWORD
what it uoes, what uiffeient kinus of piayei look like, how to heai fiom uou
as you piay, the essentials of spiiitual waifaie anu moie.
Reauing anu applying the piinciples of Becominq a Piayei Worrior has
all the potential to tuin youi chuich aiounu anu to impact youi community
uecisively foi the kinguom of uou.
C. Peter Wagner
Fuller Theological Seminary
Pasadena. CaliIornia
he task of wiiting incieases in ease anu enoyment when uou pioviues
helpeis to stanu besiue the wiitei to encouiage, auvise anu assist. I have
been especially blesseu in all these ways anu many moie It is haiu to take
cieuit foi wiiting a book such as this when so many people have been
involveu in helping to make it become a ieality. Little uiu I know what was
involveu when I began to wiite.
It was my husbanu, Floyu, who pioviueu piayei suppoit anu patiently
auviseu, coiiecteu anu encouiageu me when I thought it was an
impossibility. Boney, you aie the best!
uinett Sheiiei Simmons built the founuation of this book by
ieseaiching the mateiial foi the oiiginal book calleu he iqbty Worrior: A
6uiJe to Fffective Proyer When this was finisheu, she spent many houis
helping to biith it thiough piayei. You aie a ewel. uinett.
Ruthanne uailock was the initial euitoi. When she staiteu, she took in a
stiay cat, anu the next uay it hau seven kittens. In euiting, she tuineu my
stiay into a champion anu helpeu iaise the kittens until the book took its
final foim anu was publisheu foi the fiist time. You aie a miiacle woikei,
Ruthanne. hanks foi being my fiienu.
It was my staff who woikeu togethei in unity to see he Nighty
Worrior: A 6uiJe to Fffective Proyer become a ieality. hank you Ron, }o anu
uieg ail, inuy Biveis, Linua Fletchei. hiis oopei. }oanna viiuen. Nauiy
Lloyu anu Baibaia Nyeis. What tenacity! hank you! hank you! hank
you!
Baibaia ommi Femiite. Russ Whitley anu aiiie Boffman teameu
togethei to encouiage anu auvise in the ievision fiom my teaching manual
on piayei into Tbe iqbty Worrior Such encouiageis, such a gift fiom uou.
Little uiu I know when it all began that someuay Tbe iqbty Worrior
woulu be put into a new fiamewoik anu publisheu by a maoi publishing
company such as uospel LightRenew.
o Bill uieig III anu yle Buncan, thanks foi having the confiuence in
me to take a self-publisheu book anu ielease it to the multituues. You aie
14 CKOWLEDGETS
awesome!
Nany thanks to the uospel Light staff foi always being a blessing when I
calleu anu foi opening youi heaits to me in a special way. You make uospel
Light shine anu make me feel so special You know how to get to my heait!
heie aie not woius enough in the nglish vocabulaiy to thank NY
euitoi, aien aufman, foi such an outstanuing ob. It appeais that an euitoi
uoes all the woik anu the authoi gets all the cieuit. It ust uoesnt seem faii.
hanks. aienyou listeneu to my stoiies foi houis, heaiu my heait
anu my style anu put them into woius in ways that woulu astounu me. You
staiteu out my euitoi anu enueu up my fiienu. I will be foievei giateful to
you anu to the Loiu.
Special thanks to Pat Richaiuson, the Inteicessois Inteinational staff
Wayne Reeves. inuy Biveis, Suanne uckei, }une spaia. Baibaia Nyeis
Peggy Sweet, Naebeth iuse, Biane mmons, inuy uwaius, vicky
Poiteifielu anu Bonita Peteison anu to my piayei paitneis who aie such a
spiiitual stiength to me who helpeu biith this book into ieality thiough
many houis of piayei, anu who took up the mantle to see it thiough this last
ievision. hanks foi youi piayeis foi aien anu me anu foi those who have
woikeu so haiu on the publishing of this book.
So you see, this book belongs to many people anu to all I am most
giateful but, nothing compaies to my thanks anu giatituue to the Loiu }esus
hiist who allows all of us to know Bim intimately thiough the wonueiful
gift of piayei.
his book is baseu upon a passage fiom Isaiah which affiims uous woik
thiough us. Bis piayeis anu Bis inteicessois, in these last uays befoie the
Loius ietuin
0n youi walls, 0 }eiusalem, I have appointeu watchmen all uay
anu all night they will nevei keep silent. You who ieminu the Loiu,
take no iest foi youiselves anu give Bim no iest until Be
establishes anu makes }eiusalem a piaise in the eaith Isa. 626.
}eiusalem anu othei ancient cities hau iegulai guaius, oi watchmen,
who weie stationeu on the city walls night anu uay to be on the lookout foi
uangei. hey weie iequiieu to call to each othei eveiy few minutes
especially in times of uangeiwith the ciy passing fiom one to anothei
entiiely aiounu the city walls. Watchmen also hau a station at the gate of a
city anu in the auacent towei, as well as on hilltops oveilooking teiiaceu
vineyaius. A watchman helu a iesponsible office iequiiing much vigilance
anu fiuelity.
he woiu "watchman" comes fiom a Bebiew ioot meaning "to heuge
about as with thoins to guaiu, geneially to piotect anu obseive
fiom a uistance."
he mouein counteipait to the 0lu estament watchman is the
inteicessoi. he city of }eiusalem is symbolic of the huichthe Bouy of
hiistovei which the inteicessois must watch anu piay until uou
establishes it "a piaise in the eaith." Anu ust as in ancient times when an
enemy woulu seek to uestioy the leaueis of a city, then take the people
captive, so touay we see the enemy attacking the huich by attempting to
uestioy its spiiitual leaueis.
In the }ewish tiauition, a "watch" was a thiee-houi peiiou eight such
watches kept guaius on a constant lookout ovei the city foi its piotection. In
uethsemane, }esus askeu the uisciples to keep only one-thiiu of a watch. "Be
came to the uisciples anu founu them sleeping, anu saiu to Petei, So, you
men coulu not keep watch with Ne foi one houi" Natt. 264u. As a iesult,
they weie totally unpiepaieu when the betiayei anu the soluieis came to
16 ITRODCTIO
aiiest }esus.
A uesiie to piay anu communicate with the Loiu anu to be able to heai
Bis voice is something that is biitheu within us. hioughout the yeais, I have
uiscoveieu that most people heai the voice of the Loiu, but ust uont
iecognie it. his can cause fiustiation in piayei anu inteicession.
Like the uisciples, I founu myself asking, "Loiu, teach me how to piay."
he Loiu honoieu that piayei by gifting me with a mentoi, the late vinita
Nonnie opelanu She taught me the simplicity of piayei with uynamic
iesults. By spenuing houis in piayei with hei. I founu piayei was not a
foimula but a way of life. It is as impoitant as uaily bieau It was at hei feet
anu thiough hei example that I founu my call to inteicession, anu latei, to
the ministiy that I now heau, Inteicessois Inteinational.
his ministiy began in 198 with the ielease of the fiist euition of the
Proyer onuol anu the ieciuitment of a gioup of inteicessois who pleugeu
to piay foi missionaiies, ministeis anu spiiitual leaueis. It was a small but
fiuitful beginning. While the leaueis began to feel the impact of committeu
piayei coveiage, the inteicessois incieaseu theii vision as they saw theii
piayeis make a uiffeience in the lives of those on the fiont lines of ministiy.
his book is not a set of iules anu foimulas. It is a guiueline to help
enhance youi piayei life anu to give you a bettei unueistanuing of the basics
of piayei.
I piay that ieauing anu stuuying this book will help you come into a
gieatei knowleuge of }esus. Bis Woiu anu Bis ways, as you leain to
fellowship at Bis feet anu become a mighty waiiioi thiough piayei.
Elizabeth les
Intercessors International
Last night 1 took a ouiney to Isiael acioss the seas,
I uiu not go by boat oi plane. I tiaveleu on my knees.
I saw so many people theie with scais anu wounus within,
But uou tolu me that I shoulu gotheie was oil to poui fiom
Bim.
I ieplieu, "Loiu, I cannot go anu woik with such as these."
Be answeieu quickly, "Yes you can, by tiaveling on youi
knees."
Be saiu, "You piay, Ill meet theii neeu, you call anu I will heai,
Be conceineu about the fate of those both fai anu neai."
Anu so I tiieu it, knelt in piayei, gave up some houis of ease,
I felt the Loiu iight by my siue while tiaveling on my knees.
As I piayeu on anu saw them helpeu, anu the bauly wounueu
healeu.
I saw uous woikeis stiength ieneweu while laboiing on the
fielu.
I saiu, "Yes. Loiu. I have a obmy uesiie hy will to please,
I can go anu heeu hy call by tiaveling on my knees."
AJopteJ from o poem by SonJro 6ooJwin
I. Tbe urpose o
rayer
Noieovei, as foi me, fai be it fiom me that I shoulu
sin against the Loiu by ceasing to piay foi you but
I will instiuct you in the goou anu iight way.
1 Samuel 122S
It was the miu-us anu my husbanu, Floyu, anu I weie with a gioup of
hiistian leaueis calleu to biing the love of uou to Afiica. he scoiching heat
fiom the penetiating sun was nothing in compaiison to the outpouiing of
the Sons powei on the vast ciowu of ebony faces anu hungiy heaits that
stoou befoie us. he lame began to walk the blinu ieceiveu theii sight.
Bealings of eveiy kinu weie happening befoie oui veiy eyes. wenty-thiee
thousanu people weie miiaculously healeu as uous powei swept ovei the
ciowu I iemembei thinking, Loiu, tbis is tbe book of Acts in oction
As I sat on the platfoim watching this miiaculous wave of uous powei.
I began to ciy out to uou "Loiu, why aie we not seeing miiacles such as these
in oui westein cultuie Is it because we aie boggeu uown in tiauitions anu
uoctiines" I will nevei foiget Bis ieply
"No, Baughtei, these people aie ieceiving because they have no feai of
man."
he feai of man is oui gieatest uetiiment to knowing anu
seiving uou. 0nly as we lay uown oui woiiies about what people
think of us anu what to expect of otheis can uou honestly anu
openly speak into oui lives. 0ften we have pieconceiveu iueas of
how a peison must change befoie he oi she can come to hiist. Anu
22 BECOIG PRYER WRRIOR
yet when }esus calleu us to be fisheis of men anu women, Be tolu
us to go out anu biing them in Be uiu not tell us to clean up the fish
befoie ieeling them into oui chuiches. I have nevei seen a fish yet
who was cleaneu up befoie it was caught.
So what is piayei anu why shoulu we piay Bo oui piayeis ieally make
a uiffeience
Tbe urpose o rayer
hiistians aie calleu to a lifestyle of piayei, but many have come to
see piayei as nothing moie than calling upon theii Beavenly. Butlei
foi uaily seivice, oi ciying out to theii Beavenly Lifeguaiu when
they aie uiowning in theii uaily ciicumstances. eitainly uou has
moie foi us than that. }esus saiu that because Be was going to the Fathei,
we woulu uo even gieatei woiks than Be uiu see }ohn 1412. When Be
spoke those woius, Be was not talking to a ciowu of woilu-ienowneu
hiistian evangelists. No, Be was speaking to eveiy peison who names }esus
as Loiu anu Savioi. Be was speaking to you anu to me.
Piayei is the iesponsibility of eveiy hiistian. uous Woiu tells us to
piay. But we uont piay ust because we have to we piay because talking to
uou is a piivilege. Piayei is enteiing into ielationship with uou so we can
ueteimine Bis will in the mattei anu call Bis will into existence upon the
eaith. As you ieau the following veise, notice that talking to uou on behalf of
otheis caiiies a piomise
Fiist of all, then, I uige that entieaties anu piayeis, petitions anu
thanksgivings, be maue on behalf of all men, foi kings anu all who
aie in authoiity, in orJer tbot we moy leoJ o tronquil onJ quiet life
in oll qoJliness onJ Jiqnity 1 im. 21,2, italics auueu.
Nuch of the uiscontent anu woiiy we as believeis suffei is the iesult of
uisobeuience to uous Woiu, which exhoits us to piay
With all piayei anu petition piay at all times in the Spiiit, anu with
this in view, be on the aleit with all peiseveiance anu petition foi
all the saints ph. 618.
eep watching anu piaying, that you may not entei into
temptation the spiiit is willing, but the flesh is weak Natt, 2641.
Piay without ceasing 1 hess. 1.
Tbe riority o rayer
WHY PRY? 23
Piayei was the piioiity in }esus life. Be consiueieu it moie impoitant than
physical iest, anu Be was commonly pictuieu piaying all night see Luke
612. alking with the Fathei took piioiity ovei Bis social activity. Sciiptuie
often iefeis to }esus going off alone to be with the Fathei see Natt. 142S
Naik 1S Luke 16 612. Anu, finally, }esus maue piayei a piioiity ovei
Bis pbysicol oppetite Be fasteu foi long peiious of time, withuiawing
fiom physical foou to ielease spiiitual powei see Luke 42 Natt.
618,2.S1 Beb. 2.
Piayei was the piimaiy communication link between Bimself anu the
Fathei. veiy maoi event anu eveiy minoi uecision in }esus life was
shiouueu with piayei. If we aie to be hiistlike, oi like hiist, we must
follow Bis example. }esus uiu not piay because Be hau to }esus piayeu
because Be wanteu to be obeJient to, uniteJ witb anu empowereJ by tbe
Fathei. Piayei is to be oui piioiity foi those same ieasons.
Someone has saiu that seven uays without piayei makes one
hiistian weak. Piayei is the way that we, Bis bianches, uiaw the
nutiients we neeu fiom uou the vine to piouuce the fiuit of Bis
Spiiit in oui lives. Anu we uo this because, as believeis, piayei to be
oui piimaiy ministiy.
Tbe Ministry o rayer
Ninistiy to uou must come befoie ministiy to people. Fiist Petei says that
you aie "a chosen iace, a royol priestbooJ, a holy nation, a people foi uous
own possession, that you may pioclaim the excellencies of Bim who has
calleu you out of uaikness into Bis maivelous light" 29, italics auueu.
he iole of the piiest is to ministei fiist to uou then to the people.
he way that we ministei to uou is by piaising, woishiping anu
communing with Bim in piayei anu meuitation. he way that we ministei to
the people is by allowing the oveiflow of what we have ieceiveu in oui time
alone with Bim to poui out into the lives of otheis. See Piov. 18 1 Pet. 2
ph. 14. 2 oi 21 anu Beb. 416.
Tbe Relationsbip o rayer
Ny husbanu, Floyu, anu I have been maiiieu foi 4S yeais. We love each
othei, anu because we uo, it is not a choie to be togetheiit is an awesome
piivilege. We want to shaie anu know the most intimate uetails of each
otheis lives. Although I am often the one who is out fiont in oui ministiy,
Floyu is the stiength behinu the scenes, woiking to make suie that what I uo
when I am publicly ministeiing iuns smoothly anu effectively. his happens
as we spenu time communicating about oui heaitfelt anu physical neeus.
We have the same goals, the same puipose, anu a mutual love anu iespect
foi each othei.
Similaily, the Bible says that you aie hiists Biiue see }ohn S29, NIv.
Youi maiital ielationship with Bim will ueepen as you spenu time alone
with Bim, shaiing heait to heait. Piayei is that unique channel of uialogue
between you anu the Loiu. Intimacy is cultivateu as you invest time in youi
ielationship with Bim. he iesult will be knowing Bis will anu making Bis
will known to the people. Noses is a peifect illustiation of this.
heie is piobably no one man in the Bible who is moie fully iespecteu
among the }ewish people than Noses. Why Noses knew uou theiefoie,
uou maue Bis ways known to Noses anu Bis acts to the chiluien of Isiael.
We ieau in xouus SS.11 that "the Loiu useu to speak to Noses face to face,
ust as a man speaks to his fiienu." he Loiu longs to speak to you touay
thiough the Boly Spiiit, ust as Be spoke with Noses. Reau xouus
SS11-2S. Anu not only uoes uou want to speak to you, but Be also wants to
show you a uimension of life that is invisible to the natuial eye.
he Bible says that "uou is Spiiit" }ohn 424. heiefoie, to know anu
unueistanu the things of uou, youi spiiitual eyes neeu to be openeu.
eenness in the Spiiit iealm comes as you uiscipline youiself in piayei,
piaise, fasting anu ienewing youi minu thiough uous Woiu. Ask the Loiu
to ieveal spiiitual ieality to you ust as lisha uiu when he askeu uou to
open his seivants eyes, allowing him to see the chaiiots of piotection
So he answeieu, "Bo not feai, foi those who aie with us aie moie
than those who aie with them." hen lisha piayeu anu saiu, "0
Loiu, I piay, open his eyes that he may see." Anu the Loiu openeu
the seivants eyes, anu he saw anu beholu, the mountain was full
of hoises anu chaiiots of fiie all aiounu lisha 2 ings 616,1.
he moie oui spiiitual eyes aie openeu, the moie unueistanuing we
will have about oui physical ciicumstances. }esus was so spiiitually attuneu
that Be saiu
"Who is the one who toucheu Ne" Anu while they weie all
uenying it. Petei saiu, "Nastei, the multituues aie ciowuing anu
piessing upon You." But }esus saiu, "Someone uiu touch Ne, foi I
was awaie that powei hau gone out of Ne" Luke 84,46.
Petei was looking at the natuial touch }esus was awaie that something
was happening in the spiiitual iealm. Piayei ignites oui natuial senses so
the light of Bis Spiiit is able to shine in on the motives of the powei anu
piincipalities at woik aiounu us.
WHY PRY? 25
Tbe Sacriice o rayer
he Sciiptuie tells us that }esus went to the cioss foi the oy set befoie
Bim. Bow can this be Bow coulu the ioss possibly have biought Bim oy
Because when }esus was on eaith, Be was limiteu by time anu uistance.
hiough Bis ueath anu Resuiiection, howevei, Be was able to senu the
omfoitei so all believeis coulu have ongoing, immeuiate access to the
Fathei via the Boly Spiiit. Romans 8S4 says that "hiist }esus is Be who
uieu, yes, iathei who was iaiseu, who is at the iight hanu of uou, who also
inteiceues foi us."
Pruyer lx u love rexponxe to the burJenx of
otherx.
As we follow hiists example, we too must fieely give ouiselves to
piayei. Piayei is an unselfish woik that is often unseen anu unappieciateu
by otheis they only expeiience the iesults. When we piay, we aie not
seeking to be seen by men, but iathei to stanu in the piesence anu pleasuie
of the Loiu see Natt. 6 Beb. 2. 0ui times with uou the Fathei biing us
into oneness of heait with Bim. We aie then able to expeiience Bis
heaitache ovei the lost, Bis compassion foi the huiting anu Bis love foi
otheiseven oui enemies.
Piayei is a love iesponse to the buiuens of otheis. he apostle Paul set
foith a mouel foi unselfish piayei in Philippians 2S,4
Bo nothing fiom selfishness oi empty conceit, but with humility of
minu let each of you iegaiu one anothei as moie impoitant than
himself uo not meiely look out foi youi own peisonal inteiests,
but also foi the inteiests of otheis.
he apostle saiu he uiu not cease giving thanks foi otheis while making
mention of them in his piayeis see ph. 11.16 Phil. 1S,4,. Paul, like
}esus, believeu uou. As a iesult, piison gates weie openeu, souls weie saveu,
the afflicteu weie healeu anu lives weie tiansfoimeu. Piayei is poweiful,
especially when it is baseu upon uous Woiu.
Tbe ord o rayer
As you spenu time talking with the Fathei anu ieauing Bis Woiu, youi
piayeis will begin to ieflect the heait, minu anu Woiu of the Loiu. uous
Woiu is the same yesteiuay, touay anu foievei. uou will meet you iight
wheie you aie, using the amount of knowleuge you have. Foi example, I
iemembei when a woman who hau ust become a hiistian once calleu foi
piayei, saying that hei baby hau a stubboin uiapei iash that woulu not
iesponu to meuication. I tolu hei to "apply the Woiu of uou" anu call me
with the answei. wenty-foui houis latei, she calleu to say that hei baby
was cuieu. When I askeu hei which veise she hau piayeu, she explaineu that
she hau iippeu a page out of the Woiu anu placeu it in hei babys uiapei
each time she changeu it. uou met this young mom iight wheie she was,
with the knowleuge that she hau!
Ask uou to give you a veise that applies to the situation foi which you
aie piaying, anu piay it. Foi example, you might piay olossians 1 by
inseiting youi own name oi the name of youi family anu fiienus, asking
"that you may be filleu with the knowleuge of Bis will in all spiiitual wisuom
anu unueistanuing, so that you may walk in a mannei woithy of the Loiu, to
please Bim in all iespects, beaiing fiuit in eveiy goou woik anu incieasing in
the knowleuge of uou stiengtheneu with all powei, accoiuing to Bis
gloiious might, foi the attaining of all steaufastness anu patience oyously
giving thanks to the Fathei, who has qualifieu us to shaie in the inheiitance
of the saints in light" vv. 9-12.
Youi piayei will then become uous own Woiu alive in youi mouth.
Piaying uous Woiu biings iesults anu answeis, because uou Bimself saiu
that Bis Woiu will not ietuin to Bim empty, without accomplishing what Be
uesiies, anu without succeeuing in the mattei foi which Be sent it see Isa.
11. When you piay the Woiu, howevei, it must be quickeneu by the Boly
Spiiit so you may speak foith with anointing.
Bo not piay the Woiu foi the sake of ieligious activity. Piay the Woiu
baseu on faith, believing that you aie in agieement with uous will foi the
ciicumstance. Let faith be the motivation behinu youi piayei. hen you will
have the assuiance that Be will woik in coopeiation with you
Anu without faith it is impossible to please Bim. foi he who comes
to uou must believe that Be is. anu that Be is a iewaiuei of those
who seek Bim Beb. 116.
Piayei that is baseu on faith beais fiuit foi the inguom anu pleases
uou When you piay anu communicate with uou in faith. Be will speak to
you anu give you uiiection, wisuom, knowleuge, stiength anu piotection
WHY PRY? 27
see ol. 19-11 Ps. 4u1.2 }ohn 1,8.
Tbe Kingdom artnersbip o rayer
Piayei makes a way foi uou to act soveieignly on eaith. }esus saiu to piay,
"hy will be uone, on eaith as it is in heaven" Natt. 61u. uou has chosen to
woik thiough people, not aiounu them. heiefoie, Be also says, "iuly I say
to you, whatevei you shall binu on eaith shall be bounu in heaven anu
whatevei you loose on eaith shall be looseu in heaven" Natt 1818. he
obvious infeience is that uou has limiteu some of Bis activities on the eaith
anu will iesponu only to the piayeis of Bis chiluien.
Beaven waits foi those of us on eaith to piay foi things to happen. .
Stanley }ones once saiu, "We align ouiselves with the puipose anu powei of
uou anu Be is able to uo things thiough us that Be coulu not uo otheiwise."
uou seeks foi a peison, an inteicessoi, to pleau foi Bis peifect will to be uone
on eaith as it is in heaven see Isa. 4S.26 }ei. 112.
rayer ersus Intercession
At this point you may be asking, Wbot is tbe Jifference between proyer onJ
intercession? Piayei staits witb you anu what you know to be the obvious
facts as you biing them befoie uou. uou will then take ovei anu you will piay
what is on youi heait anu minu until you have piayeu it thiough. Nany
times piayei will leau to inteicession, wheie uou takes ovei anu you aie
piaying in ways you uo not unueistanu foi that peison.
Inteicession uiffeis fiom piayei in that it staits anu enus witb uou. You
might be uiiving along anu someone will come to youi minu, maybe a sense
of uigency about a fiienu oi ielative, oi even a peison you havent thought
about in yeais. his is uou speaking to you. Sometimes you wont
unueistanu why you aie piaying what you aie piaying, but as you aie
obeuient to piay what you aie sensing, uous will is uone on eaith.
Sometimes uou will allow you to know the outcome othei times Be wont.
Youi iesponsibility is to be obeuient.
An example of this fiom my own life involves a favoiite cousin I haunt
seen in about 1u yeais. I ciawleu out of beu in the miuule of the night foi a
glass of watei when a pictuie of my cousin canvasseu my minu. Suuuenly I
uioppeu to my knees anu began to ciy out, "uou, uont let Nike move! eep
him still, Loiu! eep him still! 0h uou, please uont let him move! Bolu him,
Loiu! Bolu him!"
ven though I was pleauing on Nikes behalf with my woius, I
iemembei thinking, Tbis is reolly riJiculous Wby om l proyinq tbis? hen the
woius ceaseu, anu when they uiu. I coulu not mustei anothei woiu. So I got
up, uiank a glass of watei anu staiteu back towaiu the beuioom. Again I fell
to the flooi anu began to ciy out with a giave sense of uigency. "Bont let him
move. uou! Bont let Nike move! Stay still! Stay still!" he woius came to an
abiupt enu. his time I thought, 0b no! Tbis must be o niqbtmore!
I hau no feeling insiue of me othei than the feeling to piay. I got up anu
began to pace the flooi, wonueiing what in the woilu that was all about 0ne
moie time I took a few steps towaiu the beuioom when again I uioppeu to
the flooi. 0nly this time I was yelling, "uet him up, Loiu! uet him to iun! Run,
Nike! Loiu, help him to iun... iun...iun! Let him iun, uou! Run, iun, iun!" Aftei
seveial minutes, a calm came ovei me anu I ietuineu to beu foi the night.
he following uay, I calleu my aunt to see if she coulu help me put the
pieces togethei about my puling outciies the night befoie. She infoimeu
me that Nike was in vietnam. he expeiience still maue veiy little sense.
Finally, a month latei my aunt calleu to ieau a lettei she hau ieceiveu.
he lettei tolu how Nike, who was a pilot, hau been shot uown anu lanueu in
a tiee. Be hau been waineu to get out of the aiea as quickly as possible, but
explaineu that ust a few hunuieu yaius fiom the ciash site, he fell into a
bush. "Nom," he wiote, "it was like I was pinneu uown. I felt like somebouy
was sitting on me. he vietcong came anu weie unknowingly stanuing on
my pant leg while looking up at my paiachute in the tiee. hey tuineu
aiounu anu began to slash the bushes with theii bayonets. It lookeu safe, so I
staiteu to get up anu was about to iun when once again I fell into the bush as
though someone weie pushing me. I laiu theie foi a couple of minutes when
suuuenly I hau an impulse to get up anu iun. I heaiu a helicoptei so I
spiinteu thiough the wooueu aiea, following the uiiection of the noise, to an
open space wheie I was whiskeu off to safety. he helicoptei ciew saiu they
came in iesponse to my beepei. Anu yet, it hau not been woiking when I was
shot uown." hat, ueai ones, is inteicession!
Tbe ower o rayer
Piayei can cause uou to ielent. Nany times the fate of the woilu is not in the
hanus of goveinois oi kings, but in the hanus of mighty inteicessois. You,
too, can influence society as uiu Abiaham anu Baniel anu otheis in the 0lu
estament see uen. 181-Su Num. 1411-2S 1 Sam. 8-1S 2 ings 2u1-
11 Ban. 92,S. It is exciting to iealie that youi piayeis not only affect those
you aie piaying foi, but can also help to molu national oi inteinational
events. As you ieau the following passage, notice how uou changeu Bis minu
baseu on Noses piayei
hen Noses entieateu the Loiu his uou. anu saiu, "0 Loiu, why
WHY PRY? 29
uoth hine angei buin against hy people whom hou hast
biought out fiom the lanu of gypt with gieat powei anu with a
mighty hanu Why shoulu the gyptians speak, saying, With evil
intent Be biought them out to kill them in the mountains anu to
uestioy them fiom the face of the eaith uin fiom hy buining
angei anu change hy minu about uoing haim to hy people.
Remembei Abiaham, Isaac, anu Isiael. hy seivants to whom
hou uiust sweai by hyself, anu uiust say to them, I will multiply
youi uescenuants as the stais of the heavens, anu all this lanu of
which I have spoken I will give to youi uescenuants, anu they shall
inheiit it foievei." So the Loiu changeu Bis minu about the haim
which Be saiu Be woulu uo to Bis people xou. S211-14.
Not only uoes the Loiu change Bis minu when Bis people piay, but Be
also gives ievelation knowleuge anu the minu of uou thiough Bis Boly Spiiit.
As you piay. Be will pinpoint a pioblem aiea in someones life oi in a
situation, allowing you to see as Be sees. Luke tells us that "all things have
been hanueu ovei to Ne by Ny Fathei, anu no one knows who the Son is
except the Fathei, anu who the Fathei is except the Son, anu anyone to
wbom tbe Son wills to reveol Eim' 1u22, italics auueu. he iole of
inteicession is a sacieu tiust. he inteicessoi must caiefully guaiu the
seciets uou ieveals uuiing piayei anu be obeuient to shaie only when
the Loiu uiiects. Seek Bis cleai guiuance on the piopei follow-up of Bis
ievelation see Natt. 112,26 Phil. S1.
As you continue in piayei, the kinguom of uou will become ieal thiough
the miiacles of uou opeiating in youi life. You will see the manifest powei of
uou confiim youi spiiitual walk. }esus saiu that "these signs will accompany
those who have believeu in Ny name they will cast out uemons, they will
speak with new tongues they will pick up seipents, anu if they uiink any
ueauly poison, it shall not huit them they will lay hanus on the sick, anu they
will iecovei* Naik 161,18. Bo not be afiaiu to believe uou foi the
miiaculous.
Tbe arare o rayer
But iemembei, you have an enemy. phesians tells us that "oui stiuggle is
not against flesh anu bloou, but against the iuleis, against the poweis,
against the woilu foices of this uaikness, against the spiiitual foices of
wickeuness in the heavenly places" 612.
You aie calleu to uo spiiitual waifaie thiough piayei ovei Satans
stiongholus until you win! Satan will usually attack us most in oui gieatest
aiea of stiength. I useu to think the ieveise was tiuethat he woulu attack
most in oui aiea of gieatest weakness. But I have founu that in oui aieas of
weakness, we aie moie apt to call upon the Loiu anu iely upon Bim. In oui
aieas of stiength, howevei, we tenu to iely on self anu often finu ouiselves
buining out fiom fighting oui battles alone. veiy aiea of youi life is subect
to enemy attack, so you must fight on youi knees befoie you can stanu on
youi mission fielu.
}esus Bimself hau to battle Satan thiough piayei foi Bis ministiy anu in
othei situations. We finu this cleaily illustiateu in Bis wilueiness temptation.
Be expeiienceu spiiitual waifaie anu won befoie Be evei went out into
public ministiy. You, too, must win befoie you can fully function in what uou
has calleu you to uo. he success of youi hiistian life is uepenuent on
winning... winning in piayei see }osh. 1S.11.1 Natt 411 Naik S2.
Baniels spiiitual battle cleaily illustiates the wai that occuis in the
heavenlies
hen he saiu to me, "Bo not be afiaiu, Baniel, foi fiom the fiist uay
that you set youi heait on unueistanuing this anu on humbling
youiself befoie youi uou, youi woius weie heaiu, anu I have come
in iesponse to youi woius. But the piince of the kinguom of Peisia
was withstanuing me foi twenty-one uays then beholu, Nichael,
one of the chief piinces, came to help me, foi I hau been left theie
with the kings of Peisia" Ban. 1u12,1S.
Baniels stoiy gives hope foi those who aie in the miust of battle. Bont
give up. You aie in a win-win situation. uou is foi you, anu the battle is the
Loius.
Tbe Invitation o rayer
Piayei is not ust a call to wai it is also an invitation to iest. }esus saiu, "Be
anxious foi nothing, but in eveiything by piayei anu supplication with
thanksgiving let youi iequests be maue known to uou. Anu the peace of uou,
which suipasses all compiehension, shall guaiu youi heaits anu youi minus
in hiist }esus" Phil. 46,.
nowing that uou is on youi siue will help you to entei into the iest Be
offeis. Be invites you to give Bim youi pioblems, caies, conceins anu
woiiies see 1 Pet. Natt. 62,26. "ast youi buiuen upon Bim, anu Be
will sustain you Be will nevei allow the iighteous to be shaken" Ps. 22.
ease stiiving anu paitnei with Bim. Be loves you anu longs to shaie Bis
heait with you. Be has calleu you, ueai chilu of uou, to iest in Bis love as you
come away with Bim in piayei. Will you say yes to that invitation touay
Anu Be saiu to him, "You shall love the Loiu youi uou
with all youi heait, anu with all youi soul, anu with all
youi minu."
ottbew 22:S7
In 19u I went thiough an expeiience that biought me into a iekinuleu
sense of uous piesence. he Loiu in Bis ultimate wisuom iaiseu up a gouly
mentoi foi me who was ueuicateu to piayei. She talkeu to uou the Fathei,
uou the Son anu uou the Boly Spiiit as if they weie iight theie with hei. I so
longeu foi that kinu of intimacy with the Loiu that I spent the next thiee
yeais sitting at hei feet anu following hei example.
Because I hau come fiom a lituigical backgiounu, I felt awkwaiu with
much of the bouy language I saw my mentoi use as she pouieu out hei heait
to uou in piayei. Lifting my hanus was especially uifficult in the beginning
because oui chuich uiu not uo that. As I ieau thiough the Sciiptuies,
howevei, I founu veise aftei veise about lifting my hanus to the Loiu see
Pss. 282 6S4 11948 1S42 14S6. I iealieu my stiuggle was not as
much with uou as it was with tiauition anu my feai of man Wbot woulJ
people tbink of me?
Ny self-consciousness enueu one Sunuay moining in chuich when I
loweieu my hanus because I thought someone was watching me. Suuuenly
a little five-yeai-olu boy louuly exclaimeu. Nommy, why uoes that lauy iaise
hei hanus uown to piaise the uevil insteau of up to piaise }esus" hat uiu it!
I thiew my hanus into the aii. Fiom that uay foiwaiu. I began to piay with
uplifteu hanus anu a new sense of puipose in my heait.
As I watcheu my spiiitual mothei walk, lie, kneel anu move about with
an intense spiiit of woiship, I, too, began to ministei to the ing of kings anu
Loiu of loius with my whole heait anu bouy. People often ask me, "Bow
long, wheie anu in what position shoulu I piay" As we look at some of these
basic questions, iemembei that the issue is not as much time, place oi
position as it is faithfulness to uou.
How Long Do I ray?
Ny mentois son was an evangelist foi whom I seiveu, uoing householu
choies. hioughout the uay I woulu stop to piay with him anu his wife, anu
we saw many miiaculous answeis. ventually the evangelist ueciueu to ient
a house to use foi piayei. Be askeu me if I woulu be willing to piay between
foui anu six houis a uay. xciteuly, I iesponueu, "Ill take six!"
he evangelist wisely suggesteu I stait with foui, anu Im glau he uiu. Ill
nevei foiget that fiist uay. I walkeu into the piayei house, closeu the uooi
behinu me anu sigheu, "0h Loiu, heie we aie, ust You anu me." I uioppeu to
the flooi anu began to poui my heait out in piayei. I piayeu anu piayeu until
I founu myself laying theie in a state of exhaustion. When I lookeu at my
watch, I thought the batteiy was iunning uown. oulu it be that I hau only
piayeu foi 1 minutes! I began again. I piayeu foi eveiyone I knew. hen I
piayeu the Loius piayeiI even sang the Loius piayei. I lookeu at my
watch again, only 42 minutes hau passeu. I coulunt believe it! Finally I ciieu
out to uou. "Loiu, teach me to piay."
I unueistoou foi the fiist time the fiustiation anu anxieties of }esus
uisciples, who walkeu with Bim uaily but knew that they uiu not have what
Be hau in teims of communication with the Fathei. ach one of us must
come to a point wheie we too ciy out to uou, "Loiu, teach me to piay."
Leaining to piay begins by making the choice to be alone with Bim.
he account of }esus anu Bis uisciples at uethsemane cleaily shows that
}esus uiu not hesitate to ask Bis followeis to piay with Bim foi "one houi,"
anu that this was a peifectly legitimate iequest. Yet, at the time Be most
neeueu anu uesiieu theii suppoit, they uisappointeu Bim. Suiely it must still
uisappoint oui Loiu when Bis followeis put sleep anu othei activities above
a uesiie to piay anu spenu time with Bim.
0ne pastoi has saiu, "When you come to the place wheie you can taiiy
with the Loiu one houi, something supeinatuial happens. You begin to
unueistanu the chaiactei anu puiposes of uou, anu to expeiience the
anointing of the powei of uou as nevei befoie."
If making a commitment to piay one houi a uay seems too uifficult,
TECH E TO PRY 33
begin by piaying 1 minutes a uay, then stiive to inciease youi piayei time.
As you piay, a basic question may come to minu Eow lonq sboulJ l
spenJ for eocb person or subject?he following aie some suggestions
Piay until an answei is ieceiveu anu you liteially see the fulfillment
of it come to pass.
oi
Piay until you have the assuiance fiom the Loiu that what you have
askeu has been accomplisheu in the spiiitual iealm. Bow By
exhausting youi effoits oi until you have peace hen accept the
answei by faith. When you uo youi pait in inteicession, you must
tiust uous timing. Be is nevei latethough it seems to Bis chiluien
that Be passes up many oppoitunities to be eaily!
0nce you have piayeu thiough youi uaily stiategy, piaise is always
in oiuei. uive Bim piaise anu thanksgiving foi the victoiy gaineu.
If an answei is long in coming, be tenacious anu follow the example of
the wiuow in Luke 18
Now Be was telling them a paiable to show that at all times they
ought to piay anu not to lose heait, saying, "heie was in a ceitain
city a uuge who uiu not feai uou, anu uiu not iespect man. Anu
theie was a wiuow in that city, anu she kept coming to him, saying,
uive me legal piotection fiom my opponent. Anu foi a while he
was unwilling but afteiwaiu he saiu to himself, ven though I uo
not feai uou noi iespect man, yet because this wiuow botheis me, I
will give hei legal piotection, lest by continually coming she weai
me out." Anu the Loiu saiu, "Beai what the uniighteous uuge
saiu now shall not uou biing about ustice foi Bis elect, who ciy to
Bim uay anu night, anu will Be uelay long ovei them I tell you that
Be will biing about ustice foi them speeuily. Bowevei, when the
Son of Nan comes, will Be finu faith on the eaith" vv. 1-8.
Pruyer lx only vuln repetltlon when you xpeuk
empty worJx wlthout fulth behlnJ them, or lf
you uxk wlth u wrong motlvutlon.
he woiu "botheis" see v. comes fiom a uieek woiu meaning "to
beat the bieast in giief to lament oi mouin to give tiouble to." he iuea is to
piay peisistently anu tenaciously.
When a iesponse is uelayeu, continue to holu fast in piayei, like the
wiuow in Luke 18. Bo not cast away youi confiuence as you wait on the
Loiu if you giow weaiy anu give up, the fiuit of youi piayei can be aboiteu
see ual. 69. Remembei the woius of }esus
"Ask, anu it shall be given to you seek, anu you shall finu knock,
anu it shall be openeu to you. Foi eveiyone who asks, ieceives anu
he who seeks finus anu to him who knocks it shall be openeu
Natt. ,8.
heiefoie, keep on asking, keep on seeking, keep on knockingkeep
on!
Is all this asking what the Bible iefeis to as "vain iepetitions" oi lack of
faith No! his kinu of iepetition is not wiong as long as it is spoken in faith.
Piayei is only vain iepetition when you speak empty woius without faith
behinu them, oi if you ask with a wiong motivation see }as. 4S.
}esus Bimself gives us a goou example of being tenacious anu asking
with the iight motive. Buiing Bis uethsemane oiueal, it is wiitten that }esus
specifically piayeu, "Ny Fathei, if it is possible, let this cup pass fiom Ne yet
not as I will, but as hou wilt" Natt, 26S9.
}esus maue this same iequest thiee times
Anu again Be went away anu piayeu, saying the same woius
Naik 14S9.
Anu Be left them again, anu went away anu piayeu a thiiu time,
saying the same thing once moie Natt. 2644.
hailes Spuigeon saiu, "By peiseveiance the snail ieacheu the
aik."
1
eep piaying until the Loiu says its time to quit!
ben Do I ray?
Ny husbanu, Floyu, spiings out of beu eveiy moining eagei to spenu time in
piayei with uou. By spenuing those eaily houis with }esus, Floyu is giving
the veiy best of his uay to the Loiu. I, on the othei hanu, piay best between
the houis of miunight anu S A.M. uou has calleu me to be on the miunight
TECH E TO PRY 35
watch. I okingly tell Floyu the aiiwaves aie less ciowueu on my watch! Youi
piayei watch may be in the miuule of the uay. uou ueals with each of us
inuiviuually.
When the Boly Spiiit calls you to piay, let nothing stanu in youi way. Be
like the psalmist who wiote. "As foi me. I shall call upon uou, anu the Loiu
will save me. Fveninq anu morninq anu at noon, I will complain anu
muimui, anu Be will heai my voice" Ps. 16,1, italics auueu. 0bey the
uigency of the Spiiit to piay immeuiately when you feel an innei witness. An
immeuiate iesponse can change the uiiection of a peisons life, oi a situation,
foi the puipose of uous gloiy anu anotheis goou.
You can accomplish fai moie thiough piayei than thiough youi woiks
anu ueeus. You aie meeting with uou Bimself, asking foi uivine inteivention.
Piociastination can be youi gieatest enemy, so use youi time wiselyuont
waste it.
he "when" of youi piayei time is between you anu uou Be knows
youi scheuule anu when you will be most effective. What matteis most is
that you set asiue time each uay to meet with Bim.
As you stuuy the following Sciiptuies anu biblical examples, ask uou foi
the specific time Be wants you to inteiceue.
Morning
Psalm S Psalm 881S Naik 1S
Acts 21-4.1 Note the Boly Spiiit fell at 9 A.M.]
Noon
Psalm 1
Evening
Natthew 142S Luke 612 Naik 64
Acts 162
Continuously
1 Samuel 8 Romans 19.1u 1 Samuel 122S
phesians 618 Nehemiah 16 olossians 19
Psalm 21 olossians 42 Luke 2S
1 hessalonians S1u Luke 612 1 hessalonians 1
Acts 1u2 imothy
eep in minu that }esus piayeu eaily in the moinings anu often all
night! heie is nevei a wiong time to piay see 1 hess. 1 but its
impoitant to keep oui appointments with uou.
bere Do I ray?
}ust as some woik enviionments aie moie piouuctive than otheis, the
place wheie we piay can make a uiffeience. Ask the Loiu to show you wheie
Be wants to meet with you. If you have a specific place wheie you go to meet
with Bim, youi piayei time will be moie effective. Some people have a
special chaii oi a paiticulai ioom wheie they piay uaily. Nany men have
tolu me they like to piay outsiue. A fiienu who is a pastoi in Bollanu took me
to a tiee wheie he spenus his piayei time eveiy moining. he tiee is so
enoimous that it woulu take thiee people to wiap theii aims aiounu it, so
the tiee pioviues piotection fiom the elements. Ny fiienu saiu that no
mattei what the weathei is like, he meets uou at the tiee eveiy moining.
When I fiist began to heai the Boly Spiiit speak to me, I was in the
bathtub. It was such a poweiful expeiience that I thought I hau to be in the
tub to heai Bim. I iemembei feeling anxious anu agitateu if I coulunt take a
bath eveiy time I hau a pioblem oi a question. I guess you coulu say uou was
"cleaning up my act"!
ouay I meet with uou in a little piayei house on the piopeity of oui
ministiy, Inteicessois Inteinational. It is a place wheie I am not easily
uistiacteu. heie I have a chaii that I feel is my holy place with uou.
he Bible gives many examples of places to piay. Anu the place
becomes sacieu when you iemove youiself fiom the woilu anu entei into
Bis piesence
Anu when you piay, you aie not to be as the hypociites foi they
love to stanu anu piay in the synagogues anu on the stieet coineis,
in oiuei to be seen by men. iuly I say to you, they have theii
iewaiu in full. But you, when you piay, go into youi innei ioom,
anu when you have shut youi uooi, piay to youi Fathei who is in
seciet, anu youi Fathei who sees in seciet will iepay you Natt
6,6.
"Seciet" means "concealeu fiom public view oi fiom geneial
knowleuge opeiating in a hiuuen oi confiuential mannei."
he "innei ioom," oi innei chambei, was usually an uppei stoiy built
on the ioof of a house. It was stiategically locateu on the city walls facing oi
oveilooking the city gate. he chambei coulu be useu as a watchtowei to
spot the enemy oi obseive a victoiy paiaue. It was also a high place foi an
altai anu a place of piayei.
When you paiticipate in innei chambei piayei, the Woiu states that the
TECH E TO PRY 37
Fathei will iewaiu you openly. Bowevei, you uo not have to be in an innei
ioom to be in communion with the Loiu. You can be in a paik, on a tiain,
uiiving on the highway oi ust about anywheie with otheis all aiounu you
when the Boly Spiiit nuuges you to piay. While uiiving in tiaffic, you can
piactice "inteisection inteicession."
he Bible mentions many places people piayeu, but the following aie a
few iefeiieu to in the New estament
ppei ioom Acts 11S,14
Bouse Acts 1uSu 12-1
By a iivei Acts 161S
0n a beach Acts 21
Wilueiness Luke 16
Lonely place Naik 1S Luke 442
Nountains Natthew 142S Naik 646 Luke 16
612 928 }ohn 61
Alone Natthew 66 26S9 Naik 64614S2-42
Luke 612 918 2241
ven though its impoitant to set asiue a scheuuleu time anu place to be
alone foi piayei, be on piayei aleit at all times because the Boly Spiiit may
quicken you to a special concein that neeus immeuiate piayei, iegaiuless of
wheie you aie
In bat osition Do I ray?
}ust as theie aie vaiious places to piay, theie aie also a vaiiety of postuies
foi piayei. As I began to tiavel the nations, I uiscoveieu that within many
uenominations, tiauition often uictates the way people position theii bouies
foi piayei. Foi example, when I fiist moveu to ueimany, I noticeu that
people woulu not sit while piaying. hey believeu sitting was uisiespectful
to uou. I have since come to iealie that many nations aie influenceu by
chuich tiauitions that have similai stanuaius, such as kneeling oi stanuing.
Because I giew up with a lituigical backgiounu. I too useu to believe
that I coulu only piay if I knelt. Although I still enoy kneeling at times. I have
since uiscoveieu that woiship can encompass many physical positions. 0ui
physical position shoulu be a iesponse to the leauing of the Boly Spiiit.
sually when we aie caught up in ministeiing to the Loiu, we will ust
natuially iesponu outwaiuly to the inwaiu position of oui heaits befoie
uou.
he following aie some examples of positions listeu in the Bible. By
piacticing the style that you feel least comfoitable with, you can expeiience a
bieakthiough that can change youi life.
Beie aie some examples listeu in the Bible
Beie aie some examples listeu in the Bible continueu
TECH E TO PRY 39
Whethei you sit, stanu, bow oi kneel, it is the position of youi heait that
matteis most. Whatevei you uo, uo it as unto the Loiu anu always be caieful
not to make a iitual out of youi woiship to uou.
If }esus weie you touay, how woulu Be live Bis life thiough you he
iight iesponse to that question will make all that you uo Bis answeieu
piayei.
Note
1. }ohn L Nason, An Fnemy ColleJ Averoqe ulsa. 0kla. Baiiison Bouse.
199u. p. 2u.
Anu this is the confiuence which we have befoie Bim.
that, if we ask anything accoiuing to Bis will, Be heais us.
}obn :
ffective piayei begins with iecogniing that you aie enteiing into the veiy
piesence of uou foi the puipose of builuing ielationship with Bim. Anu
ielationships that woik aie built with piaise, giatituue, honesty, tiust,
foigiveness anu intimacy. In othei woius, they aie motivateu by love.
heiefoie, the way that you piay shoulu ieflect these same ielational
elements.
As you ieau thiough the following pages anu stuuy the vaiious types of
piayei, iemembei that youi time with uou is about ielationship. Resist the
temptation to become iitualistic anu focus insteau on youi love foi Bim.
raise and Tbanksgiving
Piaise anu thanksgiving open oui heaits anu cause oy to well up
in oui spiiits. he Woiu tells us that piaise anu thanksgiving aie
inguom keys that open the uoois to Bis couits, allowing us to
entei into Bis piesence
ntei Bis gates with thanksgiving, anu Bis couits with piaise. uive
thanks to Bim bless Bis name Ps. 1uu4.
As you entei into piaise, meuitate on the piovision the Loiu has maue
foi you thiough the bloou of }esus. Bis bloou allows you to walk touay in the
new covenant see Beb. 1u19 1224.
raise Cod or bo He Is!
he souice of piaise is the Boly Spiiit activating youi spiiit to expiess
appioval anu auoiation foi uous gieatness. As you ieau thiough the
Sciiptuies, keep a list of the qualities that you uiscovei about Bim Bis
meicy. Bis faithfulness, Bis patience, Bis eveilasting love. Piaise Bim foi Bis
chaiactei. Bevelop the habit of piaise uuiing youi piayei time.
0 Loiu, open my lips, that my mouth may ueclaie hy piaise Ps.
11.
Seven times a uay I piaise hee, because of hy iighteous
oiuinances Ps. 119164.
As you begin to piaise anu extol the Loiu, youi spiiit iises up within you
to inciease youi unueistanuing of who Be is. Youi soul is also stiengtheneu
in the piocess of piaise because piaise causes faith to giow, anu as it giows,
you suuuenly iealie that nothing is too uifficult foi Bim see }ei. S21.
Tbank Him or bat He Has Done and ill Continue to Do
hanksgiving awakens youi love towaiu uou as you acknowleuge that you
aie Bis chilu hank Bim that Be gives you eveiy goou anu peifect gift see
}as. 11. Responu with oy to Bis benefits showeieu on you as Bis heii.
In all youi ways acknowleuge Bim, anu Be will make youi paths
stiaight Piov. S6.
What shall I ienuei to the Loiu foi all Bis benefits towaiu me o
hee I shall offei a saciifice of thanksgiving, anu call upon the name
of the Loiu Ps. 11612.1.
An attituue of giatituue washes away negativity anu puiifies youi soul.
raise Application:
With these thoughts, begin to piaise anu thank Bim. xpiess youi love anu
auoiation foi Bim. Acknowleuge Bis attiibutes thiough Bis uiffeient names.
See "he Names of uou," chaptei 9.
he following aie seven Bebiew expiessions of piaise fiom the 0lu
estament
Towdab Saciifice of thanksgiving oi piaise to ienuei thanksgiving
oi piaise. See Pss. 424 1uu4.
Yadab o thiow, thiust oi cast away fiom, hanus outwaiu, to thiow
hanus into the aii. See Pss. 6S 1u8, 1,21.S1.
TYPES OF PRYER 43
Barak o bless, to give thanks anu piaise to uou because Be has
given out of Bis abunuance bless as an act of auoiation, to kneel.
See Pss. S121 6S4 96.
Halal o make a show oi boast, to be clamoiously foolish, to go
about in a iaging oi iaving way, to uance, to celebiate. See Pss. 64
1u.1,2.
Zamar o celebiate with instiuments, to piaise the Loiu skillfully
on an instiument, to touch stiings with the fingeis. See Pss. 211S
SS2 984.
Tebillab An impeiative summons to piaise }ehovah. A psalm oi a
hymn, by choiis, with uancing anu expiessive speaking festal
ubilation. See Pss. 22S.2 SS1 S28.
Sbabacb Piaise, comment auoiation towaiu the powei, gloiy anu
sanctity of the Loiu. Piaise uou foi Bis mighty acts anu ueeus. o
tiiumph in a louu voice. See Pss. 6SS,4 111 1412.
A oyful way to stait a piayei time is to choose a psalm oi seveial veises
fiom the Bible anu ieau each expiession of piaise out louu. his will eneigie
youi spiiit Psalms 141u aie especially goou because they exalt uou foi
Bis goouness, love, powei, holiness, wisuom, gieatness, gloiy anu maesty.
Stait with Psalm 141-
I will extol hee, my uou, 0 ing anu I will bless hy name foievei
anu evei. veiy uay I will bless hee, anu I will piaise hy name
foievei anu evei. uieat is the Loiu, anu highly to be piaiseu anu
Bis gieatness is unseaichable. 0ne geneiation shall piaise hy
woiks to anothei, anu shall ueclaie hy mighty acts. 0n the
gloiious splenuoi of hy maesty, anu on hy wonueiful woiks, I
will meuitate. Anu men shall speak of the powei of hine awesome
acts anu I will tell of hy gieatness...anu shall shout oyfully of hy
iighteousness.
Tbanksgiving Application:
he following is an auaptation of Psalm 1S6. It is an effective tool foi
motivating you in thanksgiving towaiu the Loiu.
I give thanks to You, Loiu, foi name a peison. Youi
lovingkinuness is eveilasting. I give thanks to You, Loiu, who has
given list a mateiial blessing. Youi lovingkinuness is eveilasting. I
give thanks to You, Loiu, who has given list a spiiitual blessing.
Youi lovingkinuness is eveilasting. I give thanks to You, Loiu, who
has heaiu my piayei foi list something you aie asking foi. Youi
answeieu my piayei foi you fill in. Youi lovingkinuness is
eveilasting. I give thanks to You, Loiu, who has you fill in. Youi
you fill in. Youi lovingkinuness is eveilasting. I give thanks to You,
Loiu, who has you fill in. Youi lovingkinuness is eveilasting. I
give thanks to You, Loiu, who has you fill in. Youi lovingkinuness
is eveilasting.
Conession and Forgiveness
onfession anu foigiveness aie the appiopiiate iesponses to the holiness of
uou. You must set youi will to have a puie, unuiviueu heait anu a iight
attituue towaiu eveiy peison, incluuing the Loiu uou. his is a pieiequisite
to effective inteicession!
You can confess youi sins foi houis on enu, but confession is not
complete unless it is coupleu with foigiveness. "onfession" means "to
acknowleuge oi uisclose something uamaging oi inconvenient to ones self
to acknowleuge oi aumit something." "Foigiveness" means "to excuse a fault
oi offense to paiuon to ielinquish angei, iesentment oi bitteiness against a
peison to absolve fiom payment of"
So you see, one is not complete without the othei. Aftei confession anu
foigiveness, you must go one step fuithei anu ieceive the piovisions uou has
gianteu you thiough Bis Woiu, such as healing, peace anu piospeiity. Nany
people confess anu foigive, but they make the mistake of not ieceiving uous
special piomises because they feel unwoithy. his is a false concept. uous
piomises aie a special gift to you.
Leain to be a goou ieceivei. Receiving means to acquiie oi take
something offeieu oi given. Receiving iequiies action on youi pait. uote
uous piomises alouu anu accept them by faith, not ielying on youi feelings
oi emotions.
hiough this piocess of confession anu foigiveness you aie iestoieu to
fellowship. Piaise the Loiu foi Bis bloou which iansoms you anu pays youi
uebt.
Now lets uiscuss both confession anu foigiveness sepaiately
Conession
Reau the following Sciiptuie caiefully
Beholu, the Loius hanu is not so shoit that it cannot save neithei
is Bis eai so uull that it cannot heai. But youi iniquities have maue
TYPES OF PRYER 45
a sepaiation between you anu youi uou, anu youi sins have
hiuuen Bis face fiom you, so that Be uoes not heai Isa. 91,2.
Biu you notice that iniquities can cause youi piayeis to go unheaiu
onfession must take place befoie you entei into inteicession oi petition so
that youi piayeis aie pleasing to uous eais.
You cannot be puiifieu in youi own powei anu stiength. But uou
pioviues the Boly Spiiit to shine on youi sins so you can confess them.
Buiing youi piayei time, pause anu ask the Boly Spiiit if theie is any mattei
that neeus to be confesseu hen iesponu to Bim with youi answei.
xamine me, 0 Loiu, anu tiy me test my minu anu my heait. Foi
hy lovingkinuness is befoie my eyes, anu I have walkeu in hy
tiuth Ps. 262,S.
0nce an aiea of uaikness has been biought to the light of uous Woiu
anu iepenteu of, uont look back. When a sin has been uealt with, know that
the powei of }esus bloou coveis it anu the Loiu iefuses to iemembei it.
Bont tiy to biing up past sins that have alieauy been coveieu by the bloou.
he Loiu has buiieu them in the uepths of the sea anu they aie foigotten.
Neuitate insteau on the following Sciiptuies
If we confess oui sins, Be is faithful anu iighteous to foigive us oui
sins anu to cleanse us fiom all uniighteousness 1 }ohn 19.
It was foi fieeuom that hiist set us fiee theiefoie keep stanuing
fiim anu uo not be subect again to a yoke of slaveiy ual. 1l
If we say that we fellowship with Bim anu yet walk in the uaikness,
we lie anu uo not piactice the tiuth but if we walk in the light as Be
Bimself is in the light, we have fellowship with one anothei, anu
the bloou of }esus Bis Son cleanses us fiom all sin 1 }ohn 16,.
Be will again have compassion on us Be will tieau oui iniquities
unuei foot. Yes, hou wilt cast all theii sins into the uepths of the
sea Nic. 19.
Be awaie of Satans tactics to biing you into conuemnation oi guilt by
ieminuing you of past sins. hiough intiospection, he uesiies that you keep
youi minu centeieu on youiself anu away fiom piaying, piaising anu pulling
uown his stiongholus. he battlegiounu is youi minu
Foi the weapons of oui waifaie aie not of the flesh, but uivinely
poweiful foi the uestiuction of foitiesses. We aie uestioying
speculations anu eveiy lofty thing iaiseu up against the knowleuge
of uou, anu we aie taking eveiy thought captive to the obeuience of
hiist, anu we aie ieauy to punish all uisobeuience, whenevei youi
obeuience is complete 2 oi. 1u4-6.
We must choose to let uous peace guaiu oui heaits anu minus uaily
thiough }esus hiist to pievent this stiuggle. If oui heaits conuemn us, then
we cannot ask in faith. We aie uouble minueu anu cannot piay in confiuence
see }as. I6. Peace of minu comes by continual piayei
Be anxious foi nothing, but in eveiything by piayei anu
supplication with thanksgiving let youi iequests be maue known
to uou Anu the peace of uou, which suipasses all compiehension,
shall guaiu youi heaits anu youi minus in hiist }esus Phil. 46,.
When confessing youi sins, know that you neeu not have an emotional
expeiience to be foigiven. Fiist ask then accept by faith in uous Woiu that
Be will uo exactly as Be says...that Be is "faithful anu ust" to foigive you 1
}ohn 19. K} v
Forgiveness
nfoigiveness bieaks youi full communication with the Loiu. It uesensities
you to spiiitual things.
When you ask foigiveness foi youiself anu those who have sinneu
against you, you will be set fiee anu able to walk in iight ielationship with
uou anu man. Foigiveness also fiees the othei peison, oi changes the
ciicumstances that aie causing the pioblem. It allows the Boly Spiiit to uo
Bis ob, which is to biing conviction about the sin so iighteousness can be
iestoieu.
If you aie having a pioblem foigiving someone, ueteimine to obey
uous Woiu anu iefuse to be guiueu by youi feelings. Bo not let piiue keep
you fiom having a iight ielationship with uou Lay uown youi huits, self-
iighteous attituue anu hostilities. Foigive the peison who has wiongeu you.
no mattei how unust the offense may be. You will then expeiience a ielease
in youi spiiit, anu youi feelings will begin to follow. Youi fellowship with the
Loiu will then be iestoieu.
heie aie thiee aieas of unfoigiveness
1. nfoigiveness towaiu people who have huit oi offenueu you.
2. nfoigiveness towaiu uou because in youi peiception Be uiu not
inteivene on youi behalf in the way you wanteu Bim to.
S. nfoigiveness toworJ youiself foi situations you have
expeiienceu oi paiticipateu in that cause you huit, guilt,
conuemnation, woiiy, fiustiation, pity oi shame.
TYPES OF PRYER 47
uous Woiu says, "Foi if you foigive men foi theii tiansgiessions, youi
heavenly Fathei will also foigive you. But if you uo not foigive men, then
youi Fathei will not foigive youi tiansgiessions" Natt. 614,1. I have
uiscoveieu that most people finu it faiily easy to foigive otheis, veiy uifficult
to foigive uou. anu almost impossible to foigive themselves. otal
foigiveness, howevei, is essential to youi effective piaying.
Nake a uecision eveiy moining that you will walk in foigiveness
thioughout the uay. Bo not wait until you get into a confiontation anu then
tiy to foigive the peison who has wiongeu you. hoose to foigive otheis as
uou has foigiven you, anu uo it at the time of the offense, ust as }esus uiu
see Luke 2SS4.
Foigiveness in itself is not enough you must also iepent o iepent is to
feel such iegiet oi iemoise that you tuin away fiom youi thoughts oi
actions anu ielease otheis fiom any bonuage you oi they holu nless this is
uone, you will nevei be fiee. Foigiveness anu iepentance go hanu in hanu
see Piov. 281S Natt. S6,8. When we say that we have foigiven, but we
aie still holuing on to wiong attituues, we iebel against uou.
When oui uaughtei Peggy was about foui yeais olu, she misbehaveu at
the uinnei table while we weie enteitaining guests. So my husbanu, Floyu,
escoiteu Peggy to hei beuioom. As he was closing the uooi to hei ioom,
Floyu saiu, "When youie soiiy, Peggy, you can come out."
Sometlmex we only forglve enough to keep un
open Joor, but we Jont put the ux to the root of
unforglvenexx.
A few minutes latei the uooi openeu, but Peggy iemaineu in hei ioom.
Floyu waiteu a little bit longei, but she uiunt buuge. Finally he went into hei
ioom anu sat besiue hei on the beu. "Peggy," he askeu, "aie you soiiy
enough to come out now"
She ciosseu hei aims tightly acioss hei chest anu ieplieu, "Nope! Im
only soiiy enough to have the uooi open." Sometimes we, like Peggy, only
foigive enough to keep an open uooi, but we uont put the ax to the ioot of
unfoigiveness.
0ften the cause of a peisons physical oi emotional weakness can be
tiaceu to unfoigiveness anu uniepentance. his uoes not mean all suffeiing
fiom ailments is because of unfoigiveness. But foigiveness anu iepentance
can ielease the healing powei of uou in you anu in otheis.
Foigiveness, like confession, uoes not have to be an emotional
expeiience. It is simply an "act of youi will," iesponuing to the Woiu of uou
by the piompting of the Boly Spiiit.
0nce you have foigiven otheis oi uou oi youiself know that the Loiu is
faithful anu iighteous to foigive you of youi sin anu cleanse you fiom all
uniighteousness see 1 }ohn 19. Bo not uepenu on youi own
unueistanuing tiust the Loiu foi Bis Woiu is tiue.
If youi minus attention is iepeateuly uiawn in a negative way to a
peison you have chosen to foigive, take authoiity ovei youi thoughts.
ommanu youi minu, in }esus name, to uwell on thoughts that aie tiue,
honoiable, iight, puie, lovely, excellent anu woithy of piaise see Phil. 48,9.
0iuei the enemy to be silent, anu cut off the powei to youi olu memoiy
ciicuits by iefusing to listen to the uevils voice. hange uiiection by
believing what uous Woiu says. It is helpful to quote Sciiptuie veises alouu
until you have the victoiy. You can also begin to thank the Loiu foi the
positive qualities Be has placeu in that peison anu in the situation piay
uous blessing upon these positive aieas.
Conession and Forgiveness Application:
Aie you ieauy to be clean ake time to allow the Boly Spiiit to seaich
youi heait befoie uou ask Bim to show you youi heait. Bont seaich youi
own heait with youi natuial minu you must peiceive youi own heait by the
Boly Spiiit. As you accept the Loius cleansing anu foigiveness, ask Bim to
iefill you with the Boly Spiiit.
he following aie Sciiptuie-baseu piayeis of confession anu
foigiveness to help you when you piay
rayer o Conession
Fathei. I thank You foi the bloou of }esus that cleanses me fiom all
my sin. I come befoie You in the name of }esus anu ask to be
iestoieu to a iight ielationship with You anu my biotheis anu
sisteis in hiist.
Fathei, Youi Woiu says that if I confess my sin, You aie faithful anu
ust to foigive me anu cleanse me fiom all uniighteousness. I come
into Youi piesence to confess my sin of ,
TYPES OF PRYER 49
knowing that I can uiaw neai to You with a tiue heait in full
assuiance of faith, having my heait spiinkleu fiom an evil
conscience anu my bouy washeu with the puie watei of Youi
Woiu.
Be giacious to me. Fathei. Blot out my tiansgiession of
. Wash me thoioughly fiom this iniquity anu cleanse
me fiom my sin. It is only against You, Loiu, that I have sinneu anu
uone what is evil in Youi sight. I ask Youi foigiveness.
I now ieoice, not that I was maue soiiowful, but that I was maue
soiiowful to the point of iepentance. Ny iepentance, accoiuing to
Youi will, leaus me to eteinal life in You. I ieceive Youi abunuant
life wheie I was ueau in sin. Foi the law of the Spiiit of life in hiist
}esus has maue me fiee fiom the law of sin anu ueath. Anu whom
the Son sets fiee shall be fiee inueeu. Blotting out the hanuwiiting
of oiuinances that weie against me, which was contiaiy to me, You
took it out of the way by taking it to Youi ioss. I choose now to
walk unuei this new covenant of libeity in Youi Spiiit life.
Fathei. I thank You that You have blotteu out my sins, anu as fai
as the east is fiom the west is how fai You have iemoveu them
fiom me. I ueclaie that this uay my sin will be iemembeieu no
moie, anu if Satan biings it up again, he will have to ueal with You.
See 1 }ohn 1,9 6-9 Beb. 1u22 Pss. 11-4 1uS12 ol. 214
Rom. 4 82 }ohn 24 8S2 2 oi. S6 9-19 ek. 1811
SS16.
Pvaycv oI Fovgivcncss
Fathei, I come befoie Youi thione with a heavy heait because
peison oi peisons has offenueu me anu I have unfoigiveness. I
know unfoigiveness is contiaiy to Youi Woiu. Because of this, I
have been toimenteu in my minu anu emotions. his has cieateu a
binuing tie between me anu peison oi peisons.
heiefoie, I ask, iathei, that You foigive my sins of
. anu I also foigive peison oi peisons as You
have foigiven me I iepent anu let go of all bitteiness, wiath, angei,
clamoi, slanuei, animosity anu malice. I ieceive my foigiveness in
}esus name anu by Bis piecious bloou.
hank You, Fathei, foi setting peison oi peisons anu me fiee
fiom all mental anu emotional toiment. I will not give the uevil an
oppoitunity. I will guaiu my mouth anu let no unwholesome woiu
come foith conceining peison oi peisons. I will speak woius of
life, powei, health anu healing. I will not giieve the Boly Spiiit. I will
be kinu, tenueiheaiteu, foigiving othei people as You have
foigiven me. I will not ietuin evil foi evil, oi insult foi insult, but I
will speak woius of blessing upon peison oi peisons.
I will walk in a mannei woithy of You, Loiu. I will ueteimine to
please You in all my actions anu thoughts. I will beai fiuit in eveiy
goou woik because I am a uoei of Youi Woiu anu not a heaiei
only.
In }esus name, I commanu fieeuom to my bouy, soul, spiiit, family
anu finances, because I am no longei unuei the cuise of the law but
have ieceiveu my libeity.
I ask that the Boly Spiiit iule in my life, beaiing fiuit to please You.
ouay I put off my olu natuie anu put on Youi love, oy, peace,
patience, kinuness, goouness, faithfulness, gentleness anu self-
contiol.
By a choice of my will. I make a fiesh commitment to You, Loiu,
that I will live in peace with the saints anu with my fiienus,
cowoikeis, neighbois anu family.
See Isa. 91,2 Naik 112 Natt. 612,14,1 1821-S 1 Pet.
21,2 1 }ohn 16, ph. 42-S2 1 Pet. S8-12 ol. 11u S1u }as.
122,2 ual. S1S,14 22,2S Rom. 121u,16-18 Phil. 22.
Intercession
}esus, youi gieat high piiest, pioviueu the example of how to inteiceue when
Be was on eaith, anu assuieu you that Be continues to inteiceue even now
in heaven see Beb. 2. heiefoie, when you inteiceue, you aie following
Bis example. he Bible tells you to inteiceue, anu explains why in 1 imothy
2
Fiist of all. then, I uige that entieaties anu piayeis, petitions anu
thanksgivings, be maue on behalf of all men, foi kings anu all who
aie in authoiity, in oiuei that we may leau a tianquil anu quiet life
in all gouliness anu uignity. his is goou anu acceptable in the sight
of uou oui Savioi vv. 1-S.
TYPES OF PRYER 51
Tbe initiotive for intercession comes from 6oJ! As an inteicessoi, you
must be sensitive anu iesponsive to the uiiection of piayei the Boly Spiiit
places on youi heait. When Abiaham was inteiceuing foi the city of Souom,
uou saiu, "Shall I hiue fiom Abiaham what I am about to uo" uen. 181.
Abiaham was tiying to save the whole city, not ust Lot anu his family. uou
communeu with Abiaham as a fiienu.
Inteicession has been uesciibeu as a love iesponse to the piompting of
the Boly Spiiit foi an uigent neeu. It can be a veiy simple ciy to the Loiu foi
someone you love. All Bis chiluien aie calleu to paiticipate in this kinu of
piayei. In ualatians 62 we ieau, "Beai one anotheis buiuens, anu thus fulfill
the law of hiist." uou is pleaseu when you aie a buiuen-beaiei foi otheis,
coming in inteicession on theii behalf.
Baniel 1u iecoius an instance when Baniel ieceiveu a message fiom
uou conceining a gieat conflict between the angelic hosts. he Bebiew woiu
tianslateu "message" is sometimes tianslateu "buiuen." 0ften when uou
gives you a message oi a woiu, theie is a heaviness oi a buiuen placeu upon
you to piay that woiu into action. Sometimes the uiiective will be to piay the
Woiu of uou. At othei times you may be leu to uo waifaie against the enemy
foices. Sometimes inteicession may cause an anguish of heait, oi a wiestling
within youi spiiit.
You must be available to ieceive a piayei message oi piayei buiuen
fiom uou. Anu when the Loiu ieveals Bis seciets to you in this way, it is a
holy tiust uo not take the mattei lightly. If you feel the powei of the Boly
Spiiit moving within youi heait, be obeuient to ciy out to uou on behalf of a
spiiitual leauei, a nation oi an inuiviuual as the Spiiit biings names anu
places to youi minu. ffective piayei iequiies availability, sensitivity anu
obeuience.
Anothei aumonition to inteiceue is founu in 2 hionicles 1S-1
If...Ny people who aie calleu by Ny name humble themselves anu
piay, anu seek Ny face anu tuin fiom theii wickeu ways, then I will
heai fiom heaven, will foigive theii sin, anu will heal theii lanu.
Now Ny eyes shall be open anu Ny eais attentive to the piayei
offeieu in this place.
Bow uo you know what to piay foi he Sciiptuies give you guiuelines,
anu the Boly Spiiit biings to you the most uigent iequests.
Nake me know hy ways, 0 Loiu teach me hy paths. Leau me in
hy tiuth anu teach me, foi hou ait the uou of my salvation foi
hee I wait all the uay Ps. 24,.
he seciet of the Loiu is foi those who feai Bim, anu Be will make
them know Bis covenant Ps. 214.
Begin by asking
Loiu, what uo You want me to piay foi this peison touay
What is on Youi heait
What is the most piessing neeu
Bow uo You want me to inteiceue
You may wonuei. Eow will l know if tbe Eoly Spirit is collinq me to proy!
he Boly Spiiit will show you by woius, messages oi thoughts that stii youi
spiiit. Sometimes these stiiiings will totally suipiise you. See "Beaiing
uous voice," chaptei 4.
he following aie ways to iuentify a call to piay
he Boly Spiiit biings to minu a face, a name, a family, a chuich, a
situation, a nation oi a scene.
uou places a piactical neeu upon youi heait peihaps one you have
obseiveu oi heaiu expiesseu in eveiyuay conveisation. xamples
A fiienu calls iequesting piayei the news meuia aleits you to a
cuiient event you cant get someone off youi minu, etc.
Something you witnesssuch as a cai acciuent, a passing
ambulance, a peison in obvious neeu, someone being abuseu, oi a
ciime taking placepiompts you to piay.
Remembei, inteicession geneially begins anu is enueu by uou. Aftei Be
gives you a subect oi topic to piay about, continue to piay until you feel Be
wants you to move on to something else. ontinue to follow Bis leauing.
Bont be suipiiseu if occasionally you expeiience something unusual oi
unexpecteu, such as laughtei, gioans, weeping oi tiavailing sounus. Paul
aumitteuly piayeu this way, saying, "Ny little chiluien, of whom I tiavail in
biith again until hiist be foimeu in you" ual. 419, }v. hough the
emphasis is not on a tiavailing type of piayei, it uoes sometimes accompany
ueep inteicession. Nany times you may piay in a veiy authoiitative mannei
ovei the piincipalities anu poweis of the evil, unseen woilu. he Boly Spiiit
will set the tone.
When the buiuen foi piayei is lifteu, you may expeiience othei
emotions, such as peace, oy accompanieu with laughtei, oi teais. Regaiuless
of youi feelings, know that youi petitions have toucheu the Fatheis heait.
etition
TYPES OF PRYER 53
Petition is humbly making a foimal iequest oi supplication to beg oi
beseech to one in authoiity. When petitioning, you aie asking the Loiu foi a
specific giant oi benefit, eainestly entieating Bim foi giace, meicy anu favoi
towaiu a paiticulai neeu.
Bow uo you petition the Loiu
You aie to come to the Loiu in chilulike faith with youi specific
iequests, knowing how much Be uesiies to give goou gifts to Bis
chiluien see Natt. 11 Luke 181 }as. 4S.
What aie the conuitions foi asking
Nake suie youi petition is piopeily motivateu anu that it will gloiify
the Loiu see }ohn 141S }as. 42,S. Bo not ask out of sheei
selfishness.
Ask in faith without uoubting. Asking plus believing equals ieceiving
see Natt. 2121.22 Naik 112S Beb. S12 }as. 16.
Ask in accoiuance with Bis will Bis Woiu must be insiue youi heait
see }ohn 1 Rom. 1u8-1u 1 }ohn S18-22 14.1.
Abiue in the tiue vine}esus. Abiuing is a two-way commitment.
You must heai, believe anu uo Bis Woiu then the Fathei, Son anu
Boly Spiiit will make theii aboue in you see }ohn 142S 11-1u.
Beai goou fiuit it must also be lasting. Bis uisciples piove to be goou
fiuit beaieis see Natt. 1-2 11S Luke S8,9 814,1 }ohn
12,16 }uue 12,1S.
Ask in the name of }esus. Be has given you the authoiity to use Bis
name. Bis name has powei on eaith anu in heaven anu hell.
veiything has to bow to Bis name see }ohn 141S 162Sb-24 Phil.
29,1u.
What shoulu I ask foi
Whatsoevei things you uesiie see Naik 1124 }ohn 1414 Phil.
46..
When the Boly Spiiit places a neeu oi uesiie upon youi heait, agiee
with Bim, yielu youi will to Bis anu begin to make youi iequests known to
the Loiu. As you piay anu petition the Loiu, Be will biith a vision mental
impiession within youi heait. his vision will always be in line with uous
Woiu. It must not be otheiwise! See "Beaiing uous voice," chaptei 4.
Petitions must be specific requests! Bannah, the mothei of Samuel,
wanteu a baby with all hei heait, so she petitioneu uou foi a chilu. Not only
uiu Bannah petition uou foi a chilu, but she also askeu specifically foi a son,
making an unselfish vow to give him back to uou foi seivice unto the Loiu.
he Loiu heaiu hei petition, gianteu hei iequest, anu Bannah boie a son
then she was obeuient to fulfill hei vow. Bannah hau liveu with hei
neeu foi a long time but when she expiesseu that neeu alouu,
petitioning the Loiu specifically, with a puie heait, she ieceiveu exactly what
she askeu foi see 1 Sam. 12.
he following aie othei examples of petitions
}acob piayeu foi safety see uen. S29-12.
ing Beekiah askeu uou to spaie his life see 2 ings 2u1-11.
Abiahams seivant piayeu foi success in his task of finuing a wife foi
Isaac see uen. 2412-14.
he blinu man ciieu out to }esus to iegain his sight see Naik 1u1.
uou wants you to petition Bimto ask, to seek, to knock. Be has
piomiseu that if you ask, you will ieceive see Natt. ,8. "Anu this is the
confiuence which we have befoie Bim, that, if we ask anything accoiuing to
Bis will, Be heais us. Anu if we know that Be heais us in whatevei we ask,
we know that we have the iequests petitions which we have askeu fiom
Bim" 1 }ohn 14,1. It is the Loius pleasuie to answei piayei. It gloiifies
Bim to fulfill youi iequest }ohn 141S. But Be wants you to uo youi pait
to ask, to petition anu to be specific in piayei.
Unanswered rayers
I am fiequently askeu, "Why uiu my piayei go unansweieu" uite often
that means, "Why wasnt my piayei answeieu the way I wanteu it" oi "I
know uou can, but why hasnt Be"
We uo not have all the ieasons foi unansweieu piayei, but we uo have
some of them baseu on the Woiu of uou. In this section I will concentiate on
1u ieasons. 0ften a negative statement can iesult in a positive answei, which
is the methou being useu heie
1. Not fellowsbippinq with uou. veiy believei is calleu to fellowship
with uou, accoiuing to 1 oiinthians 19.
"Fellowship" means "to have companionship, paitneiship,
communion to simply spenu time with." A "call" means "a
summons, a iequest oi an invitation." }esus moueleu this call to
fellowship by going to the mountain to piay all night, especially
when making maoi uecisions see Luke 612,1S.
2. ot proyinq to tbe Iotber in }esus' nome }esus instiucteu Bis
uisciples to piay in Bis name, a uiiective that is as appiopiiate
touay as it was when Be fiist spoke it see }ohn 116. his is a
TYPES OF PRYER 55
simple tiuth, but one that not all hiistians follow.
S. ot oskinq, or oskinq witb wronq motives Some people believe uou
is too busy to heai theii little piayeis. But Be says that whatevei
you ask, Be heais. uou wants moie than youi gioceiy list. Be
wants to uine with you. hese tiuths aie summeu up in }ames
42,S anu Revelation S2u.
4. ot oskinq occorJinq to 6oJ's will uous will is leaineu by ieauing
anu heaiing the Woiu of uou, anu spenuing time with Bim.
Salvation, foi example, is explicit in uous Woiu. Nen of uou in the
Bible knew Bis will when they piayeu. Noses in xouus S211-14
is a goou example. Also ieau 1 }ohn 14,1.
. ot bovinq 6oJ's WorJ in you }esus saiu in }ohn 1, "If you abiue
in Ne, anu Ny woius abiue in you, ask whatevei you wish, anu it
shall be uone foi you." Listening to the Bible on cassette tape is an
excellent way to memoiie Bis Woiu, even playing it all night
alongsiue youi beu.
6. Boubt onJ unbelief }ames 1-8 tells you to ask uou in faith without
uoubting. }esus instiucteu Bis followeis to believe foi what they
piayeu so they woulu ieceive. liah the piophet, a man with a
natuie like ouis, won gieat victoiies when he piayeu see 1 ings
18, then ian fiom one woman when uoubt set in see 1 ings 19.
. osinq beort or qivinq up Nany piayeis aie not answeieu
affiimatively because someone loses heait oi gives up. his is best
expiesseu in Luke 181 Amp. when }esus says that we "ought
always to piay anu not to tuin cowaiu faint, lose heait, give up."
In the veises following that chaptei, the wiuow ieceiveu because
she kept asking.
8. ot beinq in oqreement }esus spoke on agieement in Natthew
1819 "Again I say to you, that if two of you agiee on eaith about
anything that they may ask, it shall be uone foi them by Ny Fathei
who is in heaven." he maiiiage agieement is the stiongest on
eaith. Stiife anu contention aie contiaiy to agieement anu will
hinuei piayeis.
9. 0nforqiveness 0ne of the stiongest statements by }esus follows
what is commonly calleu he Loius Piayei. In Natthew 614,1
Be says, "Foi if you foigive men foi theii tiansgiessions, youi
heavenly Fathei will also foigive you. But if you uo not foigive men,
then youi Fathei will not foigive youi tiansgiessions." Anu uiu
}esus mean 49u times in Natthew 1821,22 onsistent
foigiveness means you wipe the slate clean anu begin again at the
count of one. uou will not iemembei youi sins when foigiveness is
askeu see Isa. 4S2.
1u. ot qivinq titbes onJ offerinqs ithing was iequiieu in the 0lu
estament, anu the piinciple of giving abunuantly can be founu in
the New estamentthe eaily believeis weie willing to give all
see Acts 244-4 anu 4S2-S. }esus hau much to say about
giving, anu the blessings that come fiom giving. Im often askeu,
"Bo we give off the gioss oi the net" he answei is simple Bo you
want a gioss oi a net blessing
In conclusion, the following aie moie ieasons that piayeis go
unansweieu, which if they apply, you may want to stuuy fuithei
Bisobeuience see Beut. 142-4 Isa. 119,2u Beb. 46
Pieuuice anu hate see Piov. 2624-28 1 }ohn 29-12 S1-22
niepenteu sin see Pss. 1912.1S 6618 Isa. 91.2
0veiinuulgence oi not caiing foi youi bouy, which is uous temple
see Piov. 2S1-8 Luke 21S4 1 oi. S16
ouching attacking uous anointeu see 1 Sam. 26-11 Ps.
1u1
Feai see Ps. 64,11 Piov. 292 1 }ohn 418
Not examining youiself befoie communion see 1 oi. 112-S1
Bespising uous Woiu see Piov. 289
Inuiffeience see Piov. 124-28
Neglect of meicy see Piov. 211S
Not honoiing one anothei see Beut. 16 1 Pet. S
Iuolatiy, which is anything you woiship above uou see Beut. }osh.
ek. 14S
Speaking evil of biethien see ual. 26 }as. 411 9.
II. Hearing rom
Cod
Biaw neai to uou anu Be will uiaw neai to you.
}omes :
ommunication is the life-giving bloou that sustains all ielationships.
Without bloou, the bouy uies without communication, ielationships uie.
When we communicate, we listen with oui heaits to the one who is speaking
anu then iesponu. o know anu iecognie a peisons voice, you must spenu
time with that peison.
Aftei 4S yeais of maiiiage, I have spent so much time with Floyu that I
can usually ieau his bouy language befoie he opens his mouth to speak. I
know Floyus voice I also know his ways. Foi example, when Floyu is going
to bioach a seiious subect with me, he swallows thiee times. When hes
iiiitateu, my name is stietcheu ovei a long exan pause...Beetthhhhhthis
piepaies me foi whats coming next. I can iuentify his footsteps befoie he
even enteis the ioom. Anu the way he fluffs his pillow at night tells me we
neeu to talk. Yes, I know Floyu.
Similaily, we can know uou. We know Bim thiough the peison of the
Boly Spiiit. We leain Bis voice by spenuing time in piayei, anu we leain Bis
ways by stuuying Bis Woiu. We aie nevei too young oi too olu to know uou.
When my gianuson hiistophei was small, I woulu spenu time talking
to him about the Boly Spiiit anu how the Boly Spiiit lives within him. 0ne
uay aftei ietuining fiom a tiip to ueimany, I pickeu up hiistophei anu took
him with me to iun some eiianus. When we aiiiveu at my office, the
secietaiy gave him some chewing gum then we stoppeu at the tiavel
agency, anu the tiavel agent gave him some canuy. As we ciosseu the
paiking lot, I noticeu his little cheeks weie so stuffeu with goouies that he
lookeu like a chipmunk stoiing up foi wintei.
It was a scoiching summei uay anu the exas sun hau tuineu my
boiioweu cai into a slow baking oven. As I began to fasten hiistophei into
his seat, I iealieu that not only hau all the canuy been consumeu, but all
eviuence of the gum hau also uisappeaieu. I thought 0b no, l bope be JiJn't
leove tbot qum on the seot of my Jeor frienJ's new cor!
I askeu, "hiistophei, what happeneu to youi chewing gum"
Be ieplieu, "You know."
o which I iesponueu, "No, I uont know."
Be insisteu again, "Yes, you know, Nonnie."
Anu again I iesponueu, "No, hiistophei. I uont know. What uiu you uo
with that gum"
"I swalloweu it!" he exclaimeu.
"Why uiu you uo that" I askeu.
Be innocently explaineu, "You see, Nonnie, }esus lives insiue of me anu
Be wanteu to chew it foi a while. You know, Nonnie, sometimes Be talks,
sometimes Be sings, anu sometimes Be ust wants to chew gum!"
Cod Is Not a Silent Friend
uou wants to speak to you peisonally Be wants you to heai Bis voice see
}ohn 1uS-. Biawing neai to the Loiu opens the uooi foi Bim to fellowship
anu communicate with you. Bis uesiie is to teach you see Ps. S28. leau you
into the tiuth, anu show you things to come see }ohn 161S-1.
he Loiu speaks to you thiough the peison of the Boly Spiiit see ek.
S62 }ohn 1416.1. }esus calls Bim the ounseloi see Isa. 96 }ohn
1416,1 2 im. S16. he woiu "counseloi" comes fiom the uieek woiu
porokletos, which liteially means "one calleu alongsiue to help." It also
means "comfoitei, stiengthenei, helpei, auvisoi, auvocate, inteicessoi, ally
anu fiienu." You neeu not be afiaiu to tiust the voice of the Boly Spiiit Be
nevei moves outsiue of the chaiactei of the Loiu anu is always in haimony
with the Woiu of uou. Be is youi fiienu who is calleu to walk besiue you anu
communicate with you. Bis is not a silent fiienuship see Pss. 281 SS
}ohn 1249 1426.
HERIG GOD'S VOICE 61
0oJ leuJx Sutun Jrlvex. 0oJ convlctx Sutun
conJemnx unJ brlngx gullt. 0oJ woox Sutun
tugx hurJ.
uou wants to instiuct you anu give answeis to youi questions see Pss.
212 119169. You cannot uepenu on anothei peison to heai Bim foi you.
Beaiing the Loius voice becomes an eveiyuay occuiience as you willingly
spenu time with Bim anu stuuy Bis Woiu by meuitating upon anu
memoiiing Sciiptuie see }osh. 18 Ps. 11911,16. hen when you heai Bis
voice, you know that it is the Loiu because it is in agieement with the Woiu
of uou. he moie you know Bis Woiu, the moie you will also unueistanu Bis
chaiactei anu Bis ways see xou. SS1S Pss. 24 1uS.
0ne test to ueteimine whethei you aie heaiing the Boly Spiiit is to ask
Is the voice gently leauing, oi is it commanuing anu haish uous voice gently
guiues anu encouiages, giving hope see Ps. 18S Isa. 4u11 }as. S1. uou
leaus Satan uiives see }ohn 1u4,1u. uou convicts Satan conuemns anu
biings guilt see }ohn 168-11 Rev. 121u. uou woos Satan tugs haiu. When
uou speaks. Be uoes not use feai to motivate. If feai oveicomes you. it is the
enemy speaking, not uou see 2 im. 1.
Pioveibs 42u,21 says, "Ny son oi uaughtei, give attention to my
woius incline youi eai to my sayings. Bo not let them uepait fiom youi
sight keep them in the miust of youi heait."
Listening: A Key art o Intercession
Nany times you anu I uont heai uous uiiective because we have not
inclineu oui eai to Bim. he pieiequisite to heaiing is listening! 0ften we aie
so busy talking ouiselves that we cant possibly heai Bim. Anu yet. Be wants
us to be so attuneu to Bis voice that we can even heai Bim in the miust of a
ciowu. Someone has saiu that we have one mouth anu two eais because we
neeu to listen twice as much as we speak.
Anu as we listen, we finu that uous tone of voice changes ust like ouis
uoes. Sometimes the Loiu speaks with a louu thunuei othei times Be
speaks in a still small voice. he Woiu commanus us to keep on the aleit
keep watching anu waiting. When Be calls us to inteiceue foi someone, the
Boly Spiiit will ieveal stiongholus, special buiuens, battle plans of the
enemy, actions to take anu piayei stiategies. We must leain to iuentify Bis
voice anu to be sensitive to iesponuing quickly. Remembei, listening gets
bettei as intimacy ueepens. Anu know that even close ielationships have
times of silence.
When uou is silent, keep waiting in faith anu uo not allow the enemy to
cause you to succumb to unbelief see Beb. 411 1 Pet 418,19. Focus on
uous faithfulness anu othei positive attiibutes while you aie waiting Pss.
SS18 S6 S,S4 14S1 Lam. S2,26 Phil. 48.
uous people neeunt think that listening to Bim is something uifficult oi
only foi the veiy "spiiitual" oi "matuie." ven in the eaily months of infancy,
a chilu leains to iecognie the voice of the one who caies foi it. he moie
time you spenu with the Loiu in total tiust, ust like a chilu, the moie cleaily
you will iecognie Bis voice. he ability to communicate incieases with
matuiity. You neeu to make time to listen to the ing of kings, concentiating
on what Be is saying.
}esus gave you Bis woiu that Bis sheep will heai Bis voice see }ohn
1u2. You aie one of Bis sheep, anu as long as you aie pait of the folu, you
WILL heai Bis voice
Be who is of uou heais the woius of uou }ohn 84.
How Does Cod Speak?
*uou spoke to me" is one of the most misunueistoou phiases among Bis
people it can cieate an atmospheie of misunueistanuing, confusion, huit,
ieection, ealousy, piiue anu othei negative iesponses. Peihaps you have
iun into someone who feels he oi she has an euge on heaiing fiom uou anu
that eveiyone must accept what he oi she is saying. If you aie unfamiliai
with the phiase *uou tolu me," oi you uo not unueistanu how to heai uous
voice, you might feel infeiioi, thinking uou nevei speaks to you.
Fiist, unueistanu that uou RARLY speaks in an auuible voice. his can
happen, but it is not the noimal way in which uou speaks to people. uou is
Spiiit anu communicates with you thiough Bis Boly Spiiit within you. }ohn
14 says
"Anu I will ask the Fathei, anu Be will give you anothei Belpei, that
Be may be with you foievei that is the Spiiit of tiuth, whom the
woilu cannot ieceive, because it uoes not beholu Bim oi know
Bim. but you know Bim because Be abiues with you, anu will be in
you. In that uay you shall know that I am in Ny Fathei, anu you in
Ne, anu I in you....If anyone loves Ne. he will keep Ny woiu anu Ny
Fathei will love him, anu We will come to him, anu make 0ui
aboue in him you. But the Belpei, the Boly Spiiit, whom the
Fathei will senu in Ny name, Be will teach you all things, anu biing
to youi iemembiance all that I have saiu to you" vv.
16.1.2u,2S,26.
Tbe Tbeater o Your Mind
You may be wonueiing, If 6oJ Joes not speak auuibly, how uoes Be speak
Be speaks thiough the Boly Spiiit in the theatei of youi minu anu thiough
spiiitual heaiingin the same way you use youi natuial minu anu heaiing.
You uo not think in woius you think in pictuies. Imagine a fiienu
saying to you. "You shoulu have seen om youi best fiienu on the stieet
coinei yesteiuay with his little giil. hey weie shaiing about }esus, anu his
uaughtei sang }esus Loves Ne in such a special way." As you weie being
tolu, you coulu see om anu his little giil shaiing anu singing. You coulu
pictuie it in the theatei of youi minu anu heai it with youi innei eai because
you know them both so well.
If you hau ust become engageu anu wanteu to tell youi family, you
woulu piobably ieheaise the situation again anu again in the theatei of youi
minu, seeing anu heaiing eveiyones ieaction.
Suppose someone talking to you saiu the woiu "man," then "woman,"
then "house." In the theatei of youi minu, you woulu not see the letteis m-a-
n, etc. You woulu see an impiession of a man, woman oi house. Now lets
change those same woius to "my fathei," "my mothei" anu "my house."
hese woius biing a totally uiffeient impiession to youi minu. Who uo you
love most in the whole woilu Now the pictuie is entiiely uiffeient hink
back to a memoiable expeiience that you anu youi favoiite peison shaieu.
You uo not see woius, but iathei an actual expeiience which has been
inuelibly impiinteu upon youi minu you can heai anu see what was saiu
anu uone. You uo not actually heai oi see, but because this peison is so
special to you anu the expeiience so piofounu, you can ielive it again anu
again.
It is the same with the Loiu. When you begin to spenu time with Bim
anu meuitate on Bis Woiu, you, too. will see anu heai Bim anu know Bim.
even bettei than the peison you love most in the woilu. ime set apait foi
the Loiu natuially uevelops into an intimate, loving ielationship between
you anu }esus. You have piobably heaiu Bis voice many times, anu
unuoubteuly the Boly Spiiit has given you impiessions oi pictuies which
you uiu not iealie weie fiom Bim. 0ften men iefei to the Boly Spiiits
impiessions as a "gut feeling" anu women call it "a ueep innei sense oi innei
knowing." I cannot oveiemphasie the fact that the Boly Spiiit NvR
speaks to you contiaiy to the Woiu.
Testing tbe Spoken ord
If you ieceive a woiu anu you aie not suie whethei it came fiom uou, self oi
the enemy, fiist, seaich the Sciiptuie to see what the Bible has to say about it.
You might want to stait with a goou concoiuance anu look up the woius oi
woiu pictuies as you ieceive them.
Lets consiuei the example of my call to piayei. I heaiu "liabeth, I
have neeu of you." I began to meuitate on each woiu the Loiu spoke.
0bviously, I knew my own name, anu the woiu "I" meant B L0RB,
the I AN. "Bave" means now, oi it coulu mean in tbe future But what uiu
}esus have neeu of uoing to the concoiuance, I lookeu up "neeu" heie I
founu that }esus hau neeu of only one thinga uonkey.
What then I went to an encyclopeuia anu ieau about a uonkey. he
encyclopeuia saiu that a uonkey is a buiuen beaiei that caiiies a weight
many times gieatei than its sie. Sometimes it caiiies the man sometimes it
caiiies the mans buiuen. Anu often it walks alongsiue the man.
Was the Loiu calling me into inteicession to help caiiy a man oi a
mans buiuen It was some time befoie this was confiimeu anu I iealieu
uou was calling me to caiiy both the man anu the buiuen at vaiious times in
piayei.
Cuidelines or Hearing tbe oice o Cod
Satan uoes not want you to heai uous voice because youi paitneiship with
the Loiu can wieak havoc on his kinguom. nowing that you will have to
fight the enemy as you entei into youi time alone with uou will help you to
stay tiue to youi commitment. he following guiuelines aie tools to help you
win the battle
Binu the voice of the enemy. When you piay, Satan will tiy to
inteifeie. So befoie you stait to piay, binu his voice. Bo this in the
name of }esus. hen tiust the Boly Spiiit. Be will leau you anu guiue
you into ALL tiuth. See Natt. 1619 }ohn 1426 126,2 161S-1
}as. 4,8 1 Pet. 8,9.
Submit youi own will anu ieasoning to the Boly Spiiit. Nany times
youi own will anu ieasoning get in the way of what the Spiiit of the
Loiu wants to shaie with you oi communicate to you. iust in the
Loiu with all youi heait anu lean not on youi own unueistanuing.
See Ps. 1191u4,12 Piov. S 16S 1 oi. 2.14-16 }as. 4,8.
uin off youi own pioblems. his isnt always easy, but it is
necessaiy to tiue communication. oncentiating on youi own
pioblems foims a "static" that can inteifeie anu biing confusion,
causing a mixtuie of inteipietation. See Pss. S 42 4S Piov.
S 14Su Isa. 26S Phil. 24 46, 1 Pet. .
uive youi unuiviueu attention to uous Woiu. Focus youi minu on
what Be is saying heaiing is passive, while listening is active. his
will iequiie mental effoit anu attention. Satan will fight you on this
because the moie ievelation of uous Woiu you have, the moie of a
thieat you will be to the kinguom of uaikness. See Ps. S Piov.
44.2u,2S 1 oi. 21u-12 2 oi. 1u.
Limit youi own talking. Aftei you have petitioneu the Loiu, take time
to be still anu wait upon Bim. You uo this in the same way you woulu
caiiy on a conveisation with a piecious fiienu. See Num. 98 Pss.
1828 214 S124 S Song of Sol. 214.
Wiite it uown. Listen to youi innei thoughts anu iueas. he Spiiit of
the Loiu will speak to you thiough impiessions oi pictuies in the
theatei of youi minu. When this happens, wiite them uown, because
with time theie is a tenuency to foiget. Anu the Loiu might want to
auu moie latei. Soon you will begin to see that what you have
wiitten fits into a pattein. As you continue to piay anu see the
answeis to youi piayeis, ceitain pictuies will take on a special
meaning foi you. See xou. 114 ss. 16 S68b,9 S 6
Piov. 91u 16S,9 1 oi. 29-16.
Bont aigue mentally. When the Spiiit of the Loiu speaks, you may
tenu to aigue with youiself anu say, hats just me, oi my
imoqinotion But as you check youi wiitten notes, uou will give you
confiimation fiom pievious times with Bim, oi Be coulu be giving
auuitional "witness" to Bis futuie plans. See Isa. 461u.11 }ohn
161S 1 oi. 2.-16 2 oi. 1S1b Phil. 2.
Wait upon the Loiu foi the inteipietation. Bont tiy to figuie out
impiessions when you ieceive them. Wait upon the timing anu
wisuom of the Loiu See Pss. 214 S Piov. 26 16S Ban.
222,2S,28,Su }ohn 1u4 ph. 11 ol. 19.
Bont get aheau of oi lag behinu the Boly Spiiit 0ften when the
Loiu shows oi tells us something we get so exciteu that we iun anu
shaie it but the Spiiit of the Loiu isnt finisheu with us yet Let Bim
uevelop the thoughts Be gives you wait until you know Be is
thiough. Bont tiy to make things happen. Pioveibs 169 says, "he
minu of man plans his way, but the Loiu uiiects his steps." See }ei.
1u2S I oi. 4a 2 oi. 46 2 Pet S9a.
Be tiustwoithy. he Loiu will shaie with you ust as you shaie with
a fiienu Be expects the same fiom you that you expect out of the one
with whom you shaie youi peisonal confiuences. he moie Be can
tiust you with ueep anu intimate things, the moie Be will entiust to
you. See uen. 181-19 Num. 12.8 Ps. 214 Isa. 4S.
he Boly Spiiit speaks thiough music. heie aie times in the
moinings when you wake up with a song on youi heait, such as
"0nly Believe." Listen to the woius uuiing the uay it coulu be the
veiy key you will neeu to builu youi faith anu leau you to victoiy.
See xou. 11 2 hion. 2u21,22 Pss. S2b 4uS 428 1S8
ph. 19 ol. S16.
Pay attention to youi uieams. he Loiu often speaks in uieams anu
visions woiu pictuies. ventually these uieams will fit into a
pattein, anu ceitain pictuies oi ciicumstances will begin to mean
something which will help you to inteipiet what you have uieameu.
Not all uieams aie of uou those that aie will stanu out anu will leave
a ueepei impiession on you. You will be able to iemembei them
beyonu ust waking up in the moining. Remembei to wiite them
uown this is the only way you will be able to iecall the uetails. ven
if you uont unueistanu the uieam, wiite uown what you think it
means to you. See "}ouinaling Recoiuing What You Beai." chaptei
6. See }ob SS14-16 Ban. 219-2S 418 1,2.,1S 921.22
1u14,21 Natt. 12u 21S.
Bont be afiaiu of silence. Sometimes the Loiu is silent. Bont become
upset if you uont heai anything when you piay. 0ften the Boly Spiiit
ust wants to woiship the Loiu. When you have youi heait clean
befoie Bim. then theie is nothing wiong. Be ust uesiies that you
come anu bask in Bis piesence because you love Bim anu want to be
with Bim. Be still anu know that Be is uou. See Pss. 411 461u
969 Song of Sol. 14 Isa. 122.S Su1 u1u.
he Boly Spiiit is the 0ne who leaus us into uous tiuth. Anu when the
Boly Spiiit speaks, Bis voice is unique to each inuiviuual. hus, the moie you
unueistanu the Boly Spiiits peisonality thiough you anu otheis, the moie
cleaily you will be able to uiscein uous tiuth.
Now theie aie vaiieties of gifts, but the same Spiiit. Anu
theie aie vaiieties of ministiies, anu the same Loiu. Anu
theie aie vaiieties of effects, but the same uou who
woiks all things in all peisons. 1 oiinthians 2:
he Boly Spiiits peisonality has many facets. Be is a peison, anu ust as you
anu I expeiience uiffeient emotions anu expiess ouiselves in uiveise ways,
so uoes the Boly Spiiit. But Be nevei moves outsiue of uous Woiu, oi exalts
oi calls attention to the flesh.
When I was taught this tiuth in Bible school, I began to unueistanu the
peisonality of the Boly Spiiit in a whole new way. I also began to unueistanu
why people have so many uiffeient iesponses uuiing a woiship seivice, a
piayei gioup oi any othei meeting.
Bave you evei been in a seivice wheie the powei of the Boly Spiiit was
so piesent anu sweet that you felt like eveiyone shoulu ust be still,
ieveiencing the Loiu hen you tuineu to the peison stanuing next to you
anu iealieu that he. insteau, was full of oy anu excitement. Be ust wanteu
to sing, clap oi move about. Anu you wanteu to say, "Shh, uont you know
that the piesence of the Loiu is in this place" Be, on the othei hanu, uiunt
unueistanu why you weie so sombei. Peihaps both of you thought the othei
was missing the move of the Spiiit howevei, the Boly Spiiit was opeiating in
a uiffeient facet thiough each of you.
Isnt this contiaiy to the chaiactei anu haimony of the Loiu No! Foi
example, men anu women in the huich uo not all look alike, uiess alike, talk
alike oi act alike. Neithei uo they act oi look the same eveiy uay they change
uay to uay. he same is tiue with the Spiiit of the Loiu in you. As you yielu to
Bim, the Boly Spiiit will choose to move thiough you as Be uesiies.
Tbe Facets o tbe Holy Spirit
Because the Boly Spiiit is a peison, Be has many facets to Bis
peisonality. We coulu spenu the iemainuei of this book stuuying the
numeious tiaits within Bis chaiactei howevei, in this chaptei we will
exploie only eight.
onvicting oi pleauing. }ohn 168,9 says that "Be the Boly Spiiit,
when Be comes, will convict the woilu conceining sin. anu
iighteousness, anu uugment conceining sin, because they uo not
believe in Ne." It is this facet that uiaws a peison to }esus. he Boly
Spiiit keeps Bis fingei on what is wiong until the issue is settleu. Be
often opeiates this way in chuich seivices.
Billy uiaham iepoiteuly tolu a gioup of ministeis in
uieensboio, Noith aiolina, when askeu, What is the seciet
to youi ministiy "If theie is a seciet to my ministiy, it is not
my seciet, it is the seciet of the Boly Spiiit. heie aie two
things that I iely on heavilyfiist is the convicting powei of
the Boly Spiiit, anu seconu, I say the Bible says."
onviction can be a beautiful thing, but it can also be veiy
painful. When the conviction of the Boly Spiiit moves upon a peison,
many emotions aie aiouseu. Bont inteiiupt when the Boly Spiiit is
uealing with someone wait upon the timing of the Loiu. Piay anu
lenu youiself as an assistant to Bim.
Ive nevei met anyone with whom uou is uealing who uoes not
become obnoxious. nfoitunately thats when we often blow it
because we ieact in a like mannei.
leansing. he censoiial natuie of the Boly Spiiit is the holy ciy
iighteous inuignation within you that causes you to hate sin oi to
take authoiity ovei the uevil. he Spiiit of the Loiu iises up within
you anu causes you to hate the sin that uestioys the people of uou
his is the facet of the Boly Spiiit that }esus opeiateu in when Be
cleanseu the emple
Anu they came to }eiusalem. Anu Be enteieu the temple anu began
DERSTDIG THE HOLY SPIRIT 69
to cast out those who weie buying anu selling in the temple, anu
oveituineu the tables of the moneychangeis anu the seats of those
who weie selling uoves anu Be woulu not peimit anyone to caiiy
goous thiough the temple. Anu Be began to teach anu say to them,
"Is it not wiitten, Ny house shall be calleu a house of piayei foi all
the nations But you have maue it a iobbeis uen" Naik 111-
1.
}esus was angiy at the sin committeu against the physical
temple of uou, not at the people. It is the same touay, only now Bis
chiluien aie the temple of the living uouone not maue of stone.
ouay when the Loiu uesiies to cleanse Bis temples people, Be
moves thiough the cleansing powei of the Boly Spiiit.
Paul tells us in phesians 426,2 to "be angiy, anu yet uo not
sin-, uo not let the sun go uown on youi angei, anu uo not give the
uevil an oppoitunity." When the Boly Spiiit moves thiough you in
such a way, you will expeiience uous angei thiough iighteous
inuignation, anu yet not sin against the Loiu. his kinu of angei uoes
not give place to Satan it has an exact opposite effect.
A well-known Bible teachei uesciibes iighteous inuignation in
this way "It is the Boly ciy of the innei man by the Boly Spiiit
wheieby the Spiiit of uou anu the spiiit of man in union ciy out
against that which is immoial, sinful, unust anu uestiuctive to uous
kinguom anu to the bouy, soul anu spiiit of man."
his facet of the Boly Spiiit not only moves in iighteous
inuignation against the sinful natuie of otheis but also against that
which is sinful in you It can be painful when the Spiiit of the Loiu
begins to ueal with youi own natuie in those things that aie not
pleasing to Bim. As you allow Bis Spiiit to uiive out that which is
unholy anu uniighteous within you, you too will expeiience Bis
cleansing powei anu this facet of Bis peisonality.
ommunion. his facet of the Boly Spiiit uesiies a time of
communion anu fellowship with you ommunion is the exchanging
of iueas, opinions, thoughts oi feelings. he woiu "communion"
inteichanges with the woiu "communicate." he Loiu wants you to
come into Bis piesence Be wants to shaie with you what is in Bis
heait, anu to heai what is on youis. In }ohn 1, }esus piays what is
known as the Bigh Piiestly piayei. Be piays to the Fathei foi us to
have the communion anu fellowship with each othei that hey
shaieu
"I uo not ask in behalf of these alone, but foi those also who all
believe in Ne thiough theii woiu that they may all be one even as
hou. Fathei, ait in Ne, anu I in hee" vv. 2u,21.
heie aie times when the Loiu ust wants to commune with
you. Be uoes this thiough many avenues, such as piayei, piaise,
woiship, meuitation anu the stuuy of uous Woiu. Anu the moie you
commune with Bim, the moie you will know Bim anu the othei
facets of the Boly Spiiits peisonality.
ompassionate. ompassion is a facet of the Loiu that caiiies with it
an innei emotion. In uieek "to have compassion" liteially means to
have the bowels yeain...a yeaining ueep within the intestine. his is
moie than ust a sympathetic concein it cieates an iuentity ueep
within that biings about the miiaculous.
veiy place in Sciiptuie stating that }esus was "filleu with
compassion" biings with it a uemonstiation of the powei of uou foi
miiacles. }esus hau compassion foi the hungiy anu feu them all Be
healeu the blinu, iaiseu the ueau, cast out uemons anu cleanseu the
lepei. }esus was always toucheu by the Spiiit of ompassion when
Be saw Bis people like sheep without a shepheiu. See Natt. 9S6
1414 1S2 2uS4 Naik 1.41 6S4 82 anu Luke 1S.
ounseling. }esus saiu it woulu be auvantageous that Be go away
anu that Be senu a ounseloi Belpei to leau you anu guiue you
into all tiuth. he Boly Spiiit will not speak on Bis own authoiity, but
whatevei Be heais, Be will speak see }ohn 16. he Boly Spiiit will
teach anu instiuct thiough you.
A counseloi not only gives auvice but also exchanges opinions
anu iueas with you, helping you to ieach a uecision oi set a uiiection.
Be is one calleu alongsiue to help.
his facet of the Boly Spiiit counsels you anu speaks thiough
you to help you counsel otheis. Bave you evei been to lunch with
someone who hau a pioblem oi neeu You openeu youi mouth, anu
out came wisuom that even you maiveleu at. You weie such a help
to that peison, you ueciueu to meet the following week anu talk
again. But the next week the same wisuom anu counsel weie not
theie. What happeneu he powei of the Boly Spiiit was piesent the
fiist time, but the next week Be uiu not come in the same way
But the omfoitei ounseloi, Belpei, Inteicessoi, Auvocate,
Stiengthenei, Stanuby, the Boly Spiiit, Whom the Fathei will senu
in Ny name in Ny place, to iepiesent Ne anu act on Ny behalf, Be
will teach you all things. Anu Be will cause you to iecall will
ieminu you of, biing to youi iemembiance eveiything I have tolu
you }ohn 1426, Amp
ommanuing. his is the pieemptoiy facet of the Loiu. Bis
commanu teiminates all uebate oi action. Websteis Bictionaiy says,
"...implies authoiity, powei to contiol, anu to iequiie obeuience." In
uieek it means "to appoint oi place appiopiiately, to appoint ovei
anu to put in chaige."
}esus was in a boat with Bis uisciples, anu a stoim began to iage.
Bis uisciples became afiaiu anu woke }esus up because they thought
they weie peiishing. }esus commonJeJ the stoim to cease.
Anu they his uisciples came to Bim anu woke Bim up, saying,
"Nastei, Nastei, we aie peiishing!" Anu being aiouseu, Be
iebukeu the winu anu the suiging waves, anu they stoppeu, anu it
became calm. Anu Be saiu to them, "Wheie is youi faith" Anu they
weie feaiful anu amaeu, saying to one anothei, "Who then is this,
that Be commanus even the winus anu the watei, anu they obey
Bim" Luke 824,2.
When you issue a commanu in the powei of the Spiiit of the
Loiu, you have the authoiity. You uont have to ask foi it oi uemanu
it it is youis by viitue of the Spiiit of uou. You cannot issue a
commanu anu expect iesults unless the Spiiit of the Loiu so uiiects.
Piayei is an impoitant pait of knowing the will of uou. When Paul
fasteu, the Loiu gave the instiuctions.
heie aie many places in the Woiu wheie the Spiiit of the Loiu
spoke a commanu anu otheis obeyeu, both in the spiiit woilu anu in
the natuial. }esus commanueu the spiiits to leave, while Paul
commanueu the people not to leave the ship when it appeaieu to be
sinking.
onqueiing. his facet of the Boly Spiiit is the oveicoming powei of
the Loiu, that which causes you to be victoiious. It is also the oy,
tiiumph anu exultation that comes foith when you know a victoiy
has been won.
his is what the Loiu gave Baviu when he oveicame uoliath. Be
knew who he was in the Loiu, anu he went foith to conquei
without feai oi uoubt see 1 Sam. 1.
he oy of conqueiing was felt when Noses, Niiiam anu the
chiluien of Isiael sang the song of ueliveiance when they oveicame
the gyptians see xou. 1.
heie aie many examples in the Woiu of the conqueiing facet
of the Boly Spiiit. Anu this we know We aie moie than conqueiois
in Bim.
onceit. When the Loiu is moving in this facet. Be moves thiough a
melouy within youi heait. he uictionaiy uesciibes a conceit as "An
agieement of two oi moie in a uesign oi plan union foimeu by
mutual communication of opinions anu views haimony."
In this facet the Loiu will biing comfoit, oy, peace, uiiection,
guiuance, etc. Songs have ministeieu comfoit anu victoiy in times of
giief, such as the song, "It Is Well with Ny Soul." It might come in the
foim of a choius, song, poetiy oi melouy you aie familiai with oi it
coulu come "hot off the piess" fiom the Loiu. You will see this facet
woik in haimony with all the othei facets of the Spiiit in a special
way see xou. 11 Pss. S2 14 Acts 162 }as. 1S.
Now you will be able to appieciate the uiffeient iesponses you obseive
in hiistian gatheiings. Its exciting to watch the Spiiit of the Loiu move
uiffeiently in anu thiough one anothei. Follow the Loius leauing in youi
own heait anu let Bim move thiough each peison as Be wills.
rove All Tbings
As you aie leaining to heai the Loius voice, you must also leain to piove
test anu examine all things
But examine eveiything caiefully holu fast to that which is goou 1
hess. 21.
When you heai the voice of the Loiu, uont iely on youi feelings anu
opinions. What you heai must be in line with uous Woiu anu Bis chaiactei.
he Boly Spiiit will nevei oveiiule what the Woiu of uou has spoken anu
ueclaieu to be tiue.
he following aie a few ways to piove oi test what you ieceive, oi what
is being saiu to you by otheis. Remembei, this a leaining piocess.
Bistinguishing tiuth will become easiei as you matuie spiiitually, anu Bis
Woiu anu ways become ieal to you. his is by no means all inclusive but a
simple guiue to follow, anu it may help to keep you fiom eiioi.
Never look to man, but to )esus. Nevei look to anothei peison oi
seek woius oi confiimation fiom that inuiviuual. Nany times uou
will use someone to confiim what Be has spoken, but it will come to
you unsoliciteu. It will be given in a mannei of humility, anu the
peison giving it will not seek self-affiimation. See Ps. 119.1.
Never set a time limit. uous time anu youi time aie not the same.
heie aie piophetic woius in the Bible that have not yet been
fulfilleu, but because the Loiu has spoken them, they will come to
pass. When you ieceive something fiom the Loiu, it will be in Bis
timing, so uont give up. See 1 hion. 111.12 ccles. S11 Isa. 22
461u,11 Acts 1 1128 Rev. 11.
Always conirm anytbing you receive witb tbe ord o Cod. he
Loiu will nevei tell you anything outsiue the bounus of Bis Woiu.
ven if what you heai is exactly what you aie looking foi anu
confiims what you thought the Loiu saiu, if it uoesnt agiee with the
Woiu of uou, thiow it away. It will only leau you into ueception. See
2 im. S16,1.
Don't take Scriptures out o context. Look at the total meaning to
avoiu huiting oi ueceiving youiself oi otheis. Nany times people not
only take Sciiptuie out of context, but they also use Sciiptuie in pait
to "confiim" what they want oi make it fit theii situation oi
ciicumstance. uou uoes use Sciiptuie to confiim, but not out of
context. You must leain to uuge accoiuing to the whole of Sciiptuie.
veiy ot anu tittle is impoitant. See Natt. 18 2 Pet. 12u,21.
bat i tbe word you receive is in line witb tbe Scriptures, but
you don't understand it or bave a witness to it? Put it away, piay
ovei it anu let the Spiiit of the Loiu biing it to pass. Remembei, the
Loiu knows the futuie, anu that woiu might be exactly what you
neeu to confiim a situation oi ust to let you know that you aie
exactly wheie the Loiu wants you. uive it the test of time. 0ne of the
ieasons foi wiiting it uown is that you will not have confusion anu
uoubt in the uays aheau.
Don't |udge anotber's word. 0nly uou knows the thoughts anu
intents of a peisons heait. Nany times you uo not know a situation
oi unueistanu the uepth of what a peison might be going thiough.
What means one thing to you might mean something entiiely
uiffeient to the peison to whom it is given. See Piov. 141u Rom.
144 1 oi. ill.
Never let words or pictures bring you into conusion or ear.
When feai oi confusion set in, it is not of the Loiu. uou is not a uou of
confusion, noi uoes Be use feai tactics to contiol you. See }ohn
142 Rom. 141 1 oi. 14SS 2 oi. 211 2 im. 1.
Has Cod placed a condition on tbe word He gave you? "I will uo
this...if you will uo that." Nany times uou will give us piomises, but
we must fiist fulfill Bis conuitions. See Piov. 21-6 44.
Responding to tbe oice o tbe Lord
Aftei the Boly Spiiit has ievealeu the heait of the Loiu to you, iesponu with
an appiopiiate ieplyan acknowleugment, a thank-you, a shout of victoiy
oi an action. Response to uou shaipens youi ability to heai. ntei fieely into
conveisation with Bim, anu obey the uiiections Be gives you.
Buiing inteicession, tiy to pause anu listen often. Aftei each petition is
piayeu thiough, bless the Loiu foi the woik being accomplisheu foi the
inguom because of youi piayeis.
Always close youi piayei in an attituue of oy, giatituue oi piaise,
sealing the woik of the Boly Spiiit. he Loius Piayei opens anu closes with
piaise, giving you a goou example to follow.
Bont become fiustiateu, thinking you have to go thiough each
pioceuuie anu iesponse. he Boly Spiiit will leau you anu guiue you each
step of the way.
rayer ointers
he guiuelines that follow aie not intenueu to limit you in any way. Rathei,
they aie to lay a basic founuation to stait you in a uiiection of
communicating anu communing with the Loiu.
Tbe qreotest neeJ is not tbot you olwoys bove qreot revelotion, or proy
brilliont proyers, but tbot you be foitbful to tbe coll of proyer As you aie
obeuient, the Loius powei will begin to flow. ven though you may not
unueistanu all the specific answeis that come foith, you will see an
awakening anu stiengthening of the Bouy of hiist. See Beb. 111S,S9.
Begin youi piayei with what you know aie the obvious facts. Piay
the Woiu anu the piecious piomises of the Woiu given to you as Bis
chilu.
Always let the Boly Spiiit be in chaige. Remembei you aie ust a
soluiei in the Aimy of uou. }esus is youi "ommanuei in hief." Let
the Boly Spiiit set the facet oi the buiuen. Bo not iely on youi own
insight. See Rom. 826.
Piay anu sing with unueistanuing in youi native tongue also piay
anu sing in the spiiit. See 1 oi. 141.
Piay in faith, expecting uivine inteivention. Piay in confiuence. See 2
oi. 418 Beb. 116 1 }ohn 14,1.
ake time to listen. It is an impoitant pait of communication anu one
of the keys to successful inteicession. See Natt. 24.
eep piaying until the answei comes. Befoie moving on, wait until
the Boly Spiiit assuies you that the task is accomplisheu. See Luke
11-1u 181-8.
Flexibility anu speeu of iesponse aie often ciitical to victoiy. he
only obeuience that impiesses uou is instant obeuience. Belayeu
obeuience is uisobeuience!
Neuitate on the Woiuienew youi minu. Nake suie all sin is unuei
the bloou of }esus anu that you aie not haiboiing unfoigiveness in
youi heait. See }osh. 18 Piov. 42u-24 Beb. 1u22 1 }ohn 1,9.
Anu the Loiu gave me the two tablets of stone wiitten by
the fingei of uou anu on them weie all the woius which
the Loiu hau spoken with you.
Beuteionomy 91u
he phiase "It is wiitten" is founu iepeateuly in the Woiu. uou, Bimself,
wiote the en ommanuments. he iole of the sciibes was veiy valuable
uuiing Bible uays foi iecoiuing impoitant events anu foi keeping tiack of
eailiei wiitings anu genealogies. As we begin to heai uous voice, we, too,
must establish the habit of ouinalingmaintaining a peisonal wiitten
iecoiu of expeiiences, obseivations, etc., on a iegulai basis.
Nany people uo not like ouinaling, anu yet ouinaling is one of the most
impoitant uisciplines of a hiistians life. he haiuest pait of ouinaling is
cultivating the habit but those who uo, ieap gieat benefits fiom it.
bere Do I Begin?
}ouinaling shoulu always begin with the uate of entiy. As time goes by, you
may foiget when ceitain events happeneu But youi ouinal will help you to
tiace patteins that have occuiieu aiounu uiffeient ciicumstances in youi
life.
Whenevei uou gives you something, wiite it uown iecoiu impiessions,
woius oi Sciiptuies you ieceive uuiing youi piayei time. his is not
necessaiily eveiy uay, but often. Youi ouinal neeu not be fancy, but it shoulu
be confiuential it will often contain uetails you uont want anyone but uou to
ieau.
A fiienu sent me the following poem iegaiuing hei ouinal
Now I lay me uown to sleep...
I piay the Loiu my soul to keep.
If I shoulu uie befoie I wake,
hiow my ouinal in the lake!
Sometimes its goou to shaie specific entiies with otheis, but ask uou
befoie you uo. heie aie times when uou will show you something that is
not to be shaieu its only to be piayeu foi. Nake suie you holu Bis seciets in
tiust.
Back in the eaily us, I was piaying one moining when uou showeu me
a ceitain man. Fiom the fiont, the man was white fiom the back, the man
was giay. I askeu, "Loiu, what uoes that mean" At fiist I uiunt ieceive
anything. hen I got the woiu "ueception." I wiote the woiu uown anu
waiteu. Next I heaiu, "Be will be one way to youi face, but he is veiy
unueciueu." Finally I saw him tuin anu he became giay anu black. he Loiu
then saiu, "Because of the giayness in this man, he will giauually go into
ueception. Bewaie."
I iecoiueu eveiything the Loiu showeu me that moining. When the
time of ieckoning came with this man. I iealieu that uou hau piepaieu me
anu that what I was seeing was moie than ust my imagination.
by )ournal?
It is uifficult to tiust to memoiy all the things you heai anu ieceive
especially if you uo not fully unueistanu what the Loiu is saying. Youi
ouinal isnt foi uou oi otheisits foi you.
he Loiu may speak things to you that will actually come about uays,
months oi yeais latei. Bow many times have you saiu, "If I coulu ust
iemembei...," oi "If I hau only wiitten it uown...."
eeping a ouinal incieases youi faith as you come to iealie that you
ieally uo heai fiom the Loiu, especially when the things you have wiitten
uown begin to come to pass.
How to )ournal
JORLIG: RECORDIG WHT YO HER 79
heie aie many uiffeient ways of keeping a ouinal. Youi ouinal shoulu
always incluue any impiession, Sciiptuie oi pictuie you ieceive while
piaying foi a peison oi situation. You shoulu iecoiu not only what you have
seen anu heaiu, but also youi own feelings anu inteipietation at the time.
hen when uou answeis, you can check youi feelings oi impiessions with
the outcome.
Be suie you iecoiu the Jote eocb time you moke on entry
}ouinals uo not have to be expensive oi fancy. Some people finu a loose-
leaf oi spiial notebook auequate, oi a uaily log book. 0theis piefei to
puichase a ouinal fiom a stationeiy stoie, oi use a computei. iy seveial
uiffeient ways befoie you finu one that woiks best foi you. What matteis
most is that you iecoiu youi times with the Loiu.
You might want to sepaiate youi ouinal into subects that ielate to you,
such as family, chuich, business, fiienus, impiessions, etc. Aie you piaying
foi a paiticulai fiienu oi family membei Put his oi hei pictuie at the top of
the page, with youi piayei iequests unuei it anu the answeis as they come.
A ueai fiienu of mine meets with uou at the beginning of each yeai to
ask foi the names of those the Loiu wants hei to piay foi. She then incluues
theii pictuies in hei ouinal anu asks the Loiu foi a specific veise to piay foi
each peison. veiy uay she piays ovei the pictuies anu wiites whatevei
impiessions, woius oi Sciiptuies the Boly Spiiit gives hei thioughout the
yeai. Its a blessing to know that Floyu anu I aie pait of hei ouinal.
I have seveial peisonal piayei paitneis with whom I am veiy close. Foi
yeais now, we have given each othei a Sciiptuie veise as a hiistmas gift.
his yeai, howevei, we uiew names anu have committeu to keeping a
ouinal foi the peison whose name we pickeu. At the enu of the yeai we will
exchange ouinals. I tieasuie this expeiience.
0ne of the ways that uou often speaks to me is with pictuies. Although I
am ceitainly not an aitist, I uo sketch the pictuies the Loiu gives me. Foi
example on Apiil 18, 1982, I uiew the following sketch in my ouinal
I saw a uooi anu the uooi was closeu. Immeuiately what came to minu
is that when uou shuts a uooi, no peison can open it. hen I askeu the
question, Was the uooi ust closeu oi has it nevei been open I ieally uiu not
know. I also saw a safe within a safe. he uooi on the fiist safe was wiue
open the uooi on the seconu safe was not. I noticeu the keyholes, but I
noticeu the key was missing. Next I saw myself enteiing a long coiiiuoi with
many uoois on both siue some open otheis closeu.
I knew I woulu not iealie what was behinu each uooi until I ieacheu it.
he Loiu then spoke Revelation S8 into my minu. BebolJ, l bove put before
you on open Joor wbicb no one con sbut
JORLIG: RECORDIG WHT YO HER 81
I askeu the question, Bow will I know which uooi to choose A
Sciiptuie immeuiately came to my minu, A mans minu plans bis woy, but
tbe orJ Jirects bis steps onJ mokes them suie Piov. 169, Amp I iecoiueu
eveiy uetail anu put the woiu away, leaving it with uou.
Latei I was teaching in ueimany anu uoing an exeicise on heaiing the
voice of uou when a man appioacheu me with the following woiu anu
sketch
Beth, I see a uooi befoie you that was pieviously closeu, but is now
open. he uate was Becembei 12, 1984 two yeais latei. I see a safe anu
theies anothei safe insiue that one which has been openeu his was ust
like the safe I hau seen befoie. Insiue theie is a map of ueimany. liabeth,
uou is giving you a key to open something in all of my countiy. I saw a big
key anu it lookeu like this
Anu I saw a laige hallway with many open uoois, but you uiu not know
what was behinu the uooi until you ieacheu it. What uou opens no man can
closeRevelation S8."
en yeais passeu anu I was teaching on heaiing the voice of uou in
Sweuen in 1994. Because I uiu not have an oveiheau pioectoi to use, I
began uiawing a pictuie of the keyhole I hau ieceiveu in my sketch which
was latei confiimeu in ueimany. All of a suuuen, as though the Loiu weie
whisking back a cuitain, I ieceiveu the ievelation that the key was actually
the logo foi oui ministiy, Inteicessois Inteinational. As I lookeu at the
keyhole anu then at oui logo, I began to weep. uou is faithful!
If I hau not uiawn the pictuie in my ouinal, I woulu have misseu a gieat
oppoitunity to see the Loiu piesent, confiim anu biing to pass Bis plans foi
my futuie. }ouinaling is a gieat blessing!
When you ieceive a pictuie in the theatei
of youi minu, uiaw it out. It uoesnt have to be
fancy, ust something to og youi memoiy
when you look back ovei it. Label what oi who
each peison oi item might mean. ime can be
youi enemy when it comes to iemembeiing
uetails.
0ne of the ieasons it is impoitant to
iecoiu visions is that shoitly aftei we ieceive
the pictuie, the enemy will tiy to put confusion
on us. But when we have iecoiueu it, we can
oveicome the enemys tactics with "It is
wiitten."
I iecommenu wiiting out any Sciiptuies you ieceive, especially if youie
a new hiistian. his makes foi a quickei iefeience when you look back to
what the Loiu spoke to youit also helps you to commit the Woiu to
memoiy.
eeping a ouinal can be one of the most iewaiuing things you uo foi
youiself. If you will be ueuicateu foi 21 uays, you will finu you have
establisheu a habit pattein anu the iewaius will be phenomenal.
III. Spiritual
arare
Foi oui stiuggle is not against flesh anu bloou, but
against the iuleis, against the poweis, against the woilu
foices of this uaikness, against the spiiitual foices of
wickeuness in the heavenly places.
Fpbesions :2
Butch evangelist oiiie ten Boom saiu, "Its a pooi soluiei inueeu who uoes
not iecognie the enemy." he key to victoiy in both natuial anu spiiitual
waifaie is to cleaily iuentify the enemy, anu to unueistanu his chaiactei anu
methous.
Identity tbe Real Enemy
So who is the hiistians enemy he answei is Satan anu his host of fallen
angels. 0ui opposition anu stiuggle is against these unseen spiiitual foices.
See Isa. 1412-14 ph. 612 2 Pet. 24 }uue 6.
Websteis Bictionaiy uefines an enemy as a hostile foice oi powei that
has uestiuctive effects. Seveial Bebiew woius aie tianslateu "enemy" in the
0lu estament hey can mean "enemy oi foe one who is awake auveisaiy
oi uistiessei one stanuing against one hating obseivei oi one who is
ciitically watching."
1
he name Satan liteially means "an auveisaiy" oi "one
who accuses."
2
Accoiuing to authoi . S. Lewis, "Satans cleveiest tiick is to convince
the woilu that he uoes not exist."
S
Few people, eithei hiistian oi non-
hiistian, have a cleai concept of who Satan is anu his place in the woilu. We
succumb to oui human ieasoning in believing some peison is oui enemy
anu act accoiuingly. Neanwhile, the ieal enemy, Satan, wieaks havoc in oui
maiiiages, families, chuiches, communities anu nations.
Puiitan pastoi William uuinall. in his book he hiistian in Complete
Armour volume , illustiates my point
Spenu youi wiath on Satan, who is youi chief enemy. Nen aie only
his puppets. hey may be won to hiists siue anu so become youi
fiienus at last. Anselm explains it in the following mannei "When
the enemy comes iiuing up in battle, the valiant soluiei is not angiy
with the hoise, but with the hoiseman. Be woiks to kill the iiuei so
that he may possess the hoise foi his own use. hus must we uo
with the wickeu. We aie not to benu oui wiath against them, but
against Satan who iiues them anu spuis them on. Let us piay
feivently, as hiist uiu on the cioss, that the uevil will be
uismounteu anu these miseiable souls ueliveieu fiom him."
4
Satan was a peifect cieatuie until he tiieu to exalt himself above uou.
Bis beauty filleu him with piiuecausing him to no longei be holyanu he
wanteu to ieceive woiship that belongeu only to uou. Because Satan uiu not
iecognie the authoiity of uou who maue him, he was cast out of heaven, as
iecoiueu in the following passages
Bow you have fallen fiom heaven, 0 stai of the moining, son of the
uawn! You have been cut uown to the eaith, You who have
weakeneu the nations! But you saiu in youi heait, "I will ascenu to
heaven I will iaise my thione above the stais of uou, anu I will sit
on the mount of assembly in the iecesses of the noith. I will ascenu
above the heights of the clouus I will make myself like the Nost
Bigh" Isa. 1412-14.
You weie the anointeu cheiub who coveis, anu I placeu you theie.
You weie on the holy mountain of uou you walkeu in the miust of
the stones of fiie. You weie blameless in youi ways fiom the uay
you weie cieateu, until uniighteousness was founu in you. By the
abunuance of youi tiaue you weie inteinally filleu with violence,
anu you sinneu theiefoie, I have cast you as piofane fiom the
mountain of uou. Anu I have uestioyeu you, 0 coveiing cheiub,
fiom the miust of the stones of fiie ek. 2814-16.
Aftei losing his iesiuence in heaven, Satan was next seen in the uaiuen
of uen, wheie he ueceiveu humanity see uen. S1-1S, causing humans to
iebel against theii ieatoi anu uiawing the line of battle between the two
YO'RE I BTTLE 87
kinguoms the kinguom of Light anu the kinguom of uaikness.
As one Bible scholai states "Satan is a cieatuie he is no match foi the
ieatoi. Satan is poweiful, but not omnipotent. Be can hinuei, but he cannot
pievent. he mastei of ueceit can convince the piayei waiiioi that his oi hei
piayei has not ieacheu the hione. Youi stiength is to iemembei that Satan
is a uefeateu antagonist. o accieuit it to him otheiwise is to allow Satan
supiemacy ovei you. Be isanu always will bethe suipei. You cannot
avoiu waifaie. You aie continuously involveu in the battle. heiefoie, you
must Biaw neai to uou, iesist the uevil stanu youi giounu anu he will
flee."
Know Your Enemy's Names
Let us examine some of Satans names iecoiueu in Sciiptuie so you can
bettei unueistanu the chaiactei of youi enemy. Nany of his names not only
ieveal his chaiactei, but also suggest his tactics in waifaie against the Bouy
of hiist
uevil Natt. 4.1,,8,11 1 }ohn S8,1u }uue 9 Rev. 129,12 2u2
fathei of lies }ohn 844
gou of this evil woilu 2 oi. 44
an infiuel oi unbelievei 2 oi. 61
piince of the bottomless pit oi angel of the abyss uestioyei Rev.
911
angel of light 2 oi. 1114
stai of the moining, son of the uawn Isa. 1412
the enemy oi the avengei Ps. 82
evil one Natt. 61S }ohn 11
auveisaiy 1 Pet. 8
iulei of uemons Beelebub Natt. 1224
the uestioyei }ob 121 2 hess. 2S
the accusei Rev. 121u
the temptei uen. S1 Natt. 4S 1 hess. S
the uiagon Rev. 12-1S 2u2
the seipent uen. S1-4.1S Rev. 129 2u2
the ueceivei uen. S1S 2 }ohn 2 hess. 2S.
Tbe Enemy's Tactics
As we see by Satans names, his militaiy might is camouflageu in blame,
ueceit anu uaikness. Satans gieatest stiategy has been to convince the
woilu that he uoes not exist By peipetuating this lie, he is able to sneak up
behinu uous cieation anu whispei accusations that cause men anu women
to blame each othei anu theii ciicumstances insteau of himself his has
been an especially effective tactic against those who have oineu the ianks of
uous aimy. Bis little bombs of gossip anu blame have so infiltiateu the
ianks of uous tioops that hiistian soluieis often fight each othei insteau of
penetiating the enemys camp to save the millions of hostages who aie
bounu by his yoke of oppiession anu flounueiing in his hopeless uen of
uaikness.
Satan beguiles us by convincing us that he has claim to the piincipalities
hiist iefeiieu to him as the piince of this woilu-see }ohn 12S1 14Su
ph. 22. Bis iule is limiteu to
1. this time, not the heieaftei
2. the woilu, not heaven
S. the people in uaikness, not the chiluien of light
Be uisaims anu uisables us by peipetuating spiiitual sins that piomote
his kinguom anu thieaten to kill, iob anu uestioy oui uestinies. Be
ueceptively luiks aiounu maskeu as an angel of light, causing the hiistian
aimy to be off guaiu anu fall piey to inuiffeience, passivity anu
piayeilessness. When uous waiiiois awaken foi momentaiy bouts of
uigency, he convinces them to fight foi tiivial things, iathei than foi heaven
itself.
Bow uoes he uo this Be attacks youi minu. When Satan cant get you to
fall asleep at youi battle station, he uses youi minu to accuse you anu uuge
you then he keeps you in that position by guaiuing ovei you.
Be iaises uoubt thiough suggestions such as, "Youie not a
hiistian...look at what you uiu yesteiuay." Anu, "You aient ieally saveu you
cant give the exact uate that you accepteu }esus." 0i, "Look at you you have
a shameful past."
Be cieates feai "hese times you live in aie hopeless." "What if you get
cancei"
Be steals fiom you financially You have cai pioblems the watei heatei
bieaks youi aii conuitionei goes out you lose youi ob, etc.
Satan also uses youi feai of man "veiybouy will laugh at me if I talk
about }esus." "What will people think if.." When you become a uou pleasei
YO'RE I BTTLE 89
moie than a man pleasei, one of youi biggest battles is won.
Be Alert
You can win the uaily battles with youi enemy by iecogniing that to fight
Satan, you must fight in the iealm of the spiiit Spiiitual things aie spiiitually
uisceineu, not figuieu out by human ieasoning. You aie not fighting flesh
anu bloou, but the poweis of uaikness.
Be aleit to cycles oi patteins in attacks fiom the enemya iash of
acciuents anu sicknesses that leau to ueath. B0N FAR. You have all
authoiity anu powei in the name of }esus. See "Weapons of Waifaie,"
section Iv.
You may wonuei, lf }esus won tbe bottle, why ore we still fiqbtinq? Lets
look at the enu of Woilu Wai II. ven though the victoiy was won anu Bitlei
was uefeateu, occupation tioops iemaineu in uiffeient aieas of the nations.
In the same way. you must maintain the victoiy that was won at alvaiy
thiough the bloou of }esus.
Recognize tbe Battleield
Sciiptuie teaches that humans aie tiipaitite beings, maue up of spiiit,
soul anu bouy
Now may the uou of peace Bimself sanctify you entiiely anu may
youi spiiit anu soul anu bouy be pieseiveu complete, without
blame at the coming of oui Loiu }esus hiist 1 hess. 2S.
In the soulish iealmthe seat of the intellect, emotions anu willthe
minu is oui most common battlegiounu, foi it is in the minu that choices aie
maue. hese choices, all of which involve the will, ueteimine not only the
couise of a peisons uaily life, but also his oi hei eteinal uestiny.
As the Woiu of uou becomes alive in you anu you act upon it, the Woiu
will change youi heait anu minu, anu youi actions will change foi youi goou
anu uous gloiy. hiough hiist, the believei can ieceive ievelation anu
unueistanuing of spiiitual mysteiies, wheieas the unbelievei is spiiitually
blinu. ompaie ph. 11-21 to 41,18.
Sciiptuie cleaily teaches that }esus has uefeateu Satan-stiippeu him of
his poweianu put all things unuei hiists feet see ph. 119-22. he
enemys piimaiy point of attack is against youi minu, to iaise questionsas
he uiu in tempting ve in the gaiuen anu }esus in the wilueinessto
influence you to uoubt uous Woiu anu Bis faithfulness.
Youi minu has thiee voices to which it may iesponu uous, the enemys
anu youi own. he moie you become familiai with uous Woiu, the easiei it
will become foi you to iecognie uous voice Be always speaks that which is
consistent with Bis chaiactei, as ievealeu in Bis Woiu. he voice of the Boly
Spiiit will speak to pioviue encouiagement, comfoit, uiiection, ievelation,
assuiance of uous love, conviction oi coiiection.
By contiast, the enemy usually speaks in a way that biings thoughts of
uoubt, guilt, feai, ealousy, hatieu, self-conuemnation oi self-iighteousness.
Youi own "self-talk" is usually baseu on youi human logic anu ieasoning, oi
youi selfish uesiies anu will.
You must take authoiity ovei the voice of the enemy anu foibiu him to
speak "Submit theiefoie to uou. Resist the uevil anu he will flee fiom you"
}as. 4. Binu youi own voice of human ieasoning anu uesiie then open
youi minu anu spiiit to ieceive the voice of the Boly Spiiit. 0ften the
uiiection foi piayei which the Boly Spiiit gives uoes not seem logical to the
human minu uo not allow this to hinuei youi obeuience anu effectiveness.
When uou calls you to take a stanu, obey Bim see Isa. :
Blessing Follows Ubedience
Blessing follows obeuience as suiely as night follows uay, Anu uou
iewaius the man whose time is set apait to piay. Raiely uoes the
answei come fiom channels we woulu choose, Anu often ust
befoie we win, it looks as though well lose. But oui uou is faithful
Bis ways no man can unueistanu Be only asks obeuience to
stanu when Be says stanu.
by Koren Koufmon
Spiiitual things must be spiiitually uisceineunot figuieu out by
human ieasoning. Affiim the tiuth of Pauls teaching "I have the minu of
hiist." See 1 oi. 214-16.
Recognie that youi fight is not with flesh anu bloou, but with the
poweis of uaikness anu Satans spiiitual iuleis of this age. his age woilu
has become the battlegiounu between these satanic foices anu humankinu.
heiefoie, you aie not fighting against people you know oi with whom you
come in contact in youi uaily life. he enemy may haiass you by stiiiing up
stiife in the lives of people who aie close to you in oiuei to uetei you fiom
piayei anu inteicession. Always iemembei that the ieal battle is in the
spiiitual iealm, anu not in youi physical ciicumstances.
Satan senus assignments against youi spiiit, soul anu bouy. If he can
keep you oppiesseu, he can keep you fiom giowing spiiitually anu fiom
being an effective inteicessoi. aking authoiity ovei the enemy anu making
YO'RE I BTTLE 91
the iight choices accoiuing to uous Woiu will biing you into victoiy anu
inciease youi spiiitual giowth. Failuie to make the iight choices gives
giounu to physical sickness, emotional pioblems anu stunteu spiiitual
giowth.
Strategy or arare
he woik of the inteicessoi is to combat the enemy in the spiiit iealm as
opposeu to the natuial iealm, using spiiitual weapons not cainal ones. In
the piocess, he oi she must ueteimine stiategy foi waifaie thiough the
guiuance anu ievelation of the Boly Spiiit. Bisceinment is a key element in
youi stiategy, anu a vital quality foi leaueis anu inteicessois to possess.
"Biscein" means "to uistinguish oi sepaiate." uou saiu to Bis piophet
}eiemiah, "If you extiact the piecious fiom the woithless, you will become
Ny spokesman" }ei. 119.
Activity in the heavenlies is intensifying as the time of the Nessiahs
suie ietuin uiaws neai. Inteicessois seem to be saying with one voice. "he
conflict is ieal, anu the battle lines aie being uiawn!" As spiiitual waifaie
intensifies, paiticulaily in the aiea of the minu, the inteicessois piayei life
must not faltei.
Satan uoesnt fight faii in this battle. If he cant keep you fiom piaying,
he will assail you with uoubt, uiscouiagement anu feai as you look at
seemingly impossible ciicumstances. his ueceivei will tiy to make you feel
you aie being obective anu getting a lay of the lanu as you look at the
situation. In ieality his goal is to siueline you with an attituue of hopelessness
anu passivity.
You neeu to know youi enemy! ueneial Bouglas NacAithui, when
stating some impoitant iequisites of militaiy victoiy, gave the following
A will to win a cause woith uying foi.
Stiength auequately tiaineu anu well-equippeu peisonnel.
Auequate souice of supply lifelines must be kept open.
nowleuge of the enemy "he gieatei the knowleuge of the enemy,
the gieatei the victoiy."
hese same elements aie necessaiy foi maintaining youi victoiy. }esus
has won the victoiy. It is youi place to occupy until Be comes.
Lets look at Nehemiah anu see how he oveicame the battle of the minu.
he Loiu put the uesiie in Nehemiahs heait to iebuilu the wall aiounu
}eiusalem. As he fasteu anu piayeu ovei the situation. uou gave him favoi
with the king. he king then ieleaseu him to go back to his homelanu to
iebuilu the city wall.
Bow uiu Satan fight that By waging a battle in Nehemiahs minu. Fiist,
he attackeu Nehemiahs ieputation by tiying to make a mockeiy of his
effoits, saying, "ven what they aie builuing if a fox shoulu ump on it, he
woulu bieak theii stone wall uown!" Neh. 4S.
When mockeiy anu uiscouiagement faileu to uetei Nehemiah, the next
tactic the enemy tiieu was intimiuation anu fiight see vv. 1u-12. Nehemiah
knew the enemy was tiying to ienuei him helpless thiough feai.
hen the enemy in the foim of two men sent woiu, "ome, let us meet
togethei at hephiiim in the plain of 0no" 62. With this Nehemiah
iecognieu a maoi piinciple in waifaie "Nevei negotiate with the enemy!"
hough this thieatening message was sent to him FIv times, Nehemiah
steaufastly iefuseu to negotiate on enemy teiiitoiy.
his waiiioi builuei also iesisteu the auvice of a false piophet who
tiieu to get him to iun anu hiue fiom the enemy see 612. Be piayeu fiom
uous peispective, anu feailessly moveu on to fulfill the commission uou hau
given him.
Satan still tiies to luie you into his encampment thiough the minu, ust
as he tiieu to uo with Nehemiah. heie is no mention of battle, only that
which was uone thiough the battle of the minu. You aie uefeateu the
moment you sink to the enemys level.
Satan anu his iuling spiiits give specific assignments to the fallen angels
oi uemonsin his aimy. hey will seek to manipulate ciicumstances anu
people in oiuei to caiiy out theii assignments. Bowevei, as a believei, you
have the powei anu the authoiity to thwait theii success anu to uestioy
theii assignments anu cuises. Not only that, but you can also tuin those
cuises back upon the ianks of the enemy to uo gieatei uamage to Satans
cause than he intenueu foi the bouy of believeis. See Acts 1S6-12.
A stuuy of Sciiptuie inuicates that Satan has uelegateu spiiitual iuleis
to be in chaige of countiies anu geogiaphical aieas. Reau ekiel 28 anu
Baniel 9 anu 1u foi an example of how stiongholus opeiate ovei a
geogiaphical aiea. eep in minu that the spiiitual waifaie takes place in the
heavenlies, but the effects of that waifaie aie seen upon the eaith anu in
peoples lives.
onsiuei the stoiy of an evangelist in Latin Ameiica who was passing
out tiacts anu witnessing to people on the stieets of a paiticulai city. A
piovincial bounuaiy ian thiough the heait of the city. he evangelist met
gieat opposition fiom the people with whom he tiieu to shaie the gospel
they thiew the tiacts in the guttei anu iefuseu to listen to his message.
YO'RE I BTTLE 93
1he xplrltuul wurfure tukex pluce ln the
heuvenllex, but the effectx of thut wurfure ure
xeen upon the eurth unJ ln peoplex llvex.
In fiustiation, the evangelist ciosseu to the othei siue of the stieet,
which was in a uiffeient piovince anu unuei a uiffeient goveinment.
Suuuenly he iealieu the attituue of the people on this siue of the stieet was
completely uiffeientthough theii language anu outwaiu appeaiance was
the same as the fiist gioup of people he hau encounteieu. hese people
glauly accepteu the gospel tiacts, anu eageily listeneu to his message of
salvation.
Sometime latei the evangelist leaineu that a gioup of hiistians in the
seconu piovince hau been binuing the foices of uaikness in theii aiea, anu
piaying foi the gospel to go foith. Because of theii spiiitual waifaie, the
woik of the evangelist was fiuitful. But appaiently no one was waging
waifaie on behalf of the fiist piovince, anu iesistance to the gospel was veiy
stiong.
In Baniels expeiience, the "piince of the kinguom of Peisia" withstoou
the angel whom uou hau sent with the answei to the piophets piayeis see
Ban. 1u12,1S. When Baniel piayeu, his piayeis biought auuitional
ieinfoicements into the spiiitual conflict, anu the piince of Peisia was
oveicome. Baniel influenceu the entiie nation of Isiael thiough his fasting
anu his peisistent piayei.
Ask the Loiu foi specific ievelation anu uisceinment conceining the
leaueis foi whom you aie piaying, anu foi the aieas in which they aie
ministeiing. In piaying foi those who woik among Nuslims oi in an aiea
wheie cults aie pievalent, you will be combating an antichiist spiiit. Wheie
occult activity is stiong, you aie also uealing with spiiits of ueception, contiol
anu seuuction see 1 }ohn 218.
In an aiea wheie theie aie many chuiches, but much conflict among the
leaueis anu membeis, the Boly Spiiit may ieveal to you that the pioblem is a
ieligious spiiit iuling ovei that aiea, along with spiiits of stiife, contention
anu self-iighteousness. Bisceining the spiiits iesponsible foi a given
pioblemif inueeu evil spiiits aie iesponsiblewill make youi
inteicession moie specific anu moie effective.
Its impoitant to uiscein patteins oi cycles in attacks fiom the enemy.
Foi some peiiou of time theie have been stiong attacks against maiiiages
among spiiitual leaueis. 0ne paiticulai uenominational gioup has lost a
laige numbei of missionaiies to cancei. hen theie was a iash of seiious
acciuents causing ueath oi seveie inuiy to ministeis anu missionaiies, anu
oi theii family membeis. he inteicessois shoulu seive as "watchmen on
the wall" see Isa. 626, to help waiu off these attacks thiough spiiitual
waifaie, anu to lenu theii suppoit by piaying foi those on the fiont lines of
ministiy.
ut Un Your Spiritual Armor
Since you aie engageu in a spiiitual battle, it is wise to be acquainteu
with the aimoi of uou which secuies youi safety anu allows you to
withstanu the attacks of the enemy in these evil uays
Finally, be stiong in the Loiu, anu in the stiength of Bis might. Put
on the full aimoi of uou, that you may be able to stanu fiim against
the schemes of the uevil. Foi oui stiuggle is not against flesh anu
bloou, but against the iuleis, against the poweis, against the woilu
foices of this uaikness, against the spiiitual foices of wickeuness in
the heavenly places. heiefoie, take up the full aimoi of uou. that
you may be able to iesist in the evil uay, anu having uone
eveiything, to stanu fiim. Stanu fiim theiefoie, having uIRBB
Y0R L0INS WIB RB, anu BAvINu P 0N B
BRASPLA 0F RIuB0SNSS, anu having shou Y0R
F WIB B PRPARAI0N 0F B u0SPL 0F PA in
auuition to all, taking up the SBILB 0F FAIB with which you will
be able to extinguish all the flaming missiles of the evil one. Anu
take B BLN 0F SALvAI0N, anu the SW0RB 0F B
SPIRI, which is the woiu of uou. With all piayei anu petition piay
at all times in the Spiiit, anu with this in view, be on the aleit with
all peiseveiance anu petition foi all the saints ph. 61u-18.
he aimoi uesciibeu in phesians 6 is compaieu to that of a Roman
soluiei. A common complaint of the soluieis was that the aimoi was veiy
heavy. Without piopei exeicise anu uiscipline, the aimoi became weighty
anu woulu cause a soluiei to lay it asiue, leaving him unuisciplineu foi battle
anu unpiotecteu fiom the enemy.
Youi spiiitual aimoi fulfills the same function spiiitually as the physical
aimoi fulfilleu foi the Roman soluiei. You aie calleu to walk with hiist
YO'RE I BTTLE 95
Joily You must be uisciplineu not only to put on the aimoi, but also to wielu
youi weapons in battle against the foices of uaikness. Youi aimoi is to be a
uefense against the stiategy of the uevil to piotect you fiom assault. he
swoiu of the Spiiit uous Woiu is an offensive weapon to attack,
oveipowei anu plunuei the spoil of the poweis of uaikness. Lack of exeicise
anu uiscipline will leave you open to assault. heiefoie, be uiligent as a
soluiei of uous aimy, always weaiing youi aimoi anu ieauy foi battle.
eep in minu that the Roman soluiei was expecteu to be in full-time
seivice to his commanueis. Paul makes iefeience to this in wiiting to
imothy
No soluiei in active seivice entangles himself in the affaiis of
eveiyuay life, so that he may please the one who enlisteu him as a
soluiei 2 im. 24.
his symbolies the hiistians loyalty to }esus hiist, the ommanuei
in hief, living a life of single-minueu allegiance to Bim.
Romans 1S12,14 says "Let us theiefoie lay asiue the ueeus of
uaikness anu put on the aimoi of light...put on the Loiu }esus hiist." Youi
spiiitual aimoi is, in ieality, the Loiu }esus hiist. Be wants to be youi
uefense by clothing you in Bimself You walk in total secuiity when you walk
uaily coveieu in }esus. nlike conventional aimoi, youi spiiitual aimoi
shoulu nevei be taken off!
he following aie ieasons you neeu to uaily put on the aimoi
It helps you to stanu against the schemes of the uevil.
It keeps you stiong in the Loiu anu in the powei of Bis might.
It enables you to iesist in the evil uay of the enemys attack.
It secuies youi safety anu iepels the enemy.
It accomplishes the Fatheis will.
alking in Triumpb
With youi aimoi of uou in place, know that it is in anu thiough hiist }esus
alone that you tiiumph.
But thanks be to uou, who always leaus us in Bis tiiumph in hiist,
anu manifests thiough us the sweet aioma of the knowleuge of
Bim in eveiy place. Foi we aie a fiagiance of hiist to uou among
those who aie being saveu anu among those who aie peiishing 2
oi. 214,1.
Accoiuing to }ames N. Fieeman, a Roman militaiy piocession of
tiiumph was one of the spectaculai events of ancient times. It was gianteu to
a conqueioi when he hau met all the qualifications of victoiy establisheu by
the Roman Senate. 0ne of these qualifications was that the victoiy be
complete anu uecisive, putting an enu to wai. In this victoiy N0 enemy coulu
iemain.
0n the uay chosen foi the tiiumphal piocession, people ciowueu into
the stieets anu onto builuings to get a goou view of the conqueioi in whose
honoi it was helu. his piocession was maue up of the conqueioi, the senate
membeis, heaus of state, chief citiens anu the piisoneis who hau been
captuieu. he valuable spoils of the wai weie piominently uisplayeu.
he conqueioi, weaiing a iobe embioiueieu with golu anu a tunic
coveieu with floweis, ioue in a special chaiiot uiawn by foui hoises. In his
iight hanu he helu a lauiel wieath which was the symbol of the ciown of a
conqueioi in his left hanu he helu a sceptei.
It was a uay when all the heathen temples weie open anu uecoiateu
elaboiately with sweet-smelling floweis. Incense was lit on eveiy altai so
that the victoi was gieeteu with a clouu of peifume.
Paul uses this analogy in wiiting about the believei being victoiious in
hiist }esus. In 2 oiinthians 214,1. Paul thanks uou who ALWAYS leaus
us in tiiumph. hiist Bimself is the conqueioi we aie tiophies of Bis victoiy.
0ui piayeis anu oui lives uiffuse a sweet ouoi of Bim wheievei we go.
he following veises also iefei to this analogy
When Be uou hau uisaimeu the iuleis anu authoiities, Be maue
a public uisplay of them, having tiiumpheu ovei them thiough Bim
hiist ol. 21.
Anu when Be hau taken the book, the foui living cieatuies anu the
twenty-foui elueis fell uown befoie the Lamb, having each one a
haip, anu goluen bowls full of incense, which aie the piayeis of the
saints Rev. 8.
Inteicession is an incense befoie uous altai, anu the piayeis of the
iighteous uo accomplish much see }as. 16. It is thiough inteicession that
the battle is won ovei the foices of uaikness. You must constantly weai the
aimoi of uou to be able to withstanu anu oveicome uuiing this wai.
0n that uay when the seal is bioken in heaven anu the tiumpet sounus,
may youi piayeis ietuin unto Bim as sweet-smelling incense befoie Bis
thione. Anu may you be a fiagiance of hiist unto uou among those being
saveu anu among those who aie peiishing.
YO'RE I BTTLE 97
0n the next few pages you will finu chaits foi each piece of the Aimoi of
uou, beginning with "Stanuing Fiim" anu enuing with "he Whole Aimoi of
uou." he section will expanu the meaning of each piece of aimoi baseu on
phesians 614-1. he chaits will contain an "Aiea of Piotection." incluuing
the "Befinition" anu "Application." the "Affiimation" Sciiptuies anu the
"Beclaiation" foi that piece of aimoi. When the enemy attacks, iefei to the
page wheie the appiopiiate piece of aimoi is listeu. Reau the Sciiptuies
given anu iepeat the ueclaiation.
Notes
1. Robeit Young. ounq's Anolyticol ConcorJonce to the Bible. 22nu Americon
uition uianu Rapius William B. eiumans Publishing ompany.
19, iepiinteu 198S. pp. 299-Suu.
2. Ibiu., p. 8S6.
S. . S. Lewis. Screwtope etters New Yoik Nacmillan Publishing, 1982.
4. William uuinall, Tbe Cbristion in Complete Armour Linuale, ex. Bannei of
iuth iust. 1991. pp. 14u-141.
. }ames N. Fieeman, onners onJ Customs of tbe Bible South Plainfielu,
N.}. Biiuge Publishing, 192, pp. 46u-461.
Standing Firm
Area o rotection
Deinition
o SANB means to iesist without yieluing
to maintain a position to peisist to enuuie
to iemain upiight to encountei to meet
face-to-face
Application
As an heii anu chilu of uou. you aie to
SANB in that place that is alieauy youis. It
has been ueliveieu to you thiough the cioss
of }esus hiist.
Bo not in any way suiienuei to an upiising
of the enemy. Submit youiself to uou then
SANB anu iesist the uevil anu he will flee.
Note }esus uiu not use the Woiu of uou to
attack the uevil Be useu it to maintain the
victoiy Be alieauy hau.
Declaration
Baving uone all, I am going to stanu fiim. I
will not yielu to the uevils schemes, but will
holu fast to the Woiu of uou.
I will stanu in faith on the soliu iock, }esus.
You aie my founuation I will not be moveu
by the ioai of the enemy, noi by negative
ciicumstances. I will stanu valiant anu
stiong, foi with You on my siue, who can be
against me
As a piiest befoie You, 0 Loiu, I will bless
Youi holy name anu seive You in obeuience.
I will stanu in the victoiy that has been won,
foi the battle is not mine but Youis. In this
way. I am moie than a conqueioi in hiist
}esus.
Airmation
2 hionicles 2u1.1
}oshua 19 1
oiinthians 161S
phesians 611-14
Philippians 41
1 hessalonians S6-8
2 hessalonians 21-
YO'RE I BTTLE 99
Tbe Cirdle or Belt o Trutb
Area o rotection
Befinition
L0INS aie a pictuie of stiength, powei, vigoi
anu matuiity. hey incluue the iepiouuctive
oigans, the uigestive system anu the bowels.
Weak loins uisable a soluiei. he uIRBL oi
BL, woin about the loins to biace him foi the
fight, was a symbol of a soluieis stiength anu
supeiioi ability. It kept the aimoi in place, anu
suppoiteu the swoiu money anu valuables
weie also caiiieu heie. o uIRB means to
piepaie oneself foi action.
Application
A peison whose minu is giiueu with tiuth will
be stiong anu vigoious with matuie spiiitual
insight, anu will iepiouuce the Woiu of uou foi
Bis gloiy. 0ne who is uouble-minueu is
unstable in all hishei ways. RB is the
teaching piesenteu in uous Woiu, embouieu in
}esus hiist, ievealeu to us by the Boly Spiiit.
W uIRB 0RSLvS WIB RB when we
embiace anu upholu uous ievelation to us, anu
walk in agieement with Bim.
Beclaiation
}esus, You aie my tiuth. You have maue me to
know the tiuth in my inwaiu paits. I am
uiesseu in ieauiness because Youi tiuth clothes
me.
I encompass my minu with Youi tiuth so I am
ieauy foi action. I iesist all uouble-minueuness,
anu claim that I have the minu of hiist.
I shall know the tiuth anu the tiuth will set me
fiee. I will speak foith the tiuth in love touay. I
will accuiately hanule the Woiu of tiuth, anu
will plant seeus of tiuth in otheis so You may be
iepiouuceu in them.
hank You, }esus, foi choosing me fiom the
founuation of the woilu foi salvation thiough
sanctification by the Spiiit anu faith in the tiuth.
Affiimation
xouus 1211
Beuteionomy SS11
Psalm 1.6
Luke 12S
}ohn 8S2 14.6
1 oiinthians 216
phesians 41 6.14
2 hessalonians 21S
2 imothy 21
}ames 18 48
1 Petei 11S
Tbe Breastplate o Rigbteousness
Area o rotection
Befinition
he BRASPLA, coveiing the soluieis
vital oigans heait, lungs, livei, etc., came
uown ovei the giiule oi belt, incieasing the
piotection of the loins. By piotecting these
vital oigans, the bieastplate embolueneu a
soluiei to face the enemy without feai.
Application
RIuB0SNSSiight-stanuing oi
upiightness befoie uouis impaiteu by
hiist to the believei. his BRASPLA 0F
RIuB0SNSS pieseives the hiistians
soul anu consciencethe "vital oigans" of
the spiiit-man. hus the hiistian is filleu
with couiage, knowing heshe is piotecteu
by the iighteousness of hiist anu can face
the enemy without feai.
Beclaiation
}esus, You aie my iighteousness. In You I live
anu move anu have my being. Belp me to
confoim to Youi chaiactei anu Youi will in
my life.
I put on Youi iighteousness by faith anu ask
that You piotect my heait, that I may walk
with puie motives.
Belp me to uo that which is iight anu ust, so
that I might have a cleai conscience anu not
be afiaiu of evil consequences. hank You foi
couiage to face the enemy without feai.
hank You foi cleansing me fiom my sins
anu iestoiing me to fellowship with You
because You weie the peifect saciifice foi my
sins.
Affiimation
Pioveibs 281
Isaiah 916-1
Romans S22,2,26
Romans 1-19
2 oiinthians 21
phesians 614
1 hessalonians 8
1 }ohn 1,9
YO'RE I BTTLE 101
Tbe Sboes o tbe Cospel o eace
Area o rotection
Deinition
he phiase "piepaiation of the gospel of peace"
means "to be ieauy, oi uiesseu in ieauiness," which
was vital when a soluiei hau to uouge, stanu oi iun
in hanu-to-hanu combat with the enemy. Bis SB0S
hau metal cleats, which maue him moie suiefooteu
in battle.
Application
F iepiesent youi walk with the Loiu. Youi
"walk" is the witness of youi speech, youi behavioi
anu youi attituue. SB0B means to binu unuei oi to
tie up i.e., to be ieauy to ieceive maiching oiueis.
Shoes weie iemoveu upon enteiing a house, anu
put on again when going out. u0SPL is the goou
news that }esus hiist was ciucifieu foi oui sins,
was iaiseu fiom the ueau, anu has uefeateu the
enemy. PA is fieeuom fiom stiifeinnei peace
which comes fiom uou when conflict with the
enemy iages without. It is a walk founueu in
ieconciliation.
Declaration
}esus, You aie my peace. You have biought to my
life wholeness anu haimony with the Fathei. Nay
Youi peace sanctify me wholly bouy, soul anu
spiiit.
I shou my feet with Youi gospel, Youi peace. I uesiie
to walk touay in a quiet, unquaiielsome mannei.
hank You foi keeping my feet fiom haim, anu
guiuing my path.
Ny feet will not be moveu fiom the gospel, foi I am
not ashameu of the goou news. Youi gospel is the
powei of uou foi salvation to eveiyone who
believes.
Because my feet aie set secuiely in Youi peace, I am
ieauy to maneuvei in any uiiection the Boly Spiiit
leaus me. eep me in a state of ieauiness so I can
boluly tieau upon enemy teiiitoiy to set the
captives fiee fiom Satans bonuage.
Airmation
xouus 1211
1 Samuel 29
Psalm 18SS
Psalm 668.9
Isaiah 26S
Natthew 1218-21
phesians 61
olossians 12u
1 hessalonians 2S
Tbe Sbield o Faitb
Area o rotection
Befinition
he SBILB, a uefensive weapon, was
usually caiiieu on the left aim anu was useu
to piotect the entiie bouy of a soluiei. he
suiface was kept biight with oil, which
ieflecteu the sun to blinu the enemy. It
helpeu ueflect the enemys blows.
Application
A SBILB iepiesents piotection anu
secuiity oui shielu of faith woiks in
coopeiation with the othei pieces of aimoi
to quench the fieiy uaits of uoubt, feai anu
unbelief, anu to blinu the enemy. he minu
anu the will contiol its movements.
FAIB is simply believing, accepting anu
appiopiiating what uou has saiu. FAIB
iequiies a total tiust in the Loiu }esus in all
things.
Beclaiation
Loiu }esus, You aie my shielu of faith. Ny
self natuie has been ciucifieu with You, anu
the life I now live, I live by faith in You. I will
iesist the uevil by being fiim in that faith.
hank You foi being a shielu unto me. I put
my tiust in You, choosing to walk by faith,
not by sight oi ciicumstances. I will speak
woius of faith anu I will ask in faith without
uoubting.
Youi Woiu is Youi powei. hank You,
Fathei, that You aie aleit anu active,
watching ovei Youi Woiu to peifoim it. It
piotects me fiom the evil one because..."It is
wiitten." he uevil iuns in teiioi fiom me
because I uiaw neai unto You anu iesist him
in }esus name by lifting up this shielu of
faith which is anointeu with the oil of Youi
Boly Spiiit.
Affiimation
Pioveibs Su
}eiemiah 112
2 oiinthians
ualatians 22u
phesians 616
olossians 11u,11
Bebiews 1u22 111
}ames 16 4
1 Petei 1 9
1 }ohn 1u
YO'RE I BTTLE 103
Tbe Helmet o Salvation
Area o rotection
Befinition
he BLN was the aimoi woin by a
soluiei to piotect his heau. It often boie
insignia oi oinaments iuentifying the aimy
to which the soluiei belongeu.
Application
he BLN, the hope of salvation, guaius
youi minu fiom the enemys uaits. Youi
minu uiiects the use of youi shielu anu youi
swoiu anu all movements of the bouy thus it
must be piotecteu so you can be an effective
soluiei.
Youi minu is the battlegiounu between the
flesh anu the spiiit a uisciplineu soluiei will
not yielu to the flesh, but will be stiong in
spiiit.
Beclaiation
}esus, You aie my salvation. You have
coveieu my heau in the uay of battle You
aie my stiength anu song, anu You have
become my salvation.
I put my hope anu tiust in You. he helmet
of hope shall be as a helmet of ueliveiance
to me. You have set my minu fiee fiom the
uaits of the enemy.
ouay I will ienew my minu by the Woiu of
uou I iefuse to enteitain the thoughts of
uoubt anu unbelief the enemy woulu biing
to me. I biing eveiy thought into captivity to
the obeuience of hiist. I will concentiate
on those things which peitain to life anu
peace. All piaise be unto You. the uou of my
salvation!
Airmation
Psalm 14u
Isaiah 16 916.1
Romans 86 122
2 oiinthians 216 1u
phesians 42S 61
olossians S2
I hessalonians 8
itus 12 S
Bebiews 9
1 Petei 11S
Tbe Sword o tbe Spirit
Area o rotection
Befinition
he SW0RB was both uefensive anu
offensive. It uefenueu the soluiei fiom the
enemys assault, anu was useu to wounu oi
kill the enemy. It was wielueu with the iight
aim, anu was a symbol of powei anu
authoiity.
Application
he SW0RB 0F B SPIRI is the Woiu of
uou quickeneu anu maue alive by the Boly
Spiiit the wieluing of this swoiu is only
effective when the othei pieces of aimoi aie
in place.
he W0RB comes fiom youi mouth. he
Woiu of uou is youi powei anu authoiity
when quickeneu by the Boly Spiiit. It will
uuge the thoughts anu intents of youi own
heait, anu of the heait of the one spoken to.
Beclaiation
Loiu }esus, You aie the Living Woiu. I go
foith with piaises in my mouth anu a two-
eugeu swoiu in my hanu. ouay I will
confess Youi Woiu befoie men, anu You will
confess me befoie the Fathei in heaven.
Youi woius aie tiue. Youi Woiu is the
founuation of the woilu. You aie the oy anu
ieoicing of my heait because I have been
calleu by Youi name, anu theiefoie have the
authoiity to use this weapon. I will to speak
foith Youi Woiu in powei. Youi Woiu
abiues in me anu I in You.
Youi Woiu is quick anu poweiful anu
shaipei than any two-eugeu swoiu it
uiviues between that which is spiiitual oi
gouly, anu that which is soulish oi of the
flesh. Youi Woiu is Youi wisuom. he Boly
Spiiit will give me in the houi of neeu a
mouth of wisuom which none of my
opponents will be able to iesist oi iefute.
hank You, Loiu }esus, foi giving me the
Affiimation
1 Samuel 11,4
Psalm 1496
}eiemiah 116
Luke 211
}ohn 11,14
1 oiinthians 1Su
phesians 61
Bebiews 1S 412
YO'RE I BTTLE 105
piovision of Youi Woiu, my SW0RB!
Tbe bole Armor o Cod
When the enemy attacks in these aieas, iefei to the page wheie the
appiopiiate piece of aimoi is listeu. hen ieau the Sciiptuies given anu
iepeat the "Beclaiation."
Type o Attacb
Lies against the chaiactei of uou
Beception about who I am
iioi as to the way I am going
Believing accusations fiom Satan
Feeling conuemneu
Puffeu up with spiiitual piiue
Attackeu by peisecution oi lies
ompiomising the Woiu of uou
Passive anu asleep
Bit by a flaming missile of uoubt, feai, oi unbelief
rotection
uiiule of iuth
Bieastplate of Righteousness
Shoes of the uospel of Peace
Shielu of Faith
Type o Attack
Baving tiouble with thoughts of guilt,
conuemnation, hatieu towaiu otheis
0peiating in the flesh anu not the spiiit
Remaining in uaikness unieneweu minu
Whispeieu woius such as "Bath uou saiu"
Bistoition of the Woiu of uou
Woiu taken out of heait of the heaiei
listening to uoctiines of uemons
rotection
Belmet of Salvation
Swoiu of the Spiiit
Iv. eapons o
arare
Foi though we walk in the flesh, we uo not wai accoiuing
to the flesh, foi the weapons of oui waifaie aie not of the
flesh, but uivinely poweiful foi the uestiuction of
foitiesses. We aie uestioying speculations anu eveiy
lofty thing iaiseu up against the knowleuge of uou, anu
we aie taking eveiy thought captive to the obeuience of
hiist, anu we aie ieauy to punish all uisobeuience,
whenevei youi obeuience is complete.
2 oiinthians 0:S
veiy plan of uou is foi the goou of Bis people eveiy plan of Satan is foi theii
uestiuction. Satan knows that when he wounus one of uous people, he
wounus the heait of uou. he ieal wai is between uou anu Satan. We aie not
uiafteu, but we can enlist in uous seivice. hen as soluieis in uous aimy,
oui commission is to libeiate those who aie behinu the enemys lines by
bieaking his stiongholus with the weapons of oui waifaie.
Satans goal is to see that the piayeis of uous people uo not ieach
heaven because uou has chosen to paitnei with Bis people in fulfilling Bis
plans on eaith. So when you come to uou on behalf of otheis, often you will
neeu to battle against the poweis of uaikness. Satan knows wheie people
aie weak anu attempts to entei thiough that opening in theii lives to take
them captive. Any aiea wheie people aie in bonuage is an aiea wheie Satan
has a stiong holu oi "stiongholu" in theii lives.
It is uous will foi us to teai uown those stiongholus anu loose people in
aieas wheie they have not been able to fieely function. his is a piimaiy
puipose of the spiiitual weapons uou pioviues foi us. As we wai on eaith, it
stiis uivine inteivention fiom heaven.
he following uiagiam helps to illumine the complete aisenal of
spiiitual weapons eveiy
believei has at his oi hei
uisposal. he pillais that
suppoit this aisenal aie
foitb anu obeJience, anu
piayei anu intercession
these aie essential foi the
effective implementation of
the seven piimaiy
weapons. uou has pioviueu
all that is necessaiy foi
successful spiiitual waifaie
youi pait is to will to use
the weapons that Bis Woiu
guaiantees will uestioy
enemy stiongholus.
"In waifaie theie aie
foui possible attituues-
offense, uefense, uetente
anu ueseition...Satan can
get along veiy well with
hiistians as long as they
aie on the uefensive,
seeking uetente oi
ueseiting. heiefoie, if we
aie ueteimineu to see him
uefeateu in oui own heaits
anu in oui society, we must be only anu always committeu to the offensive."
1
Faitb and Ubedience: Uur illar o ictory
Ioitb anu obeJience aie so inteitwineu that one is incomplete without
the othei. hese two factois go togethei to compiise one of the pillais that
THE CHRISTI RSELPRT I 111
suppoits the believeis aisenal of spiiitual weapons.
You must have foitb that the weapons uou pioviues foi you will woik
anu accomplish the uesiieu puipose foi Bis gloiy. Bave foitb in the name of
}esus. Bave foitb in the powei of }esus. Bave foitb that the same powei
uwells in you anu empoweis you to uo even gieatei woiks than Be uiu,
because }esus lives in you see }ohn 1412. Listen to }esus woius about
faith
"Bave faith in uou. iuly I say to you, whoevei says to this
mountain Be taken up anu cast into the sea, anu uoes not uoubt in
his heait, but believes that what he says is going to happen, it shall
be gianteu him. heiefoie I say to you, all things foi which you
piay anu ask, believe that you have ieceiveu them, anu they shall
be gianteu you" Naik 1122-24.
xeicise youi faith by speaking foith the Woiu anu ueclaiing alouu the
victoiy hiist gives. When the Boly Spiiit quickens a veise of Sciiptuie foi a
given situation, speak it foith as a woiu of faith, casting uown eveiy
imagination that is contiaiy to the Woiu of uou see 2 oi. 1u.
What quenches all feai, uoubt anu unbelief FAIB. FAIB. FAIB.
BLIvINu. BLIvINu, BLIvINu.
You can speak foith faith as a commanu. Note the example in Acts
1618 "But Paul was gieatly annoyeu, anu tuineu anu saiu to the spiiit, I
commanu you in the name of }esus hiist to come out of hei! Anu it came
out at that veiy moment"
he impoitance of obeJiencewhich also incluues commitment
cannot be oveiemphasieu. As an inteicessoi, youi woik is going to be
constant anu challenging. You will be putting youiself in the place of the
peison foi whom you aie piaying, sometimes feeling his oi hei neeu. his
type of piayei calls foi obeJience to the voice of the Spiiit anu unwaveiing
commitment But a woiu of waining Bo not allow inteicession to keep you
burJeneJ Leain how to iesponu in obeuience when the Spiiit calls you to
piayei, but then ielease piayei buiuens to youi loving heavenly Fathei.
ommitment means the act of entiusting to ueliveieu in tiust.
heiefoie, youi commitment anu ueteimination to withstanu the enemy
anu aggiessively oppose him will stiengthen youi waifaie. he enemy
iecognies this quality in you. Someone has aptly saiu that all hell tiembles
to see a saint on his knees. Foi this veiy ieason, the enemy will tiy to keep
you fiom piayei. Youi obeJience anu commitment will foil his plan!
As a hiistian you aie set apait anu conseciateu to uou foi Bis sacieu
puipose. As you entiust youi life to Bim moie anu moie eveiy uay, the
woilu will notice a uiffeience
Anu they oveicame him because of the bloou of the Lamb anu
because of the woiu of theii testimony, anu tbey JiJ not love theii
life even to Jeotb Rev. 1211, italics auueu.
Youi life is now "hiuuen with hiist in uou" ol. SS. Since Be laiu
uown Bis life foi you, you shoulu lay uown youi life foi the biethien see 1
}ohn S16.
"It is a tiustwoithy statement Foi if we uieu with Bim, we shall also live
with Bim if we enuuie, we shall also ieign with Bim if we ueny Bim, Be also
will ueny us if we aie faithless, Be iemains faithful foi Be cannot ueny
Bimself" 2 im. 211-1S.
rayer and Intercession: Tbe illar o
Communication and ower
We have alieauy uiscusseu in pievious chapteis the impoitance of
communication with uou anu the uiffeience between piayei anu
inteicession. Piayei anu inteicession compiise the othei pillai that suppoits
the aisenal of spiiitual weapons.
Beie we will uiscuss the mattei of piaying in the Spiiit. he teim
"piaying in the Spiiit" can mean uiffeient things to uiffeient people oi
uenominations.
o some it means following the leauing of the Boly Spiiit anu piaying as
Be uiiects in youi unueistanuing oi in song. As you piay eainestly, you
follow the piompting of the Spiiit ueep within youi spiiit. hese piayeis
may be piayeu fiom the heait oi fiom wiitten piayeis, using books such as
y 0tmost for Eis Eiqbest by 0swalu hambeis, Piayeis Tbot Avoil ucb
by Woiu Ninistiies, Inc. oi the piayeis in the section of this book titleu "Baily
Piayeis," chaptei 1u.
o otheis piaying in the Spiiit may mean piaying in an unknown
tongue as uesciibeu in 1 oiinthians 141-2. Piivate "piaying in tongues* is
uiffeient than the use of tongues anu inteipietation of tongues in public
woiship see 1 oi. 1426-28. As you ieau the following Sciiptuies, you will
notice that this foim of piaying in the Spiiit can be a useful tool foi some
inteicessois.
1. raying in tbe Spirit is your spirit communicating directly
witb Cod. It is piimaiily foi use in youi uevotional piayei life foi
inteicession, piaise anu woiship
Let him speak to himself anu to uou 1 oi. 1428b.
Foi one who speaks in a tongue uoes not speak to men, but to uou
foi no one unueistanus, but in his spiiit he speaks mysteiies 1 oi.
142.
2. raying in tbe Spirit is a perect prayer. Since you uo not always
know how oi what to piay in a given situation, you can biing the
neeu befoie the Loiu by piaying in the Spiiit. he Boly Spiiit, youi
Belpei, enables you to piay as you oughttheieby piaying in the
Loius will.
Piaying in the Spiiit is a means by which the Boly Spiiit inteiceues
thiough youi spiiit in piayei. his is wheie we get the teim "piayei
language," an unleaineu language in which you can piay. When you piay
with youi unueistanuing, you aie easily influenceu by youi feelings,
thoughts, uesiies, expeiiences, uistiactions, unueistanuing anu will. ven
youi vocabulaiy can limit youi piayeis. uou gives you a piayei language
that bypasses youi minu, will anu emotions anu allows you to continue in
piayei without inteiiuption
Anu in the same way the Spiiit also helps oui weakness foi we uo
not know how to piay as we shoulu, but the Spiiit Bimself
inteiceues foi us with gioanings too ueep foi woius anu Be who
seaiches the heaits knows what the minu of the Spiiit is, because
Be inteiceues foi the saints accoiuing to the will of uou. Anu we
know that uou causes all things to woik togethei foi goou to those
who love uou, to those who aie calleu accoiuing to Bis puipose
Rom. 826-28.
See also 1 oi. 1414 1 }ohn 14,1 }as. 4S.
S. raying in tbe Spirit bas deinite meaning. Although you uo not
unueistanu what you aie piaying, uou uoes
heie aie, peihaps, a gieat many kinus of languages in the woilu,
anu no kinu is without meaning 1 oi. 141u.
4. raying in tbe Spirit ediies tbe person praying. When you aie
built up, stiengtheneu anu encouiageu, you can continue with the
spiiitual waifaie you aie calleu to uo
0ne who speaks in a tongue euifies himself 1 oi. 144a.
But you, beloveu, builuing youiselves up on youi most holy faith
piaying in the Boly Spiiit }uue 2u.
. raying in tbe Spirit bas tbe autbority o beaven bebind it.
heie is no way you coulu know when Satan anu his uemonic
foices will launch an attack. he Boly Spiiit will piompt you at the
stiategic, oppoitune time
With all piayei anu petition piay at all times in the Spiiit, anu with
this in view, be on the aleit with all peiseveiance anu petition foi
all the saints ph. 618.
See also ph. 612 }as. 16b.
Piaying is an act of youi will, whethei you aie piaying in the Spiiit oi
with youi unueistanuing. When Petei walkeu on the watei, he hau to
exeicise his will anu faith. Be got out of the boat anu moveu his feet. Walking
was not the miiacle the fact that he uiunt sink was.
Piaying in the Spiiit is similai. You must iesponu to the Boly Spiiits
piompting in the same waywith faith anu obeuience. Speaking is not the
miiacle the fact that you speak in a language you uont unueistanu is. he
Boly Spiiit will give you the utteiance. As with any language, the moie you
use it, the moie comfoitable you will feel using it.
If you piay in tongues, it is impoitant that you uo not ciiticie, conuemn
oi excluue those who uont. 0n the othei hanu, it is ust as impoitant to
iemembei that if you uo not piay in tongues, you iefiain fiom the same
attituues oi uugments of those who uo. he issue is not how you piay, but
that you aie faithful to the call of piayei anu leu by the Spiiit.
he apostle Paul wiote, "Now I wish that you all spoke in tongues....I
thank uou, I speak in tongues moie than you all....Bo not foibiu to speak in
tongues" 1 oi. 14,18,S9.
ommunication with the Loiu thiough piayei anu inteicession is a
pillai on which oui life in hiist uepenus. It is a stiong pillai of suppoit in the
hiistians aisenal of spiiitual weapons against the enemy. Piaying anu
singing in the Spiiit is the powei that moves mountains anu uiaws you into
fellowship with the Loiu
What is the outcome then I shall piay with the spiiit anu I shall
piay with the minu also I shall sing with the spiiit anu I shall sing
with the minu also 1 oi. 141.
Tbe Name o )esus: Uur Autbority
As you piay in the Spiiit, you will neeu to take youi authoiity in hiist. he
name of }esus has powei on eaith, anu in heaven anu hell. Since you aie a
temple of Bis Spiiit anu the same Boly Spiiit uwells in you, you can use Bis
name ust as though Be Bimself weie heie. "I have given you authoiity...ovei
all the powei of the enemy" Luke 1u19, }esus piomiseu.
}esus gave Bis followeis powei anu authoiity ovei uemons, anu Be
gave them the iight to ask the Fathei foi things in Eis nome:
Anu whatevei you ask in Ny name, that will I uo, that the Fathei
may be gloiifieu in the Son. If you ask Ne anything in Ny name, I
will uo it }ohn 141S,14.
heiefoie also uou highly exalteu Bim, anu bestoweu on Bim the
name which is above eveiy name, that at the name of }esus eveiy
knee shoulu bow, of those who aie in heaven, anu on eaith, anu
unuei the eaith Phil. 29,1u.
veiything has to bow at the name of }esus. So use the name of }SS
uuiing waifaie. uou iecognies it. Anu so uoes the uevil anu his host of fallen
angels. Nake the enemy flee in teiioi. Say the name of oui Loiu }esus.
he following is an effective way to piay using }esus name anu
authoiity
By the authoiity of }esus anu Bis piecious bloou, I binu you, Satan,
accoiuing to phesians 612 anu bieak youi poweis ovei this
situation. I loose name of peison fiom youi holu anu uestioy
youi woiks anu youi assignment in }esus name.
Fathei, I ask that Youi will now be uone, anu I thank you. In }esus
name anu by Bis authoiity, I ueclaie it uone.
he powei of the Boly Spiiit in you gives you authoiity to use the name
of }esus to uefeat the enemy. It can be likeneu to a policeman who can halt a
huge tiuck ust by stanuing in the miuule of the highway anu holuing up his
hanu to signal "Stop!" he policeman, weaiing his bauge, has authoiity
behinu him to stop tiaffic anu foibiu the tiuck to pioceeu when a law has
been violateu. Inteicessois, too, must use theii uelegateu authoiity to stop
uemonic foices fiom wieaking havoc with uous people.
But the one who oins himself to the Loiu is one spiiit with Bim 1
oi. 61.
See also ph. S16 Rom. 811.
A key to youi authoiity in using the name of }esus is youi peisonal
ielationship with Bim. hat ielationship, nuituieu by youi time of
fellowship with the Loiu, ensuies that you will use this authoiity only in
ways that will gloiify Bim. Notice the example of Petei anu }ohn speaking to
the lame man at the temple gate in Acts S1-8. 0n the othei hanu, note what
happeneu to those who tiieu to use the name of }esus without piopei
authoiity in Acts 1911-1. If you aie walking in piopei ielationship to }esus
hiist, the enemy must submit to youi authoiity when you use the name of
}esus
Anu these signs will accompany those who have believeu in Ny
name they will cast out uemons, they will speak with new tongues
they will pick up seipents, anu if they uiink any ueauly poison, it
shall not huit them they will lay hanus on the sick, anu they will
iecovei Naik 161,18.
he name of }esus is youi powei of attoiney anu the bloou of }esus is
the official seal that secuies youi iight to use it.
Tbe Blood o )esus: Uur Covering
When uou ieleaseu the plague of ueath against gypt, foicing Phaiaoh to
fiee the }ews. uou instiucteu the }ewish people to put the bloou of an
unblemisheu lamb ovei the uooiposts of theii homes. he angel of ueath
then passeu ovei eveiy house that was coveieu with the bloou of the lamb.
Reau xouus 12. ouay }esus, the peifect Lamb of uou, offeis the same
kinu of piotection thiough the powei of Bis innocent bloou sheu on alvaiy
foi all those who believe.
I can peisonally testify to times when the bloou of }esus has piotecteu
me fiom an onslaught of the enemy. Foi example, in Febiuaiy of 196 Floyu
anu I puichaseu a van to give to a chuich in uuatemala. When we aiiiveu
theie, we met with the pastoi to uiscuss the uetails of the seminai we woulu
be teaching. hen he gave us uiiections foi getting to the beautiful little guest
house which hau been piepaieu foi us ust outsiue of town. As we weie
walking out the uooi, the pastoi saiu that if we uiu not want to stay at the
guest house, we coulu use the apaitment uiiectly above the chuich. Be gave
us the key, so we thankeu him anu went on oui way.
0ui van was packeu with supplies to give to the uuatemalan pastois.
heiefoie, eveiy time we ieacheu anothei checkpoint, we hau to open up
the van anu allow the officials to seaich thiough all oui things. By the time
we aiiiveu at the guest house, we weie exhausteu. Because we hau to be
back in town by 8 A.M. the following moining, we iealieu that with the
uelays at the checkpoints, we woulu piobably not make it. So we ietuineu to
the chuich late that same night anu uiaggeu oui tiieu bouies into the chuich
apaitment.
It was now 2 A.M. anu I was ust laying my heau on the pillow when the
Loiu began to speak to me about changing my message foi the following
uay. I slippeu out of beu anu waiteu foi my oiueis. Be uiiecteu me to Isaiah
41, wheie I ieau
he coast lanus have seen anu aie afiaiu the enus of the eaith
tiemble they have uiawn neai anu have come. ach one helps his
neighboi, anu says to his biothei, "Be stiong!"
"But you. Isiael, Ny seivant, }acob whom I have chosen,
uescenuant of Abiaham Ny fiienu, you whom 1 have taken fiom
the enus of the eaith, anu calleu fiom its iemotest paits, anu saiu to
you, You aie Ny seivant, I have chosen you anu not ieecteu you.
Bo not feai, foi I am with you uo not anxiously look about you, foi I
am youi uou. I will stiengthen you, suiely I will help you, suiely I
will upholu you with Ny iighteous iight hanu" vv. ,6,8-1u.
I knew this was to be my text foi the following uay, but I was not quite
suie what the message woulu be when I ciawleu back into beu at S A.M. I hau
ust founu a half-suitable position upon the mattiess when I began to heai
animals howling outsiue. At fiist I thought the sounus might be uemonic.
hen I heaiu the pittei pattei of uogs iunning acioss the flat ioof above me.
Suuuenly the entiie builuing began to shake with such foice that I was
neaily thiust out of beu. All I coulu think of weie my uaughteis who weie
sleeping in the next ioom. I put both feet on the flooi anu was huileu acioss
the ioom with such might that my watch bioke as I slammeu into the wall. I
heaiu one of the giils say, "Is this the iaptuie"
he othei iesponueu, "No, cause weie not going up!"
Little uiu I know that many of the piophetic voices in this town hau
waineu the people of uous coming uugment foi the sins of uiunkenness,
auulteiy, witchciaft anu iuolatiy. he moining aftei the eaithquake hit, theie
weie 6u couples stanuing outsiue the chuich iepenting befoie uou anu
asking to be maiiieu. otionol 6eoqropbic magaine iepoiteu 2S,uuu
people killeu in one uay, iesembling the iepoit in 1 oiinthians 1u1-8.
When we ietuineu to see the little guest house wheie we hau intenueu
to stay, the haiis on my aims stoou on enu. he house hau ciumbleu anu a
huge cement beam lay stietcheu acioss the beus wheie Floyu anu I anu oui
two uaughteis woulu have slept. Immeuiately I coulu see in the theatei of
my minu an instant ieplay of the piayei oui pastoi hau piayeu foi us befoie
we left on oui tiip. Be hau laiu his hanus on each membei of oui family,
asking foi uous piotection anu began to pleau the bloou of }esus ovei us.
hank uou foi the bloou of }esus that washes away oui sins anu causes the
wickeu plans of the enemy to pass ovei us. See Beb. 912-14.
"Pleauing the bloou of }esus" is a tactic foi inteicession that has been
useu by piayei waiiiois foi many, many yeais. Because of abuse, howevei, it
has become somewhat contioveisial. o "pleau the bloou of }esus" ovei a
peison foi his oi hei piotection is simply to ieminu the enemy of his
bounuaiies. See xou. 1222,2S.
he bloou of }esus secuies lasting peace anu victoiy. A foieshauowing
of this is seen in 1 Samuel S-14 when Samuel challengeu Isiael to uestioy
the false gous of the Philistines which hau polluteu the lanu. he people
iesponueu in obeuience anu obseiveu a uay of fasting. he Philistines weie
angeieu when they heaiu theii iuols hau been uestioyeu, so they stageu an
attack. he people saiu to Samuel. "Bo not cease to ciy to the Loiu oui uou
foi us. that Be may save us fiom the hanu of the Philistines" v. 8. Samuel
iesponueu by taking a suckling lamb anu offeiing it as a whole offeiing to the
Loiu.
In his book, Born for Bottle, Aithui Natthews sums up the account
Stanuing iuentifieu with the complete acceptance of his lamb,
Samuel ciies unto the Loiu foi Isiael. he Loiu thunueis fiom
heaven, the Philistines aie fiighteneu off anu, accoiuing to the
iecoiu, "came no moie into the coast of Isiael."
he victoiy was necessaiy to the peace. Peace is victoiy sustaineu.
he only man who can keep the enemy at bay is the inteicessoi,
anu blesseu is that inteicessoi who knows how to use the powei of
the bloou in spiiitual waifaie. "Piecious bloou, by this we conquei
In the fieicest fight,
Sin anu Satan oveicoming
by its might."
F. R. Baveigal
2
Blood-Bougbt Beneits
he bloou of }esus
uives SALvAI0N. Biiths us into Bis kinguom anu keeps us fiom
eteinal uamnation see Naik 1616 }ohn SS,1.
Nakes A0NNN foi us, blotting out sins see Lev. 111 Rom.
11.
RBNS us. 0ui life is paiu foi in full, bought back fiom the powei
of sin anu ueath see Ps. 1u2 ph. 1 Beb. 912 Rev. 9.
}SIFIS us. Acquits us of sin anu guilt see Acts 1SS8,S9 Rom.
9.
Nakes us RIuB0S. Puts us back into iight stanuing with uou
see Isa. 92 Rom. S22,2S,2 1 }ohn 19.
uives SANIFIAI0N. Sets us apait unto uou at the time of
salvation as well as each uay theieaftei thiough the bloou of }esus
see 1 oi. 1Su Beb. 1u1u.14.
Allows RNISSI0N of sins. Sin was canceleu see Rom. S24,2 Beb.
922.
R0NILS us. Accepting uous piovision, we can now fellowship
with Bim in love see Rom. 1u ol. 12u.
uives 0vR0NINu P0WR as we ieceive anu use what has been
uelegateu to us see Luke 1u19 Rev. 1211.
Pioviues BLIvRAN. Releases us fiom poweis of uaikness anu
sets us fiee see 2 oi. 214 ol. 11S.
Releases F0RuIvNSS. Paiuons sins see ol. 114 1 }ohn 19.
stablishes a NW 0vNAN. Replaces olu covenant of saciifices
peifect saciifice now has been maue thiough }esus hiist see Beb.
22 81S 91 1u9 1224.
LANSS us fiom all sin see 1 }ohn 1.
Agreement: Uur Bonding
Inteicessois oqree with the Boly Spiiit on that which Be has calleu them to
accomplish thiough spiiitual waifaie. "Agieement" means "to haimonie, to
live in concoiu, without contention." We aie all calleu to be consistent with
oui piayeis by the Woiu anu by the Spiiit. Anu to be consistent, we must
keep oui heaits fiee fiom uivision so we iemain unifieu within the Bouy of
believeis.
Agieement, oi unity, can be both an offensive anu a uefensive weapon.
When a wolf wants to kill a lamb, he waits until it stiays fiom the flock. he
lamb is then unable to uefenu itself because it is alone. Anu yet, within the
company of otheis, it is piotecteu. We finu safety by bonuing in agieement
with othei believeis anu staying close to the Shepheiu.
Agieement begins with a uou focus anu a heait that is close to Bim.
When youi heait is knit to the Loiu, Be then will knit you togethei with
anothei to accomplish moie than you coulu evei accomplish alone. his is
the "thieefolu coiu" that Solomon wiote about in cclesiastes 412. "wo aie
bettei than one because they have a goou ietuin foi theii laboi. Foi if eithei
of them falls, the one will lift up his companion. But woe to the one who falls
when theie is not anothei to lift him up. Anu if one can oveipowei him who
is alone, two can iesist him" vv. 9,1u,12.
Befoie you can piay in agieement, you must leain to be in one accoiu
with anothei inteicessoi see Acts 21. Paitneiships stiengthen anu piotect
youi position in the aimy of uou. Piayei alliances with otheis of like spiiit
can inciease youi waifaie effoits. Bowevei, choose piayei paitneis veiy
caiefully unuei the uiiection of the Boly Spiiit human logic must not be the
ueteimining factoi in such a choice.
When your heurt lx knlt to the IorJ, e then
wlll knlt you together wlth unother to
uccompllxh more thun you coulJ ever
uccompllxh ulone.
If it is ust one paitnei, the peison shoulu be of youi same sex, anu
shoulu be accessible foi fiequent communication. If you feel the Loiu is
leauing you towaiu a specific inuiviuual as a piayei paitnei, anu the feeling
is mutual, test the ielationship. Is the ielationship puie, holy anu above
iepioach Aie theie any hiuuen motives Woulu the Loiu be pleaseu
}esus saiu
"Again I say to you, that if two of you agiee on eaith about anything
that they may ask, it shall be uone foi them by Ny Fathei who is in
heaven. Foi wheie two oi thiee have gatheieu togethei in Ny
name, theie I am in theii miust" Natt. 1819,2u.
Leaining to piay in agieement is leaining to piay in uous will. As youi
minu is tiansfoimeu, you will uiscovei the peifect will of uou anu be in
agieement with Bim thiough Bis Woiu See Rom. 121
heie is a waining about what coulu happen if you aie in agieement
ovei something ungouly. Reau Acts 1,2 anu 9. anu you will see that when
Ananias anu his wife Sapphiia agieeu to tell a lie, theii plot cost them theii
lives. "Why is it that you have agieeu togethei to put the Spiiit of the Loiu to
the test" Petei askeu Sapphiia ust befoie she fell ovei ueau.
You may ask, "What if I make a mistake" If youi heait is iight anu youi
motives puie, uous giace will abounu.
Leain to uiscein the spiiit of the one with whom you aie agieeing. If you
agiee with the woiu of the enemyby listening to bau iepoits he whispeis
in youi eai oi senus by way of someone elseyou aie in wiong agieement.
Agiee with what the Woiu tells you oi the Boly Spiiit biings to youi minu.
Invite the Boly Spiiit to be piesent befoie you even stait to piay. Piay in
one accoiu with Bim.
Binding and Loosing: Uur Keys
0nce you have come into agieement with the Boly Spiiit, you will neeu
to use youi powei of attoiney in hiist }esus to stop the plans of hell anu
ielease the puiposes of heaven. }esus has given Bis followeis two effective
weapons foi uoing this binJinq anu loosinq hey aie inguom keys useu to
put a lock on Satans powei anu unlock the powei of uou.
I will give you the keys of the kinguom of heaven anu whatevei
you shall binu on eaith shall have been bounu in heaven, anu
whatevei you shall loose on eaith shall have been looseu in heaven
Natt 1619.
What then is the meaning of the phiase, "shall be bounu in heaven...shall
be looseu in heaven" 0ne Bible tianslatoi points out that the veib foim is
the peifect passive paiticiple, so tbe reference is to tbinqs in o stote of bovinq
been olreoJy forbiJJen or permitteJ his tells us that whatevei is bounu oi
looseu by the believei is uone on the basis that it has alieauy been uone "in
heaven."
"0i how can anyone entei the stiong mans house anu caiiy off his
piopeity, unless he fiist binus the stiong man Anu then he will
plunuei his house" Natt. 1229.
he context of this passage finus }esus casting out uemons. he uieek
woiu foi "binu" in the veise means "to fasten oi tie-as with chainsas an
animal tieu to keep fiom leaving."
S
Binuing anu loosing is not some kinu of spiiitual magic anu cannot be
useu at eveiy whim, such as, "Satan, I binu you off of my lotteiy ticket" his is
an example of impiopei binuing. It is contiaiy to the Woiu of uou anu woulu
be foi selfish puiposes. It has nothing to uo with binuing anu loosing foi
inguom puiposes.
0ne authoi has this to say about binuing anu loosing "It has to uo with
the authoiity of the hiistian in spiiitual waifaie, anu theie aie often many
factois involveu. Binuing anu loosing is a confiuent assuiance anu confession
of uous oiuei anu goveinment ovei against the uisoiuei of a sin-cuiseu,
uemonieu woilu."
4
Tbe Bictionory of ew estament Tbeoloqy says, "he iuea of binuing
may also iefei back to the pictuie of the binuing of the stiong man that is,
Satan who must fiist be bounu befoie his goous that is, those enthialleu by
him may be plunueieu see Natt 1229 Paiallel Naik S2, see also Luke
1121. hus Petei woulu be piomiseu the powei that hiist hau to binu the
poweis of evil anu to libeiate men, anu this woulu holu goou not only on
eaith, but also in heaven."
In oiuei to binu the stiong man. you must fiist know who the stiong
man is. It can be a piincipality, powei, iulei of uaikness in this woilu oi a
spiiitual wickeuness in high places see ph. 612. his is uisceineu thiough
piayei anu must always be within the will anu timing of uou. Nany times
fasting must accompany that piayei. When the man askeu }esus why Bis
uisciples coulu not cast the uemon out of his son, Be ieplieu, "But this kinu
uoes not go out except by piayei anu fasting." See Natt 114-21.
veiy inuiviuual believei has the iight anu authoiity to call uown oi
iesist the uevil anu binu the stiong man. You as an inuiviuual will be singleu
out anu challengeu by the spiiits of uaikness. 0i you will be calleu into wai
against the poweis ovei youi home, chuich, city, etc.
Binuing anu loosing uemonic spiiits oi poweis of highei-level spiiitual
uominion is uefinitely something you uo not want to uo without knowleuge
of what you aie uoing. When calling uown stiongholus, you may assist
anothei in piayei anu agieement as you leain, but nevei woik alone. You
must know youi spiiitual uiisuiction.
heie can be seiious iepeicussions if this is uone outsiue of the iealm of
authoiity uiiectly ielateu to the oiuei anu authoiity of the huich. he
hieiaichy of uaikness see ph. 612 unueistanus authoiity anu the chain
of commanu of uous people. Noving without the piopei authoiity is veiy
uangeious to you anu can cieate havoc within the chuich, etc., in which you
aie ministeiing.
o what then uoes the loosinq iefei o setting the captive fiee! Bo you
iecall the stoiy of }esus healing the woman who hau a spiiit of infiimity foi
18 yeais }esus tolu hei, "Woman, thou ait looseu fiom thine infiimity." See
Luke 1S11,12, }v.
he uieek woiu foi "loose" is uefineu in the lexicon as "to loose
anything tieu oi fasteneu to loose one bounu to set fiee to uischaige fiom
piison. o fiee fiom bonuage oi uisease one helu by Satan by iestoiation
to health."
6
}ames N. Fieeman, in his book Nanneis anu Customs of tbe Bible,
explains the common usage in }ewish schools foi the woius "binu" anu
"loose." o "binu" is to "foibiu," anu to "loose" is to "allow." Binuing anu
loosing is piohibiting anu peimitting. In the Aiamaic language, which }esus
useu, it was a customaiy expiession to uenote the highest authoiity.
}esus gave Petei the keys of the kinguom of heaven. When }esus askeu
Petei who Be was, Petei saiu, "hou ait the hiist, the Son of the living uou"
Natt. 1616. hen }esus went on to say, "pon this iock ievelation will I
builu Ny chuich anu the gates of Baues shall not oveipowei it. I will give
you the keys of the kinguom of heaven anu whatevei you shall binu on
eaith shall be bounu in heaven, anu whatevei you shall loose on eaith shall
be looseu in heaven" vv. 18,19. Not only uiu }esus give the keys to Petei, but
Be gave them to Bis huich as well.
o binJ is to secuie the enemy with piessuie so he cannot move. o
loose is to gain libeity using the Woiu of uou. Binuing iefeis to the enemy,
while loosing iefeis to the victoiy.
heie is no foimula foi binuing anu loosing. It must be uone by
ievelation of Bis Spiiit howevei, the following is an example of the way you
might piay in uealing with the uevil conceining a loveu one
I speak to you, Satan, in the mighty anu piecious name of }esus
hiist of Naaieth. I take authoiity ovei you anu binu all uemonic
spiiits assigneu to name of peison. Loose name of peison anu
let him go fiee in the name of }esus. I uemanu that you stop youi
maneuveis against this chilu of uou. name of peison is coveieu
by the bloou of }esus, the piecious Lamb slain foi him.
You might binu anything the Loiu speaks to youi heait as you
piay. he Spiiit of the Loiu will leau you.
Loiu, I ask that Youi will now be uone, anu I thank You. In }esus
name anu by Bis authoiity. I ueclaie it uone.
hank You, Loiu, foi watching ovei Youi Woiu to peifoim it, in
}esus name. Amen.
Now that you unueistanu youi inguom authoiity, you aie ieauy to
become a piaying waiiioi. his will be accomplisheu as you leain to buffet
youi bouy anu entei into the powei available thiough a uisciplineu hiistian
life.
Notes
1. R. Aithui Natthews. Born for Bottle Robesonia, Pa. 0NF Books. 198, p. 1.
2. Ibiu., p. 6S.
S. }ames Stiong, Tbe ew Stronq's Fxboustive ConcorJonce of tbe Bible New Yoik
homas Nelson Publisheis, 1984, 121u.
4. uaiy innaman, 0vercominq tbe Bominion of Borkness uianu Rapius hosen
Books, 199u.
. olin Biown, eu., Tbe Bictionory of ew Testoment Tbeoloqy, vol 2 uianu
Rapius onueivan, 1986, p. SS.
6. Waltei Bauei, William F. Ainut, F. Wilbui uingiich anu Fieueiick W. Bankei, A
6reekFnqlisb exicon of tbe ew Testoment onJ 0tber Forly Cbristion
iteroture hicago-. niveisity of hicago Piess. 199 a iepiint of the 19
euition, p. 48S. See also Stiongs Su89.
All uiscipline foi the moment seems not to be oyful, but
soiiowful yet to those who have been tiaineu by it,
afteiwaius it yielus the peaceful fiuit of iighteousness.
Eebrews 2:
When a soluiei enlists in the militaiy, the fiist eight weeks aie spent in boot
camp, tiaining the bouy foi combat. he physical bouy then becomes an
extension of the soluieis aisenal. In much the same way. when hiistians
uiscipline themselves thiough piayei anu fasting anu ieauing the Woiu,
theii lives become pait of uous spiiitual aimoiy on eaith in which Bis Bouy
can be useu to uemolish spiiitual baiiieis anu set the captives fiee.
Fasting: Uur Cutting Edge
0ne of the most impoitant uisciplines foi uous waiiiois to cultivate is
fasting. When you couple fasting with piayei, youi piayeis tianscenu
eaithly unueistanuing anu biing about supeinatuial bieakthiough. Fasting
is moie than ust abstaining fiom foou it is an act of self-uenial foi highei
puiposes. heiefoie, it is impoitant to check youi motives anu heait
attituues with the Loiu befoie you ueteimine to fast
"Anu whenevei you fast, uo not put on a gloomy face as the
hypociites uo, foi they neglect theii appeaiance in oiuei to be seen
fasting by men. iuly I say to you, they have theii iewaiu in full.
But you, when you fast, anoint youi heau, anu wash youi face so
that you may not be seen fasting by men, but by youi Fathei who is
in seciet anu youi Fathei who sees in seciet will iepay you" Natt.
6.16-18.
Notice that }esus uiu not say "if* you fast, but "when* you fast. Be
expecteu hiistians to use that uiscipline in theii piayei lives. What is
fasting It is the voluntaiy anu uelibeiate abstinence fiom foou foi the
puipose of concentiateu piayei. }esus uealt with oui motives foi fasting anu
saiu we shoulu nevei fast to impiess otheis.
Being full of the Boly Spiiit uoes not necessaiily mean you walk in the
powei of the Spiiit. 0ne way into powei is fasting anu piayei see Luke
41,2,14, which makes you much moie spiiitually sensitive to the Woiu of
uou anu heaiing Bis voice. his sensitivity to the Boly Spiiit causes moie
powei in youi life to combat the foices of Satan.
When the Biiuegioom is taken away, the uisciples fast see Natt.
914,1 it is a spiiitual uiscipline see 2 oi. 6, which is shown in the
New estament as a means of gaining uiiection fiom the Boly Spiiit, giving
claiity of minu anu spiiit see Acts 1S1-S 1421-2S.
What is accomplisheu by fasting Piobably moie than you will evei
know until you get to heaven see Isa. 86 }oel 114. I have seen incieuible
bieakthioughs fiom my own fasting anu heaiu wonueiful testimonies fiom
otheis who have fasteu as well. In 199, I was askeu to speak to a gioup of
people in westein ansas. I tiaveleu thiough a bliaiu to get theie, so I was
tiieu anu uiaineu when I aiiiveu I was escoiteu into the banquet ioom of a
iestauiant wheie nine people gieeteu me foi uinnei. Suuuenly I heaiu the
innei voice of the Boly Spiiit speak into my minu, } want you to qive a woiu
to each peison heie tonight. I was fatigueu fiom the tiip, but I knew uou
coulu anu woulu sustain meaftei all, it was only nine people.
Suuuenly the accoiuion wall behinu us openeu up anu theie sat an
auuitional 9 men anu women. I now iealieu it was going to be a veiy long
evening. As I began to speak, the face of one woman kept uistiacting me. I
kept seeing wiitten acioss hei foieheau the woius fiom a bumpei stickei,
"eep on tiuckin!" I thought, Loiu, am seeinq correctly? I woulu give thiee
oi foui moie woius anu then look back at that woman. he woius "eep on
tiuckin!" continueu to light up like a neon sign acioss hei foieheau. I hau
spoken to eveiy peison except this woman when I lookeu at hei anu saiu,
"uou woulu say to you, eep on tiuckin!" A thunueious shout eiupteu fiom
the ciowu anu eveiyone began to applauu.
I then leaineu that the ieason only nine people hau attenueu the uinnei
THE CHRISTI RSELPRT 2 127
was that the gioup hau been fasting foi this ueai lauy whose husbanu hau
iecently uieu. Piioi to his ueath, she anu hei husbanu useu some of the
piofits fiom theii tiucking company to senu two stuuents thiough meuical
school each yeai. Now she anu hei fiienus weie fasting anu piaying to know
whethei oi not she shoulu sell the company. he woiu foi hei that night
confiimeu that she was to keep it.
Suipiisingly, I ian into this wiuow 1u yeais latei anu leaineu that she
hau suppoiteu many moie stuuents thiough meu school anu eventually
solu the company foi seveial times what it was woith when hei husbanu
uieu. Fasting not only biought life-changing ievelation to this ueai wiuow
but also ieleaseu the funus foi uous will to be financeu in the lives of otheis.
he following aie some of the biblical ieasons foi fasting
}esus set an example by spenuing 4u uays fasting in the ueseit. See
Natt. 42 Luke 42.
As a fieewill offeiing to the Fathei, it pleases Bim. See 1 Sam. ,6
Acts 142S.
It piouuces a spiiitual anu physical uiscipline. See Luke 2S6.S 1
oi. 926,2.
It keeps you fiom uous uugments. See }oel 212-14 }ohn S-1u.
It manifests concein foi family, chuich, community anu countiy.
See 2 Sam. 112 1216 ia 821 sthei 4S.16 Ban. 9S Natt.
91 Naik 218-2u Luke SS-S.
Fasting has the following benefits
It stiengthens anu implements piayei. See Acts 1uSu,S1.
It biings blessings of obeuience. See Natt. 66,16.
It biings humility thiough iepentance. See Neh. 91-S.
It gives ievelation of uous way anu will foi youi futuie. See Ban. 9.
It establishes authoiity anu powei in piayei anu spiiitual waifaie.
See Natt. 41-11.
Fasting biings gieat victoiies. Foi example, ing }ehoshaphat calleu foi
a national fast against invauing aimies. As a iesult of the fast, the enemies
killeu each othei see 2 hion. 2u1-Su.
Fasting gives you a piopei mental attituue Bont view fasting as
punishment, even though youi bouy may iebel at fiist. Insteau, view it as a
piecious oppoitunity to get closei to the Loiu. When you fast, you aie not
uistiacteu by the uaily focus of eating. Anu the time that you woulu noimally
spenu at the kitchen table can be set asiue to feast fiom the spiiitual foou
that uou will seive you as you spenu time in Bis piesence at Bis table. uou
iesponus to youi sinceiity when you willingly humble youiself.
he following aie some ways to fast
Twenty-our-bour ast: Fiom sunset to sunset. Abstain fiom solius.
artial ast: Abstain fiom pleasant foous. Paitake only of cleai
soups, fiuit uices, ceieals oi giains, 0R give up one meal a uay foi
piayei. See Ban. 18-16 1u2,S.
Tbree-day ast: otal abstinence of foou foi thiee uays. See
example in sthei 416.
Extended ast: Bas two methous both iequiie piepaiation. Befoie
an extenueu fast, it is iecommenueu you omit caffeine anu iich foous
fiom youi uiet.
Total ast: xcluues all foou but uoes incluue watei. Fast shoulu be
bioken slowly. 0nly uiluteu uices foi a uay oi two. Next giauually
pioceeu to fiuits, vegetables anu giains, auuing meats last.
Non-total ast: No foou intake only uiluteu fiuit uices, watei anu
hot heibal teas aie taken.
Note lf you ore on meJicotion, consult your pbysicion before
commencinq on extenJeJ fost You may neeu to consiuei a paitial fast. Fast
when uiiecteu by the Boly Spiiit anu accoiuing to youi uisciplineu piayei
life see Isa. 86 1 oi. 926,2.
se youi fast as an oppoitunity to piay moie. Buiing this time youi
spiiit is much moie sensitive to the Boly Spiiit, anu you often will ieceive
keenei ievelation fiom uous Woiu. Fasting is not an enuuiance test noi a
ieligious iitual. It is a piivilege anu blessing to appioach the Loiu in humility
anu wholeheaiteu faith.
Scriptures on asting:
xouus S428 Noses
Leviticus 1629-S1 Bay of Atonement
Leviticus 2S2-S2 Bay of Atonement
1 Samuel 1,8 Bannahs piayei
2 Samuel 1216-2S Baviu foi Bathshebas chilu
1 ings 1S8-24 liah
1 ings 198 liahs ouiney to Boieb
1 ings 212 By Ahab in self-humiliation
2 hionicles 2uS Pioclaimeu by }ehoshaphat
ia 821-2S Pioclaimeu by ia
Nehemiah 14 By Nehemiah
Nehemiah 91 People of }eiusalem confessing sin
sthei 416 alleu by sthei
}ob SS19,2u As a iesult of sickness anu pain
Isaiah 8 Fasting which pleases uou
}eiemiah 1412 hat which is unacceptable
}oel 212 Retuining to uou with whole heait
Natthew 616-18 Not as hypociites uo
Natthew 121 0nly by piayei anu fasting
Luke 2S Anna woishiping in temple
Luke 42 }esus 4u-uay fast
Luke 1812 Self-iighteous anu boastful
Acts 99 Saul of aisus
Acts 1uSu oinelius when angel appeaieu
Acts 1S2,S By piophets anu teacheis in Antioch
Acts 142S At appointment of elueis
Romans 1421 Abstaining foi sake of weakei one
1 oiinthians In maiiiage ielationship
2 oiinthians 6 Ingieuient of Apostolic ministiy
fiom 6oJ's Cbosen Iost, by Aithui Wallis
1
See fasting as a means foi cieating gieatei piayei focus. I like to equate
the effects of fasting with lasei suigeiy. he lasei beam concentiates light to
cut anu coiiect physical pioblems. Likewise, fasting is a concentiation of
spiiitual light on a pioblem to cut away the iueas of the flesh so uous
answeis can heal the situation. Fast with a uefinite goal to bieak the bonuage
anu opposition of Satan. Fasting that gloiifies uou is biitheu out of humility.
It is moie than ust iefiaining fiom foou it is a minuset that says, "I cant
}esus can."
Note: Befoie attempting a piolongeu fast, become victoiious with the
shoitei kinus of fasts, such as one-uay oi paitial fasts.
raise: Uur Banner
Piaise is anothei impoitant uiscipline that is key to successful spiiitual
waifaie. It is one of the most poweiful weapons available to the believei.
}esus moueleu piaise by teaching Bis uisciples to stait anu enu theii piayeis
with it. Bont wait to win the victoiies befoie you stait piaising use it to lay
the giounuwoik foi the victoiies the Boly Spiiit uesiies. You actually uo
battle fiom a position of victoiy see ph. 12u-22. Look at the example of
Paul anu Silas
Anu when they hau inflicteu many blows upon them, they thiew
them into piison, commanuing the ailei to guaiu them secuiely
anu he, having ieceiveu such a commanu, thiew them into the
innei piison, anu fasteneu theii feet in the stocks. But about
miunight Paul anu Silas weie piaying anu singing hymns of piaise
to uou, anu the piisoneis weie listening to them anu suuuenly
theie came a gieat eaithquake, so that the founuations of the
piison house weie shaken anu immeuiately all the uoois weie
openeu, anu eveiyones chains weie unfasteneu Acts 162S-26.
See also Rev. 19 Pss. 18 1u6.
What uoes piaise uo
It blesses the Loiu see Ps. 668 Luke 242,S.
It biings you into Bis piesence anu uiaws you closei to Bim see Ps.
1uu4.
It opens uoois anu makes iough places smooth see Isa. 6u18 Acts
162,26.
It uefeats the uevil see 2 ings 111S,14 Ps. 149-9.
It biings ievival see 2 hion. S12 S412 Ps. 1uS2.
It keeps you happy anu gives you oy see Isa. 611-S Acts 24-4.
Piaise is an act of bouy woiship. When you woiship uou, you expiess a
vaiiety of emotions with youi bouy. he following aie examples of bouy
woiship thiough piaise
When you clap youi hanus anu stomp youi feet, you poitiay youi
excitement see 2 ings 1112 Ps. 988 Isa. 12 Lam. 21 ek.
611.
When you stanu up, maich oi walk, you poitiay ieauiness to seive
oi to go see uen. 1S1 Beut. 1122-2 }osh. 11- Ps. 68,8.
When you lift up youi hanus, you aie woishiping anu suiienueiing
to uou see xou. 18-16 1 ings 822-24 Pss. 282 6SS,4 1S42
1412 Luke 24u.1 1 im. 28 Beb. 1212.
When you uance, you expiess gieat oy see 1 Sam. 186. Pss.
Su11 149S }ei. S11S Luke 111-24.
When you sing, you expiess glauness of heait see Pss. 682 1uu2
1u81 Piov. 296 Isa. 2619 61S,14 }ei. S1 ech. 21u 1 oi.
141 }as. 1S Rev. 1S.
When you play skillfully on an instiument, you show foith auoiation
see 1 Sam. 162S 186. 1 hion. 128 1642 21,S,6 2 hion.
1S,14 S412 Ps. SSS.
When you fall piostiate to fall uown flat in homage to ioyalty oi
uou, you poitiay ueep emotion anu total suiienuei to uou see Ps.
211 Isa. 414.
When you kneel, you aie poitiaying humility anu uepenuence upon
uou see 2 hion. 61S Natt. 114 Naik 14u. neeling is asking
foi meicy see Luke 2241 Acts 94u 21.
When you sit uown oi keep silent, you show foith iest anu tiust in
uou see xou. 1414 }osh. 61u }ob 21S Piov. 1SS 12 Amos
1S Natt. 84 1216 214 Luke 2S9 }ohn 86.
Tbe ord o Cod and Uur Testimony: Uur
Foundation
Fasting anu piaising open up youi spiiit so you can effectively wielu youi
most poweiful weapon the Woiu of uou. his weapon is mentioneu last,
because it is the founuation upon which the entiie aisenal iests. veiything
you uo in spiiitual waifaie must be baseu upon the Woiu of uou.
he following veises viviuly illustiate the fact that the Woiu of uou is a
militaiy tool pioviueu foi hiistian soluieis enteiing the spiiitual battlefielu
Anu take...the swoiu of the Spiiit, which is the woiu of uou ph.
61.
Foi the woiu of uou is living anu active anu shaipei than any two-
eugeu swoiu, anu pieicing as fai as the uivision of soul anu spiiit, of
both oints anu maiiow, anu able to uuge the thoughts anu
intentions of the heait Beb. 412.
Woius can eithei woik foi you oi woik against you. Leain to use them
as }esus uiu. It is Bis Woiu abiuing in you that causes faith to be piesent in
youi woius see }ohn 1,8. You can leain to use uous Woiu against the
uevil ust as }esus uiu when tempteu by him. }esus ieplieu, "It is wiitten...it is
wiitten...it is wiitten." ach time Be quoteu uous Woiu, anu Be was the
victoi see Natt, 44,,1u 1uS2.
When you confess uous Woiu alouu befoie otheis as youi affiimation,
}esus confesses you befoie the Fathei see Natt 1uS2. he moie you know
anu confess the Woiu, the moie effective the victoiy will be. Stoie Sciiptuie
in the ieseivoii of youi spiiit to use when neeueu.
A Document o Conirmation
Anothei effective way to use the Woiu as a weapon is to establish a
"uocument of confiimation" baseu on the woiu the Loiu has given foi a
paiticulai situation. A uocument of confiimation is a most valuable weapon
of spiiitual waifaie.
Accoiuing to Websteis Bictionaiy, a uocument is "a lesson, a pioof,
anything piinteu, wiitten, ielieu upon to iecoiu oi piove something.
Anything seiving as pioof, to piove oi suppoit, as by iefeience to
uocuments."
Lets look at some uocuments in the Bible
uou tolu Noses on Nount Sinai to uocument Bis woius to Isiael by
wiiting them on tablets. uou consiueieu them so impoitant that when
Noses latei bioke them, uou immeuiately iewiote them with Bis fingei.
hese we iefei to as the en ommanuments.
hen the Loiu saiu to Noses, "Wiite uown these woius, foi in
accoiuance with these woius I have maue a covenant with you
anu with Isiael" xou. S42.
When Bis people ietuineu fiom captivity to }eiusalem, Nehemiah
commanueu them to ienew theii covenant ielationship with uou. "Now
because of all this we aie making an agieement in wiiting anu on the sealeu
uocument aie the names of oui leaueis, oui Levites anu oui piiests" Neh.
9S8.
uou tolu ekiel to wiite a uocument of wai, ievealing to ekiel the
heait of ing Nebuchauneai to launch an all-out attack against }eiusalem.
uou instiucteu ekiel to maik the uate uown so that he woulu know latei
what uou hau tolu him was the tiuth
Anu the woiu of the Loiu came to me in the ninth yeai, in the tenth
month, on the tenth of the month, saying, "Son of man, wiite the
name of the uay, this veiy uay. he king of Babylon has laiu siege to
}eiusalem this veiy uay" ek. 241,2.
he piophet Babakkuk was commanueu by the Loiu to iecoiu the
vision which hau been given him as a witness in the enu time
hen the Loiu answeieu me anu saiu, "Recoiu the vision anu
insciibe it on tablets, that the one who ieaus it may iun. Foi the
vision is yet foi the appointeu time it hastens towaiu the goal, anu
it will not fail. hough it taiiies, wait foi it foi it will ceitainly come,
it will not uelay" Bab. 22,S.
A uocument of confiimation is an aiticle in wiiting that gives a woiu of
testimony oi piomise, anu usually has a uate anu a signatuie.
Nany inteicessois have founu it helpful to keep a piayei ouinal to
iecoiu woius they ieceive fiom the Loiu uuiing theii piayei time. uou holus
these woius in high esteem Be will stanu behinu them to biing them to pass
if they aie in line with Bis Woiu anu will. See "}ouinaling Recoiuing What
You Beai," chaptei 6.
A uocument of confiimation can be a passage of Sciiptuie that Be
quickens to youi spiiit uuiing youi fellowship with Bim. It can also be a
uiiect woiu fiom the Loiu ievealeu thiough a piophecy by the Boly Spiiit. It
may even be something the Loiu ieveals as Be allows you to inteipiet what
you have piayeu in the Spiiit. It will always be in alignment with uous
Woiu, anu consistent with uous chaiactei.
Bowevei you ieceive a woiu, wiite uown the ueclaiation anu iecoiu
the uate. Latei you will be blesseu when iemembeiing how uou gave you
the miiacle Be piomiseu, oi when you see the woiu come to pass.
se youi swoiu of the Spiiit in the following ways
1. uote the Woiu to the enemy to ieminu him of his uefeat
2. uote the Woiu to the Loiu to affiim Bis piomises that you aie
claiming on someones behalf.
S. Ask the Loiu to give you a woiu foi uiiection foi the peison oi
situation foi which you aie inteiceuing. xample In piaying foi
someone with a seiious illness, the Loiu may give a woiu with a
veise such as, "his sickness is not unto ueath" }ohn 114. }v.
hen wiite it uown anu iemain steaufast in piayei until the
answei comes.
4. Allow the Boly Spiiit to quicken the Woiu to you foi
encouiagement anu coiiection, anu to give guiuance anu stiategy
foi youi inteicession.
Tbe Names o Cod: Uur Covenant
he Woiu of uou aumonishes all Bis people to "call upon Bis name." o uo
this moie effectively, it helps to unueistanu Bis attiibutes.
he next few pages aie notes taken fiom omes of 6oJ by Nathan }.
Stone. You will have a bettei unueistanuing of uous chaiactei anu will by
knowing the piovisions Be has maue foi you thiough the powei of Bis
names. Nay youi piayei life be eniicheu as you begin to iefei to Bim by
some of the mighty names that follow
ELUHIM:
iiune cieatoi soveieign of the univeise, anu life, anu of all nations who
covenants to pieseive Bis cieation.
ueneial iuea of gieatness, gloiy, cieative anu goveining powei,
omnipotence, soveieignty, cieatoi of the univeise.
lohim is mainly conceineu with the cieation anu pieseivation of the
woilu anu Bis woiks. Be assumes a gieat love towaiu all cieation anu
cieatuies as the woik of Bis hanus.
Pluial, iepiesenting the iinity, unuei obligation of an oath to peifoim
ceitain conuitions.
EL:
Nighty, stiong, piominent, "uou" gieat, uieauful, "Almighty uou"
EL SHADDAI:
he uou who is "all-sufficient" anu "all-bountiful," the 0ne who fills anu
makes fiuitful, useu in connection with uuging, chastening, puiging,
tianslateu "almighty."
L SBABBAI fiist appeais in connection with Abiaham in uenesis 11
}v "Anu when Abiam was ninety yeais olu anu nine, }ehovah appeaieu
to Abiam, anu saiu unto him, I am L SBABBAI uou Almighty!" At this
time Abiams name was changeu to Abiaham because he unueistoou the
ievelation of L SBABBAI as the 0ne with whom all things weie possible.
ADUNI:
Soveieign Loiu, mastei of oui lives, sii, ownei. Implies a claim upon mans
obeuience anu seivice.
AB0NI ieveals the ielationship which uou sustains towaiu us anu what
Be expects of us. AB0NI is useu hunuieus of times in ielation to }esus
Bimself. We aie not oui own we have been bought with a piice. We belong
to AB0NI spiiit, soul, anu bouy.
AB0NI also iepiesents the 0ne who bestows gifts upon anu equips Bis
seivants foi seivice. We Bis seivants aie to be Bis inheiitance, the poition
anu possession of Bis people.
)EHUAH:
he being who is absolutely self-existent, possesses eteinal life anu
peimanent existence, eteinal anu unchangeable, the self-existent uou of
ievelation.
}B0vAB is known as the uou who expiesses Bimself in essential
moial anu spiiitual attiibutes. }B0vAB ieveals Bis love as conuitioneu
upon moial anu spiiitual attiibutes. }B0vAB places man unuei moial
obligations with a waining of punishment foi uisobeuience.
}B0vAB is ueiiveu fiom the Bebiew veib boyob meaning "to be" oi
"being." It is the name most fiequently employeu in the 0lu estament,
occuiiing 6,19 times.
heie aie eight compounu names of }B0vAB in the 0lu estament.
hese names weie useu when }FE0vAE wonteJ to moke o speciol revelotion
of Eimself
1. }B0vAB-}IRB iia
"}ehovahs piovision shall be seen"
2. }B0vAB-RAPBA iafa
"}ehovah heals"
S. }B0vAB-NISSI nis se
"}ehovah my bannei"
4. }B0vAB-NABBISB ma ka uish
"}ehovah who sanctifies"
. }B0vAB-SBAL0N sha lom
"}ehovah is peace"
6. }B0vAB-SIBN tsiu ka nu
"}ehovah oui iighteousness"
. }B0vAB-SBANNAB sham mah
"}ehovah is theie"
8. }B0vAB-R0BI io e
"}ehovah my shepheiu"
heie is a wonueiful anu significant oiuei in these compounu names of
}B0vAB as they appeai in Sciiptuie. heie is a piogiessive ievelation of
}ehovah pioviuing foi each neeu as it aiisessaving, sustaining,
stiengthening, sanctifying. he oiuei in which these eight names appeai
shows }B0vABS puipose to meet the ueveloping spiiitual anu physical
neeus of Bis people. Isiael.
)EHUAH-)IREH:
")ebovab's provision sball be seen"
Anu Abiaham saiu, "uou will pioviue foi Bimself the lamb foi the
buint offeiing, my son." So the two of them walkeu on togethei.
...Anu Abiaham calleu the name of that place he Loiu Will
Pioviue, as it is saiu to this uay, "In the mount of the Loiu it will be
pioviueu" uen. 228,14.
NANINu It shall be seen, it shall be pioviueu sense of foieseeing, seei,
piophet.
}B0vAB-}IRB is a kinu of seeing that is uiffeient fiom lohim, all
knowing. his kinu of seeing means foreseeinq is prevision Pievision is the
noun foim of "seeing befoiehanu." hus to uou, pievision is followeu with
piovision. F0R B WILL RAINLY PR0vIB F0R BA NB WBIB
BIS F0R-SINu SB0WS 0 IS. With Bim pievision anu piovision aie
one anu the same thing.
he name }B0vAB-}IRB aiose out of the instance of }ehovahs
piovision of a substitute foi Isaac, whom Be hau commanueu Abiaham to
saciifice upon the altai. he name stanus foi }ebovob's qreot provision for
mon's reJemption in tbe socrifice of Eis only begotten Son, }esus Be is the
Lamb of uou who takes away the sin of the woilu, who was offeieu up on the
veiy spot wheie Abiaham hau pieuicteu"in the mount of the Loiu it will
be pioviueu"
}B0vAB-}IRB is to us the one who pioviues the saciificial Lamb of
uou foi oui ieuemption.
)EHUAH-RAHA:
")ebovab beals"
hen Noses leu Isiael fiom the Reu Sea, anu they went out into the
wilueiness of Shui anu they went thiee uays in the wilueiness anu
founu no watei. Anu when they came to Naiah, they coulu not
uiink the wateis of Naiah, foi they weie bittei theiefoie, it was
nameu Naiah. So the people giumbleu at Noses, saying, "What
shall we uiink"
hen he ciieu out to the Loiu, anu the Loiu showeu him a tiee anu
he thiew it into the wateis, anu the wateis became sweet. heie
Be maue foi them a statute anu iegulation, anu theie Be testeu
them. Anu Be saiu, "If you will give eainest heeu to the voice of the
Loiu youi uou, anu uo what is iight in Bis sight, anu give eai to Bis
commanuments, anu keep all Bis statutes, I will put none of the
uiseases on you which I have put on the gyptians foi I, the Loiu,
am youi healei" xou. 122-26.
NANINu o iestoie, to heal, to cuie in a physical anu spiiitual sense.
he Loiu }esus consummateu Bis ministiy by becoming B R that
maue the bittei pools of human existence wateis of life. he teaching of
Naiah is wonueifully fulfilleu in Bim. }esus is both the tiee anu the wateis.
Be boie oui sins in Bis bouy on the tiee, anu is also oui Well of Salvation.
0nly }esus, the tiee of uous piovision, puiifies, sweetens, anu heals mans
bittei expeiiences in life. Be heals the uiseases of the soul anu of the bouy.
)EHUAH-NISSI:
")ebovab my banner"
Anu }oshua uiu as Noses tolu him, anu fought against Amalek anu
Noses, Aaion, anu Bui went up to the top of the hill. So it came
about when Noses helu his hanu up. that Isiael pievaileu, anu
when he let his hanu uown, Amalek pievaileu. But Noses hanus
weie heavy. hen they took a stone anu put it unuei him, anu he
sat on it anu Aaion anu Bui suppoiteu his hanus, one on one siue
anu one on the othei. hus his hanus weie steauy until the sun set.
So }oshua oveiwhelmeu Amalek anu his people with the euge of
the swoiu. hen the Loiu saiu to Noses, "Wiite this in a book as a
memoiial, anu iecite it to }oshua, that I will utteily blot out the
memoiy of Amalek fiom unuei heaven." Anu Noses built an altai,
anu nameu it, he Loiu is Ny Bannei anu he saiu, "he Loiu has
swoin the Loiu will have wai against Amalek fiom geneiation to
geneiation" xou. 1.1u-16.
NANINu he Loiu oui Bannei, a sign of ueliveiance anu salvation, the
stanuaiu of oui victoiy in lifes conflicts.
A bannei is tianslateu pole, ensign, stanuaiu among the }ews it is a
woiu associateu with miiacle.
It was a sign to uous people to ially to Bim he bannei stoou foi Bis
cause, Bis battle.
he bannei of }ehovah helu aloft in Noses upiaiseu hanus biought
victoiy to Bis people his is always assuieu to the people of uou-victoiy
ovei the poweis of evil, the enemy of oui soulswhen Bis bannei is ovei us.
Isaiah pieuicts a iou to come foith out of the stem of }esse his stem oi
ioot is also a sign, a bannei to the people he stem of }esse is }esus, boin of
the seeu of Baviu accoiuing to the flesh. }esus is oui bannei of ieuemption,
oui bannei of welfaie.
With }ehovah-}esus as oui bannei, we may go fiom stiength to stiength
giving thanks to uou, "who always leaus us in Bis tiiumph in hiist }esus" 2
oi. 214.
)EHUAH-MAKADDISH:
")ebovab wbo sanctiies"
You shall conseciate youiselves theiefoie anu be holy, foi I am the
Loiu youi uou. Anu you shall keep Ny statutes anu piactice them I
om tbe orJ who sonctifies you Lev. 2u,8.
NANINu o set apait, sanctify oi hallow, to ueuicate, to conseciate, to
be holy.
he book of Leviticus explains how a ieueemeu people shoulu walk
woithy of theii calling anu paiticipate in the spiiitual woiship that }ehovah
uemanus of them. In connection with Isiaels moial anu spiiitual puiity, this
title, }B0vAB-NAABBISB. is iepeateu many times in Leviticus.
In the 0lu estament the woiu "sanctify" was useu to set apait places,
fuinishings, people anu special uays. he people of Isiael weie set apait to
uou anu sepaiateu fiom all othei people.
}esus was fiom Bis veiy conception set apait by the powei of the Boly
Spiiit. Be was altogethei holy, spotless anu without sin.
}esus became oui Bigh Piiest, anu in Bis ieueeming love, Be was
maue sin foi us see Luke 1S 2 oi. 21 Beb. 41 26.
}esus became oui Sanctification see 1 oi. 1Su Beb. 1u1u,14.
o such holiness, oi sepaiateness, we have been electeu see ph. 14.
Boliness is a positive anu active woiu he people of uou must be holy in
piactice as well as sepaiateu in position. 0ne is meaningless without the
othei. It is the huichs gloiious uestiny to be piesenteu holy anu spotless to
hei Loiu.
)EHUAH-SHALUM:
")ebovab is peace"
When uiueon saw that he was the angel of the Loiu, he saiu "Alas,
0 Loiu uou! Foi now I have seen the angel of the Loiu face to face."
Anu the Loiu saiu to him, "Peace to you, uo not feai you shall not
uie." hen uiueon built an altai theie to the Loiu anu nameu it he
Loiu is Peace. o this uay it is still in 0phiah of the Abieiites }uug.
622-24.
NANINu Peace, wholeness, finisheu, making goou a loss, welfaie,
well-being, peifect, ueepest uesiie of the human heait. In the Bebiew
language it also means haimony of ielationship oi a ieconciliation baseu on
the completion of a tiansaction, the payment of a uebt, the giving of
satisfaction.
PA 0FFRINu A saciifice, the sheu bloou of which pioviueu
atonement on which ieconciliation anu peace weie baseu see Lev. S 11-
21. Peace is bioken by sin. Peace offeiings iestoieu fellowship between uou
anu man.
}esus is the Piince of Peace who was piomiseu to us in the 0lu
estament. While on eaith, }esus pieacheu anu piomiseu peace. Be healeu,
comfoiteu anu commanueu the people to go in peace.
}esus maue peace foi us thiough the bloou of the cioss. 0ui peace in
Bim is measuieu by oui ability to keep tiusting Bim anu by oui
sanctification. Peace uepenus on tiust anu obeuience. If we aie cainally
minueu we will lack peace. heiefoie, let us allow peace to iule in oui heaits
see Phil. 4,9 ol. 12u S1. heie is no peace apait fiom }esus, foi
inuiviuuals oi foi nations.
)EHUAH-TSIDKENU:
")ebovab our rigbteousness"
Beholu, the uays aie coming, ueclaies the Loiu, when I shall iaise
up foi Baviu a iighteous Bianch anu Be will ieign as king anu act
wisely anu uo ustice anu iighteousness in the lanu. In Bis uays
}uuah will be saveu, anu Isiael will uwell secuiely anu this is Bis
name by which Be will be calleu, "he Loiu oui Righteousness"
}ei. 2S.6.
NANINu Renueiing ustice anu making iight to ustify, ueclaie
innocent, oi to acquit.
SB his liteial application of the woiu has to uo with full weights
oi measuies fiom this iuea is ueiiveu the meanings iight towaiu uou
iighteousness anu ustice.
Isiael was commanueu to walk in the paths of iighteousness anu to
offei the saciifices of iighteousness, putting theii tiust in the Loiu. }ehovah,
who is peifectly iighteous, cannot oveilook the lack of iighteousness in man,
foi "Be will by no means cleai the guilty" Num. 1418.
It was piophesieu by Isaiah that "in the Loiu shall all the seeu of Isiael
be ustifieu" Isa 42. }esus is that iighteousness foi both the }ews anu the
uentiles it is bestoweu upon us as a fiee gift thiough faith.
}B0vAB-SIBN ieveals to us the methou anu the measuie of oui
acceptance befoie uou, cleanseu in the bloou of the Lamb anu clotheu with
the white iobe of the iighteousness of Bim who is }ehovah-}esus.
)EHUAH-SHAMMAH:
")ebovab is tbere"
he city shall be 18,uuu cubits iounu about anu the name of the
city fiom that uay shall be, "he Loiu is theie" ek. 48S.
NANINu he Loiu is piesent, the Loiu is theie Bis fullness uwells
among us, Be tabeinacles with us, Bis gloiy is manifesteu among us.
}B0vAB-SBANNAB is the piomise anu pleuge of the completion of
that puipose in mans final iest anu gloiy. Foi mans enu is to gloiify uou anu
enoy Bim foievei.
ekiels piophecy of hope anu consolation pieuicts the iestoiation of
the lanu anu people in a measuie fai beyonu anything they hau evei
expeiienceu in the past, oi coulu have imagineu.
he uniqueness of Isiael hau always been that the piesence of uou
uwelleu with them. he conuition of Bis continueu piesence among them
was theii faithfulness to a covenant, by which they piomiseu to be a holy
people to a holy uou.
he fullness of }ehovahs piesence is oui hope anu enu of all piophetic
expectation, foi we aie both waiting anu longing foi Bis appeaiing. We aie
looking foi the new heaven anu the new eaith wheie Bis iighteousness will
uwell with us foievei.
)EHUAH-RUHI:
")ebovab my sbepberd"
he Loiu is my shepheiu, I shall not want Ps. 2S1.
NANINu ompanion, fiienu, to cheiish, to feeu oi leau, to guiue anu
uiiect anu instiuct.
he title SBPBRB shows us that uou is able to conuescenu to a
ielationship with moital, sinful cieatuies whom Be has ieueemeu. It
suggests a one-on-one ielationship to feeu us anu keep us as Bis inheiitance
see 2 Sam. 8 Ps. 8u-2.
Shepheiuing has not changeu much in Palestine. A Palestinian
shepheiu lives with his animals night anu uay, establishing tiue intimacy
with them. Be calls each one by name, anu they, knowing his voice anu
iesponuing only to his call, follow him. By sleeping in the makeshift
sheepfolu, he piotects the sheep fiom thieves anu fiom pieying animals who
woulu uevoui them at night. he sheep sense his watchfulness anu feai no
evil. Be pioviues pastuie anu watei foi them even in the wilueiness.
If theie can exist such a tenuei intimacy between a man anu his sheep,
how much moie so between }ehovah anu man, whom Be Bimself cieateu
What a maivelous thing that uou shoulu offei Bimself in such a ielationship.
his poitiays how we aie in the shauow of oui Fatheis loving caie,
watchful piotection anu stiong uefense. Be tiuly keeps us fiom all evil. Be
nevei slumbeis noi sleeps. Be is attacheu anu uevoteu to us anu piotects
oui lives fiom peiils anu pitfalls.
uou is an intensely peisonal Shepheiu. Be knows each one of us
inuiviuually.
}esus is oui uoou Shepheiu who came to gently leau us. Be qualifieu
Bimself to become the uieat Shepheiu by fiist becoming a lamb, thus
enteiing intimately into eveiy expeiience anu neeu of a sheep.
Call Upon tbe Lord
You aie now equippeu to call upon the name that is above eveiy name
with the full assuiance that Be will give you eveiything you neeu to win the
wai anu change the woilu foi Bis gloiy. ake off the spiiit of the woilu put
on youi spiiitual aimoi anu get ieauy to fight. Its time to piay!
Notes
1. Aithui Wallis, 6oJ's Cbosen Iost Foit Washington, Pa. hiistian Liteiatuie
iusaue, 1968. Peimission gianteu. Auapteu.
2. Nathan }. Stone, omes of 6oJ hicago Noouy, 1944.
v. A Cuide to
rayer
Cuidelines or Daily Use
his section was oiiginally wiitten foi those who inteiceue foi missionaiies,
ministeis anu spiiitual leaueis, anu who paiticipate in the Inteicessois
Inteinational Piayei Ninistiy. hese piayeis uo not have to be limiteu to
leaueis, but aie easily auapteu foi youi chuich, family oi fiienus.
opics foi piayei have been pioviueu foi each uay of the week. hese
piayeis will meet the neeus of those who aie beginning theii piayei
ouineys, those who feel they neeu a little extia help, anu expeiienceu
inteicessois. You may use any oi all of these options use the system that is
most comfoitable foi you.
ach uay of the week has a uiffeient emphasis. Foi example, look at
Sunuay
1. If piayei is a way of life foi you, select the subect "Favoi with uou"
anu piay as the Spiiit of the Loiu uiiects you.
2. If you woulu like moie guiuance, an outline is pioviueu with
subtopics such as "Favoi with uou," "Spiiitual Revelation,"
"Anointing" anu "Boliness." se each item as you piay.
S. Whethei expeiienceu oi inexpeiienceu, you will finu value in the
Sciiptuie-baseu wiitten piayeis. sing these piayeis, inseit the
names of the peisons you aie piaying foi. Foi instance, the
subtopic "Revelation" "Fathei, I ask that You give to Pastoi Paul
anu Ruth Youi spiiit of wisuom anu ievelation in the ueep,
intimate anu full knowleuge of You, the eyes of theii heaits anu
unueistanuing being enlighteneu..." he wiitten piayeis oie o
quiJe, not o formulo Allow the Boly Spiiit to leau you in the way Be
uesiies to piay thiough you.
As you piay, you may auu auuitional Sciiptuies ielating to the uaily
topics anu subtopics. You may want to note them in youi piayei ouinal, oi
wiite them out as they become a pait of youi Sciiptuie piaying.
We encouiage you to piay the topics each uay as we have wiitten. he
"Baily Piayeis" section has been uevelopeu foi this puiposeto maintain a
uaily theme so that each inteicessoi will be in unity anu haimony with othei
piayeis aiounu the woilu. With each of us uniteu anu intent on one puipose,
we will pull uown the stiongholus of the enemy, anu oui leaueis will walk in
victoiy.
Remembei youi woik aheau is going to be challenging anu constant.
Yes, inteicession is woik, but it has heavenly iewaius.
eekly Scbedule and Topics or Daily rayers
Sunuay Psalm 9u1
Favoi with uou
Nonuay Acts 24
Favoi with Nan
uesuay Babakkuk 22
Puie vision
Weunesuay 1 hessalonians 2S
Spiiit, Soul, Bouy
huisuay Psalm 91
Waifaie anu Piotection
Fiiuay Natthew 6SS
Piioiities
Satuiuay phesians SS-64
Family
SUNDAY
Favor witb Cod
I. Favoi with uou
Piay
1. Foi leaueis to walk in the Spiiit, pleasing to the Loiu.
2. Foi leaueis to seive the Loiu with ieveient feai, anu ieoice with
tiembling. See Ps. 21u,11.
S. Foi leaueis to be willing to obey uous uiiection.
DILY PRYERS 147
4. Foi leaueis to maintain a teachable spiiit.
II. Spiiitual Revelation
Piay
1. Foi the Boly Spiiit to give peisonal uiiection, teaching anu vision.
2. Foi evei-incieasing knowleuge of uou.
S. Foi ievelation of the uepths of uou anu spiiitual knowleuge of the
Woiu of uou.
III. Anointing
Piay
1. Foi leaueis woik to be of goou qualitythe best.
2. Foi leaueis to have stiength to withstanu fieiy tests.
S. Foi leaueis to have the sevenfolu Spiiit of tbe orJ foi the Spiiit of
the Loiu, anu the spiiits of wisuom, unueistanuing, counsel,
stiength, knowleuge anu ieveient feai of the Loiu to iest upon
them.
4. Foi leaueis to be stiengtheneu with powei in the innei man.
. Foi leaueis to be sensitive to uous voicespiiitual eais anu heait.
6. Foi leaueis to speak the Woiu with boluness wheievei they go.
. Foi gifts of the Spiiit to flow thiough leaueis woius of wisuom anu
knowleuge, faith, healing, woiking of miiacles, piophecy,
uistinguishing of spiiits, tongues anu inteipietation of tongues.
8. Foi leaueis to be full of meicy anu compassion, walking in
foigiveness enableu to counsel otheis with uous meicy, giace.
9. Foi leaueis to speak anu pieach with such an anointing fiom the
Spiiit of uou that all unsaveu who heai will come to a saving
knowleuge of }esus hiist as Loiu.
Iv. Boliness
Piay
1. Binu all piincipalities anu poweis assigneu to hinuei leaueis place
of abiuing with uou in uevotional time.
2. Foi leaueis to set asiue ample time foi piayei anu fellowship with
the Loiu in a piouuctive, peisonal mannei.
S. Foi leaueis to know the uepths of uous love to be giounueu in
love.
4. Foi leaueis to be sensitive to the Fatheis heait.
. Foi leaueis to be goou stewaius of gifts, talents, time anu money.
6. Foi leaueis to live lives of faith anu tiust in the Loiu.
. Foi leaueis to let }esus be gloiifieu in theii livesbe goou iole
mouels.
8. Foi leaueis to walk in holiness.
Sunday rayer
Fathei, in }esus name. I come boluly anu with confiuence to the
thione of giace to obtain meicy anu ieceive giace to help in time of
neeu foi names. See Beb. 416.
Revelation
Fathei, I ask that You give to names Youi spiiit of wisuom anu
ievelation in the ueep, intimate, full knowleuge of You, the eyes of
theii heaits anu unueistanuing being enlighteneu anu flooueu
with light, that they might know what is the hope of theii calling,
anu what aie the iiches of the gloiy of Youi inheiitance in them,
anu what is the exceeuing gieatness of Youi powei towaiu them,
because they uo believe accoiuing to the woiking of Youi mighty
powei which You wiought in hiist, when You iaiseu Bim fiom
the ueau, anu set Bim at Youi own iight hanu in the heavenly
places. See ph. 11-2u.
Anu Fathei, even as Youi seivant Noses was faithful in all Youi
house, anu You spoke to him face-to-face, even so I piay that
names will be faithful anu entiusteu in all Youi house, anu that
You woulu speak face-to-face, anu mouth-to-mouth with them
openly, cleaily anu uiiectly, anu not in uaik sayings oi iiuules. See
Num. 12,8.
I piay names will keep anu obey Youi commanuments anu
woius so that they may continue to abiue in Youi love, so that You
will come unto them anu make Youi aboue anu special uwelling
place with them, anu love them, anu show anu ieveal anu manifest
Youiself to them, anu make Youiself ieal anu be cleaily seen by
them. See }ohn 19,1u 1421,2S.
Anointing
Fathei, I ask that the Spiiit of the Loiu iest upon names the
spiiit of wisuom anu unueistanuing, the spiiit of counsel anu
might anu stiength, the spiiit of knowleuge anu of the ieveiential
DILY PRYERS 149
anu obeuient feai of the Loiu. See Isa. 112.
I piay names will not be vague oi thoughtless oi foolish, but will
be unueistanuing, fiimly giasping the will of the Loiu that they
may evei be continually filleu with the Boly Spiiit, anu with the
fiuit that the Boly Spiiit piouuces love, oy, peace, patience,
kinuness, goouness, faithfulness, gentleness anu self-contiol. I piay
that names walk anu live habitually in the Boly Spiiit, iesponsive
to, contiolleu anu guiueu anu leu by the Boly Spiiit, so that they
will not giatify oi caiiy out the ciavings anu uesiies of the flesh,
anu not be subect to, oi come unuei the law. See ph. 1,18
ual. 22,2S 16,18.
Fathei, giant that the manifestation of the Spiiit be given to
names to piofit them in all they uo the woiu of wisuom, the
woiu of knowleuge, faith, gifts of healing, the woiking of miiacles,
piophecy, uisceining of spiiits, kinus of tongues anu the
inteipietation of tongues. See 1 oi. 12-1u.
I piay these attesting signs will accompany names because they
believe In Youi name names will uiive out uemons they will
speak in new languages if they pick up seipents oi uiink anything
ueauly, it will not huit them names will lay theii hanus on the
sick, anu they will get well. See Naik 161,18.
Anu, Fathei, I piay that as names go out anu pieach eveiywheie,
You will keep woiking with them, anu keep confiiming the
message by the attesting signs anu miiacles that closely
accompany the message. See Naik 162u.
Fathei, I piay that names speech anu theii pieaching not be set
foith in peisuasive, enticing anu plausible woius of mans wisuom,
but in uemonstiation of the Boly Spiiit anu powei, that is a pioof
by Youi Spiiit anu powei opeiating thiough them anu stiiiing in
the minus of theii listeneis anu heaieis, the most holy emotions,
anu thus, peisuauing them, so that theii faith might not iest in the
wisuom of men oi in human philosophy, but in the powei of uou.
See 1 oi. 24..
Fathei, I piay that names ietain the stanuaiu of sounu woius, in
the faith anu love which aie in hiist }esus, anu that You open up to
them a uooi foi the Woiu, so they may speak foith the mysteiy of
hiist, in oiuei that they may make it cleai in the way they ought
to speak, anu that theii speech always be with giace, seasoneu
with salt, so they may know how to iesponu to each peison. See 2
im. 11S ol. 4S,4,6.
Holiness
Anu, Fathei, like the Boly 0ne who calleu them is holy, I piay that
names may be holy also in all theii behavioi. See 1 Pet. 11.16.
I ask that names may be filleu with the knowleuge of Youi will in
all spiiitual wisuom anu unueistanuing, so that they may walk in a
mannei woithy of the Loiu, to please You in all iespects, beaiing
fiuit in eveiy goou woik anu incieasing in the knowleuge of uou,
stiengtheneu with all powei, accoiuing to Youi gloiious might, foi
the attaining of all steaufastness anu patience. See ol. 19-11.
I piay that You will instiuct names anu teach them in the way
they shoulu go, anu counsel them with Youi eye upon them. See
Ps. S28.
Favor witb Cod
I piay that names will tiust in You, in oiuei that lovingkinuness
anu meicy may suiiounu them. hat they will not tiust in people
oi make flesh theii stiength, but tiust in the Loiu that they may be
blesseu. See Ps. S21u }ei. 1,.
I piay names will continue in the faith fiimly establisheu,
giounueu anu settleu, anu steaufast, anu not be moveu away fiom
the hope of the gospel. See ol. 12S.
I piay they will abiue vitally uniteu to You, anu that Youi woius
will iemain in anu continue to live in theii heaits, so that names
may ask whatevei they will anu it shall be uone foi them. Foi You
have calleu anu chosen them that they might go anu biing foith
much fiuit, anu keep on beaiing lasting, iemaining, abiuing fiuit,
that You may be honoieu anu gloiifieu, anu that names may
show anu piove themselves to be tiue followeis anu uisciples of
Youis. See }ohn 1,16,8.
I piay, Fathei, that names continue builuing themselves up on
theii most holy faith, piaying in the Boly Spiiit, keeping themselves
in the love of uou, anu looking foi the meicy of oui Loiu }esus
hiist unto eteinal life. See }uue 2u,21.
DILY PRYERS 151
Now to Bim, who is able to establish names accoiuing to the
gospel anu the pieaching of }esus hiist, accoiuing to the
ievelation of the mysteiy which has been kept seciet foi long ages
past, but now is manifesteu, anu by the Sciiptuies of the piophets,
accoiuing to the commanument of the eteinal uou, which has been
maue known to all the nations, leauing to obeuience of faith now
to the only wise uou, thiough }esus hiist, be the gloiy foievei.
Amen. See Rom. 162-2.
Monday
Favor witb Man
I. Congregation and All bo Receive Ministry rom Leaders
Piay
1. hat they have teachable spiiits anu open heaits.
2. hat they giow up to be wise anu stiong.
S. hat they be suppoitive anu iesponsive to leaueis with love,
piayeis, encouiagement, finances.
4. hat all ueluuing influences be kept away fiom them.
. hat they not be followeis of "tiauition."
6. hat they be open to new moves of the Boly Spiiit.
. hat they be sensitive to financial neeus of the spiiitual leaueis anu
ministiy, anu suppoit them.
8. hat gossip, ueceit anu unbelief be kept away.
9. hat ievival spiing foith in theii lives, chuich, community, state
anu nation.
1u. hat uou senu Bis ministeiing angels to guaiu them.
II. Ministry Sta
Piay
1. hat they be in unity anu tuneu to the Boly Spiiit foi uiiectionbe
suppoitive of one anothei.
2. hat they esteem one anothei moie highly than themselves.
S. hat they communicate cleaily, anu not be misunueistoou
4. hat no weapon foimeu against them shall piospei.
. hat they woik togethei well as a team.
6. hat they each be honest in theii ielationships with one anothei.
. hat they be faithful in commitment to one anothei anu
congiegation oi ministiy.
III. Leaders' Relationsbip witb tbe Sta
Piay
1. hat they communicate cleaily anu not be misunueistoou.
2. hat they be able to impait the "vision* uou has given them to
othei staff membeis.
S. hat they ielate well to each one on an inuiviuual basis with much
wisuom, unueistanuing anu sensitivity.
4. hat uou give them the neeueu anointing foi theii obs.
. hat they be peacemakeis.
6. hat uou give them a spiiit of wisuom, unueistanuing, knowleuge,
counsel, stiength, anu obeuient anu ieveient feai of the Loiu. See
Isa. 112.
. hat each one complete the woik given himhei to uo.
I. Unsaved
Piay
1. BA B LABRS WINSS FFIvLY ANB B0LBLY 0 B L0S.
2. hat uou piepaie the heaits of those with whom they will shaie
the gospel.
S. hat the people they pieach oi witness to be saveu anu filleu with
the Boly Spiiit.
4. hat Satan not snatch away the Woiu that has been planteu in
theii heaits.
. Covernment
Piay
1. Foi wisuom anu uiiection foi goveinment leaueis in the nations.
2. Foi them to know that they aie in the hanus of the Loiu anu Be
tuins them wheievei Be wishes. See Piov. 211.
S. Foi theii heaits to be open to ieceive the Woiu of uou, salvation in
}esus hiist alone.
4. Foi laws of theii nation to be establisheu on honest biblical
piinciples.
DILY PRYERS 153
. Foi the eyes of theii unueistanuing to be openeu to tiuth in uous
Woiu.
6. Foi ievival to sweep thiough the goveinment offices anu no seeu
planteu be stolen.
. Binu all violence anu antichiist spiiits ovei the goveinment
agencies.
8. Binu away the poweis of the enemy, keeping them fiom heaiing
anu iesponuing to the gospel. Loose them fiom false gous,
ancestial tiauitions anu any othei influences oi spiiits that keep
them fiom ieceiving the full gospel of }esus hiist.
Monday rayer
Covernment
Fathei, in }esus name, I come to piay fiist foi leaueis anu all who
aie in authoiity in the countiies wheie names live anu ministei,
in oiuei that they may leau a quiet anu tianquil anu peaceable life
in all gouliness anu uignity anu honesty. Foi this is goou anu
acceptable in Youi sight, foi You uesiie all people to be saveu anu
to come to the knowleuge of the tiuth. See 1 im. 21-4.
I piay, Fathei, that these iuleis in authoiity in name of countiy be
not a teiioi to goou woiks, but to the evil that these iuleis be Youi
ministeis anu biing ust punishment to those who uo evil. See
Rom. 1SS.
uive these leaueis knowleuge of Youi way of uuging, 0 uou, anu
give them the Spiiit of Youi iighteousness to contiol all theii
actions. Let them uuge anu govein Youi people with
iighteousness, anu Youi pooi anu afflicteu with uugment anu
ustice. I piay the mountains biing peace to the people, anu the
hills, thiough the geneial establishment of iighteousness. Nay
these leaueis uuge anu uefenu the pooi of the people, uelivei the
chiluien of the neeuy, anu ciush the oppiessoi so all may ieveie
anu feai You while the sun anu moon enuuie, thioughout all
geneiations. See Ps. 21-.
I piay these leaueis in authoiity will uelivei the neeuy when they
call, the pooi also anu the peison who has no helpei that the
leaueis will have pity on the pooi anu weak anu neeuy, anu that
they will save the lives of the neeuy, anu ieueem theii lives fiom
oppiession anu fiauu anu violence. I piay also that piecious anu
costly shall be the bloou of the neeuy in Youi sight anu in the sight
of the leaueis. See Ps. 212-14.
I piay that piayei shall be maue foi the neeuy continually, anu that
men shall be blesseu by these leaueis anu that all nations shall call
them anu You blesseu. See Ps. 21,1.
Fathei, I piay that You take away the wickeu fiom befoie these
leaueis in authoiity in name of countiy so theii goveinment will
be establisheu in iighteousness. Foi piomotion comes not fiom
the east, noi fiom the west, noi fiom the south, but You aie uuge.
You put uown one anu lift up anothei. I piay they may be
suiiounueu with maiiy wise anu iighteous counselois who love
peace. See Piov. 2 Ps. 6. Piov. 122u.
I piay, Fathei, that these leaueis in authoiity will not ciave stiong
uiink noi wine, lest they uiink anu foiget the law, anu peiveit the
uugment of any of the afflicteu. I piay they will not ieceive a biibe
fiom the bosom to peiveit the ways of ustice, but that they will
give stability to the lanu by ustice, anu not take a biibe to
oveithiow it See Piov. S14, 12S 294.
Loiu, counsel is Youis, anu sounu wisuom. You aie unueistanuing,
anu powei is Youis. By You kings ieign, anu iuleis ueciee ustice.
By You piinces iule, anu nobles, anu all who uuge iightly. I piay
these iuleis in authoiity will uiligently seek You so that they may
finu You. See Piov. 814-1.
Tbose Not Saved
Fathei, having oveilookeu the times of ignoiance, You aie now
ueclaiing to men that all men eveiywheie shoulu iepent, because
You have fixeu a uay in which You will uuge the woilu in
iighteousness, thiough }esus hiist whom You have appointeu,
having fuinisheu pioof to all men by iaising Bim fiom the ueau.
See Acts 1Su,S1.
Fathei, You aie not slow about Youi piomise, as some count
slowness, but You aie patient towaiu us. not wishing foi any to
peiish, but foi all to come to iepentance. Foi the Son of Nan has
come to seek, anu to save that which was lost, anu You saiu, "I will
have meicy, anu not saciifice Foi I am not come to call the
iighteous, but sinneis to iepentance." See 2 Pet. S9 Luke 191u
DILY PRYERS 155
Natt. 91S.
Loiu, accoiuing to Youi Woiu, I am asking foi the unieacheu
peoples to be an inheiitance foi names, anu the utteimost paits
of the eaith foi theii possession. See Ps. 28.
Fathei, I ask that You giant sinneis, who will be ministeieu to by
names, iepentance fiom ueau woiks, anu faith towaiu uou. hat
these sinneis put asiue all filthiness anu all that iemains of
wickeuness. Anu I piay that they ieceive in humility the engiafteu
Woiu, which is able to save theii souls. See Beb. 61 }as. 121.
I ask that You poui out on sinneis, who will be ministeieu to by
names, Youi Spiiit of giace anu supplication so they can look on
}esus, whom they have pieiceu. I ask that Youi Spiiit of tiuth come
anu convict them conceining sin. iighteousness anu uugment.
onvict sinneis conceining sin because they uo not believe in
}esus convict sinneis conceining iighteousness because }esus
went back to You anu convict sinneis conceining uugment
because the iulei of this woilu has been uugeu. See ech. 12.1u
}ohn 168-11,1S.
hank You, Fathei, You aie able to save foievei those who uiaw
neai to You thiough }esus, since Be always lives to make
inteicession foi them. 1 piay these sinneis ieceive Youi Spiiit of
auoption as sons, by which they may ciy out, "ABBA! Fathei!" I
piay the Boly Spiiit, Bimself, will beai witness with theii spiiit, anu
that they become the chiluien of uou. See Beb. 2 Rom.
81,16.
Tbose Needing Ministry
I piay, Fathei, that You open a uooi foi the Woiu, so names may
speak foith the mysteiy of hiist anu that they may make it cleai
in the way they ought to speak. See ol. 4S,4.
I piay names woulu conuuct themselves with wisuom towaiu
outsiueis, making the most of theii oppoitunities anu using theii
time wisely. I piay theii speech be always with giace, seasoneu, as
it weie, with salt, so that they may know how to iesponu to each
peison. See ol. 4,6.
I piay, Fathei, that those ieceiving ministiy continue in the faith
fiimly establisheu anu steaufast, giounueu anu settleu, anu that
they not be moveu away fiom the hope of the gospel which they
have heaiu. Sanctify them in Youi tiuth Youi Woiu is tiuth. See
ol. 12S }ohn 11.
Nay the Woiu of the Loiu spieau iapiuly anu be gloiifieu. Nay
names, as well as those ieceiving ministiy, be ueliveieu fiom
peiveise anu evil men, foi not all have faith. hank You, Fathei,
that because You aie faithful, You will stiengthen them anu piotect
them fiom the evil one. See 2 hess. S1-S.
I piay that the heaits of those ieceiving ministiy may be comfoiteu
anu encouiageu, being knit togethei in love, anu attaining to all the
wealth that comes fiom the full assuiance of unueistanuing,
iesulting in a tiue knowleuge of Youi mysteiy, that is hiist
Bimself, in whom aie hiuuen all the tieasuies of wisuom anu
knowleuge. See ol. 22,S.
Leadersbip and Sta
Boly Fathei, I thank You that no weapon foimeu against names
oi theii cowoikeis, oi theii families, oi theii ministiies shall
piospei, anu eveiy tongue that has iisen against them in uugment
shall be shown to be in the wiong. Foi this peace, iighteousness,
secuiity anu tiiumph ovei opposition is the heiitage of these
seivants of the Loiu, anu this is the iighteousness anu vinuication
which they obtain fiom Youthat which You impait to them as
theii ustification. See Isa. 41.
Since then, Fathei, names have been iaiseu up with hiist to a
new life, thus shaiing }esus iesuiiection fiom the ueau, I piay that
they aim at anu keep seeking the iich, eteinal tieasuies that aie
above, wheie hiist is, seateu at the iight hanu of uou. hat they
set theii minus anu keep them set on what is above, the highei
things, not on the things that aie on the eaith. Foi as fai as this
woilu is conceineu, they have uieu anu theii new ieal life is hiu
with hiist in uou. See ol. S1-S.
I piay that names be of the same minu, maintaining the same
love, uniteu in spiiit, intent on one puipose. hat they walk in a
mannei woithy of the calling with which they have been calleu,
with all humility anu gentleness, with patience, showing
foibeaiance to one anothei in love, being uiligent to pieseive the
unity of the Spiiit in the bonu of peace anu foigiving one anothei,
whoevei has a complaint against any one, ust as the Loiu foigave
DILY PRYERS 157
them. Nay they give no cause foi offense in anything, in oiuei that
the ministiy be not uiscieuiteu, but in eveiything commenuing
themselves as seivants of uou See Phil. 22 ph. 41-S ol. S1S 2
oi. 6S.4.
I piay that whatevei these staff membeis uo, they uo theii woik
heaitily as foi the Loiu iathei than foi men, knowing that fiom the
Loiu they will ieceive the iewaiu of the inheiitance foi it is the
Loiu hiist whom they seive. See ol. S2S,24.
Favor
Foi You, Loiu, will bless the iighteous. As with a shielu You will
suiiounu names with goouwill, pleasuie anu favoi. See Ps.
12.
Fathei, I piay Youi seivants will not foisake meicy anu kinuness
anu tiuth, but that they will shut out all hatieu anu selfishness anu
uelibeiate hypociisy anu falsehoou. I piay names will binu meicy
anu kinuness anu tiuth about theii necks, anu wiite them on the
tablet of theii heaits, so that they may finu favoi, goou
unueistanuing anu high esteem in the sight anu uugment of uou
anu man. See Piov. SS,4.
Fathei, I piay that in all matteis of wisuom anu unueistanuing,
when names aie consulteu, that theii counsel will be founu to be
ten times bettei than the counsel of all those in the whole countiy
iounu about. See Ban. 12u.
Tuesday ure ision
I. ision
Piay
1. Foi uou to claiify Bis vision foi ministiy to these leaueis.
2. Foi patience until its fulfillment.
S. Foi finances foi the vision to come foith.
4. Foi a wall of fiie" to piotect the vision. See ech. 2.
. Foi helpeis in caiiying out the vision.
6. Bo spiiitual waifaie against tactics of the enemy that woulu uelay
vision fiom coming foith in uous timing.
. Stop the mouths of those who woulu speak against the vision.
II. isdom and Enligbtenment
Piay
1. Foi the Boly Spiiit to continually give enlightenment anu ieveal
hiuuen knowleuge of the mysteiies of hiist.
2. Foi keen uisceinment between uous wisuom anu human
wisuom.
S. Foi a teachable spiiit.
4. Foi them to not uepenu on past expeiience oi uiiection, but seek
insteau fiesh wisuom anu guiuance befoie making any uecision.
III. Motives
Piay
1. Foi puie motives, puigeu by uou thiough the Woiu anu piayei
time.
2. Foi awaieness that uou can give iight motives.
S. Foi uou to continually ienew theii thought lives anu put a iight
spiiit within.
4. Foi any wiong motivesthoughts uone in uaikness to be biought
to light, anu uealt with in a hiistlike way.
. Foi uisceinment against impuie motives foi wisuom anu
knowleuge on how to ueal with them, anu the uiscipline to uo it.
I. Cuidance
Piay
1. Foi uepenuence on uou foi guiuance uuiing piayei time anu all
uuiing the uay as uecisions aie maue.
2. Foi iight people to come into theii lives at the iight time to give
gouly counsel.
S. Foi uou to leau anu uiiect theii paths.
Tuesday rayer
Understanding
Fathei, in }esus name, I come befoie You making iequest with
inteicession foi names. Fathei, I thank You foi these piecious
"love gifts" to the Bouy of hiist See ph. 116 48.
hank You, Fathei, that the Son of uou has come, anu has given
DILY PRYERS 159
names unueistanuing, in oiuei that they might know Bim who is
tiue. See 1 }ohn 2u.
hank You, Fathei, that wisuom is in the piesence of the one who
has unueistanuing, anu that because names seek You, they can
unueistanu all things. Foi You give wisuom, anu out of Youi mouth
comes knowleuge anu unueistanuing. See Piov. 124 28 26.
I piay they may be of quick unueistanuing, anu that theii uelight be
in the ieveiential anu obeuient feai of the Loiu Nay names not
uuge by what theii eyes see, noi make a uecision by what theii
eais heai but with iighteousness may they uuge the pooi, anu
ueciue with faiiness foi the afflicteu of the eaith. Nay they smite
the eaith anu the oppiessoi with the iou of theii mouths, anu with
the bieath of theii lips slay the wickeu. Nay iighteousness be the
belt aiounu theii loins, anu faithfulness the belt aiounu theii
waists. See Isa. 11S-.
isdom
hank You, Fathei, names have an anointing fiom the Boly 0ne,
anu they know all things. See 1 }ohn 22u.
hank You, Fathei, that by Youi uoing they aie in hiist }esus, who
became to them wisuom fiom uou, iighteousness, sanctification
anu ieuemption. See 1 oi. 1Su.
I piay, Fathei, that names will be wise anu unueistanuing, anu
show by theii goou behavioi theii ueeus in the gentleness of
wisuom that is fiom above being fiist puie, then peaceable, gentle,
ieasonable, full of meicy anu goou fiuits, unwaveiing, anu without
hypociisy. Anu that the fiuit of iighteousness be sown in peace by
names, who make peace. See }as. S1S,1,18.
I piay that wisuom anu knowleuge shall be the stability of theii
times anu stiength of salvation anu that the feai of the Loiu is theii
tieasuie. See Isa. SS6.
Cuidance
I piay names will tiust in You, Loiu, with all theii heaits anu that
they will not lean on theii own unueistanuing. I piay that in all
theii ways they will acknowleuge You, anu You will make theii
paths stiaight. Foi You, Fathei, leau the humble in ustice, anu
teach the humble Youi way. See Piov. S.6 Ps. 29.
A mans way is not in himself noi is it in a man who walks to uiiect
his steps. he steps of names aie oiueieu by You, Fathei, anu You
uelight in theii way. See Ps. S2S }ei. 1u2S.
Nake them to know Youi ways, Fathei teach them Youi paths.
Leau them in Youi tiuth anu teach them, foi You aie the uou of
theii salvation foi You they wait all the uay. See Ps. 24,.
hank You, Fathei, foi You teach names to piofit, anu leau them
in the way they shoulu go. See Isa. 481.
Enligbtenment
Loiu of uloiy, I piay that You might give to names Youi spiiit of
wisuom anu ievelation in the spheie of a full knowleuge of
Youiself, with the eyes of theii heaits being enlighteneu, knowing
what is the hope of Youi calling, what is the wealth of the gloiy of
Youi inheiitance in them as saints, anu what is the
supeiabounuing gieatness of Youi inheient powei to them who
aie the believing ones, as measuieu by the opeiative eneigy of the
manifesteu stiength of Youi might. See ph. 11-19.
Anu, Fathei, I piay that You woulu make known to names the
mysteiy of Youi will accoiuing to Youi goou pleasuie which You
have puiposeu in Youiself See ph. 19.
ill o Cod and ision
Fathei, I ask that You fill Youi seivants with a cleai knowleuge of
Youi will by giving them eveiy kinu of spiiitual wisuom anu
unueistanuing, so they might live woithy of the Loiu, aiming to
please You in eveiy way as they piouuce eveiy kinu of goou woik,
anu giow by knowing You bettei. See ol. 19,1u.
Fathei, I piay that You woulu count names woithy of this calling,
anu that they woulu fulfill eveiy goou pleasuie of Youi goouness,
anu the woik of faith with powei, in oiuei that the name of oui
Loiu }esus may be gloiifieu in them, anu they in Bim, accoiuing to
the giace of oui uou anu the Loiu }esus hiist. See 2 hess.
111,12.
I piay names will intimately come to know anu iecognie, anu
listen to anu heeu, the voice of the uoou Shepheiu. Foi You call
them by name anu leau them out. I piay they follow You. because
they know Youi voice that they will nevei on any account follow a
DILY PRYERS 161
stiangei, but will iun away fiom him, because they uo not know
the voice of stiangeis oi iecognie theii call. See }ohn 1uS-.
Ministry
Piecious Fathei, I piay that names might fully caiiy out the
pieaching of the Woiu of uou that is, the mysteiy which has been
hiuuen fiom the past ages anu geneiations but which has now
been manifesteu to Youi saints, to whom You willeu to make
known what aie the iiches of the gloiy of this mysteiy among the
uentiles, which is hiist in them, the hope of gloiy. See ol. l2b-
2.
Anu, Fathei, I piay that names will pioclaim hiist, aumonishing
anu teaching eveiy man with all wisuom, that they may piesent
eveiy man complete in hiist, stiiving accoiuing to Youi powei,
which mightily woiks within them. See ol. 128,29.
I ask that You give them utteiance anu wisuom which none of theii
opponents will be able to iesist oi iefute. See Luke 211.
Tbougbts, Motives, Renewed Mind
Fathei. 1 piay names be not confoimeu to this woilu, but that
they be tiansfoimeu by the ienewing of theii minus, that they may
piove what Youi will is, that which is goou anu acceptable anu
peifect hat they pull uown eveiy stiongholu, cast uown eveiy
imagination anu eveiy high thing that exalts itself against the
knowleuge of uou, anu biing into captivity eveiy thought to the
obeuience of hiist. See Rom. 122 2 oi. 1u4,.
Fathei, whatevei is tiue, whatevei is honoiable, whatevei is iight,
whatevei is puie, whatevei is lovely, whatevei is of goou iepute, if
theie is any excellence anu if anything woithy of piaise, may
names let theii minus uwell on these things. See Phil. 48.
ieate in them a clean heait, Boly Fathei, anu ienew a steaufast
spiiit within them. Bo not cast names away fiom Youi piesence,
anu uo not take Youi Boly Spiiit fiom them. Restoie to them the
oy of Youi salvation, anu sustain them with a willing spiiit. hen
will they teach tiansgiessois Youi ways, anu sinneis will be
conveiteu to You. See Ps. 11u-1S.
EDNESDAY
Spirit, Soul, Body
I. Healtb
Piay
1. Foi uivine healthphysically, mentally, emotionally.
2. Foi all effects of tiieuness anu uiscouiagement to be looseu fiom
theii bouies anu minus.
S. Foi the leaueis to iecognie neeu to caie foi theii physical bouies
with auequate iest.
4. Foi wisuom anu self-contiol in eating looseu fiom compulsion.
. Foi time to exeicise piopeily.
6. Foi auequate stiength to accomplish tasks.
II. Appearance
Piay
1. Foi leaueis to maintain the glow of }esus.
2. Foi leaueis to attiact otheis to the Loiu thiough tiuy appeaiance,
iight actions anu gentle speech.
III. Attitudes
Piay
1. Foi fiuit of the Spiiit. See ual. 22.2S.
2. Foi giacious but fiim attituuesto leain whenhow to say no.
S. Foi meicy, compassion.
4. Foi uesiie to be a peacemakei anu to iestoie bioken ielationships.
. Foi total submission to the Loiu in eveiy aiea of life.
6. Foi a spiiit of unity, not competition.
. Foi humility iathei than supeiioiity.
8. Foi coopeiation iathei than uefensiveness.
9. Foi uisceinment to iecognie wiong attituues in themselves, anu
couiage to ueal with them immeuiately.
I. Spiritual and bysical boleness
Piay
1. Foi leaueis to puisue iighteousness, faith, love anu peace.
2. Foi leaueis to iefuse foolish anu ignoiant speculations.
DILY PRYERS 163
S. Foi leaueis to have a uesiie to go on with }esus iegaiuless of the
cost involveu
4. Foi leaueis to feeu uaily on the Woiu of uou, meuitating on uous
piecepts.
. Foi leaueis to commune with uou uaily in piayei.
ednesday rayer
Healtb
hank You, Fathei, thiough }esus hiist foi names in }esus
name I biing these iequests anu petitions befoie You on theii
behalf.
hank You foi senuing Youi Woiu, the Loiu }esus, anu healing
names anu ueliveiing them fiom theii uestiuctions. I give You
thanks foi Youi loving-kinuness, anu foi Youi wonueis to the sons
of men. I piay they will also offei You saciifices of thanksgiving,
anu tell of Youi woiks with oyful singing. See Ps. 1u2u-22.
Fathei, I piay that names give attention to Youi woius, anu
incline theii eais to Youi sayings that they uo not let them uepait
fiom theii sight, anu that they keep them in the miust of theii
heaits, because they aie life to those who finu them anu health to
theii whole bouy. See Piov. 42u-22.
hank You, Fathei, that because names seive You, You will bless
theii bieau anu theii watei, anu You will iemove sickness fiom
theii miust. See xou. 2S2.
Fathei, I piay theii souls bless You, anu that they not foiget any of
Youi benefits foi You paiuon all theii iniquities You heal all theii
uiseases You ieueem theii lives fiom the pit You ciown names
with loving-kinuness anu compassion You satisfy theii yeais anu
uesiies with goou things so that theii youth is ieneweu like the
eagles anu You, only, peifoim iighteous ueeus, anu uugments foi
all who aie oppiesseu. See Ps. 1uS2-6.
Fathei, thank You that the Spiiit of Bim who iaiseu }esus fiom the
ueau uwells in names, anu that because You iaiseu hiist }esus
fiom the ueau, You will also give life to theii moital bouies thiough
Youi Spiiit who inuwells them. See Rom. 811.
I thank You, Fathei, that }esus, Bimself, boie theii sins in Bis own
bouy on the cioss, that they might uie to sin anu live to
iighteousness foi by Bis wounus they weie healeu. See 1 Pet.
224.
hank You, Fathei, that hiist has ieueemeu names fiom the
cuise of the law, having become a cuise foi them, foi it is wiitten,
"uiseu is eveiy one who hangs on a tiee," in oiuei that in hiist
}esus the blessing of Abiaham might come to the uentiles, that they
might ieceive the piomise of the Spiiit thiough faith. hank You,
Fathei, names belong to hiist, anu aie Abiahams offspiing, anu
heiis accoiuing to piomise. See ual. S1S,14,29.
Appearance
0, Fathei, hiist gave Bimself up foi names, that Be might
sanctify anu cleanse them with the washing of watei by the Woiu,
that Be might piesent them to Bimself, not having spot oi wiinkle,
oi any such thing, but that they shoulu be holy anu without
blemish. See ph. 2b-2.
I piay, Fathei, that whatevei names uo in woiu oi ueeu, they uo it
all in the name of the Loiu }esus, giving thanks thiough Bim to You.
See ol. S1.
hank You, Fathei, names have put on iighteousness, anu it
clothes them theii ustice is like a iobe anu a tuiban. See }ob
2914.
I piay they be clotheu with stiength anu uignity. I piay they also
clothe themselves with humility towaiu one anothei, foi You aie
opposeu to the piouu, but give giace to the humble. I piay names
will humble themselves, theiefoie, unuei Youi mighty hanu, that
You may exalt them at the piopei time that they cast all theii
anxiety upon You, because You caie foi them. See Piov. S12a 1
Pet. b-.
I piay, Fathei, that no one look uown on names, but iathei in
speech, conuuct, love, faith anu puiity, they will show themselves
an example of those who believe. See 1 im. 412.
Fathei, I piay names will abstain fiom all appeaiance of evil. See
1 hess. 22
DILY PRYERS 165
Spiritual and bysical boleness
I piay, Fathei, that names uiscipline themselves foi the puipose
of gouliness foi bouily uiscipline is only of little piofit, but
gouliness is piofitable foi all things, since it holus piomise foi the
piesent life anu also foi the life to come. See 1 im. 4,8.
I piay names will gloiify uou in theii bouies, foi they have been
bought with a piice, anu aie not theii own,-foi theii bouies aie a
temple foi the Boly Spiiit. See 1 oi. 619,2u.
I piay they will not huit oi uestioy the temple of uou, foi the
temple of uou is holy, anu that is what they aie. See 1 oi.
S16.1.
hank You, Fathei, that names aie a builuing being fitteu
togethei anu giowing into a holy temple in the Loiu, in whom they
also aie being built togethei into a uwelling of uou in the Spiiit.
See ph. 221,22.
I piay, Fathei, that names cleanse themselves fiom wickeuness,
that they will be vessels foi honoi, sanctifieu anu useful to You,
piepaieu foi eveiy goou woik. I piay that they flee fiom youthful
lusts, anu puisue iighteousness, faith, love anu peace with those
who call on the Loiu fiom a puie heait Anu that they iefuse foolish
anu ignoiant speculations, knowing they piouuce quaiiels. See 2
im. 221-2S.
Attitude
hank You, Fathei, names have been calleu to fieeuom only I
piay they uo not tuin theii fieeuom into an oppoitunity foi the
flesh, but thiough love may they seive one anothei. Foi the whole
law is fulfilleu in one woiu, in the statement, *You shall love youi
neighboi as youiself." See ual. 1S,14.
I piay, Fathei, that names foiget what lies behinu anu ieach
foiwaiu to what lies aheau, piessing on towaiu the goal foi the
piie of the upwaiu call of uou in hiist }esus. Anu if in anything
they have a uiffeient attituue, Fathei, I piay You ieveal it also to
them. See Phil. S1S-1.
So, Fathei, I piay names uo nothing fiom selfishness oi empty
conceit, but with humility of minu let them iegaiu one anothei as
moie impoitant than themselves that they uo not meiely look out
foi theii own peisonal inteiests, but also foi the inteiests of otheis.
I piay they will have the same attituue in themselves which was
also in hiist }esus. See Phil. 2S-.
Blessings
Fathei, I piay that You bless names, anu keep them that You
make Youi face to shine on them, anu be giacious to them that
You lift up Youi countenance upon them, anu give them peace. See
Num. 624-26.
ause names to inciease anu abounu in love foi one anothei, anu
foi all men, so that You may establish theii heaits unblamable in
holiness befoie You at the coming of oui Loiu }esus with all Youi
saints. See 1 hess. S12.1S.
Fathei. I piay names will feai You anu keep Youi
commanuments, foi this is the whole uuty of man anu what You
iequiie of them foi theii goou that they feai You that they walk in
all Youi ways that they love You, anu seive You out of anu with
theii whole heaits, anu with all theii souls, anu with all theii minus,
theii faculties of thought, of quick appiehension, intelligence,
keenness of uisceinment, anu moial unueistanuing, anu with all
theii stiength. See Naik 12Su,SS ccles. 121S Beut. 1u12,1S.
THURSDAY
arare and rotection
I. rotection
Piay
1. hat uou senu angels to guaiu ovei missionaiies, ministeis,
spiiitual leaueis, theii families anu piopeity-make a heuge to
guaiu all that is going in anu coming out, the aii above anu the
giounu below.
2. hat the angels go befoie them anu uo battle on the leaueis behalf
xample Nichael, one of the chief piinces, uoing battle on Baniels
behalf. See Ban 1u1S.
S. hat uou foil all attacks anu tiaps of the enemy anu keep the
leaueis fiom the nets of the enemy while they walk by safely. See
Pss. S S 1419.1u.
4. hat uou be the leaueis hiuing place anu pieseive them fiom
DILY PRYERS 167
tiouble, suiiounuing them with songs of ueliveiance. See Ps.
S2.
. Foi the leaueis piotection. See Ps. 91.
6. hat the Boly Spiiit open the leaueis eyes to the plans, plots, ploys
anu tiaps of the enemy.
. hat the Boly Spiiit go befoie them anu make the ciookeu places
stiaight anu shattei the uoois of bione anu cut thiough the bais
of iion. See Isa. 42.
II. Temptation
Piay
1. hat the missionaiies, ministeis anu spiiitual leaueis stanu fiim
anu not succumb to the uifficult times of the last uaysthat they
not be loveis of self, loveis of money, boastful, piouu, abusive,
uisobeuient to paients, ungiateful, unholy, without love,
unfoigiving, slanueious, without self-contiol, biutal, not loveis of
goou, tieacheious, iash, conceiteu, loveis of pleasuie iathei than
loveis of uou. See 2 im. S2-4.
2. hat the leaueis not fall to the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes,
noi the piiue of life. See 1 }ohn 216.
S. hat they walk humbly befoie theii uou.
4. hat the leaueis stanu fiim in the Woiu of uou.
III. Deception
Piay
1. hat the leaueis not be leu astiay noi into eiioi by false
uoctiines anu false piophets. See Natt. 2424.
2. hat they not be enamoieu by signs anu wonueis fiom the enemy.
S. hat the leaueis be kept fiom eiioi anu know the tiuth so it will
keep them fiee. See }ohn 8S2
4. hat the leaueis hiue the Woiu in theii heaits.
. hat they not walk in hypociisy oi be bounu by ieligious spiiits.
6. hat they puisue the love of tiuth.
. hat the leaueis not be ueceiveu by an antichiist, antichuich oi
unholy spiiit that opeiates in signs anu wonueis.
I. Enemies
Piay
1. Against piincipalities, poweis, iuleis of uaikness anu spiiitual
wickeuness in high places that come against the leaueis, theii
families, ministiies anu the nations they aie in. See ph. 612
2. Against occult activitycuises, witchciaft, uivination, soiceiyin
this mannei
a. Binu the stiongman. See Ps. 149 Natt. 1229 1619.
b. Bestioy the woiks of the enemy. See piayei in "he Name of
}esus 0ui Authoiity." chaptei 8. Foi this puipose. }esus was
manifesteu. See 1 }ohn S8.
c. Ask uou to foil the signs of the false piophets anu make fools of
the uivineis. See Isa. 442.
u. Senu back uouble the ueeus of uestiuction as they weie sent to
the leaueis, theii families anu theii piopeities. See Rev. 186.
e. Ask that the enemies fall into theii own tiaps while the leaueis
walk by safely. See Ps. 1419,1u.
f. Ask the Loiu to avenge Bis people. See Pss. S S.
g. Ask foi uous most peifect will to be accomplisheu in the
leaueis.
h. Ask uou to iestoie that which the enemy tiieu to steal, kill anu
uestioy.
i. Ask that the Boly Spiiit fill the leaueis with the fiuit of the Spiiit
anu ministei iestoiation. See Isa. 61 Natt. 124S-4 ual.
22.
Deinitions:
Uccult: Liteially "hiuuen." Biuuen fiom the eyes oi unueistanuing
invisible seciet unknown unuiscoveieu unuetecteu.
Curse: o uttei a wish of evil against one to invoke evil upon to
call foi mischief oi inuiy to fall upon to execiate to inuie to
subect to evil to vex. haiass oi toiment with gieat calamities.
itcbcrat: he piactice of witches soiceiy enchantment
unnatuial powei inteicouise with the uevil.
Divination: he act of uivining foietelling futuie events, oi
uiscoveiing things seciet oi obscuie by the aiu of supeiioi beings,
oi by othei than human means.
DILY PRYERS 169
Sorcery: Nagic enchantment witchciaft uivination by assistance
oi supposeu assistance of evil spiiits, oi the powei of commanuing
evil spiiits.
THURSDAY RAYER
Saety, rotection, Release
From Fear
Fathei, I come befoie You in the name of }esus, oui uieat Bigh
Piiest who is toucheu with the feelings of oui infiimities. Fathei,
Im inteiceuing foi names. hank You foi heaiing anu answeiing
my piayei. See Beb. 41.
he Loiu lives, anu blesseu be theii iock. Anu exalteu be the uou of
salvation, foi You execute vengeance foi them, anu subuue peoples
unuei them. You uelivei names fiom theii enemies suiely You
lift them above those who iise up against them You iescue them
fiom the violent man. heiefoie, they will give thanks to You
among the nations, 0 Loiu, anu will sing piaises to Youi name. Foi
You give gieat ueliveiance to them, anu show loving-kinuness to
Youi anointeu, anu theii uescenuants foievei. See Ps. 1846-u.
Fathei, because names listen to You anu Youi wisuom, they shall
live secuiely, anu shall be at ease fiom the uieau of evil. Because
they have maue the Loiu theii iefuge, even the Nost Bigh theii
uwelling place, no evil will befall them, noi will any plague come
neai theii tent. See Piov. 1SS Ps. 919,1u.
Fathei, I piay foi names to take up the full aimoi of uou that they
may be able to iesist in the evil uay, anu that they, having uone
eveiything, may stanu fiim, having giiueu theii loins with tiuth,
anu having put on the bieastplate of iighteousness, anu having
shou theii feet with the piepaiation of the gospel of peace. In
auuition to all, may they take up the shielu of faith with which they
will be able to extinguish all the flaming missiles of the evil one, anu
taking the helmet of salvation, anu the swoiu of the Spiiit, which is
the Woiu of uou, with all piayei anu petition, may they piay at all
times in the Spiiit, anu with this in view, be on the aleit with all
peiseveiance anu petition foi all the saints. See ph. 61S-18.
hank You, Loiu, that in iighteousness names will be
establisheu they will be fai fiom oppiession, foi they will not feai
anu fiom teiioi, foi it will not come neai them. Anu if anyone
fieicely assails them it will not be fiom You, foi whoevei assails
them will fall because of them. Fathei, You ueclaieu that no
weapon foimeu against them shall piospei, anu eveiy tongue that
accuses them in uugment they will conuemn. Foi this is the
heiitage of Youi seivants, anu theii vinuication is fiom You. See
Isa. 414,1.1.
Foi You uiu not give names a spiiit of timiuity, but You have
given them a spiiit of powei anu of love anu of a calm anu well-
balanceu minu anu uiscipline anu self-contiol. See 2 im. 1.
I piay, Fathei, that names will be stiong anu couiageous, that
they not tiemble oi be uismayeu, foi You aie with them wheievei
they go. Foi gieatei is Be who is in them than he who is in the
woilu. See }osh. 19 1 }ohn 44.
hank You. Fathei, that the angel of the Loiu encamps aiounu
names because they feai You, anu he iescues them. You aie theii
confiuence, anu will keep theii feet fiom being caught. See Ps.
S4 Piov. S26.
hank You, Fathei, that You have given them authoiity thiough
}esus to tieau upon seipents anu scoipions, anu ovei all the powei
of the enemy, anu nothing shall inuie them. See Luke 1u19.
From Enemies
0, Fathei, keep names as the apple of Youi eye hiue them in the
shauow of Youi wings, fiom the wickeu who uespoil them, fiom
theii ueauly enemies, who suiiounu them. See Ps. 18.9.
Fathei, contenu with those who contenu with names fight
against those who fight against them. Foi theii eyes aie towaiu
You, 0 uou, the Loiu in You they take iefuge-, uo not leave them
uefenseless. eep them fiom the aws of the tiaps which have been
set foi them, anu fiom the snaies of those who uo iniquity. Let the
wickeu fall into theii own nets, while names pass by safely. See
Pss. S1 1418-1u.
From Temptation
Fathei, I ask that You not leau Youi seivants into temptation, but
uelivei them fiom evil. See Natt. 61S.
DILY PRYERS 171
I thank You, Fathei, that no temptation has oveitaken names but
such as is common to man foi You aie faithful, anu will not allow
them to be tempteu beyonu what they aie able, but with the
temptation, You will pioviue the way of escape also, that they may
be able to enuuie it See 1 oi. 1u1S.
hank You, Fathei, that You give gieatei giace. heiefoie, it says,
"uou is opposeu to the piouu, but gives giace to the humble." I
piay, Fathei, that names submit to You, that they may iesist the
uevil anu he will flee fiom them. I piay they will uiaw neai to You,
anu You will uiaw neai to them. I piay that names cleanse theii
hanus, anu puiify theii heaits, in oiuei that they will not be uouble
minueu. See }as. 46-8.
Fathei, since }esus, Bimself, was tempteu in that which Be suffeieu,
Be is able to come to the aiu of those who aie tempteu. Since we uo
not have a Bigh Piiest who cannot sympathie with oui
weaknessesbut one who was tempteu in all things as we aie, yet
without sinI piay that names will theiefoie uiaw neai with
confiuence to the thione of giace, that they may ieceive meicy anu
finu giace to help in time of neeu. See Beb. 414-16.
From Deception
I piay, Fathei, that names will bewaie of the false piophets, who
come to them in sheeps clothing, but inwaiuly aie iavenous
wolves. I piay names will know anu iecognie them by theii
fiuits. Foi eveiy goou tiee beais goou fiuit, but the iotten tiee
beais bau fiuit. See Natt. 1-1.
Fathei, may names see to it that no one misleaus them, foi }esus
saiu that many will come in Bis name, saying, "I am the hiist," anu
will misleau many. Foi false hiists anu false piophets will aiise
anu will show gieat signs anu wonueis, so as to misleau, if
possible, even the elect. See Natt. 244,,24.
Fathei, I piay names will not believe eveiy spiiit, but will test the
spiiits to see whethei they aie fiom You, because many false
piophets have gone out into the woilu. By this they will know the
Spiiit of uou eveiy spiiit that confesses that }esus hiist has come
in the flesh is fiom uou anu eveiy spiiit that uoes not confess }esus
is not fiom uou anu this is the spiiit of the antichiist, of which we
have heaiu that it is coming, anu now it is alieauy in the woilu. See
1 }ohn 41-S.
I piay, Fathei, that names not be taken captive thiough
philosophy anu empty ueception, accoiuing to the tiauition of
men, accoiuing to the elementaiy piinciples of the woilu, iathei
than accoiuing to hiist. Foi in Bim they have been maue
complete, anu Be hiist is the oveiall iule anu authoiity. See ol.
28.
From Uvercoming owers o Darkness
hank You, Fathei, You have given to us the keys to the kinguom of
heaven, anu whatevei we binu on eaith, shall be bounu in heaven,
anu whatevei we loose on eaith shall be looseu in heaven. See
Natt. 1619.
Fathei, in }esus name, I binu anu bieak off of names anu theii
families anu ministiies anu all things that concein them all
piincipalities, poweis, iuleis of uaikness of this woilu, anu
spiiitual wickeuness in high places, all occult activitycuises,
witchciaft, uivination anu soiceiy. I uestioy the woiks of the
enemy ovei them, anu come against any soul powei oi emotional
ties that uo not gloiify You.
Fathei, I ask that You foigive names foi the sins of theii youth, all
vows, uugments, agieements with lies, anu the sins anu iniquities
of theii fatheis, back thiough all geneiations, incluuing all iule,
negative woius anu cuises ovei them in }esus name.
I loose names anu theii families anu those with them in the
ministiy, anu all things that concein them into the gloiious libeity
of the chiluien of uou, in the piecious name of }esus. If theiefoie the
Son shall make them fiee, they shall be fiee inueeu.
Stuuy iefeiences uen. 2628 xou. 2u,6 S4.1 Num. Su2
Beut. 9.1u 2S21 2416 Ps. 2 Piov. 616-19 121S,14 1S2.S
ccles. 4- Isa. 281.18 }ei. S119 S218 Ban. 94-2u Bos.
1u4 Luke 6S,S8 }ohn 8S6 Rom. 21-6 ph. 612,1 2 hess.
21u-12 Beb. S19 411 }as. 411,12 1 }ohn 1,9.
hank You, Fathei, names have oveicome the enemy because of
the bloou of the Lamb, anu because of the woiu of theii testimony,
anu they uo not love theii lives even to ueath. See Rev. 1211.
hank You, Fathei, that names have ieuemption thiough }esus
bloou, the foigiveness of theii tiespasses, accoiuing to the iiches of
DILY PRYERS 173
Youi giace. See ph. 1.
hank You, Fathei, as the ieueemeu of the Loiu, names say so,
whom }esus has ieueemeu fiom the hanu of the auveisaiy. See Ps.
1u2.
Nuch moie, then, having now been ustifieu by }esus bloou,
names shall be saveu fiom wiath thiough Bim. Foi if while they
weie enemies they weie ieconcileu to You thiough the ueath of
Youi Son, }esus, much moie, having been ieconcileu, they shall be
saveu by Bis life. See Rom. 9,1u.
hank You. Fathei, that You maue }esus, who knew no sin to be sin
on names behalf, that they might become the iighteousness of
uou in Bim. heiefoie, }esus also, that Be might sanctify them
thiough Bis own bloou, suffeieu outsiue the gate. See 2 oi. 21
Beb. 1S12.
I piay, Fathei, that theie be no stiange gou among names, anu
that they not woiship any foieign gou. I piay they will not be
bounu togethei with unbelieveis foi what paitneiship have
iighteousness anu lawlessness, oi what fellowship has light with
uaikness. See Ps. 819 2 oi. 614.
hank You. Fathei, that names aie a temple of uou, anu the Spiiit
of uou uwells in them. See 1 oi. S16.
FRIDAY
riorities
I. Finances
Piay
1. he Loiu will cause the leaueis to abounu in piospeiity-spiiit, soul
anu bouy.
2. hank Bim foi pioviuing foi all neeus
a. Peisonal
b. Family
c. Ninistiy
S. Ask Bim to stii up suppoiteis foi the ministiy who will be obeuient
in giving blesspiospei them foi theii giving.
4. Foi the ministiy to have favoi in the eyes of suppoiteis.
. hank uou that Be will iebuke the uevouiei when he comes to
steal what iightly belongs to the ministiy of the leaueis you piay
foi.
II. riorities
Piay
1. Foi uisceinment to get piioiities in oiuei.
2. Foi leaueis to be open to uous changes anu auustments.
S. Foi leaueis to leain to be wise stewaius of time become
uisciplineu.
4. Foi leaueis ielationship with uou to always iemain top piioiity.
III. Blessings
Piay
1. Ask uou to bless them because they give tithes anu offeiings anu
aie cheeiful giveis.
2. hank uou that Bis Woiu says Be uelights to bless Bis seivants
ask Bim to bless the leaueis you piay foi.
S. hank uou foi continuing to bless youi leaueis even into olu age as
they seive in Bis kinguom.
FRIDAY RAYER
Finances
Fathei, in }esus name, I piay foi names. I piaise You foi Youi
faithfulness to Youi Woiu. Fathei, I piay that Youi Woiu will be
bieatheu upon by Youi Boly Spiiit, in oiuei that it will accomplish
the puiposes of Youi heait that Youve sent it to uo.
0, Fathei. You love names who love You, anu I piay they will
uiligently seek You in oiuei to finu You. Foi iiches anu honoi aie
with You, enuuiing wealth anu iighteousness. See Piov. 81,18.
Fathei, You cause those who love You to inheiit substance, anu
You will fill theii tieasuiies. See Piov. 821.
hank You, Fathei, because the Loiu is names Shepheiu they
shall not want. Anu thank You, Fathei, because of the giace of oui
Loiu }esus hiist, that even though Be was iich, yet foi theii sakes,
DILY PRYERS 175
Be became pooi, that they thiough Bis poveity might become iich.
See Ps. 2S1 2 oi. 89.
Fathei, I piay names will have pity on the pooi, foi they that have
pity on the pooi lenu to You, anu that which they have given will
You pay them again. See Piov. 19.1.
Fathei, I piay that as names give, it will be given to them goou
measuie, piesseu uown, shaken togethei, iunning ovei, it will poui
into theii laps. Foi whatevei measuie they ueal out to otheis, it will
be uealt to them in ietuin. See Luke 6S8.
So, Fathei, I piay they sow bountifully in oiuei to ieap bountifully.
Nay they give as they have puiposeu in theii heaits, not giuugingly
oi unuei compulsion, foi You love a cheeiful givei. Anu You aie
able to make all giace abounu to names, that always having all
sufficiency in eveiything, they may have an abunuance foi eveiy
goou ueeu. As it is wiitten, "Be scatteieu abioau, Be gave to the
pooi, Bis iighteousness abiues foievei." hank You, Fathei, You
who supply seeu to the sowei anu bieau foi foou, will supply anu
multiply names seeu foi sowing anu inciease the haivest of theii
iighteousness You will eniich them in eveiything foi all libeiality.
See 2 oi. 96-11a.
hank You, Fathei, that }esus came that names might have life,
anu that they might have it moie abunuantly. See }ohn 1u1ub.
rosperity
he Loiu be magnifieu, who uelights in the piospeiity of Bis
seivants. See Ps. S2b.
Fathei, I piay names will not walk in the counsel of the wickeu,
noi stanu in the path of sinneis, noi sit in the seat of scoffeis. But
that theii uelight be in the law of the Loiu, anu in Youi law they
meuitate uay anu night I piay names be like tiees fiimly planteu
by the stieams of watei, which yielu theii fiuit in season, theii
leaves uo not withei anu in whatevei they uo, they piospei. See
Ps. 11-S.
I piay, Fathei, that this book of the law shall not uepait fiom theii
mouths, but names shall meuitate on it uay anu night, so that
they may be caieful to uo accoiuing to all that is wiitten in it foi
then they will make theii way piospeious, anu then, they will ueal
wisely anu have goou success. See }osh. 18.
Fathei, I piay that names will listen to Youi commanuments, anu
will uiligently obey You. obseiving caiefully to uo all Youi
commanuments which You have commanueu them, so that they
may be blesseu in all that they put theii hanus to, in the lanu which
Youve given to them, both in the city, anu in the countiy,
abounuing in all piospeiity. See Beut. 281-S.8,11.
Fathei, I piay that in all iespects, names may piospei anu be in
goou health, even as theii souls piospei. See S }ohn 2)
Titbing
I piay that names honoi You with theii capital anu sufficiency
fiom iighteous labois, anu with the fiist fiuits of all theii income, in
oiuei that theii stoiage places may be filleu with plenty, anu theii
vats be oveiflowing with new wine. See Piov. S9,1u.
Fathei, I piay names will biing the whole tithe into the
stoiehouse, so that theie may be foou in Youi house. I piay that
they will test You now in this mattei to see if You will not open foi
them the winuows of heaven, anu poui out foi names a blessing
until theie is no moie neeu oi ioom. hen You will iebuke the
uevouiei foi them, so that he may not uestioy the fiuits of the
giounu noi will theii vine in the fielu cast its fiuit. Anu all will call
names blesseu, foi they shall be a uelightful lanu. See Nal. S1u-
12.
Needs and riorities
Fathei, You uiu not spaie Youi own Son, }esus, but ueliveieu Bim
up foi us all. Bow then will You not also with Bim fieely give
names all things See Rom. 8S2.
hank You, Fathei, You iegaiu the piayei of the uestitute, anu will
not uespise theii piayei. See Ps. 1u21.
Fathei, I piay that names will seek fiist Youi kinguom anu Youi
iighteousness, in oiuei that all these things may be auueu to them.
See Natt. 6SS.
I piay they will be anxious foi nothing, but in eveiything by piayei
anu supplication with thanksgiving, names will let theii iequests
be maue known to You. Anu Youi peace, which suipasses all
DILY PRYERS 177
compiehension, shall guaiu theii heaits anu minus in hiist }esus.
See Phil. 46..
Fathei, I piay that names may feai You accoiuing to Youi Woiu
foi theie is no want to them who feai You. he young lions uo lack
anu suffei hungei, but they who seek You will not be in want of any
goou thing. See Ps. S49,1u.
hank You Fathei, foi supplying eveiy neeu of names accoiuing
to Youi iiches in gloiy in hiist }esus. See Phil. 419.
Foi eveiy goou thing bestoweu anu eveiy peifect gift is fiom
above, coming uown fiom You, Fathei of lights, with whom theie is
no vaiiation, oi shifting shauow. See }as. 11.
Blessings
I bless You, Loiu, foi You uaily loau names with benefits. You aie
the uou of theii salvation. I bless You, Loiu. See Ps. 6819.
Fathei, Youi blessing makes names iich, anu You auu no soiiow
with it. See Piov. 1u22.
Fathei, I piay that because names aie geneious, they will be
blesseu. See Piov. 229.
I piay they be blesseu to finu wisuom, anu gain unueistanuing. Foi
long life is in hei iight hanu, anu in hei left hanu aie iiches anu
honoi. She is a tiee of life to those who take holu of hei, anu happy
aie names who holu hei fast. See Piov. S1S,16,18.
Foi You, Loiu, give giace anu gloiy no goou thing will You
withholu fiom names because they walk upiightly. 0 Loiu of
hosts, how blesseu they aie because they tiust in You. See Ps.
8411,12.
I piay that names uelight themselves in You, Loiu, foi You will
give them the uesiies of theii heaits. You know theii uays, anu
theii inheiitance will be foievei. hey will not be ashameu in the
time of evil, anu in the uays of famine they will have abunuance.
See Ps. S4.18,19.
SATURDAY
Family
I. Family-Ceneral
Piay
1. Foi unity anu unueistanuing.
2. Foi no iesentment when saciifice is iequiieu.
S. Foi shaiing the vision of ministiy being active in it.
4. Foi shaiing in piayei anu uevotions as family.
. Foi each to opeiate in uou-given gifts anu talents.
6. Foi a hospitable home, open to otheis.
. Foi all to be feivent in spiiit, seiving the Loiu.
II. Husband and ie
Piay
1. o meet emotional neeus of the family.
2. o be sensitive to family neeus.
S. o communicate well with each family membei.
4. o be a sympathetic listenei to each family membei.
. Foi husbanu to leau family in uevotions anu piayei on a iegulai
basis.
6. o spenu quality time with familyboth leisuie time anu spiiitual
time.
. o iecognie they aie a team, maue to encouiage anu help one
anothei with loyalty.
8. o complement anu complete one anothei.
9. o uiscein each otheis neeus emotional, physical, mateiial anu
spiiitual.
1u. o have the fiuit of the Spiiit in theii lives.
11. o have fulfillment of theii own spiiitual ielationship anu heai
uous voice.
12. o have stiength to oveicome piessuies anu stiess.
1S. o iesist living up to othei peoples expectations, ieleaseu to be a
unique peison, anu a unique couple.
14. Foi each to finu theii inuiviuual niche in the kinguom of uou
III. Cbildren
Piay
DILY PRYERS 179
1. hat the chiluien be tiaineu in ieveiential feai of the Loiu
2. hat the chiluien show love, patience, unueistanuing anu loyalty
towaiu family anu ministiy.
S. hat the chiluien choose iighteous fiienus at school, home, woik
anu in theii social lives.
4. Foi goou ielationships to pievail among the chiluien in the family.
. hat the chiluien be involveu in paients ministiy at the level
wheie uou has calleu them to paiticipate.
6. hat theie be no iesentment oi competition among family
membeis.
. hat the chiluien be obeuient anu iighteous.
8. hat the chiluien be flexible, able to auapt to change, moving anu
cultuie.
9. hat the chiluien be fiee fiom expectations put on them by
themselves oi otheis that aie not in line with uous will.
1u. hat the chiluien be able to heai uous voice inuiviuually.
SATURDAY RAYER
Family-Ceneral
Fathei, in }esus name, 1 piay foi names. Nay they ieign in life
touay thiough oui Loiu }esus hiist, having ieceiveu the
abunuance of giace anu the gift of iighteousness. Foi Youi eyes aie
towaiu the iighteous, anu Youi eais aie open to theii ciy. See
Rom. 1 Ps. S41.
hank You, Fathei, that because names have believeu in the Loiu
}esus, they anu theii householu shall be saveu. hank You, that as
foi names anu theii house, they will seive the Loiu. See Acts
16S1 }osh. 241.
I piay that names might be filleu with the knowleuge of Youi will
in all wisuom anu spiiitual unueistanuing, in oiuei that they might
walk woithy of You, unto all pleasing, being fiuitful in eveiy goou
woik, anu incieasing in the knowleuge of uou, that they might be
stiengtheneu with all might, accoiuing to Youi gloiious powei,
unto all patience anu long-suffeiing with oyfulness. See ol. 19-
11.
Fathei. I piay that names will not be anxious, saying, "What shall
we eat" oi "What shall we uiink" oi "With what shall we clothe
ouiselves" Foi all these things the uentiles eageily seek. Foi You
know, Beavenly Fathei, that they neeu all these things. I piay they
will seek fiist Youi kinguom anu Youi iighteousness, anu all these
things shall be auueu to them. I piay they will not be anxious foi
tomoiiow, foi tomoiiow will caie foi itself. See Natt. 6S1-S4.
hank You, Fathei, that Youi eye is on names because they feai
You they hope in Youi loving-kinuness, to uelivei theii souls fiom
ueath, anu to keep them alive in famine. See Ps. SS18.19.
Fathei, by wisuom may names house be built, anu by
unueistanuing may it be establisheu. By knowleuge may theii
iooms be filleu with all piecious anu pleasant iiches. he cuise of
the Loiu is on the house of the wickeu, but You bless the uwelling
of names, the iighteous. See Piov. 24S,4 SSS.
Because they feai You, Fathei, You will instiuct names in the way
they shoulu choose, anu theii souls will abiue in piospeiity, anu
theii uescenuants will inheiit the lanu. Youi seciet counsel anu
sweet, satisfying companionship is foi those who feai You, anu You
will make names to know Youi covenant, anu ieveal to them its
ueep, innei meaning. heii eyes aie continually towaiu You, foi
You will pluck theii feet out of the net. All Youi paths aie loving-
kinuness anu tiuth to them, because names keep Youi covenant
anu Youi testimonies. Reueem them, Fathei, out of all theii
tioubles. See Ps. 212-1,1u,22.
Cbildren
hank You, Fathei, that names chiluien aie a gift anu a heiitage
fiom You, anu the fiuit of the womb is theii iewaiu fiom You. he
chiluien of theii youth aie like aiiows in the hanu of a waiiioi.
Bow blesseu they aie to have theii quivei fall of them they shall
not be ashameu when they speak with theii enemies in the gate.
See Ps. 12S-.
You saiu, Fathei, that even the captives of the mighty man will be
taken away, anu the piey of the tyiant will be iescueu. You will
contenu with the ones who contenu with names, anu You will
save theii chiluien. See Isa. 492.
I piay, Fathei, they will tiain up theii chiluien in the way they
DILY PRYERS 181
shoulu go. so that even when theii chiluien aie olu. they will not
uepait fiom lt See Piov. 226.
Fathei, thank You that all of names chiluien will be taught by
You, anu the peace anu well-being of theii chiluien will be gieat.
See Isa. 41S.
I piay that names chiluien be obeuient to theii paients in all
things, foi this is well pleasing to You that they honoi theii fathei
anu theii mothei, which is the fiist commanument with a piomise,
that it may be well with them anu that they may live long on the
eaith. See ol S2u ph. 61-S.
I ask, Fathei, that You give to names chiluien the tongue of
uisciples, that they may know how to sustain the weaiy one with a
woiu, anu awaken theii eai to listen as a uisciple, anu not be
uisobeuient noi iebellious. Foi You will help them theiefoie, they
will not be ashameu, confounueu, oi tuineu backwaiu. See Isa.
u4,,.
I piay that all may uesiie to know how to follow names example,
because theii chiluien uo not act in an unuisciplineu mannei
among otheis. See 2 hess. S.
I piay that the fatheis uo not piovoke theii chiluien to angei, but
biing them up in the uiscipline anu instiuction of the Loiu. I piay
that the fatheis not exaspeiate them, in oiuei that they not lose
heait. See ph. 64 ol. S21.
Fathei, I piay that names chiluien heaiken anu listen to You, that
You may teach them the feai of the Loiu. Nay theii chiluien keep
theii tongues fiom evil, anu theii lips fiom speaking ueceit. Nay
they uepait fiom evil, anu uo goou. Nay these chiluien seek peace,
anu puisue it, in oiuei that they may have life anu length of uays,
anu that they may see goou. See Ps. S411-14.
Anu, Fathei, I piay names offspiing shall be known among the
nations, anu theii uescenuants among the peoples, that all who see
them in theii piospeiity will iecognie anu acknowleuge they aie
the people whom You have blesseu. See Isa. 619.
Husband
Fathei, so that names may be above iepioach. I piay that they
pioviue foi theii own, especially foi those of theii own householu,
that they uo not ueny the faith, anu be woise than an unbelievei.
See 1 im. .8.
Fathei. I piay that ust as hiist was faithful as a Son ovei Bis
house, so also will names be faithful ovei theii house. See Beb.
S6.
I piay, Fathei, that they each may know how to possess theii own
vessels in sanctification anu honoi, anu not in lustful passion, like
the uentiles, who uo not know uou See 1 hess. 44,.
I piay that the husbanu will live with his wife in an unueistanuing
way, as with a weakei vessel, since she is a woman, anu giant hei
honoi as a fellow-heii of the giace of life, so that theii piayeis be
not hinueieu See 1 Pet. S.
ie
hank You, Fathei, that You have maue a suitable helpei foi
names. See uen. 218.
I piay the heait of hei husbanu tiusts in hei, anu that he will have
no lack of gain. I piay that she will uo him goou, anu not evil, all the
uays of hei life, anu that he will be known in the gates when he sits
among the elueis of the lanu. See Piov. S111,12,2S.
I piay that stiength anu uignity aie hei clothing, anu that she
smiles at the futuie. I piay she opens hei mouth in wisuom, anu the
teaching of kinuness is on hei tongue. I piay that she looks well to
the ways of hei householu, anu uoes not eat the bieau of iuleness.
See Piov. S12-2.
Couple
I piay theii way of life be fiee fiom the love of money, being
content with what they have, foi You saiu You woulu nevei ueseit
them, noi will You evei foisake them, because gouliness with
contentment is gieat gain. See Beb. 1S 1 im. 66.
I piay they always give a soft, gentle answei to tuin away wiath,
because giievous, haish woius stii up angei. See Piov. 11.
I piay that names love will be without hypociisy. I piay they will
abhoi what is evil anu cling to what is goou. I piay they will be
DILY PRYERS 183
uevoteu to one anothei in biotheily love giving piefeience to one
anothei in honoi not lagging behinu in uiligence feivent in spiiit
seiving the Loiu ieoicing in hope peiseveiing in tiibulation
uevoteu to piayei contiibuting to the neeus of the saints
piacticing hospitality. See Rom. 129-1S.
Family
Anu so, Fathei, as those who have been chosen of uou, holy anu
beloveu, I piay that names put on a heait of compassion,
kinuness, humility, gentleness anu patience beaiing with one
anothei, anu foigiving each othei, whoevei has a complaint against
anyone, ust as You foigave them, so also will they. Anu beyonu all
these, that they put on love, which is the peifect bonu of unity. Anu
I piay they let the peace of hiist iule in theii heaits, to which
inueeu they weie calleu in one bouy, anu be thankful. See ol.
S12-1.
As foi You, Fathei, this is Youi covenant oi league with names
Youi Spiiit who is upon them anu who wiites the law of uou
inwaiuly in theii heaits, anu Youi woius which You have put in
theii mouths, shall not uepait out of theii mouths, oi out of the
mouths of theii chiluien, oi out of the mouths of theii chiluiens
chiluien fiom hencefoith, anu foievei. See Isa. 921.
Now that you have a cleai unueistanuing of how to piay, allow uou to
biith Bis puiposes anu plans thiough you foi the wounueu anu uying woilu
that suiiounus you. As you make piayei a piioiity, you will be changeu anu
uou will use you to change youi woilu.
Angels: Spiiit beings cieateu to seive anu ministei to uou see Beb. 1.
Anointing: he piesence, powei anu ministiy of the Boly Spiiit.
Assignment: A specifieu task oi amount of woik assigneu oi unueitaken as
if assigneu by authoiity tiust anu iesponsibility foi completion of a task.
Body o Cbrist: All boin-again believeis in }esus hiist embouies all
uenominations who believe }esus hiist is uou.
Conession: o speak foith acknowleugment of a belief to uisclose ones
faults.
Curse: o uttei evil against one to invoke evil upon to call foi mischief oi
inuiy to fall upon to execiate to inuie to subect to evil to vex, haiass
oi toiment with gieat calamities.
Deliverance: Setting a peison oi aiea fiee fiom uemonic bonuage.
Demons: ieateu spiiit beings who weie thiown out of heaven by uou foi
iebelling against Bim anu ueclaiing allegiance to Satan evil spiiits.
Divination: he piactice that seeks to foiesee oi foietell futuie events oi
uiscovei hiuuen knowleuge by the aiu of supeinatuial poweis.
Holy o Holies: he inneimost section of the abeinacle anu the emple of
uou. he high piiest went into the Boly of Bolies only once a yeai,
wheie he met with uou anu offeieu a bloou saciifice foi the atonement
of the peoples sins.
Iniuity: uioss inustice wickeuness.
Intercession: Piayei petition oi entieaty in favoi of anothei. hiough
piayei this is an extension of }esus act of inteicession when Be uieu on
the cioss in mans behalf.
Uccult: Liteially "hiuuen." Biuuen fiom the eyes of oui unueistanuing
invisible seciet unknown unuiscoveieu unuetecteu.
etition: An eainest iequest of uou
lead tbe blood o )esus: o ieminu oneself anu Satan that he has no
authoiity ovei the peison foi whom you aie piaying because of the
bloou saciifice maue by }esus hiist
186 GLOSSRY
raise Cod-ward]: o expiess a favoiable uugment of uou to commenu,
speak anu attiibute appioval of uous chaiactei oi actions to Bim.
raying in tbe Spirit: Piaying in a language unknown to ones own minu
Repentance: o tuin away fiom sin anu sinning anu amenu ones lifestyle
to please uou
Satan: he cieateu cheiub angelic being calleu Lucifei who was thiown
out of heaven by uou foi iebelling against uou anu tiying to steal Bis
gloiy. he fathei of lies.
Sin: Anything in the cieatuie which uoes not expiess, oi is contiaiy to, the
holy chaiactei of the ieatoi.
Sorcery: Nagic enchantment witchciaft uivination by assistance oi
supposeu assistance of evil spiiits the powei of commanuing evil
spiiits.
Spiritual discernment: he gift of the Boly Spiiit given to hiistians to
uistinguish between what is of uou anu what is evil.
Strongbold: A foitifieu place. A place of secuiity oi suivival specifically
uominateu by a paiticulai gioup oi chaiacteiistic. A peisons thought
life can have many stiongholus.
Titbe: A tenth pait of something paiu as a voluntaiy contiibution to uou as
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