This is part of a continuing study. For previous lessons, just scroll down.
Dear Partner in Prayer,
May God bless you with all the provision that Jesus died to give you. May God’s magnificent grace empower you to fulfill the reason you were born.
Our study of Matthew 16:13-20 has led us to focus on vs. 19:
“And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven."
The Keys of Heaven previously discussed:
Previously discussed:
“Put on the Armor of God” is not a suggestion.
Next Weapon: Prayer
“And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints…”
Ephesians 6:17-18
Can you see that these three weapons are supporting and working on assignment together for a specific outcome? Will they be effective if you only read about them?
Imagine a soldier’s fort that has been supplied with an enormous stockpile of deadly armament, yet, within that fort, every soldier is running around unclothed and telling each other how bad things are while their enemies continue to bombard their camp with fiery arrows?
God’s armor is designed to be used to target and bind the enemy. His weapons have no problem overcoming all the power of the enemy. Our Champion and Lord has triumphed over all of them and has been given all authority both in heaven and on earth. Our power lies in operating in Him and through Him, not ahead of Him and certainly not led by the flesh.
The Power of Prayer
If we were to take a course on prayer, we would learn that there are different types of prayer which have different guidelines. Just like when someone desires to play sports, they have to learn the rules of the particular game. Football, baseball, golf, etc., do not all play by the same rules.
In the same manner, you would not want to pray the prayer, “If it be thy will,” when praying for your healing. Why?
Because we already know by the written Word that it is God’s will to heal, and further, He has already provided healing by Jesus stripes.
See 1 Peter 2:24; Isaiah 53:4-5; James 5:14.
Since we are studying about the weapons God has given to us to overcome the kingdom of darkness, we will focus this study on the Prayer that Dominates!
The born again new-creation man has been given authority in his inner man. That is where the Spirit of God and His power resides. After all, we are the temple of the Holy Spirit!
Delegated Authority is The Foundation of Our Dominion
Jesus said, "Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you.” Luke 10:19
Authority is transferred by words.
Example
A 130 pound policewoman, who pulls a speeding driver over to the side of the road and orders a 250 pound weight lifter to hand over his driver’s license, is functioning under authority that has been delegated to her.
She wears a uniform and a badge, which is recognized by all, that she is employed and backed by her city and state government. The government has also provided her with weapons to enforce the written law. That 250 lb. man knows that if he messes with her, he’s messing with higher authority.
“All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go, therefore…”
Matthew 28:18-19
"But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth." Acts 1:8
The Prayer that Changes Things
We have learned not to war in the flesh. There is no power or ability to bring about change that way, for “the flesh profiteth nothing.” The weapons of our warfare operate in a higher realm for they are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds.
See 1 Corinthians 10:3-5.
Words
“Death and life are in the power of the tongue.” Proverbs 18:21
“Whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” Matthew 16:19
Although Jeremiah was a prophet that operated under the Old Covenant, the same instructions from God are given to us today who intercede for our nation.
“Then the LORD put forth His hand and touched my mouth, and the LORD said to me: ‘Behold, I have put My words in your mouth. See, I have this day set you over the nations and over the kingdoms:
Original Intent—Genesis 1
“Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion… and God said to them, ‘Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth.’ “
God formed man out of the dust of the earth and breathed Himself into man, and man, (as the Hebrew scribes say), became a speaking-spirit. Man uses his God-given authority through the use of his words. Out of the good treasure of a good man’s heart comes forth good things…things that can be seen!
"This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,” says the LORD of hosts. “Who are you, O great mountain?”
“Before Zerubbabel you shall become a plain! And he shall bring forth the capstone with shouts of ‘Grace, grace to it!’” Zechariah 4:6
Hindrances and opposition against our authority to bring about God’s will in our cities should not be allowed to press The Church back into a corner of frailty and hopelessness. The Head of The Church has revealed to His disciples how to accomplish the impossible.
"Rabbi, look! The fig tree which You cursed has withered away."
“So Jesus answered and said to them, ‘Have faith in God.’
“For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, 'Be removed and be cast into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says.” Mark 11:21-23
Do you remember what made Jesus marvel and say, “I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel?” It was the faith of a Roman soldier who told the Lord He did not have to bother traveling a distance to heal his servant.
“Only speak a word, and my servant will be healed!” And the servant was healed at that same hour. That soldier believed fully, in his heart, that Jesus could speak “the word” and healing would take place. How delighted our Savior was to hear those words of faith.
What did the Centurion know? He knew, he understood, and he fully believed in the power of delegated words! Perhaps he heard the Master say, "The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life." John 6:63
Do you suppose this soldier’s faith is an example of how we should live?
Oh, that every Believer would arise to that place of faith which overcomes the world!
Pray For: THE CHURCH—THE LOST—ELECTED OFFICIALS
Meditate on these scriptures in our lesson. Pray in the Spirit to be led by God to bless the cities and counties in your state with the authority of your words! God stands with us. Hear Him today:
“Thus says the LORD, The Holy One of Israel, and his Maker: ‘Ask Me of things to come concerning My sons; and concerning the work of My hands, you command Me. I have made the earth, and created man on it. I; My hands; stretched out the heavens, and all their host I have commanded. I have raised him up in righteousness, and I will direct all his ways; He shall build My city and let My exiles go free, not for price nor reward,’ says the LORD of hosts.” Isaiah 45:11-13
Dear Partner in Prayer,
May God bless you with all the provision that Jesus died to give you. May God’s magnificent grace empower you to fulfill the reason you were born.
Our study of Matthew 16:13-20 has led us to focus on vs. 19:
“And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven."
The Keys of Heaven previously discussed:
- The Word of God
- The Name of Jesus
- The Holy Spirit
- Weapons
Previously discussed:
- The Belt
- The Breastplate
- Gospel Shoes
- The Shield of Faith
- The Helmet of Salvation
- The Sword of the Spirit
“Put on the Armor of God” is not a suggestion.
Next Weapon: Prayer
“And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints…”
Ephesians 6:17-18
Can you see that these three weapons are supporting and working on assignment together for a specific outcome? Will they be effective if you only read about them?
Imagine a soldier’s fort that has been supplied with an enormous stockpile of deadly armament, yet, within that fort, every soldier is running around unclothed and telling each other how bad things are while their enemies continue to bombard their camp with fiery arrows?
God’s armor is designed to be used to target and bind the enemy. His weapons have no problem overcoming all the power of the enemy. Our Champion and Lord has triumphed over all of them and has been given all authority both in heaven and on earth. Our power lies in operating in Him and through Him, not ahead of Him and certainly not led by the flesh.
The Power of Prayer
If we were to take a course on prayer, we would learn that there are different types of prayer which have different guidelines. Just like when someone desires to play sports, they have to learn the rules of the particular game. Football, baseball, golf, etc., do not all play by the same rules.
In the same manner, you would not want to pray the prayer, “If it be thy will,” when praying for your healing. Why?
Because we already know by the written Word that it is God’s will to heal, and further, He has already provided healing by Jesus stripes.
See 1 Peter 2:24; Isaiah 53:4-5; James 5:14.
Since we are studying about the weapons God has given to us to overcome the kingdom of darkness, we will focus this study on the Prayer that Dominates!
The born again new-creation man has been given authority in his inner man. That is where the Spirit of God and His power resides. After all, we are the temple of the Holy Spirit!
Delegated Authority is The Foundation of Our Dominion
- Jesus, the Son of God, only did what He saw His Father do and only said what His Father told Him to say. John 5:19
- Christ’s Body is under the authority of the Head of The Church. Eph.1:22
- We reign in life through Him. Romans 5:17
Jesus said, "Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you.” Luke 10:19
Authority is transferred by words.
Example
A 130 pound policewoman, who pulls a speeding driver over to the side of the road and orders a 250 pound weight lifter to hand over his driver’s license, is functioning under authority that has been delegated to her.
She wears a uniform and a badge, which is recognized by all, that she is employed and backed by her city and state government. The government has also provided her with weapons to enforce the written law. That 250 lb. man knows that if he messes with her, he’s messing with higher authority.
“All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go, therefore…”
Matthew 28:18-19
"But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth." Acts 1:8
The Prayer that Changes Things
We have learned not to war in the flesh. There is no power or ability to bring about change that way, for “the flesh profiteth nothing.” The weapons of our warfare operate in a higher realm for they are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds.
See 1 Corinthians 10:3-5.
Words
“Death and life are in the power of the tongue.” Proverbs 18:21
“Whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” Matthew 16:19
Although Jeremiah was a prophet that operated under the Old Covenant, the same instructions from God are given to us today who intercede for our nation.
“Then the LORD put forth His hand and touched my mouth, and the LORD said to me: ‘Behold, I have put My words in your mouth. See, I have this day set you over the nations and over the kingdoms:
- to root out and to pull down
- to destroy and to throw down
- to build and to plant.’” Jeremiah 1:9-10
Original Intent—Genesis 1
“Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion… and God said to them, ‘Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth.’ “
God formed man out of the dust of the earth and breathed Himself into man, and man, (as the Hebrew scribes say), became a speaking-spirit. Man uses his God-given authority through the use of his words. Out of the good treasure of a good man’s heart comes forth good things…things that can be seen!
"This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,” says the LORD of hosts. “Who are you, O great mountain?”
“Before Zerubbabel you shall become a plain! And he shall bring forth the capstone with shouts of ‘Grace, grace to it!’” Zechariah 4:6
Hindrances and opposition against our authority to bring about God’s will in our cities should not be allowed to press The Church back into a corner of frailty and hopelessness. The Head of The Church has revealed to His disciples how to accomplish the impossible.
"Rabbi, look! The fig tree which You cursed has withered away."
“So Jesus answered and said to them, ‘Have faith in God.’
“For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, 'Be removed and be cast into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says.” Mark 11:21-23
Do you remember what made Jesus marvel and say, “I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel?” It was the faith of a Roman soldier who told the Lord He did not have to bother traveling a distance to heal his servant.
“Only speak a word, and my servant will be healed!” And the servant was healed at that same hour. That soldier believed fully, in his heart, that Jesus could speak “the word” and healing would take place. How delighted our Savior was to hear those words of faith.
What did the Centurion know? He knew, he understood, and he fully believed in the power of delegated words! Perhaps he heard the Master say, "The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life." John 6:63
Do you suppose this soldier’s faith is an example of how we should live?
Oh, that every Believer would arise to that place of faith which overcomes the world!
Pray For: THE CHURCH—THE LOST—ELECTED OFFICIALS
Meditate on these scriptures in our lesson. Pray in the Spirit to be led by God to bless the cities and counties in your state with the authority of your words! God stands with us. Hear Him today:
“Thus says the LORD, The Holy One of Israel, and his Maker: ‘Ask Me of things to come concerning My sons; and concerning the work of My hands, you command Me. I have made the earth, and created man on it. I; My hands; stretched out the heavens, and all their host I have commanded. I have raised him up in righteousness, and I will direct all his ways; He shall build My city and let My exiles go free, not for price nor reward,’ says the LORD of hosts.” Isaiah 45:11-13