The Prayer Factor 2.5

Loving my cup of coffee today as I was praying; nothing like a caffeine boast to get your day going after driving on a sheet of ice to get to the church. I was doing some in Jesus name on my way. One of the most important things that all of us have to learn in prayer is to Pray in His Jesus Name! There is power in His name.

Do you know what a power of attorney is? “A power of attorney (POA) or letter of attorney is a written authorization to represent or act on another's behalf in private affairs, business, or some other legal matter, sometimes against the wishes of the other.” Jesus has given us the power of attorney here on this earth. “We have the legal authority to transact business in the name of Jesus.”

There are seven things the name of Jesus gives us.

Protection: A wall of fire around us. Zechariah 2:5 “I myself will be a wall of fire around it,' declares the LORD, 'and I will be its glory within.”

Stability: A sure foundation.  Isaiah 28:16 “So this is what the Sovereign LORD says: "See, I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation; the one who relies on it will never be stricken with panic.”

Growth: A refiner & purifier. Malachi 3:3 “He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver; he will purify the Levites and refine them like gold and silver. Then the LORD will have men who will bring offerings in righteousness”

Security: A sure place.  Isaiah 22:22 “I will place on his shoulder the key to the house of David; what he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open. I will drive him like a peg into a firm place; he will become a seat of honor for the house of his father.”

Guidance: A great light.  Isaiah 9:2 “The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned.”

Authority: A scepter. Numbers 24:17 "I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near. A star will come out of Jacob; a scepter will rise out of Israel. He will crush the foreheads of Moab, the skulls of all the people of Sheth.”

Energy: A quickening Spirit. 1 Corinthians 15:45 “So it is written: "The first man Adam became a living being"; the last Adam, a life-giving spirit.”

3# This is why I’m calling you to pray!

We have a mission to do individually and corporately. The mission of the praying Christian is to:

#Pray Down divine Energy

We need to be energized to do the mission. We need more of His Holy Spirit to waken and excite us spiritually. Romans 15:30-32 “I urge you, brothers and sisters, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to join me in my struggle by praying to God for me. Pray that I may be kept safe from the unbelievers in Judea and that the contribution I take to Jerusalem may be favorably received by the Lord's people there”

Paul was trying to rise up workers not only to pray for themselves, but for the mission to evangelize the whole world. Our mission here at Calvary will require all of us involved in prayer.

My prayer is that God will lead us:

Upward. {Eyes on Jesus}
Inward. {Eyes on Us, our spiritual lives}
Outward. {Looking beyond to see the need of the world}
Downward. {Believing ever soul is worth our effort}

The mission of the praying Christian is to:

#Pray Open closed Doors.

Pray against the strongholds of the enemy in our lives and church.

Colossians 4:2-3 “Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains.”

1Timothy 2:1-2 “I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people--for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.”

The mission of the praying Christian is to: 

#Pray Away Spiritual Darkness

 I shared last week that the enemy has a plan to defeat us, why shouldn’t we use Gods plan to defeat the enemy. Have you ever stopped to ask yourself what the devils favorite word might be? I’ve thought about this and have come to the conclusion that his favorite word is tomorrow. If he can keep us away from praying he has nothing to fear.

When we pray our prayers have the power to defeat him.

Paul tells us in Ephesians 6 to put on the whole armor of God so we can be ready for the forces of spiritual darkness. So we learn to pray against those forces in the authority we have been given and for protection.

Ephesians 6:10-18 “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.

In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord's people.”

So keep on Praying...
You are Loved!