Winning

Prayer

DavidOyedepo

Introduction

Prayerisoneofthegreatestassetsoftheredeemed.ItisourcommunicationlinkwithGod,ourheavenlyFather.Unfortunately,however,manyareeithernottakingadvantageoftheprivilegeortheyapproachitwrongly.Nowonderyouhearthemsay,“Ihaveexhaustedprayer,yetthereisnobreakthrough.”James4:2-3tellsusthereasonfortheirfailure:

Yelust,andhavenot:yekill,anddesiretohave,andcannotobtain:yefightandwar,yetyehavenot,becauseyeasknot.Yeask,andreceivenot,becauseyeaskamiss…

Untilyouknowthemeaningofprayerandhowtopraycorrectly,youwillneverbefreefrompressures.

Prayerisnotjustcommunication.ItishavingthecorrectapproachtocommunicatingwithGod,becauseittakesprayingarighttobeheard.ThekingdomofGodisakingdomofprinciples.EverythingisexpectedtobedoneaccordingtotheguidelinesoftheWord,otherwise,itwillyieldnoprofit.ThatiswhyJesuslaiddowntherightprinciplesforeffectualandwinningprayerinMatthew6.

Afterthismannerthereforeprayye:OurFatherwhichartinheaven,Hallowedbethyname.Thykingdomcome.Thywillbedoneinearth,asitisinheaven.Giveusthisdayourdailybread.Andforgiveusourdebts,asweforgiveourdebtors.Andleadusnotintotemptation,butdeliverusfromevil:Forthineisthekingdom,andthepower,andtheglory,forever.Amen.Matthew6:9-13

Thisistheprototypeforeffectualprayer;itisafailure-proofprayerguide.Whenyougetitright,guessworkstopsandyouareassuredofanswers,evenbeforeyouarethroughwithpraying.

Youwillneverenjoycertainthingsinlife,exceptthroughtheproperuseofyourcommunicationprivilegewithheaven.Jesussaid:

Foreveryonethataskethreceiveth;andhethatseekethfindeth;andtohimthatknockethitshallbeopened.

Matthew7:8

Certaindoorsinlifewillneveropentoyou,untilyouproperlyengageyourcommunicationlinkwithGod.Therearemanythingsthatarerightfullyyoursinthecovenant;butyoumayneverenjoythemuntilyouask,seekandknockcorrectly!

TheBiblesays:

Othouthathearestprayer,untotheeshallallfleshcome.Psalm65:2

Prayerrequiresnoothertreatmentinheaventhananswers.Godhasnorecordbookforprayers,neitherdoesHehaveastoreroomforthem.Theyareeitheransweredorreturnedtosender.Thatisthereasonmanyhaveneverreceivedanswerstotheirprayers.Butfromnowon,Iseeyouusethemiracleprayerguide,sothateverytimeyoustandbeforeGodinprayer,youwillalwaysreceiveanswers.

Prayeristhebreathoftheregeneratedspirit.Justlikeeverystrongrelationshipthrivesonthemaintenanceofaverygoodcommunicationlinkbetweenthepartiesinvolved,prayernotonlyservesasameansofgettingGodtointerveneinouraffairs,itenhancesthestrengthofourrelationshipwithHim,sinceitisoneofthewayswefellowshipwithHim.

Prayerisnotoptionalforthebelieverbecauseitisoneofourvitalcovenantresponsibilities.ThatiswhytheWordofGodadmonishesthatweprayalways.

Andhespakeaparableuntothemtothisend,thatmenoughtalwaystopray,andnottofaint;Luke18:1

Praywithoutceasing.1Thessalonians5:17

Whenyoursoulisgenuinelyrevived,prayerbecomesyourGod-givenprivilege,thatyoucannotaffordtoabuse,butmaketheutmostuseof.Itnaturallybecomesapartofyourlife,becauseyourspirithasbeenattunedtocravecommunicationwithGod,asanewbornbabecravesformilk.

WhenthefirstChurchwasborn,theapostlessaid:

Butwewillgiveourselvescontinuallytoprayer,andtotheministryoftheword.Acts6:4

Thatwashowtheywereabletosustainthefireintheirdays.Whenevertheyprayed,therewereundeniableproofsthattheytouchedheaven(Acts4:23-31;16:25-26)

Whenyourprayerlifebeginstodrag,itshowsthatyourspirit-manisalreadydroopingandthatmeansyouaregettingfartherandfartherawayfromGod.

Consistenteffectualprayeristhewaytomaintainahigh-flyingChristianlife.

Thereismoretoprayerthanjustpraying.InmyearlyChristiandays,weallwereprayingbecausewesawotherspraying.Noonewasmindfulofresults,sowecontinuedtotarryuntilmanygottired,andsomeeventuallyretired.Itisthereforeveryimportantthatweknowwhatbenefitsprayerholdsforusasbelievers,andhowtousethemtoourutmostadvantage,soastoenjoyavictoriousChristianlife.

Whatistheuseofcallinganumberonthephoneandnotgettingthroughandthengivingyourmessagetotheblankphonewaves?It’snothingbutwastedefforts!Averyreligiousman,ratherthandropthehandsetwhenhecan’tgetthrough,willstillgoontosay,“ThoughIknowyouarenotpickingthephone,IamgoingtosayeverythingIhavetosayanyway,becauseIknowyouwillhearmesomeday.”

Thatisexactlywhatwedowhenwedon’tapplythecorrectprayerprinciples.Thatway,youmeetpeoplewhoclaimtohaveprayedfor12,30or40days,yettheyhavenoresultstoshow.Jesusdidn’tannounceHimselfwhenHereturnedfromHis40daysfast;theeffectofHisprayerandfastingwasevidentallthroughHislifetimeonearth.WhenMosescamebackfromthemountainaftermeetingwithGod,nobodycouldlookathisface.So,itisnothowlongyouhavespentinprayersthatmatters,buttheresultsyougetfromit.

RedemptiongivesusallequalaccesstoGod’shotline,butmanyaremissingoutofitbecauseoftheirlackofunderstanding.Theydon’tknowhowtoapproachit.Godsaid,“Mypeoplearedestroyedforlackofknowledge”,notforlackofprayers.

Prayerisalsoaweaponwithwhichwedobattleandcontendwithoppositions,inordertopossessourpossessionsinChrist.Butitisnotjustenoughtohaveaweaponinyourhand,youmusthaveasoundunderstandingofhowitoperates.Thatway,youwon’tbecomeavictim,butavictorinbattle.

Itismyprayerthatthisbookwillachievethatpurposeinyourlifeanddelivertoyouthesecretsforwinninginprayer.Fromhenceforth,youwillemergeawinnereachtimeyouengagetheforceofprayer,inJesus’name!

Chapter1:TheForceOfPrayer

PrayerisaforceinthehandofthebelieverwhenapproachedScripturally.ItisoneofGod’scovenanttoolsfortherealizationofourgloriousdestiniesinChrist.

JesustoldHisdisciplesaparableinMatthew13:24-28:

Anotherparableputheforthuntothem,saying,Thekingdomofheavenislikeneduntoamanwhichsowedgoodseedinhisfield:Butwhilemenslept,hisenemycameandsowedtaresamongthewheat,andwenthisway.

Butwhenthebladewassprungup,andbroughtforthfruit,thenappearedthetaresalso.

Sotheservantsofthehouseholdercameandsaiduntohim,Sir,didstnotthousowgoodseedinthyfield?fromwhencethenhathittares?Hesaiduntothem,Anenemyhathdonethis…

Everythingcontrarytogoodinthelifeofthebelieveristheworkoftheenemy.Thedevilisthebeliever’snumberoneenemy,andtheBiblewarnsusagainsthim:

Besober,bevigilant;becauseyouradversarythedevil,asaroaringlion,walkethabout,seekingwhomhemaydevour:

1Peter5:8

So,behindthatsetback,thatunendingstruggleandthosecontinuousbreakdownsis“anenemy”.Butwhyishesodeterminedandhell-bentonseeingyoufail?LookatwhattheBiblesaysconcerningyouinIsaiah5:1-2:

NowwillIsingtomywellbelovedasongofmybelovedtouchinghisvineyard.Mywellbelovedhathavineyardinaveryfruitfulhill:Andhefencedit,andgatheredoutthestonesthereof,andplanteditwiththechoicestvine,andbuiltatowerinthemidstofit,andalsomadeawinepresstherein…

Thisiswhytheenemyisinterestedinyou!Heisjealousofyou,becauseyouareGod’schoicestvine.ByredemptionthroughthebloodofJesus,youareplantedonamostfruitfulhill.Notonlythat,youarefencedandprotected.GodhasinvestedHisbestinyou.TheBiblealsotellsusinPsalm92:13-14:

ThosethatbeplantedinthehouseoftheLordshallflourishinthecourtsofourGod.Theyshallstillbringforthfruitinoldage;theyshallbefatandflourishing;

Nowondertheenemyissojealous!Hewantsyoudownlikehimself.JustlikehedidnotrestuntilhegotAdamoutofthegardenofEden,hehasvowednottorestuntilhegetsyouoffthecourseofyourdestiny.Heisdeterminedtoseeyoudon’tenteryourCanaan,buthewillnotsucceed,inJesus’name!

SubmityourselvesthereforetoGod.Resistthedevil,andhewillfleefromyou.James4:7

Thedevilcanbestoppedandarrested.Sinceforceistheonlylanguagehe

understands,Godhasplacedtheforceofprayerinourhands,toputhimwherehebelongs.

Arise!

Ittakesknowledgetohavevictoryinanyconflictoflife.Thefirstthingyouneedtoknowinthewaragainstthethiefofyourgloriousdestinyisthatyoumustarise.

LetGodarise,lethisenemiesbescattered:letthemalsothathatehimfleebeforehim.Psalm68:1

IftheenemieswillnotscatteruntilGodarises,howthendoyouthinktheywillscatterinyourcasewithoutyouarising?Youcan’tkeepwatchingthatunpleasantsituationinyourlifegoon;youmustarise!NomatterhowgreattherevelationsyouhavereceivedfromGod,ifyoudon’tbuilduparesistanceagainsttheenemy,youwillneverhaveabreakthrough!

GodhasspokensomethingstoyouandyouaresureofHisleadingandinstructions,buttheenemyisstandingontheway,saying,“Youwon’tgetinthere.”Youneedtoarisetothechallenge,becauseifyoudonothing,youwillgetnothing.Ifyoufoldyourhandsattheopposition,youwillendupinstagnationanddeprivation.

WhenGodcalledmeinan18-hourlongvision,Ibeganintensepreparationsfortake-offinprayers,fasting,studyingandprogrammingfor26months.Afterallthese,anyonewouldhavethoughtthewaywasclearforgreatresults.

ButwhentheministrywentintofulloperationinKaduna,thingsdidnothappenasweexpected;theywerejustdragging.Therewasstagnation.Often,therewereonlytwopeopleatourmeetings,andtheyweremystaff.Oneday,Icalledthementogetherandtoldthem,“Thisisnotthewaythingsshouldbe,solet’sriseuptothechallenge.”

Wesetoutinprayersforthreedays.Onthethirdday,theLordsaidtome,

“Myson,getupandwalkdownthechurcharea.”IdidthatandwhenIgottotheriverbank,Hesaidtome,“Turnback.”IturnedaroundandHeopenedmyeyestoseealayerofthickdarknesssittingontheroofofthechurch.IthenbegantochallengeitaudiblywiththeWordofGod.

Isaid,“Lightshinesindarknessanddarknesscomprehendsitnot.InthenameofJesusChrist,Ichallengeyouforceoftheenemy,foldupandgetoutofhere.”Immediately,Isawthelayerofdarknessfoldupandrollaway!Fromthenon,thingsbegantohappeninthechurch.Peoplebegantopourintothechurch,andtheministrybegantogrowbyleapsandbounds.IfIhaddonenothingthen,ourgloriousministrytoday,wouldnothavebeenhere.

Oneofthechurchmemberswholaterbecameapastorsaidthatwhenhefirstcamearoundourchurcharea,aboutthetimeoftheincidenceIhavejustnarrated,hesawpeopleallrobedinwhite.Sohethoughttohimself,“Thisisawhitegarmentchurch”andturnedandwentaway.Meanwhile,Ihadnowhitesuit,andnoneofmystaffhadoneeither.Theenemyhadputaspiritualcamouflageoverthechurch,toturnpeopleaway.Butwhenweroseupagainsthimwiththeforceofprayer,hehadnochoicebuttoleavethearea.

Rightnow,certainforcesmightseemtoberesistingeverymoveyoumakeoreverythingmightseemtobeworkingagainstyou,inspiteofallyourinput.I’mgladtoletyouknowthatprayerisamajorforceforfightingalloppositionsoffyourterritory,andconsequentlytriumphinginlife.

AtimecameinMatthew17,whenthedisciplesofJesuscouldnotcastoutanevilspiriteventhoughtheyhadbeenempoweredtodosoinchapter10.Satanwasblockingtheiraccesstoresultsinministry.TheyaskedJesus,“Whycouldnotwecasthimout?”Heansweredthemsaying:

…Becauseofyourunbelief:forverilyIsayuntoyou,Ifyehavefaithasagrainofmustardseed,yeshallsayuntothismountain,Removehencetoyonderplace;anditshallremove;andnothingshallbeimpossibleuntoyou.Howbeitthiskindgoethnotoutbutbyprayerandfasting.Matthew17:20-21

Thethreeforcesoutlinedforvictoryarefaith,prayerandfasting;youwillfindthatfaithandfastingenhanceeffectualprayers.

Don’tsittherecryingandwaitingforsomeonetopityyou;riseupandtakeadvantageofthispotentforceofprayerandfreeyourselffromtheholdoftheenemy.Heiscalled“thewicked”,becausehehasnofeelingsofsympathyforyou.Heisoutforyou,soyoumustariseandinvoketheforcesofheaventoflushhimout.

ManyerroneouslythinkthatinChristianityeverythingisdeliveredtoyouonaplatterofgold.Itisnotso.Thingsdon’tjusthappen,theyaremadetohappen.FirstCorinthians16:9says:

Foragreatdoorandeffectualisopeneduntome,andtherearemanyadversaries.

BeingaChristiandoesnotexemptyoufromwarfare;itonlygivesyouanedgeovertheopposition.ThisisgraphicallyillustratedinIsaiah43:1-2:

ButnowthussaiththeLordthatcreatedthee,OJacob,andhethatformedthee,OIsrael,Fearnot:forIhaveredeemedthee,Ihavecalledtheebythyname;thouartmine.Whenthoupassestthroughthewaters,Iwillbewiththee;andthroughtherivers,theyshallnotoverflowthee:whenthouwalkestthroughthefire,thoushaltnotbeburned;neithershalltheflamekindleuponthee.

Yourredemptionnotwithstanding,Godsays,“Whenthoupassestthroughthewaters…whenthouwalkestthroughthefire…”not,“Ifthoupassestthroughthewaters…ifthouwalkestthroughthefire…”

Warfareisinevitable,butvictoryisguaranteed.Godsays,“Fearnot,Iamyourredeemer,Iamcommittedtodeliveryouandgiveyouthevictory.”Alsoin1John5:4,Hesays:

ForwhatsoeverisbornofGodovercomeththeworld:andthisisthevictorythatovercomeththeworld,evenourfaith.

So,theobstaclesarereal;thevictoriesarealsoreal.Victoryisourheritage.TherealityofwarfareisfurtherreinforcedbyJesus’experiencehereonearth.Hesaid:

…Fortheprinceofthisworldcometh,andhathnothinginme.John14:30

Hemeanttosay,“TheprinceofthisworldcametoMe,butIbeathimhandsdown!”RememberHistemptationonthemountain?AfterJesushadovercomethedevil,theBiblesaid:

Andwhenthedevilhadendedallthetemptation,hedepartedfromhimforaseason.Luke4:13

Theenemykeptcomingback,butJesuswasbattleready,soHebeathimatalltimes.Maybeyouhavefallenonceundertheblowoftheenemy,it’stimetoriseupagain.Championsarenotthosewhoneverfall,butthosewhorefusetoremainonthefloor(Prov.24:16).Sogetuponyourfeetandstandyourgroundagainstthedevilinprayers,tosecureyourgloriousdestinyinGod!

Aslongasyouarestillbreathing,thebattleisnotover.Riseupandstoptoleratingfailureandmishaps!Stopputtingupwithpains,lackandwant.Ifyouwon’tarise,yourenemywillprevail.Onestrategyoftheenemyisto

makeyoufeelyoucan’thandletheissue.Thatisalie!Godiscommittedtoyourvictory,ifonlyyouwillfight.

Chapter2:WhatPrayerDoes

Prayerhasdiversebenefitsforthebeliever.Astheissuesandcircumstancesoflifevary,soalsodoesprayeraddressthevariousneedsofman.

PrayingalwayswithallprayerandsupplicationintheSpirit,andwatchingthereuntowithallperseveranceandsupplicationforallsaints;Ephesians6:18

Thisimpliesthattherearedifferentkindsofprayer,andtheyaccomplishdifferentthingsinabeliever’slife.Letusexaminesomeofthem.

ItProvokesHelpFromAbove

Letusthereforecomeboldlyuntothethroneofgrace,thatwemayobtainmercy,andfindgracetohelpintimeofneed.Hebrews4:16

Withouthelpfromabove,wearehelplessontheearth.Theenemyisfierce.Heknowshistimeisshort,soheisoutagainstthechildrenofGodwithfullforce.Thewickednessontheearthisintense,butwehaveaccesstohelpfromheaventoovercomethemallthroughprayers.ThatiswhytheBiblesays:

ExcepttheLordbuildthehouse,theylabourinvainthatbuildit:excepttheLordkeepthecity,thewatchmanwakethbutinvain.Psalm127:1

EveryblessingandaccomplishmentinlifecomesasaresultofthehelpsofGod.PaulsaidinActs26:22:

HavingthereforeobtainedhelpofGod,Icontinueuntothisday,witnessingbothtosmallandgreat,sayingnoneotherthingsthanthosewhichtheprophetsandMosesdidsayshouldcome:

Hewaspreachingthesamemessageasotherapostlesinhistime,buthegotbetterresultsbecausehehadthehelpofGod.ThePsalmist,thoughagreatmanofwarwhoneverlostabattle,knewthissecret.InPsalm60:11-12,heprayed:

Giveushelpfromtrouble:forvainisthehelpofman.ThroughGodweshalldovaliantly:forheitisthatshalltreaddownourenemies.

TheBiblealsotellsusthesecretofkingUzziah’ssuccessfulreign:

ThenallthepeopleofJudahtookUzziah,whowassixteenyearsold,andmadehimkingintheroomofhisfatherAmaziah.AndhesoughtGodinthedaysofZechariah,whohadunderstandinginthevisionsofGod:andaslongashesoughttheLord,Godmadehimtoprosper.AndGodhelpedhimagainstthePhilistines,andagainsttheArabiansthatdweltinGurbaal,andtheMehunims.2Chronicles26:1,5,7

PrayerisnotjusttellingGodyourneeds,becauseHealreadyknowsthem(Matt.6:32).ItisgettingHimtointerveneinyoursituationonthebasisofHisWord.GodisyourheavenlyFatherandHeknowsyourneeds,butyourequireHishelptoovercometheenemy.

Therefore,whatyoudoinprayeristotakeyouraccusertothecourtroomofheavenforjudgement.Onceyouarejustified,thehelpofGodisreleasedtoyou.WhenGodbecomesyourHelper,youenjoyceaselessbreakthroughsandstandoutamongyourpeers.

GodiscommittedtosendinghelpfromabovewhenyoucallonHim.Hegivesyouthisassurance:

Fearthounot;forIamwiththee:benotdismayed;forIamthyGod:Iwillstrengthenthee;yea,Iwillhelpthee;yea,Iwillupholdtheewiththerighthandofmyrighteousness.Behold,alltheythatwereincensedagainsttheeshallbeashamedandconfounded:theyshallbeasnothing;andtheythatstrivewiththeeshallperish.Thoushaltseekthem,andshaltnotfindthem,eventhemthatcontendedwiththee:theythatwaragainsttheeshallbeasnothing,andasathingofnought.ForItheLordthyGodwillholdthyrighthand,sayinguntothee,

Fearnot;Iwillhelpthee.Isaiah41:10-13

ThePsalmistsaid:

WhenIcryuntothee,thenshallmineenemiesturnback:thisIknow;forGodisforme.Psalm56:9

Mercy

MercyisoneofGod’sprofoundwaysofhelpingHispeople.Hebrews4:16says,“…Thatwemayobtainmercy,andfindgracetohelpintimeofneed.”

Certainthingsmayberesponsibleforwherewefindourselvesandwemaynotknowwhattheyare.ButthemercyofGodwillalwaysanswerforuswhenwecryuntoHiminprayers.

GodwasangrywithDavidwhenhecountedthepeopleofIsraelandsentaplagueamongthepeople,suchthatseventythousandmendiedinoneday.ButDavidcriedoutforGod’smercy,whichheknewwouldalwaysanswerforhimandGodwasintreated.

…LetusfallnowintothehandoftheLord;forhismerciesaregreat:andletmenotfallintothehandofman.2Samuel24:14

ThereisaneedtounderstandtheplaceofGod’smercyinouraffairs.Whatyouarefightingagainstmaynotbethedevil,orwitchesandwizardsasyouhavethought;itcouldbesomethingyouhavedone,likeDavid,thathasangeredGod.HecanbeintreatedwhenyoucallforHismercy.

Maybeacursewasplacedupononeofyourforefathers,whichyouinheritedwithoutknowing.Somepeoplehavesomuchmoneybutcan’taccountforhowitisspent.Theyhavenoland,house,oranythingtoshowforallthemoneythatpassesthroughtheirhands;yettheyareheavilyindebted.

Somedon’tevenknowwhatnexttodowiththeirlives.Theyjustkeepwanderingabout.Theyinvestinallmannerofbusinessesandneverrealizeanythingoutofthem.Forsomepeople,thethingsorhabitsplaguingthemarelikeancestralcurses.Theydiscoverthatthingssuchaspoverty,failure,

marriagespell,immorality,drunkenness,lying,etc.runthroughalltheirFamilytree.

Ifyoufindyourselfinanyofsuchpredicament,youcancryoutforthemercyofGodtosevereyoufromthem.YoucansaytoGod,“Lord,Idon’tknowthecauseofthisthing,butYouknowallthings.WhateverImayhavedabbledintothroughcarelessnessorignoranceandwhichhasbroughtthisafflictioninmylife,Lordhavemercy!Whatevermayhavecomeonmethroughthenegativesideofmynaturalbackground,letYourmercyprevailforme!”

PleadthemercyofGodagainstthatmysteriousafflictioninyourlifeanditwillgiveup,andyouwillbefree.

InMatthew9:13,Jesussaid:

Butgoyeandlearnwhatthatmeaneth,Iwillhavemercy,andnotsacrifice:forIamnotcometocalltherighteous,butsinnerstorepentance.

MercyisGod’snature.WhenthreenationscameagainstJudahinbattle,JudahwentoutagainstthemsingingofthemercyofGod;andtheBiblesaysGodsetambushmentsagainsttheirenemies(2Chron.20:21-22).

ItisoftheLord’smerciesthatwearenotconsumed,becausehiscompassionsfailnot.Lamentations3:22

AngelicIntervention

ThisisanotheraspectofGod’shelp,anditisprovokedbyprayers.WhenPeterwasheldupinprison,awaitingdeath,thesaintsprayedforHimcontinuallyandGodsentanangeltorescuehim:

Peterthereforewaskeptinprison:butprayerwasmadewithoutceasingofthechurchuntoGodforhim.AndwhenHerodwouldhavebroughthimforth,thesamenightPeterwassleepingbetweentwosoldiers,boundwithtwochains:andthekeepersbeforethedoorkepttheprison.And,behold,theangeloftheLordcameuponhim,andalightshinedintheprison:andhesmotePeterontheside,andraisedhimup,saying,Ariseupquickly.Andhischainsfellofffromhishands.

Andtheangelsaiduntohim,Girdthyself,andbindonthysandals.Andsohedid.Andhesaithuntohim,Castthygarmentaboutthee,andfollowme.AndwhenPeterwascometohimself,hesaid,NowIknowofasurety,thattheLordhathsenthisangel,andhathdeliveredmeoutofthehandofHerod,andfromalltheexpectationofthepeopleoftheJews.Acts12:5-8,11

Angelsareoursecurityagentsandtheyexcelinstrength(Ps.103:20).Theyaretheretowardoffallevilsandplaguesfromus.Theyarethefirefightersofheaven,God’srescuecorps.Theirjobistointerveneinthemidstoftroubleandrescuethebeliever.TheyalsoensurethatonlyGod’swillisestablishedinthebeliever’slife.

WhenJesuswasarrestedbeforeHiscrucifixion,Peterwentwild,broughtouthisswordandcutoffaman’sear.ButJesusstoppedhimfromdoingmoreharmandsaidtohim:

…Putupagainthyswordintohisplace:foralltheythattakethe

swordshallperishwiththesword.ThinkestthouthatIcannotnowpraytomyFather,andheshallpresentlygivememorethantwelvelegionsofangels?Matthew26:52-53

Helpfromaboveisavailableforeveryareaofourneed,whenwecalluponGodinprayers.

ItBringsDeliveranceFromAfflictions

Isanyamongyouafflicted?lethimpray.Isanymerry?lethimsingpsalms.James5:13

PrayerisoneofGod’svitalsolutionsforafflictions.ItistheHolyGhost’sprescriptionfordeliverancefromoppressions.

Aladylecturerfromaleadingnationaluniversityhadstrokesometimeago.ShecametoLagosallthewayfromNsukkainthatconditionandattendedanallnightprayermeetinginourchurch(shecouldscarcelywalkwhenshecameinandcouldn’tevenstandonherown).ButwhenshevisitedLagosagainafewweekslater,shewaswalkingstraight,withallherbeautyandelegancerestored!Heavenwasconnectedthatday,hellwasdevastatedandherafflictionwasturnedtotestimony!

“Isanyamongyouafflicted?lethimpray.”Not,“…lethimcry…”,or,“lethimwatch…”Thatmeansanyonethatisbattered,tormentedordepressedisexpectedtoprayfordeliverance.Ifyouwanttoseethatyokeonyourlifebroken,youmustpray.Ifyouwanttheforcesbecloudingyourdestinytobeshattered,prayeristhekingdomforcerecommendedforyourdeliverance.

Youarenotbornforafflictions;youarecreatedtoreflectthegloryofGod,andprayeriswhatittakestoenforceyourmanifestations.PrayeriswhatyouusetofreeyourselffromallafflictionsoftheenemyandfortherestorationofyourbeautyinChrist.WhenHannahwasafflictedwithbarrenness,shewenttothetempleandprayed.Godheardherandgaveherason(1Sam.1:9-20).

PaulandSilaswerelockedupinprison,afterhavingbeenbeatenwithstripes.Butatmidnight,theyprayedandsangpraisestoGod,andHecamedowninanearthquakeandloosedtheirbands(Acts16:25-26).

ThechildrenofIsraelwereinbondageinEgyptforover400years.GodonlysentthemhelpafterHeheardtheircriesinprayer.

AndtheLordsaid,IhavesurelyseentheafflictionofmypeoplewhichareinEgypt,andhaveheardtheircrybyreasonoftheirtaskmasters;forIknowtheirsorrows;

AndIamcomedowntodeliverthemoutofthehandoftheEgyptians,andtobringthemupoutofthatlanduntoagoodlandandalarge,untoalandflowingwithmilkandhoney…Exodus3:7-8

So,untilyoucryoutagainstthatafflictioninyourlife,itremains.Godonlyrespondstoyourvoiceinprayer,toputastoptotheassaultofthedevilinyourlife.

Apartfromdestroyingafflictions,prayerputsyouonthelinefordivinevisitationsandturnsyourcaptivity.Don’twatchthatlong-standingproblem—joblessness,barrennessorlackofpeaceinyourhomedestroyyou.CryouttoGodinprayersagainstit,remindHimofHispromisesinHisWordthatexemptyoufromsuchafflictions,andyouwillbefree!Psalm125:3says:

Fortherodofthewickedshallnotrestuponthelotoftherighteous;lesttherighteousputforththeirhandsuntoiniquity.

So,itisnotGod’swillthattheenemyshouldafflictyou;yourprayerscanstophim.

ItEnforcesProphecies

EverywordofprophecyisGod’splanunfoldedthroughahumanvessel.

Wehavealsoamoresurewordofprophecy;whereuntoyedowellthatyetakeheed,asuntoalightthatshinethinadarkplace,untilthedaydawn,andthedaystarariseinyourhearts:Knowingthisfirst,thatnoprophecyofthescriptureisofanyprivateinterpretation.Fortheprophecycamenotinoldtimebythewillofman:butholymenofGodspakeastheyweremovedbytheHolyGhost.2Peter1:19-21

SowhateverGodsaystoyouthroughtheScripturesorthroughahumanvessel(inprophecy)isHisplanforyou,andasfarasHeisconcerned,itissettled.ButwhatmanyChristiansdon’tunderstandisthatmostpropheciesdon’tgetfulfilledwithouttheapplicationofcertainkingdomforces.

ThischargeIcommituntothee,sonTimothy,accordingtotheprophecieswhichwentbeforeonthee,thatthoubythemmightestwaragoodwarfare;1Timothy1:18

Youdon’twatchprophecies,youwarwiththem,untiltheycomeintoreality.Infact,aprophecymaylooklikefalsehoodormockery,ifyoudon’tknowwhatittakestomakeithappen.Thereareoppositionsthathavesetthemselvestoblockyouraccessintoyourpromiseland,soyoumustdosomethingtomakethatprophecyareality.

ButtowarwithpropheciesyougotoGodinprayerswiththeWord(orthe

prophecy),remindingHimofHiscommitmenttoperformwhatHehasspoken.Thenyouturntotheenemyanddeclarewhatiswrittenconcerningyouwhichforbidshisactivitiesaroundyou.

Ittakeswarringagoodwarfaretoseepropheciesfulfilled.GodisfaithfulandHecannotdenyHimself.HeiscommittedtodoanythingHehassaid.

InDeuteronomy2:24,GodsaidtothechildrenofIsrael:

Riseyeup,takeyourjourney,andpassovertheriverArnon:behold,IhavegivenintothinehandSihontheAmorite,kingofHeshbon,andhisland:begintopossessit,andcontendwithhiminbattle.

GodhadgiventhechildrenofIsraeltheland,butadevilsomewhereissaying,“No,youcan’thaveit.”God’sinstructiontothemwas,“Riseup!Don’tsitthereexpectingittodropintoyourlaps!Begintopossesswhatisyours.Contendwiththeoppositioninbattle,untilyoupossessyourpossessions.”Thistellsyouthatyoudon’twaitforthingstohappen,youmakethemhappen.TheBiblesays:

AndfromthedaysofJohntheBaptistuntilnowthekingdomofheavensufferethviolence,andtheviolenttakeitbyforce.Matthew11:12

MostpeoplewaitalmostlifelongtoseeGod’sWordfulfilledintheirlives.Theykeepwondering,“Couldthatwordbetrue?”Yes,itistrue.Youonlyneedtowarwithittobringittopass.

ForIknowthethoughtsthatIthinktowardyou,saiththeLord,thoughtsofpeace,andnotofevil,togiveyouanexpectedend.Jeremiah29:11

Godhasgoodthoughtsandplansofagloriousfutureforusall,butHeshowsushowtobringthemtopass:

Thenshallyecalluponme,andyeshallgoandprayuntome,andIwillhearkenuntoyou.Andyeshallseekme,andfindme,whenyeshallsearchformewithallyourheart.Jeremiah29:12-13

Thatmeans,“Whenyouwaitandyoudon’tseethethingsItoldyouof,comeandaskMeoftheminprayers.”IttakesintercessionandseekingthefaceofGodtoseethefulfilmentofthegreatplansandvisionsHehastoldyouabout.Godhassetanexpectedendbeforeyou,butyoumustcalluponHimandseekHimwithallyourheart,ifyouwanttoenjoyit.

AnyWordofGodorprophecythatyouhavereceivedandbelievedwillsurelybringforthwhenyouapplytherelevantforceofprayertoit.ThatWordisaseed(Lk.8:11);butnomatterhowpreciousanyseedmaybe,withoutrainitwilldieintheground.Whatdoyoudotobringdowntherain?Youask.

AskyeoftheLordraininthetimeofthelatterrain;sotheLordshallmakebrightclouds,andgivethemshowersofrain,toeveryonegrassinthefield.Zechariah10:1

Whenyouaskinprayers,therainwillcomeandthewordwillbringforthfruitinyourlife.Maybeyouhavebeengoingthroughsomedroughtasfarasfulfilmentisconcerned.Youdon’twaitfortheraintocome,youprayitdown!

Youhavesatdownwiththatwordfortoolong.Youcan’tkeeponsaying,“Itwillcometopassoneday.”Riseupnowanddowhatittakestomakeitcometopass.

Putmeinremembrance:letuspleadtogether:declarethou,thatthoumayestbejustified.Isaiah43:26

ItHelpsToLocateThePathOfLife

Thouwiltshowmethepathoflife:inthypresenceisfulnessofjoy;atthyrighthandtherearepleasuresforevermore.Psalm16:11

Divinedirectionistheheritageoftheredeemed.Butyoumustseekitinordertoenjoyit.Whenyoulocatethepathoflife,youenjoyfullnessofjoyandpleasuresforevermore.ButtheyareonlyobtainableinGod’spresence,whichisourultimategoalinprayer.

TheLordismyshepherd;Ishallnotwant.Thoupreparestatablebeforemeinthepresenceofmineenemies:thouanointestmyheadwithoil;mycuprunnethover.Psalm23:1,5

WhenGodleadsyou,youcan’tbutbecomeoutstandinginlife.Somepeoplearenotcutoutforbusiness,buthavechosentodoit,eitherbecauseofsocialinfluenceorpersonalaffection.Othersareintoallmannerofprofessionswheretheirstarmaynevershine,becausetheyhaven’tlocatedtherightpath.Theyjustkeepgropingaround.Butyoucan’taffordtogothroughlifedoingwhatseemsrighttoyou.Itistoorisky!

GodiscommittedtoleadingyouinthepathoflifeHehasordainedforyou,evenbeforeyouwereborn(Jer.1:5).HesaidinIsaiah48:17:

ThussaiththeLord,thyRedeemer,theHolyOneofIsrael;IamtheLordthyGodwhichteacheththeetoprofit,whichleadeththeebythewaythatthoushouldestgo.

ButaskinginprayerisyouraccesstoHisleading.

Ask,anditshallbegivenyou;seek,andyeshallfind;knock,anditshallbeopeneduntoyou:Matthew7:7

Whenyouask,Godiscommittedtoanswer;HeknowsthatwithoutHisdirectionyourdestinyisnotsecured.ButuntilyouaskHim,youwilljustkeepdoingwhatseemsright,notwhatisright;anduntilyoudowhatisright,youcannotbemarkedrightinlife.

FromthedayIcameacrossthatScriptureinIsaiah48:17,ImadeupmymindtodependonGodforguidanceallthedaysofmylife,andtowaitonHimforapprovalbeforeItakeanystep.AndHehasbeenfaithfulalltheseyears.WhenGodleadsyou,Hemakesaleaderoutofyou.Butonewrongstepcanleadtoa40-yearsetbackinlife,aswasthecasewithMoses.

Directionwaswhatrescuedthedisciplesfromanall-nightfutiletoilingonthesea.Jesuscameandsaidtothem,“Castyournetontherightsideoftheshipandyeshallfind.”Theydid,andwerenotabletodrawinthenet,forthemultitudeoffishes(John21:3-8).

Directioncanbeobtainedthroughprayersofenquiry.Matthew7:7says,“Ask,Seek,Knock.”Ifthepathyouaregoingonseemslikeadeadend,askHim,“Lord,whereistherightsideofthisventure?”

Ifanyofyoulackwisdom,lethimaskofGod,thatgivethtoallmenliberally,andupbraidethnot;anditshallbegivenhim.James1:5

Whenyouask,Godgivesliberally,becauseHeiscommitted.HeisalovingFather,soberelaxedinHispresenceandaskasmanyquestionsasyouneed,tobeclearoneveryvitalissueofyourlife.LookatthepoweroftheprayerofenquiryinthelifeofDavid,amanafterGod’sheart.

ThePhilistinesalsocameandspreadthemselvesinthevalleyof

Rephaim.AndDavidinquiredoftheLord,saying,ShallIgouptothePhilistines?wiltthoudeliverthemintominehand?AndtheLordsaiduntoDavid,Goup:forIwilldoubtlessdeliverthePhilistinesintothinehand.

AndDavidcametoBaalperazim,andDavidsmotethemthere,andsaid,TheLordhathbrokenforthuponmineenemiesbeforeme,asthebreachofwaters.ThereforehecalledthenameofthatplaceBaalperazim.AndthePhilistinescameupyetagain,andspreadthemselvesinthevalleyofRephaim.AndwhenDavidinquiredoftheLord,hesaid,Thoushaltnotgoup;butfetchacompassbehindthem,andcomeuponthemoveragainstthemulberrytrees.Andletitbe,whenthouhearestthesoundofagoinginthetopsofthemulberrytrees,thatthenthoushaltbestirthyself:forthenshalltheLordgooutbeforethee,tosmitethehostofthePhilistines.AndDaviddidso,astheLordhadcommandedhim;andsmotethePhilistinesfromGebauntilthoucometoGazer.2Samuel5:18-20,22-25

Doyouwantbreakthroughs?ThenmakeenquiresfromGodinprayerbeforeyoutakeanymajorstep.Hewillansweryou,becauseHeisinterestedineverythingthatconcernsyou.GodistheonlyOnewhocanleadyoutotruepasturesandHeissettodoso,ifonlyyouwillletHim.Hesaid:

Calluntome,andIwillanswerthee,andshowtheegreatandmightythings,whichthouknowestnot.Jeremiah33:3

Remember,youcan’twishproblemsaway,youmustriseuptothechallenge,andeffectachange.Youdon’thavetoacceptthestatusquo,youareachildofdestiny!WhereyouarenowisnotGod’sultimateforyou.Youcangettothetop,ifonlyyouwillpushinprayers.Youtoocanlivea

problem-freelife,andIseeyougettingthere,inJesus’name!

ItConsecrates

Prayerisoneofthespiritualforcesneededtoliveaconsecratedlife.Thisisbecausetheforcesofdesecrationareequallyspiritual.ConsiderwhattheBiblesaysinZechariah3:1-3:

AndheshowedmeJoshuathehighprieststandingbeforetheangeloftheLord,andSatanstandingathisrighthandtoresisthim.AndtheLordsaiduntoSatan,TheLordrebukethee,OSatan;eventheLordthathathchosenJerusalemrebukethee:isnotthisabrandpluckedoutofthefire?NowJoshuawasclothedwithfilthygarments,andstoodbeforetheangel.

Thistellsyouthesourceoftheconflictsyouface,inyourdesiretoliveaconsecratedlife.Joshua,thehighpriest,didnotchoosefilthiness.Itwasforcedonhimbysatanicforcesintheunseenrealm.ThatiswhyGodgaveustheweaponofprayer,topulldownthestrongholdsoftheenemythatstandagainstourwalkinrighteousness.

Thisillustrationrevealsthatmostofthehabitsthatdestroypeopleareremotelycontrolledbyspiritualforces.Thatiswhynomatterhowhardthevictimtriestocomeoutofit,hefindshimselfgoingdeeperintoit,againsthiswish.Therehastobeaheavenlymeansofdestroyingsuchsatanichold.

TheangeloftheLordbeforewhomJoshuathehighprieststoodsaid:

…Takeawaythefilthygarmentsfromhim.Anduntohimhesaid,Behold,Ihavecausedthineiniquitytopassfromthee,andIwillclothetheewithchangeofraiment.Zechariah3:4

IttooktheinterventionoftheangeltostoptheactivitiesofSatan,andtoputachangeofraimentonJoshua.Youknowwereleasetheangelsthrough

prayers(Matt.26:53).

AswecommunicatewithGodinprayer,Hesendsangelsdownasprivateemissaries.Theyremovethefilthygarmentsfromus,giveusachangeofraimentandcauseouriniquitiestopassfromus.

NomatterhowgenuineyourdesiretopleaseGodis,orhowsincereyouareinyourlongingtoliveright,youmustunderstandthatitisnotpossiblebypowerorbymight.Youneeddivinehelp.Thatiswhypeoplewholeanonpersonaleffortstoliverightlivefrustratedlives.Theyputthemselvesunderallmannerofbondages:theygoaboutwithlongfaces,lookingverypious,notgreetinganybodyontheway,orshakinghandswithanybody,yettheyarenotfree.Jesussaid:

Foroutoftheheartproceedevilthoughts,murders,adulteries,fornications,thefts,falsewitness,blasphemies:Thesearethethingswhichdefileaman:buttoeatwithunwashenhandsdefilethnotaman.Matthew15:19-20

So,unlessyoucansendyourheartaheadofyoutoheaventhroughprayer,yourphysicaleffortsintheconflictwithsinisuseless.WhenJesuslaiddowntheprinciplesforeffectualprayer,oneofthethingsHesaidweshouldsayinprayeris,“…Leadusnotintotemptation,butdeliverusfromevil…”(Matt.6:13).AndinMatthew26:41,Hesaid:

Watchandpray,thatyeenternotintotemptation:thespiritindeediswilling,butthefleshisweak.

Tolivealifewithoutspotorwrinklehastobebydivinehelp,whichyouprovokeinprayers.LookatwhathappenedtoPeterbeforehedeniedJesus.WhenJesussaid,“SimonPeter,youwilldenyMethreetimestonight”,Petersaid,“EvenuntodeathIwillstandbyYou.”Andhereallymeantit.Jesusalsoknewhemeantit.

ButHemeanttotellPeter,“Boy,youdon’tknowthethingsfightingagainstyou.Satandesirestohaveyouandthathasnothingtodowithwhetheryouaredeterminedornot.Thereisasatanicforceorganizingyourdestruction.Satanhasconcludedtheplantodevastateyourdestinyandsieveyoulikewheat,butIhaveprayedforyou”(Lk.22:31-34).JesusrecognizesSatanasbeingbehindPeter’sfall.

ThankGod,thatinourdays,weareprivilegedtohavetheHolyGhost,thebloodofJesusandtheWordofGod,whichwecanengageinprayerstoovercomethesatanicforcesoffilthinessandlivealifeofpurity.Godsaid:

ThenwillIsprinklecleanwateruponyou,andyeshallbeclean:fromallyourfilthiness,andfromallyouridols,willIcleanseyou.AnewheartalsowillIgiveyou,andanewspiritwillIputwithinyou:andIwilltakeawaythestonyheartoutofyourflesh,andIwillgiveyouanheartofflesh.

AndIwillputmyspiritwithinyou,andcauseyoutowalkinmystatutes,andyeshallkeepmyjudgments,anddothem.AndyeshalldwellinthelandthatIgavetoyourfathers;andyeshallbemypeople,andIwillbeyourGod.Iwillalsosaveyoufromallyouruncleannesses:andIwillcallforthecorn,andwillincreaseit,andlaynofamineuponyou.Ezekiel36:25-29

GodistheOnethatsprinklesthecleanwaterofHisWordonustosanctifyus(Jn.17:17).HeistheOnethatputsHisSpiritwithinus,thatcausesustowalkinHisstatutes,tokeepHisjudgementsanddothem.ButthisishowHedoesit:

ThussaiththeLordGod;IwillyetforthisbeinquiredofbythehouseofIsrael,todoitforthem…Ezekiel36:37

YouhavetoaskHimtoconsecrateyou.

InHismodelprayer,Jesussaid,“Whenyoupraysay…thykingdomcome.”Luke17:21tellsus“…ThekingdomofGodiswithinyou.”AndRomans14:17says,“ThekingdomofGodis…righteousness,andpeace,andjoyintheHolyGhost.”So,ifyoudesirethatkingdomofrighteousnesstobeestablishedinyourlife,youmustgiveitexpressioninprayers.

TheHolyGhostisoursuresthelpintheconflictwithfilthiness.JesuscalledHimourHelper.JohnintroducedHimastheOnetocomeafterJesusand:

Whosefanisinhishand,andhewillthoroughlypurgehisfloor,andgatherhiswheatintothegarner;buthewillburnupthechaffwithunquenchablefire.Matthew3:12

YoucanneverbethoroughlypurgedwithoutthehelpoftheHolyGhost.Heiscalledtherefiner’sfireinMalachi3:2,andprayerisyouraccesstoHim.OnthedayofPentecost,astheapostleswereprayingintheupperroom,Hecameuponthem.

Therearecertainthingsinyourlifethatyouneedtobehelpedoutof,andexceptyouarehelpedofGod,youmaydieinthem.So,withoutanyfeelingofshameorfailure,comeboldlytothethroneofgrace,acknowledgeyourinfirmitybeforeGodandaskforHishelp.

TellHim,“Lord,Ineedyourhelpinthisareaofmylife.IhavedonethelittleIknow,butthisisbeyondmeandIknowitisnotbeyondYou.Sendmehelpnow,ohGod!”Beforeyouknowit,youwouldhavegainedmasteryoverthatdemonicgripofanger,malice,lying,immoralityorwhateveritmaybe.

TheBiblesaysinMark9:23:

Jesussaiduntohim,Ifthoucanstbelieve,allthingsarepossibletohimthatbelieveth.

AnytimeJesustooksomeofHisdisciplesaparttoamountaintop,itwasusuallytopray.Youcanprayyourlifeintopurity,justasJesusdidonthemountoftransfiguration.AsyouestablishaplaceforyourselfinthisrighteouswalkwithGod,yourvictoryontheearthwillbeestablished.

Chapter3:HeartPreparation

Thereisnomanifestationwithoutpreparation.EveryencounterwithGodisbornoutofadequatepreparations.

…Theearnest(heartfelt,continued)prayerofarighteousmanmakestremendouspoweravailable[dynamicinitsworking].James5:16(AMP)

Prayerhasitsrootintheheart.TheBiblesaysin1Samuel16:7,“…FortheLordseethnotasmanseeth;formanlookethontheoutwardappearance,buttheLordlookethontheheart.”

TheheartiswhatmattersmosttoGod.ThatistheplaceofcommunionbetweenHimandman.Itisthealtaruponwhichthesacrificesofpraiseandtheincenseofprayersareoffered.

Inotherwords,itisnotwhatyoudoorsayoutwardlythatguaranteesareleasefromheaven,butwhatgoesoninyourheart.Infact,whatbecomesofyouultimatelyinthekingdomisafunctionofwhatgoesoninyourheart.

NowHannah,shespakeinherheart;onlyherlipsmoved,buthervoicewasnotheard:thereforeElithoughtshehadbeendrunken.1Samuel1:13

Shespokeinherheart,butGodheardher.Everybodymaybecommendingyouforwhattheyseeofyououtwardly,butGodratesyoubywhatHeseesinyourheart.Thatmeans,thereisnooutstandinganswertoprayerswithoutfirstanoutstandingpreparationintheheart.Goddoesnotreckonwiththeoutwardappearance,neitherisHemovedbyphysicalefforts;

whatmovesHimisyourheart.Therefore,yourheartmustbesetforanencounterwithHimwhenyoupray.

Sincethatisthedeterminingfactorinreceivinganswerstoprayers,theheartmustbeadequatelypreparedtoensurethattheexercisedoesnotendinfutility.ItisclearfromScripturesthatanunpreparedheartisnotlikelytogetaresponsefromheaven.

Thepreparationsoftheheartinman,andtheanswerofthetongue,isfromtheLord.Proverbs16:1

BeforeElijah’smountCarmelvictory,thefirstthinghedidwastorepairthebrokendownaltar,whichintheNewTestamentorderrepresentstheheart(1Kgs.18:30).IfanythinghastamperedwithGod’saltarinyourlife,thengetsettorepairit;becauseuntilthatisdone,communicationinprayercannotbeestablished.

IfyoumustencounterGodinyourprayers,youmustprepareforHim(Matt.3:3).HowdoyouprepareforHim?

CONSECRATION

WhoshallascendintothehilloftheLord?orwhoshallstandinhisholyplace?Hethathathcleanhands,andapureheart;whohathnotlifteduphissouluntovanity,norsworndeceitfully.Psalm24:3-4

PreparingyourheartinpurityisthefirststeptoestablishingaviablecommunicationlinkwithGod,becauseprayercanonlyflowwhensinisabsent.IttakesapureheartandpurehandstoapproachthepresenceofGod.Whateverpollutesorcorruptsyourheartblocksyouraccesstoheaven’shotline.

Behold,theLord’shandisnotshortened,thatitcannotsave;neitherhisearheavy,thatitcannothear:ButyouriniquitieshaveseparatedbetweenyouandyourGod,andyoursinshavehidhisfacefromyou,thathewillnothear.Foryourhandsaredefiledwithblood,andyourfingerswithiniquity;yourlipshavespokenlies,yourtonguehathmutteredperverseness.Isaiah59:1-3

Sinisabarriertoprayers!Godiscontinuallyangrywiththewicked(Ps.7:11).SoHewillnotevenhearhim,muchmoreanswerhisprayers.ThePsalmistsaid:

IfIregardiniquityinmyheart,theLordwillnothearme:Psalm66:18

Youcan’tembracesinandexpectGodtoembraceyou.Matthew5:8makesusunderstandthatonlythepureinheartshouldexpecttoseeGodintheiraffairs.IfGodmusthearyou,youmustfirsthearHim.

BecauseIhavecalled,andyerefused;Ihavestretchedoutmyhand,andnomanregarded;Butyehavesetatnoughtallmycounsel,andwouldnoneofmyreproof:Ialsowilllaughatyourcalamity;Iwillmockwhenyourfearcometh;Whenyourfearcomethasdesolation,andyourdestructioncomethasawhirlwind;whendistressandanguishcomethuponyou.Thenshalltheycalluponme,butIwillnotanswer;theyshallseekmeearly,buttheyshallnotfindme:Proverbs1:24-28

Aslongasyouremaininsin,youareoutoftouchwithGod.TheonlyprayerofasinnerthatgetstoGodistheprayerofrepentance.EveryunrepentedsinblocksyourcommunicationlinewithGod.ItisonlyafterGodhasheardyourcryofrepentancethatHecanhearyourcryofaffliction,becauseitisonlyafterHehassavedyoufromyoursinthatHeiscommittedtosaveyoufromyourtroubles.

ThisiswhymanyChristianshaveprayedandprayed,yettheyremainoppressed;theirsinshavemadetheheaven’soverthemlikebrass.Nothinggetsthrough.Theygroan,shout,screamandwail,butalltonoavail.AnytimeGodisabouttostretchforthHishandintheirdirection,theirsinscometoremembranceandHismercyisturnedoff.

Don’tletthedevildeceiveyouintothinkingthatnoonecanmakeitinthisraceofholiness.Godisnotawaster,ifHeisbuildingmansionsinheaven,thenpeoplemustdefinitelylivethere.For,withoutholinessnomancanseeGod(Heb.12:14).Therearerighteousmenonearthtoday,whoarelivingtriumphantlyabovesin;andyoucanjointhem.Youwillbesurprisedtofindoutthatyouaretheonlyonestillindulginginthatterriblehabit,thatyouthinkeveryoneelseindulgesin.TheBiblesays:

Takeusthefoxes,thelittlefoxes,thatspoilthevines:forourvines

havetendergrapes.SongsofSolomon2:15

AnyfoxyouallowtoremaininyourvinewillconstitutethegreatestdangertoyourChristianlife.Thatmalice,stubbornness,uncontrollableanger,hiddenprideandlyingtonguecanallbedestroyed,ifonlyyouaresettoletthemgo.

SinisabarrierbetweenyouandGod.Ifyoudon’tletitgo,youmaygoforit.ButifyoudesperatelydesireaturningandyoucryouttoGodforforgiveness,inthenameofJesusandthroughthebloodoftheLamb,Hewillforgiveandrestoreyoutodignity.Heiscommittedtoforgivewhenwerepent(1Jn.1:9).

ThankGodtheBiblesayssinhasnomoredominionoverus(Rom.6:14).Itlostitspoweroveryoutwothousandyearsago,whenJesushungonthecrossandcried,“Itisfinished!”(Jn.19:30).

Consecrationisthefoundationforprayersthatcommandanswersfromheaven.

NeverthelessthefoundationofGodstandethsure,havingthisseal,TheLordknoweththemthatarehis.And,LeteveryonethatnameththenameofChristdepartfrominiquity.2Timothy2:19

However,ifyouarenotbornagain,youareasinnerandJesussaid:

…Verily,verily,Isayuntothee,Exceptamanbebornagain,hecannotseethekingdomofGod.John3:3

ButGodiswillingtoreceiveyouandforgiveyoursins,ifyoucallonHimtosaveyou.AskJesustocleanseyouwithHispreciousbloodandmakeyou

achildofGod,andyouwillbesaved(Rom.10:9,13).

Onceyouaresaved,youaretranslatedfromthekingdomofthedevil,whereyouwerehelplessagainstsin,intothekingdomoftheSonofGod(Jesus),whereyounowbecomeasonofGodandhavethepowertoliveabovesin(Col.1:13).

Prayerisatwo-waycommunicationbetweenaChristianandhisheavenlyFather.So,untilHebecomesyourheavenlyFather,youhavenoaccesstoHiminprayers.Butsalvationgrantsyouthisprivilege.

EachtimethechildrenofIsraelsoughtanencounterwithGod,theyalwaysmadeasinoffering(Lev.9:3-4).IntheNewTestamentorder,thesinofferingrepresentstherenewingofyourcovenantpositionwithGodthroughconsecration.Thatis,presentingyourbodyasalivingsacrifice,holyandacceptableuntoHim,whichisyourreasonableservice(Rom.12:1).

Withthatinplace,youcan’tmissHim.EveryblessinginScripturesisreservedfortherighteousandthatincludestheblessingofansweredprayers.

TheLordisfarfromthewicked:butheheareththeprayeroftherighteous.Proverbs15:29

BeOffence-free

AsyouprepareyourhearttoapproachGodinprayer,oneofthethingsyoumustguardagainstisoffences.SomanyareoffendedinGodandalltheydoinprayerisnothingbutcomplain.WhenyouareoffendedinGod,youturnHimagainstyourself;andifGodisagainstyou,whowillsaveyou?IfyoudespiseHim,whowillliftyou?

Manyarestrandedbecauseofoffences.Whentheystandinprayer,theyjustifythemselvesagainstGod.Theysay,“Lord,I’vepaidmytithe,IhavedoneeverythingthatYoucommanded.OnlyYouhaven’tdoneyourpart.”Inotherwords,theycountthemselvesfaithfulandGodotherwise.ButtheBiblesays,“LetGodbetrueandallmenbeliars.”

AnythingthatmovesyoutomurmuragainstGodismovingyouagainstyourdestiny.Youcan’texpectHimtoansweryourprayerswhenyourheartisfullofcomplaintsandoffencesagainstHim.Haveyounotheard,“WoeuntohimthatstrivethwithhisMaker”?(Isa.45:9.)

IfHewithdrawsHisbreathfromyouforonesecond,youwillbedead.Ioftensay,“Ifyouhavelostanything,Godisthereasonyoudidn’tloseeverything.”Maybetheenemy’sintentionwastotakeyourlife,butGodsteppedinandyouonlylostyourcar.Buthereyouare,offendedandcomplainingagainstHiminprayer.IfHewithdrawsHishandfromyourlife,canyouimaginewhatwillbecomeofyou?Romans8:28says:

AndweknowthatallthingsworktogetherforgoodtothemthatloveGod,tothemwhoarethecalledaccordingtohispurpose.

So,setyourheartrightbeforeHim.CountHimfaithfulinallthings.Refusetocomplain,butratherletGodknowthatyouhavenoalternativebesideHim,andthatyouarereadytohangontillyouranswercomesfromHim.

StopthreateningtobackslideifHedoesn’tansweryourprayerontime.

Noonewilllosebutyou.

Heiswiseinheart,andmightyinstrength:whohathhardenedhimselfagainsthim,andhathprospered?Job9:4

Youhavebeenstrandedenough,nowgiveyourdestinymotionbyclearingoffeveryoffencefromyourheart,toestablishathoroughfaretoheaveninprayers.

EverythingthatmovesyoutoquestiontheintegrityofGod,orHisloveforyoumustbedestroyed,sothatthealtarofyourheartcanbepreparedforthefirefromheaven.Paulsaid:

AndhereindoIexercisemyself,tohavealwaysaconsciencevoidofoffencetowardGod,andtowardmen.Acts24:16

ThatisthewaytomaintainagoodcommunicationlinewithGod.

Forgive

Aheartfulloflove,bothtowardsGodandyourfellowman,isafundamentalrequirement,ifyourprayermustgetthroughtothethroneroomofheaven

Forgivenessisanexpressionoflove.WhenJesustaughtHisdiscipleshowtopray,oneofthethingsHetoldthemtosaywas,“Andforgiveusoursins;forwealsoforgiveeveryonethatisindebtedtous.”Thatistosay,“Lord,forgiveus,justthewayweforgiveothers.Don’tforgiveuswhatwedon’tforgiveothers.”

Ifwedocumentotherpeople’ssinsagainstus,thentheLordwilldocumentoursalso;ifwedesiretheirhurt,Hewilldesireourhurtalso.So,whenyoudon’tforgivethosewhohaveoffendedyou,yoursinsalsoremainunforgiven.Untilyoursinsareforgiven,youdon’thaveaprayeraccesstoGod.

ThePsalmistsaidinPsalm130:3:

Ifthou,Lord,shouldestmarkiniquities,OLord,whoshallstand?

Manyhavebeencryinginallmannerofprayers,fastingsandvigils,yetGodhasn’theardthem,becausetheyareholdingbackthesinsofothersintheirhearts.Youprobablyhavetoldyourneighbour,“Itisover,Ihaveforgivenyou.”Butitisnotoveryetinyourheart.AndbecausetheBiblesaysinPsalm66:18,“IfIregardiniquityinmyheart,theLordwillnothearme”,yourprayersgounheard.

Itisspiritualfoolishnesstolivewithunforgiveness;thecostistoohigh.ItisoneofthetrapsofthedeviltomakeyoulosefavourwithGod.JesustoldaparableinMatthew18:23-35:

Thereforeisthekingdomofheavenlikeneduntoacertainking,whichwouldtakeaccountofhisservants.Andwhenhehadbeguntoreckon,onewasbroughtuntohim,whichowedhimtenthousand

talents.Butforasmuchashehadnottopay,hislordcommandedhimtobesold,andhiswife,andchildren,andallthathehad,andpaymenttobemade.Theservantthereforefelldown,andworshippedhim,saying,Lord,havepatiencewithme,andIwillpaytheeall.Thenthelordofthatservantwasmovedwithcompassion,andloosedhim,andforgavehimthedebt.Butthesameservantwentout,andfoundoneofhisfellowservants,whichowedhimanhundredpence:andhelaidhandsonhim,andtookhimbythethroat,saying,Paymethatthouowest.Andhisfellowservantfelldownathisfeet,andbesoughthim,saying,Havepatiencewithme,andIwillpaytheeall.Andhewouldnot:butwentandcasthimintoprison,tillheshouldpaythedebt.Sowhenhisfellowservantssawwhatwasdone,theywereverysorry,andcameandtolduntotheirlordallthatwasdone.Thenhislord,afterthathehadcalledhim,saiduntohim,Othouwickedservant,Iforgavetheeallthatdebt,becausethoudesiredstme:Shouldestnotthoualsohavehadcompassiononthyfellowservant,evenasIhadpityonthee?Andhislordwaswroth,anddeliveredhimtothetormentors,tillheshouldpayallthatwasdueuntohim.SolikewiseshallmyheavenlyFatherdoalsountoyou,ifyefromyourheartsforgivenoteveryonehisbrothertheirtrespasses.

WhenGodforgivesyouyoursinsbutlaterseesthewayyouaretormentingsomebodywhohasoffendedyou,Hewillbringyourrecordsoutagainanddealwithyou.ForgivenessbringsyouintoeternalfriendshipwithJesuswhichgivesyouaccesstoheaven’shotline.

Untilyoufreethatmanorwoman,Godwillnothearyourcryofaffliction.Thatmanmighthavereallycheatedyou,andthatwomaninsultedyouterribly,butlethimgo!Lethergo!Untilthelovefoundationisinplace,

effectualprayerisimpossible.

Watchanymanwhowalksinhatred,maliceandunforgiveness,hislifekeepsdryingup.AndbecausehehasnoaccesstoGod’sfavour,heisacheappreyofthedevil.Yourexpressionofloveforyourfellowmenistheauthenticproofofyoursalvation.TheBiblesays,“WhosoeverclaimstoloveGod,andhateshisbrother,isaliar”(1John4:20paraphrased).

Youmayprayaslongasyoulike,remainonyourkneesallthedaysofyourlifeandfastforasmanydaysaspossible,ifyouhaveimprisonedsomebodyinyourheartthroughunforgiveness,youwillneverhaveabreakthrough,becausetheScripturescannotbebroken.

LoveisyourvitallinkwithGod,andthefoundationstonesofthealtarofyourheart.Thereisafutureinforgiveness.LetloveflowfromyourhearttoeveryoneandyouwillseeGodstepintotheaffairsofyourlife.

Examineyourself,toseeifthereisanywhereyouraltarhasbeenbrokendown,andpleadthemercyofGodforrestoration.RededicateyourlifetoGodandbedeterminednevertobefounddoingwhatdispleasesHim.Thatlong-awaitedanswertoyourprayerswillbedeliveredtoyounow,inJesus’name!

Chapter4:WordPreparation

WithouttheWord,everyinprayerendsinutterfrustration.Itisnothingbutaworthlessreligiousexercise.But1John5:14says:

Andthisistheconfidencethatwehaveinhim,that,ifweaskanythingaccordingtohiswill,hehearethus:

TheWordofGodistheonlythingthatgrantsyouaccessinheaven.ItisGod’slanguage.Withoutit,God’searsremaindeaftowhateveryouaresaying,causingyourprayertobouncebacktoyou.

ThereisnopointsayingprayersthatGoddoesnothear.It’slikesomebodywhopicksuphistelephonehandsetandjuststartstalkingintoit,eventhoughthelinehasn’tgonethrough.Youcan’tconnectheaven’sthroneandnotbesure,becauseanytimeyougetthroughtoGod,theimpactwillbeevident.

TheWordofGodiswhatgivesworthtoyourprayersandqualifiesyouforaheavenlyaudience.Whenyouconsiderthatprayerisseekingjustificationagainsttheaccusationsofhell,thenyouwillunderstandthatthereasonmanydon’tgetanswersisbecausetheyarenotpreparedforwhattheyaredoing.

Thetruthis,everydivineconnectioncallsforgenuinepreparation.Ifyoudon’tknowhowtoapproachGodwithHisWord,prayerwillcontinuetobeahit-and-runexperienceforyou.RememberthatGodisthejudgeofthewholeearth.AsonecomingtopleadyourcasebeforeHim,thereisneedtocorrectlypositionyourselfbycollectingadequateandrelevantmaterialsthatwillenableyouwinthecase.

Nolawyer,forinstance,canexpecttowinahardcasewithoutdoingqualitativepreparations.Ifhefailsinhispreparations,hewillonlyendupmakingafoolofhimselfbeforethejudgeandhisclient.

LackofWordpreparationisthereasonforourfrustrationsinprayer.ButmanylazyChristiansconsolethemselvesbysaying,“IknowGodwilldoitsomeday”,whentheyhavedonenothingontheirownpartstocommitGodtotheirdesires.

IttakestheWordtogetGodcommittedtoanythingyoudesirefromHim.WhenJesusheardofLazarus’death,HeremainedwhereHewasfortwomoredays.IbelieveHewaspreparingHimselfforanoutstandinghistoricalencounter.AndwhenHewasset,HeleftforBethany.AllHesaidatLazarus’gravewas:

…Father,Ithanktheethatthouhastheardme.AndIknewthatthouhearestmealways:butbecauseofthepeoplewhichstandbyIsaidit,thattheymaybelievethatthouhastsentme.Andwhenhethushadspoken,hecriedwithaloudvoice,Lazarus,comeforth.John11:41-43

Whatwastheoutcomeofthatstatement?

Andhethatwasdeadcameforth,boundhandandfootwithgraveclothes:andhisfacewasboundaboutwithanapkin.Jesussaithuntothem,Loosehim,andlethimgo.John11:44

ItisobviousthatthestagewassetbeforeHearrivedthere.Alotoftransactionshadtakenplaceonthealtarofpreparation,butallwesawatthegravesidewasthemanifestation.AfriendandIwentouttoprayonedayandmyWordpreparationwasinorder.Aswegottotheplacewhereweweretopray,theLordsaidtome,“Ihaveheardyou.”So,Iturnedtomyfriendand

toldhim,“TheLordjustspoketomenow;HesaysHehasheardme.”WethenwentaheadandpraisedtheLordandleft;andourrequestcametopassjustaswedesiredit.

Don’trushatGod,firstsetyourself(2Chron.20:17).IfyoutakeenoughtimetoprepareintheWord,youwillspendlesstimeinprayersandgetmoreresultseventually.

ThereisalevelofWordpreparationyouwillengagein,thatGodwouldnotevenallowyoutofinishtalkingbeforeHestepsintoactionandestablishesyourdesire.YourpreparationintheWordcansecureyouanapprovalfromheaven,evenbeforeyoubegintospeak.

WhenyourheartisstuffedwiththerelevantScripturesthathelpyoucommunicateyourdesireseffectively,yourprayerbecomeseffectual,andmakestremendouspoweravailable.Let’sstopsufferingwithvibrationsandgyrations.Rather,let’ssitdownandcalculativelyengageinWord-backedcommunicationswithheavenforoutstandingmanifestationsontheearth.

Beforeyouengageinanyprayersession,sitdownandprepare,likeonegoingtocourt.Organize,andifpossible,writedownyourprayerpointsandtheScripturesthatcommitGodtograntyourdesires.Sometimes,Iwritedownmyprayerslikeacase,thenIreadthemaloudtoGod,whoistheJudgeofthewholeearth.Hesaid,“Come,letuspleadtogether…”(Isa.43:26).

IsaytoHim,“This,thisandthisarewhatarehappening,butaccordingtothisandthisinyourWord,theyoughtnottobehappening.BecauseYouabidefaithfulandcannotdenyYourself,andYouchangenot,thisiswhatIwanttobedone.”IuseHisWordtocommitHimasmuchaspossibleanditisdone.

Stopplayingreligion,becausewhenfacedwithyourhottestbattle,theremaybenobodynearyouandifyoudon’tknowhowtoconnectheaven,whatbecomesofyou?Sobraceup!YoumusthaveaWord-stuffedheart,tomaintainahotlinecommunicationwithGod.

LetthewordofChristdwellinyourichlyinallwisdom…Colossians3:16

Prayeriscommunication,notemotionaldisplays.Godisnotmovedbyyourtears;HeisonlymovedwhenyouaskaccordingtoHiswill.So,allyouneedistherightWordsandyourcommunicationwithHimwillbethrough.

InIsaiah43:26,Hesaid,“…Declarethou,thatthoumayestbejustified.”Whatdoyoudeclare?HisWord,whichistheonlylanguageHeunderstandsandpermitsHimtointerveneinyourcase.

…Forthouhastmagnifiedthywordaboveallthyname.Psalm138:2

Onethingisneedfulforeveryotherthingtofallinplace—theWordofGod.IfyoucheckthroughScriptures,youwillfindoutthateverythingishookedtoandrootedintheWord.Faith,effectualprayerandsuccessareallrootedinit.

ItistheWordthatmakesoneoutstandinginChristianity,notreligiousexercises.Ihaveseenmanyheavyprayerwarriorswhoareweary,butIamyettoseeaWordwarriorwhoisnotaconqueror.

WhenyouareWordless,yourprayerscan’tbegenuine.Youwilleitherbeunderpressure,orjustbeplayinggames.Howcanyoubeprayingonthesameissueforoveroneyearwithoutgettingananswerandyouhaveneverbotheredtositdowntoaskyourself,“Whatismissing?”

ItisGod’sWordthatconnectsyoutothethroneforresponse.Nomatterhowlongyouhavebeencheatedbythedevil,whenyoucrytoGodandsay,“Lord,can’tYouseehowIambeingcheated?Can’tYouseehowlongIhavebeenaChristian?”AllHewillsayis,“Myson,talksense!Whatdoyouwant

Metodoforyou?”InIsaiah43:26,Hesays:

Putmeinremembrance:letuspleadtogether:declarethou,thatthoumayestbejustified.

SountilyouremindHimofHisWordthatcommitsHimtoyourdeliverance,yourprayerswillcontinuetoremainunanswered.IntheYorubadialect,thereisanadagethatsays,“Whenyouarecrying,youshouldstillbeabletoseewhereyouaregoing.”Ifyouwanttostopthatflowoftearsinyourlife,payfullattentiontoWordpreparationforproof-producingprayers.

ConsiderElijah’sshortprayerin1Kings18andtheimmediateanswerhereceived.

Anditcametopassatthetimeoftheofferingoftheeveningsacrifice,thatElijahtheprophetcamenear,andsaid,LordGodofAbraham,Isaac,andofIsrael,letitbeknownthisdaythatthouartGodinIsrael,andthatIamthyservant,andthatIhavedoneallthesethingsatthyword.Hearme,OLord,hearme,thatthispeoplemayknowthatthouarttheLordGod,andthatthouhastturnedtheirheartbackagain.ThenthefireoftheLordfell,andconsumedtheburntsacrifice,andthewood,andthestones,andthedust,andlickedupthewaterthatwasinthetrench.Andwhenallthepeoplesawit,theyfellontheirfaces:andtheysaid,TheLord,heistheGod;theLord,heistheGod.Kings18:36-39

Butbeforehemadethisprayer,heavyweightpreparationswerealreadyinplace.WewilllookateachcomponentofthepreparationofElijah’saltar,tohelpourunderstandingoftheimportanceofWordpreparationforgreatencountersinprayer.

GatherTheStones

AndElijahtooktwelvestones,accordingtothenumberofthetribesofthesonsofJacob,untowhomthewordoftheLordcame,saying,Israelshallbethyname:AndwiththestoneshebuiltanaltarinthenameoftheLord:andhemadeatrenchaboutthealtar,asgreataswouldcontaintwomeasuresofseed.1Kings18:31-32

ThefireofGoddoesnotfalluntilthestonesareinplace.Butwhatarethesestones?

Jesussaithuntothem,Didyeneverreadinthescriptures,Thestonewhichthebuildersrejected,thesameisbecometheheadofthecorner:thisistheLord’sdoing,anditismarvellousinoureyes?ThereforesayIuntoyou,ThekingdomofGodshallbetakenfromyou,andgiventoanationbringingforththefruitsthereof.Andwhosoevershallfallonthisstoneshallbebroken:butonwhomsoeveritshallfall,itwillgrindhimtopowder.Matthew21:42-44

ThestoneJesusistalkingabouthereisHimself.Heisthelivelystone(1Cor.10:1-4),andJohn1:1,14says:

InthebeginningwastheWord,andtheWordwaswithGod,andtheWordwasGod.AndtheWordwasmadeflesh,anddweltamongus,(andwebeheldhisglory,thegloryasoftheonlybegottenoftheFather,)fullofgraceandtruth.

ThestoneisJesusandHeistheWordofGod.ThatmeansthestonethatmustfirstbegatheredistheWordofGod.Ifanyoppositionfallsonit,thatoppositionwillbebroken;andwhenitfallsuponanyopposition,itgrindsittopowder.ThatmeansanytimeyoulocateScripturesthataddressanyissueofconcerninyourlifeandusethem,youarespirituallyhaulingstonesagainsttheopposition,breakingthemfirstandthengrindingthemtopowder.

YouknowtheBiblesays,“…Thescripturescannotbebroken…”(Jn.10:35).So,theWordofGodcannotbestopped;itisirresistibleandalwaysgetsitsway.WhenDavidwasgoingtofaceGoliath,theBiblesays:

Andhetookhisstaffinhishand,andchosehimfivesmoothstonesoutofthebrook,andputtheminashepherd’sbagwhichhehad,eveninascrip;andhisslingwasinhishand:andhedrewneartothePhilistine.AndDavidputhishandinhisbag,andtookthenceastone,andslangit,andsmotethePhilistineinhisforehead,thatthestonesunkintohisforehead;andhefelluponhisfacetotheearth.SoDavidprevailedoverthePhilistinewithaslingandwithastone,andsmotethePhilistine,andslewhim;buttherewasnoswordinthehandofDavid.1Samuel17:40,49-50

Ratherthanspendtimedoingsomereligiousexercisesthatwon’tprofityou,spenditintheWord,togathertheappropriatestonesthatwillbringdownyourGoliath.GobytheRiverofLife(theBible),carefullychooseandpickupthoselivelystones(Scriptures),puttheminyourbag(yourheart)andthenmoveoutagainsttheoppositionandyouaresuretobringdownhishead.

Goddeliveredourlastdaughterfromdeathwhendeathcamecalling.Onthemorningshewasbeingdrivenoutofthehousetothehospital,Icouldalmostseedeathphysicallysaying,“Imusttakethisone.”ButtheBiblesays,“Beanxiousfornothing.”So,Iwenttotheoffice,andafteraddressingthestaffdevotion,wherenobodyknewwhatwasgoingon,Iwentuptomy

office.Ilockedthedoorbehindme,andintwohours,Igatheredfourfiery,death-destroyingstonesfromtheBible.ThestonesweresorealthatafterIlaidholdonthem,Iknewdeathwasdestroyed.

IwrotedownthefourScriptures,sentthemtomydaughter’sbedside,withtheinstructionthatitshouldbereaduponher.WhenIgotthere,Iprayedforlessthanaminute(becausethejobhadbeendone),andthatwasit!Shecameoutofthatattack!

Untilyousettledowntogatherthestonesthatwillbringdownyouropposition,yourvictoryisnotinview.Godwillnotdoitforyou.Infact,untilthestonesaregatheredandthestageisset,Hedoesn’tshowup.In1Kings18,Elijahgatheredthestonesandbuiltthealtarhimself.It’sapersonalresponsibility!Whenyougorunningabout,lookingforwhowillprayforyou,itshowsthatyouare“stoneless”.

Settledownandgatherappropriatestonestoenforceyourvictory.CollectingthestonesiseasiestifyouareaBiblestudent,onewhogenuinelyfeedsontheWord;notonewhoonlybeginstosearchforhisBibleonSundaymorning,whenit’stimetogotochurch.

IfyouareanardentstudentoftheWord,itbecomescheaptoscoutroundfromGenesistoRevelation,bythehelpoftheHolySpirit,WhobringstoyourremembrancewhatsoeverthingsyouhavelearntofHim.Hehelpsyoulocatetheappropriatestonesyouneedforwhateverbattlefacingyou.WhenyourestonScripturesandyoubuildanaltaruntoGodwiththem,youhavecommittedheaveninyourfavour,andananswerisguaranteed.

WhenlikeElijah,youlocateandcarefullyarrangetwelvestonesfromtheWord,youcan’tmissyourtarget.TheWordofGodisyourrockofdefenceandoffence,andifyourfaithishookedtoit,itneverfails.ItisyouronlyguaranteeforvictoryoveryourGoliath.IseethatGoliaththathasbeenreproachingyouovertheyears,falldownflatbeforeyou,asyouhaulthestonesoftheWordofGodagainsthim.

PutTheWoodInOrder

Andheputthewoodinorder…1Kings18:33

“Thewood”isanotherwordfortheWordofGod.InLuke23:31,Jesussaid:

Foriftheydothesethingsinagreentree,whatshallbedoneinthedry?

Hereagain,HewastalkingofHimself.Heisthegreentree,anditisestablishedinJohnchapter1,thatHeisalsotheWordofGod.So,theWordofGodisthewood,andyoucan’tstartorsustainafirewithouttheWord.TheBiblesaysinProverbs26:20:

Wherenowoodis,therethefiregoethout…

So,it’snotjustenoughtopreparethealtarofyourheartandgatherthestones,youmustalsolaythewood(theScripturesyouhavelocated)inorder.YouhavetolaythemoutintelligiblytogetGodcommitted.AfterlocatingtheappropriateScriptures,yousaytoHim,“Lord,becauseYousaidsoandsoinYourWord,IknowYouarecommittedtodothis.”

ThatiswhatIcallWordcalculus—calculatingScripturesinordertoenforceaheavenlyrelease.Myprayersareoftenveryshortandstraighttothepoint,becauseInotonlygatherthestones,Imakesurethe“wood”isarrangedinorder.

Duringthebattlewithdeathoverthelifeofmydaughter,IcollectedsomeScripturesandlaidthemoutinthefollowingorder.

Shallthepreybetakenfromthemighty,orthelawfulcaptivedelivered?ButthussaiththeLord,Eventhecaptivesofthemightyshallbetakenaway,andthepreyoftheterribleshallbedelivered:forIwillcontendwithhimthatcontendethwiththee,andIwillsavethychildren.AndIwillfeedthemthatoppresstheewiththeirownflesh;andtheyshallbedrunkenwiththeirownblood,aswithsweetwine:andallfleshshallknowthatItheLordamthySaviourandthyRedeemer,themightyOneofJacob.Isaiah49:24-26

Odeath,whereisthysting?Ograve,whereisthyvictory?1Corinthians15:55

Thepowerofthegraveisthelaw,butGodhasabolishedbothinChristJesus.Jesussaid:

Iamhethatliveth,andwasdead;and,behold,Iamaliveforevermore,Amen;andhavethekeysofhellandofdeath.Revelation1:18

Jesuscan’tholdthekeysofdeath,anduseitagainstHisown.No,Hewillholditinmyfavour.So,IconcludedthatallIneededtodowastotellthedeviltotakeoffhishandsfrommydaughterandgetbacktohell;andthatwasit!

So,layingthewoodinorderisoneofthethingsthatbringsdownthefirefromheaven,toguaranteeyouareleaseontheearth.Iseethefrustrationofunansweredprayerscometoanendinyourlife,inJesus’mightyname!

PourTheWater

TheBiblealsosaysthatElijahtoldthepeople:

…Fillfourbarrelswithwater,andpouritontheburntsacrifice,andonthewood.Andhesaid,Doitthesecondtime.Andtheydiditthesecondtime.Andhesaid,Doitthethirdtime.Andtheydiditthethirdtime.Andthewaterranroundaboutthealtar;andhefilledthetrenchalsowithwater.1Kings18:33-35

WaterherealsorepresentstheWordofGod.

…Christalsolovedthechurch,andgavehimselfforit;Thathemightsanctifyandcleanseitwiththewashingofwaterbytheword.Ephesians5:25-26

ThemorefaithWordyouloadintoyourprayer,themoreyougetoutofit.MosttimeswhenIapproachGodinprayers,IcommitHimwithasmanyScripturesaspossible.ThereisthistestimonyIlovesomuch.ItisofawomancalledDodeeOsteen,thewifeofagreatmanofGod,JohnOsteen.

Shewassickwithterminalcancerandgivenjustfewmoredaystolive.ManyreputablemenofGodcamefromfarandneartoprayforher,butherconditiondidn’timprove.Butoneday,withthelaststrengthinher,shepickedupherBibleandlocatedfortyScripturesthatforbidsher,asachildofGod,fromdyingofcancer.Thatwashowshegotoffthatsickbed,freefromcancerandfromdeath!

ThatcanbelikenedtothemultitudeofwatersinEzekiel31:3-4:

Behold,theAssyrianwasacedarinLebanonwithfairbranches,

andwithashadowingshroud,andofanhighstature;andhistopwasamongthethickboughs.Thewatersmadehimgreat,thedeepsethimuponhighwithherriversrunningroundabouthisplants,andsentoutherlittleriversuntoallthetreesofthefield.

AsIearliersaid,faithinGodisyourmajoraccessinprayer.Butit’saseedthatmustbenurturedwithasmuchwateroftheWordaspossible,ifitmustproduceeffectively.So,whenyougetintothemultitudeofwaterlevelintheWord,younotonlyboostyourfaith,youalsogenerateafloodagainsttheenemy,whichhecan’tresist.

Nothingcanstandinthewayofaflood.Everythinggiveswaytoit.Therearefirefighters,buthaveyoueverheardoffloodfighters?Therearenone,becauseyoucan’tfightaflood;yousimplygetoutofitsway,otherwiseitwillcarryyoualong.WhenyouenterthefloodstageoftheWord,youareonafrequencythatcannotberesisted.

Youdon’thavetoremainstrandedinlifeorgiveintocircumstances.Allyouneeddoistocommittedlyandwhole-heartedlybeginanadventureintotheWord,tostoptheharassment.GofortapesandbooksthatwillaidyourstudyoftheWord,untilyougenerateafloodthatwillcleareveryoppositionoutofyourway.

OneofmydaughtersintheLordtestedpositivetoHIV.Shecollectedsometapes,booksandherBibleandlockedherselfupforfourweeks,feedingontheWord.Whenshewentbackforanothertest,itwasnegative!TheAIDSvirushaddied!

StartOffTheFire

ThereiswhatIcallWord-firedprayer.Thatis,prayerbornoutofthefireoftheWord.InJeremiah23:29,Godasked,“Isnotmywordasfire…thatbreakeththerockinpieces?”

ItistheWordofGodthatignitesafireinyourheartandpushesyouintoferventandeffectualprayers.Thatiswhyyoufindthatafterhearingapowerful,Wordpackedmessage,peoplearefireduptoprayheaven-touchingprayers.

WhenScriptureslikeMatthew8:17andNumbers23:23-24arefiredintotheheartofamanwhoistiredofsickness,heholdsuntothemwithhislaststrength,knowingthathishealingcannolongerbenegotiated.TheWordhehearsigniteshissoulwithaholyangeranddesperation,whichenhanceseffectualcommunication,andamiracleisborn.

So,ittakesfireonthealtarofyourhearttodrawdownfirefromheaven.ThestoryistoldofJohnG.Lake,agreatmanofGodinhisdays.AlmosthalfofhisFamilymembershaddiedofoneplagueoranotherandonApril28,1898,hiswifelaydyingofthesameplague.

AfellowministerwhowaswithhimencouragedhimtoacceptherdeathasGod’swill,andinutterhopelessness,LakethrewhisBibleagainstthewall.ItfelltothefloorandopenedtoActs10.Ashewalkedovertopickitup,hiseyesfellonverse38:

HowGodanointedJesusofNazarethwiththeHolyGhostandwithpower:whowentaboutdoinggood,andhealingallthatwereoppressedofthedevil;forGodwaswithhim.

ThosepowerfulWordswerefiredintohissoulanditdawnedonhimthatGodwasnottheauthorofsickness;thedevilwasresponsibleforhiswife’sconditionandthatsincehewasasonofGodbyfaithinJesusChrist,thenGodwaswithHim,justasHewaswithJesus.

HealsoturnedtoLuke13:16:

Andoughtnotthiswoman,beingadaughterofAbraham,whomSatanhathbound,lo,theseeighteenyears,beloosedfromthisbondonthesabbathday?

Thatignitedanotherfireinhissoul,becauseherealizedthatGodcouldusehimtohealhiswife.So,withallboldness,heenteredherroomanddeclaredwithaloudvoicethathiswifewouldbehealedatexactly9.30a.m.Andatthathour,hekneltdownbyherside,laidhandsonherheadandprayed.ThepowerofGodcameuponherandinafewseconds,sheshouted,“PraiseGod,Iamhealed!”

Shewasimmediatelyhealedoftheparalysisandalltheotherailmentsthathaddrawnhersoclosetothebrinkofdeath.

ThenthefireoftheLordfell,andconsumedtheburntsacrifice,andthewood,andthestones,andthedust,andlickedupthewaterthatwasinthetrench.1Kings18:38Andwhentheyhadprayed,theplacewasshakenwheretheywereassembledtogether;andtheywereallfilledwiththeHolyGhost,andtheyspakethewordofGodwithboldness.Acts4:31

WhenyouprayWord-firedprayers,youcan’tmissdrawingfirefromheaven.Meditationisoneofthewaysoffanningupthefireinyourheart.AsyouspendtimebroodingovertheWord,theHolySpiritsparksoffafireinyoursoul,whichenhancesahotlinecommunicationwithheaven,toensureyourvictory.

ForwhatsoeverisbornofGodovercomeththeworld:andthisisthevictorythatovercomeththeworld,evenourfaith.1John5:4

God’sWord,ratifiedbythebloodofJesus,isHiswill.Itisunchangeable,irrevocableandenduresforever.Ifyougowithawilltoacourtoflaw,thatcourtisunderobligationtohonourit.Itdoesn’tmatterifthedeceasedmadeamistakeinitornot;aslongasitishiswill,thecourtismandatedtoenforceit.

So,whenyouapproachthethroneofgraceonthebasisofthewillofGod,youarejustified,andGodisobligedtostepintoyourcase.ThatiswhyeveryWord-weakChristianisaprayerfailure;thestrengthoftheWordiswhatdeterminesthestrengthoftheresponsefromheaven.

Gatheringthestones,layingthewoodinorder,pouringthewaterandstartingoffthefireareallWordpreparationeffortswhichmakeprayereffectual.ThatishowtostaypreparedforcontinuousencounterswithGodinprayer.IseethefireoftheLordfallingforyoufromhenceforth!Youwillnolongermissyourtarget,inJesus’name.

Chapter5:ApproachingTheThroneRoom

YourheartandWordpreparationsmustbefollowedupwithaproperpresentationofyourrequest,ifyoumustseeyourdesiredresultsinprayers.

In1Kings18,Elijahcompletedallthepreparatoryprocessesofrepairingthebrokendownaltar,layingthewoodinorderanddiggingthetrenches.Afterthat,heputtheburntsacrificeonthealtarandthenlifteduphisvoiceincommunicationwithheavenandthefirefell.

Also,whenDavidwasgoingtofaceGoliath,hepreparedhimselfbygoingtothebrooktopickfivesmoothstones.Buthedidn’tstopthere.Heapproachedthegiant,cursedhiminthenameoftheLord,andwhilethegiantwasstillwonderingifDavidwasactuallycomingtofighthimornot,thestonefromDavid’sslinghadgoneintohisforehead,andhewasbroughtdown(1Sam.17:40-50).

EffectualprayerbeginswithWordpreparation,butitdeliversthroughasoundconnectionwithheaven.

Faith

AfterlocatingthewillofGodconcerningyoursituation,thenextthingtobedoneistobuildupfaithforeffectualcommunication.Faithisapotentforcewithoutwhichprayerwillbeabsolutelyunproductive.TheBiblecallsfaith“Thesubstanceofthingshopedfor…”(Heb.11:1).Thatmeansitistheticketonwhichyoutakedeliveryofanythingfromheaven.

AfterJesushealedthelunaticchildHisdisciplescouldn’theal,theycametoHimlatertoaskwhytheycouldn’tcastthedeviloutofthechild.Jesus’responseisveryrevealing:

ThencamethedisciplestoJesusapart,andsaid,Whycouldnotwecasthimout?AndJesussaiduntothem,Becauseofyourunbelief:forverilyIsayuntoyou,Ifyehavefaithasagrainofmustardseed,yeshallsayuntothismountain,Removehencetoyonderplace;anditshallremove;andnothingshallbeimpossibleuntoyou.Matthew17:19-20

Untilfaithisinplace,prayerwillonlyendupinfrustration.AspowerfulastheWordofGodis,itcanonlyproducewhenfaithispresent.

Foruntouswasthegospelpreached,aswellasuntothem:butthewordpreacheddidnotprofitthem,notbeingmixedwithfaithinthemthatheardit.Hebrews4:2

EveryconflictinlifeisadirectattackfromtheforcesofdarknessandtheWordofGodisthelightthatshattersdarkness(Jn.1:5).Psalm119:130tellsusthatitistheentranceoftheWordthatgiveslight.UntiltheWordgainsentranceintotheheartandgeneratesfaith,itdoesnotbecomelight;anduntil

itbecomeslight,itcannotshatterdarkness.

Afterallthewholeeffortofgatheringthestones,layingthewoodinorderandpouringthewater,youneedtosettledownandconsciouslycultivatefaithintheWordthroughmeditation,beforegoingaheadtopresentyourcasetoGod.

Youdon’tprayforfaith,youcultivateitbystayingwiththeWorduntiltheassuranceofitsrealityisestablishedinyourheart.

Sothenfaithcomethbyhearing,andhearingbythewordofGod.Romans10:17

Oncefaithisestablished,youcanbesureofresultswhenyoupray.James1:6-7says:

Butlethimaskinfaith,nothingwavering.Forhethatwaverethislikeawaveoftheseadrivenwiththewindandtossed.ForletnotthatmanthinkthatheshallreceiveanythingoftheLord.

Youdon’tonlyapproachGodwithHisWord,youmustcomewithanunwaveringassurancethatHeabidesfaithfulandcannotdenyHimself.Notwithanattitudeof“Letmetry,maybeGodwillanswer.”TheBiblesaystosuch,“LetnotthatmanthinkhewillreceiveanythingoftheLord.”

Whenyouapproachthethroneroominprayer,rememberthatGodhassaid:

Thenshallyecalluponme,andyeshallgoandprayuntome,andIwillhearkenuntoyou.Jeremiah29:12

TheBiblealsosaysGodhasnotcalledthesonsofJacobtoseekHiminvain(Isa.45:19).TheseshouldassureyouthatGodiscommittedtoanswer,whenyoucalluponHimaccordingtothedictatesofScriptures.

Andthisistheconfidencethatwehaveinhim,that,ifweaskanythingaccordingtohiswill,hehearethus:1John5:14

ButyourconfidenceinGodmustfirstbeinplacebeforeyouaskHimforanything,becausethoughtheWordgrantsyouaudiencebeforeHim,yourfaithiswhatmotivatesHimtoactonyourbehalf.

InMatthew9,twoblindmenprayedtoJesusfortherestorationoftheirsight.EventhoughJesusheardthem,HedidnothealthemuntilHewasassuredoftheirfaithinHim.

AndwhenJesusdepartedthence,twoblindmenfollowedhim,crying,andsaying,ThousonofDavid,havemercyonus.Andwhenhewascomeintothehouse,theblindmencametohim:andJesussaithuntothem,BelieveyethatIamabletodothis?Theysaiduntohim,Yea,Lord.Thentouchedhetheireyes,saying,Accordingtoyourfaithbeituntoyou.Andtheireyeswereopened…Matthew9:27-30

ManyhavebeenfollowingJesusforlong.Theyhavedoneallmannerofthingsinthenameofprayer,including30daysself-inflictedfast;whereasallthatGodiswaitingtoseeinthemisabelievingheart.

Butwithoutfaithitisimpossibletopleasehim:forhethatcomethtoGodmustbelievethatheis,andthatheisarewarderofthemthatdiligentlyseekhim.Hebrews11:6

So,itisyou,notGod,whodetermineswhetheryourprayergetsansweredornot.AsforGod,Hissideissettled.Heisconstant,manisthevariable.

HisWordsays,“NogoodthingwillHewithholdfromthemthatwalkuprightly”(Ps.84:11).WhatsoevermakesforyourwelfareandthatofHiskingdomisgoodinHissight,soHewillnotwithholditfromyouaslongasyouaskinfaith.

Worship

OurFather,whichartinheaven,Hallowedbethyname…Luke11:2

Thisisthefirststepineffectualcommunication.Youmustapproachthethroneofgraceinworship,ifyouwanttogetGod’sattention.

ServetheLordwithgladness:comebeforehispresencewithsinging.Enterintohisgateswiththanksgiving,andintohiscourtswithpraise:bethankfuluntohim,andblesshisname.Psalm100:2,4

Murmuring,grumblingandtearsdonotgiveyouaccessintoGod’spresence;onlyworshipdoes.Whenyoucomewithathankfulheartandanattitudeofworship,HewelcomesyouintoHispresenceandisreadytointerveneinwhateveryouhavebroughtbeforeHim.

AfterElijahfixedthealtarandputeverythinginplace,theBiblesays,“…Hecutthebullinpiecesandlaiditonthewood…”Thatisthesacrificeofpraise.PraiseisthecheapestwaytoattractGod’sattention,becauseHedwellsinthemidstofpraise(Ps.22:3).

Whenyoucomesaying,“Lord,IjustappreciateYouforwhoYouareandthankYouforallYouaretome.IthankYoubecauseYouarealwaysthere.”Withthis,HisearsareopentoyouandHeisalreadysaying,“WhatcanIdoforyoumyson?”

ProvokingGod’spresenceisourultimategoalinprayer,becausethatisthebestwaytosecureHisinterventioninyourcase.OnceyousecureGod’spresence,youranswerisalreadyatthedoor.Andheart-seatedpraiseandworshipistheonlywaytodothat.

PraiseisaproofthatyouacknowledgeHissovereigntyinyourpersonalaffairsandthatoftheuniverse.Italsoprovesthatyoudon’tseeHimasthecauseofyourproblems,butasyourHelper.ThatgrantsyouunlimitedaccessintoGod’spresence,wherecommunicationflowswitheaseandanswersareguaranteed.

Supplication

Becarefulfornothing;butineverythingbyprayerandsupplicationwiththanksgivingletyourrequestsbemadeknownuntoGod.Philippians4:6

Here,Paulshareswithus,aninsightonhowtoapproachthethroneroomofGodinprayer.

First,Berelaxed.“Beanxiousfornothing…”Untilyouarerelaxed,youcannotgetthroughontheprayerline.Thisfirststepcanbedescribedastheareacodenumberofheaven,withoutwhichyourcallwillnevergetthrough.

Hebrews4:16says,“Letuscomeboldly…”Whenyouarerelaxed,youarebold.SupplicationisbasicallyprayingwithScriptures—producingyourcauseandbringingforthyourstrongreasonstoremindGodofHiscommandmentandpromises.

Weareoftendeceivedbycertainreligiousbeliefsandacts,oneofwhichistheuseofmanywords.Iremembersometimein1977,whenafterameetingwedecidedtoleave.Somebodycomplainedandaccusedusofnotbeingabletotarryinprayersfortenhours.Isaidtomyself,“ThisisaPharisee.”Jesussaid:

Butwhenyepray,usenotvainrepetitions,astheheathendo:fortheythinkthattheyshallbeheardfortheirmuchspeaking.Benotyethereforelikeuntothem:foryourFatherknowethwhatthingsyehaveneedof,beforeyeaskhim.Matthew6:7-8

So,effectualprayerisnotinmanywords.OnlymeaningfulwordsgrantyouaudiencebeforeGod.Youareheardbytargetwords;wordsthatareshotasarrowsthatcannotmisstheirtargets.Vainrepetitionsandidlewordsare

thereasonsmanyremaininprayersformanydays,andstillcomeoutwithoutresults.

Prayerisnotjustsayingsomething,itissayingtherightthing.Elijah’sprayerin1Kings18:36-37wasshort,sharpandstraighttothepoint.Theresult?Instantanswer!ThisiswhatGodcommands:

Produceyourcause,saiththeLord;bringforthyourstrongreasons,saiththeKingofJacob.Isaiah41:21

NothingmovesGodlikeHisWord.So,ifyouareinneedofajob,youcanreinforceyourrequesttoHimlikethis:“Lord,YourWordsays,‘Sayyetotherighteous,thatitshallbewellwithhim:fortheyshalleatthefruitoftheirdoings’(Isa.3:10),notthefruitofhisuncle’slabourorthefruitofhisseniorbrother’slabour.Also,YourWordsays,‘nogoodthingwillhewithholdfromthemthatwalkuprightly’(Ps.84:11).Lord,YouknowIwalkwithYou.YourWordalsosays,‘Ihavebeenyoung,andnowamold;yethaveInotseentherighteousforsaken,norhisseedbeggingbread’(Ps.37:25).Idon’twanttobeg,becauseitisnotpartofYourcovenantpackageforme.

InMatthew20,YouwentouttothemarketplaceatdifferenthoursofthedayandallthoseYoufoundstandingidleduetounemployment,Youhired.So,Lordhiremenow.IknowYouhateidleness;neitherdoIwanttoremainidle.Therefore,IthankYouformymiraclejobnow,inJesus’name.”

Withthis,youarejustifiedbeforeHimandaresuretogetajob.TheBiblesays:

Theyounglionsdolack,andsufferhunger:buttheythatseektheLordshallnotwantanygoodthing.Psalm34:10Withholdnotgoodfromthemtowhomitisdue,whenitisinthepowerofthinehandtodoit.

Proverbs3:27

Towhomisgooddue?Tothemthatwalkuprightly.SowhenyouareservingtheLord,HeiscommittedtoyourgoodandwhenHestretchesforthHishand,whocanturnitback?Thatmeansbycovenant,yourlifeisnotpermittedtolackanygoodthing.

ItisnotthewillofGodforyoutolackanygoodthing.So,youcansaytoHim,“Lord,IserveYou,andYousaidinYourWordthatnomancanservetwomasters(Matt.6:24).IhaveyieldedmyselftoserveYoutheAlmightyGod,thereforeIamnotpermittedtoservelackandwant,hunger,sufferingandnakedness.SinceYouhavesaidthatthosewhoseekYoushallnotlackanygoodthing,IopenupforaflowofYourabundanceintomylifenow,inthenameofJesus.Lord,watchoverYourWordtoperformit,inJesus’name.”

Ifyouhavebeenplaguedwithsickness,rememberGodsaid,“IamtheLordthathealeththee.”(Ex.15:26).HetoldtheChurchinthewildernessthis,andHesays,“IamtheLord,Ichangenot.”SoHeisstilltheHealertodayasHewasintimespast.

WhenHesentHisSon,Jesus,theBiblesays,“Himselftookourinfirmities,andbareoursicknesses”(Matt.8:17).Jesusisthesameyesterday,todayandforever(Heb.13:8).HeisstilldoingallthemiraclesofhealingsHeperformedintheBibledaystoday.Heabidesfaithful,HecannotdenyHimself.Therefore,youcansaytothatdiseaseorpain,“InthenameofJesus,youhavenolegalholdovermybeing,becauseJesustookmydiseasesandpainsthesamedayHetookmysins.LetGodbetrueandallmenliars!Itakemylibertynow,inthenameofJesus.”

WhenthiscomesfromaWord-preparedandfaith-ignitedheart,heavenmustrespond.SupplicationdoesnotonlymeansubstantiatingyourdesireswithScriptures,italsomeansengaginginheart-feltcommunications.

James5:16says,“…Theeffectualferventprayerofarighteousman

availethmuch.”TheAmplifiedVersionsays,“…Theearnest(heart-felt,continued)prayerofarighteousmanmakestremendouspoweravailable[dynamicinitsworking].”

Thatmeansonlytheprayerthatemanatesfromtheheart,notfromthehead,istheprayerthatwillavailmuch.ThisisbecauseyoucanhaveaheadfullofScriptures,butonanemptyheart.

Hannah’sprayerin1Samuel1:12-17isaverygoodexampleofaheart-feltprayer.

Anditcametopass,asshecontinuedprayingbeforetheLord,thatElimarkedhermouth.NowHannah,shespakeinherheart;onlyherlipsmoved,buthervoicewasnotheard:thereforeElithoughtshehadbeendrunken.AndElisaiduntoher,Howlongwiltthoubedrunken?putawaythywinefromthee.AndHannahansweredandsaid,No,mylord,Iamawomanofasorrowfulspirit:Ihavedrunkneitherwinenorstrongdrink,buthavepouredoutmysoulbeforetheLord.CountnotthinehandmaidforadaughterofBelial:foroutoftheabundanceofmycomplaintandgriefhaveIspokenhitherto.ThenEliansweredandsaid,Goinpeace:andtheGodofIsraelgranttheethypetitionthatthouhastaskedofhim.

“Shespakeinherheart.Onlyherlipsmoved,hervoicewasnotheard.”ButshesaidshehadpouredouthersouluntotheLord.Thatmeansthewholeofherbeingwasinwhatshewassaying.Shemeantitfromthedepthofherheart,whichiswhereGodlooksintoandrelateswith.

Effectualprayerhasitsrootintheheart.Ifyourheartisnotinwhatyouaresaying,heavendoesnotreckonwithit.GodhasnorespectforthosewhodrawnearuntoHimwiththeirlipsonly,whereastheirheartsarefarawayfromHim(Isa.29:13).

AfterHannah’sprayer,theBiblesays:

Andshesaid,Letthinehandmaidfindgraceinthysight.Sothewomanwentherway,anddideat,andhercountenancewasnomoresad.1Samuel1:18

Shewassureshehadcontactedheaven,soshewentawayandwasnolongersad.Shewasassuredofheranswerfromthemomentsheprayed.

…AndElkanahknewHannahhiswife;andtheLordrememberedher.1Samuel1:19

Youcan’tprayheart-feltprayerandmissyourtarget.Mayyourheartfindathoroughfaretoheavenfromhenceforth.

Eliaswasamansubjecttolikepassionsasweare,andheprayedearnestlythatitmightnotrain:anditrainednotontheearthbythespaceofthreeyearsandsixmonths.Andheprayedagain,andtheheavengaverain,andtheearthbroughtforthherfruit.James5:17-18

ThedetailsofElijah’searnestprayerisrecordedin1Kings18:42-44:

…ElijahwentuptothetopofCarmel;andhecasthimselfdownupontheearth,andputhisfacebetweenhisknees,Andsaidtohisservant,Goupnow,looktowardthesea.Andhewentup,andlooked,andsaid,Thereisnothing.Andhesaid,Goagainseventimes.Anditcametopassattheseventhtime,thathesaid,Behold,therearisethalittlecloudoutofthesea,likeaman’shand.Andhesaid,

Goup,sayuntoAhab,Preparethychariot,andgettheedown,thattherainstoptheenot.

Hewasoutforananswer,hewasnotdoingguesswork.Hewasreadytostayoutthereandhangon,untilHisanswercameandhedid.Hisservantwenttocheckforthecloudseventimesbeforeheeventuallysawit,andthentheraincame.Andwhenraincomes,theearthyieldsherincrease.Iseeyouenterintoyourseasonofabundance,asyouengageinheart-feltprayers,inthenameofJesus!

Deepcallethuntodeepatthenoiseofthywaterspouts:allthywavesandthybillowsaregoneoverme.Psalm42:7

TheBiblesays,theheartofmanisdeep(Jer.17:9).Sinceitisdeepthatcallsuntodeep,ifyoumustenjoydeepcommunicationswithGod,youmustengageyourheartinprayer.Letnoordinarystatementcomeoutofyourmouth.Itisnotmuchspeaking,but“heart-speaking”thatmakesforeffectualprayer.Itisnothowloud,buthowgenuinelywecallfromthedeepthatmatters.

Iwasavictimoftuberculosis,butoneday,inthedeadofthenight,Igotonthisheart-feltprayerfrequencyandthatplaguewasshatteredthereandthen!InZechariah12:10,Godsaid:

AndIwillpouruponthehouseofDavid,andupontheinhabitantsofJerusalem,thespiritofgraceandofsupplications…

Thereiswhatiscalledthespiritofgraceandsupplication,whichenablesamanstandstrongontheprayertower,prayingfromthedepthofhissoul,asthoughtravailingforhisonlyson.

AskGodfortheoutpouringofthatspirituponyourlife,soyoucanenhanceyourcommunicationwithheaven.

ThyKingdomCome

JesustaughtHisdiscipleshowtopray:

Afterthismannerthereforeprayye:OurFatherwhichartinheaven,Hallowedbethyname.Thykingdomcome.Thywillbedoneinearth,asitisinheaven.Matthew6:9-10

Kingdom-orientedprayinggivesyouspecialaudiencewithGod.TheBiblesays:

ButseekyefirstthekingdomofGod,andhisrighteousness;andallthesethingsshallbeaddeduntoyou.Matthew6:33

Ifyoudesirebreakthroughsinyourpersonallife,oneofthefastestwaystoachievingitistohaveastrongaffectionforGodandHiskingdom.

Whenakingdomprayerpointisraisedinchurch,alotofpeoplejustmumblethrough;youcanhardlyhearwhattheyaresaying.Butwhenyousay,“Prayforyourself,thatthisyear’sprophecymayfindfulfilmentinyourlife”,peoplebegintopraywithsomuchvigourandenergy.ButitishowmuchyoutakepleasureintheaffairsofthekingdomthatdeterminesthequalityofresponseyouenjoyfromGod.

Whenyouareintercedingonkingdommatters,letitbefromthedepthofyourbeing,asifyouareprayingforyouronlychildwhoisdying.Letitmeansmuchmoretoyouthanyourpersonalmatters.

Thisisaprayerstrategythatmovesheaventoraindownfavouronyou,somuchthatyouwillnotneedtoprayformostthingsbeforeyougetthem.Manypeoplearedyingintheirprayerroomsbecausetheyareself-orientedin

theirprayers.Theyarethe“needy-stars”ofthekingdom.

Theyalwayspray,“Lord,givemethis;Lord,blessme;Lord,blessmywifeandmychildren”,andtheirdemandsareendless.Alltheyremembertoprayaboutis“me,Iandmyself.”Theyareleastconcernedaboutthewelfareofanybodyelseoronanyissuethatdoesnottouchthempersonally.

Thoushaltarise,andhavemercyuponZion:forthetimetofavourher,yea,thesettime,iscome.Forthyservantstakepleasureinherstones,andfavourthedustthereof.Psalm102:13-14

GodevenanswersmebeforeIcall,becauseIpraysincereandheart-feltprayersforthekingdomandHispeople.So,Hecan’tbutsurroundmewithfavour.AsyoubegintoseekHiskingdominyourprayers,Iseeeveryconcernofyourlifebecomeatestimony.

Two-wayCommunication

Iwillstanduponmywatch,andsetmeuponthetower,andwillwatchtoseewhathewillsayuntome,andwhatIshallanswerwhenIamreproved.Habakkuk2:1

PrayerisnotjustreportingyourcasetoGod;itiscommunicatingwithHim.Everygenuinediscussionordialogueismadeupofcomments,enquiriesandresponsesfromthepartiesinvolved.Itshouldbeatwo-waycommunicationflow.Butmostpeopledoallthetalkinginprayers,notgivingGodachancetospeaktotheminreturn,norpausingtolistentowhatHehastosay.

Itistimewebegantoengageinresponsivemeditationalprayers—whereyoutalkandwaitforGod’sresponse,whereyoumakeenquiriesandtakedeliveryofdivinestrategiestodealwiththeissuesconfrontingyou.

Totrulywininprayerrequiresyourbeingalertinthespirit,listeninginmeditationandkeepingyourheartopentoreceivewhatHehastosaytoyou.Youalsohavetoengageinintenseworship,inordertomaintainthecommunicationchannel.Whenyouaskaquestionandtheredoesn’tseemtobeanimmediateresponse,youbegintoworshipandcallGodbyHisnames.Thenyouaskagain,“Lord,whatareYousaying?”Youaresuretogetananswer,becauseHeassuresus:

Calluntome,andIwillanswerthee,andshowtheegreatandmightythings,whichthouknowestnot.Jeremiah33:3

InDanielchapter2,Danielandhisfriendswerefacedwithadecreeofdeath.Thekinghadadream,whichheforgotandwantedDanielandhiscolleaguestotellhimthedreamanditsinterpretationortheywouldallbeputtodeath.SeewhatDanieldid:

ThenDanielwenttohishouse,andmadethethingknowntoHananiah,Mishael,andAzariah,hiscompanions:ThattheywoulddesiremerciesoftheGodofheavenconcerningthissecret;thatDanielandhisfellowsshouldnotperishwiththerestofthewisemenofBabylon.

ThenwasthesecretrevealeduntoDanielinanightvision.ThenDanielblessedtheGodofheaven.Ithankthee,andpraisethee,OthouGodofmyfathers,whohastgivenmewisdomandmight,andhastmadeknownuntomenowwhatwedesiredofthee:forthouhastnowmadeknownuntoustheking’smatter.Daniel2:17-19,23

WhenyouapproachGod,rememberthatHeistheOnebeforewhomallthingslaybare.TheOnethatrevealsdeepandsecretthings,theOmniscientGod.GobeforeHimandtakedeliveryofyouranswers,asyouengageinatwo-waycommunicationwithHim.Thatiswhatprayerisallabout.

MakeEnquiries

Therearetimeswegettopointsinlife,whenwedon’tknowwhatnexttodoorwhichwaytoturn.Thesearethecross-roadsoflife.TheBibletellsuswhattodo:

Ifanyofyoulackwisdom,lethimaskofGod,thatgivethtoallmenliberally,andupbraidethnot;anditshallbegivenhim.James1:5

Wearefullofprayersofpetition,callingonGodtointerveneanddosomethingaboutoursituation.Butwehavemoreoftenthannotignoredtheplaceofenquiries,whichiswhatgivesusaccesstoGod’sways.Itistheaccesstothesecretandhiddenthingsoflife.YoumustmakeenquiriesfromHim,ifyoureallydesirethewayoutofyourpredicament,forGod’swaysarehigherthanoursandHisthoughtsthanours(Isa.55:9).

ThussaiththeLord,Standyeintheways,andsee,andaskfortheoldpaths,whereisthegoodway,andwalktherein,andyeshallfindrestforyoursouls…Jeremiah6:16

“OhGod,comeanddoitforme”istheprayerofbabies;but,“Lord,whatmustIdo?”istheprayerofsons.Aslongasyouremainachildinthekingdom,alwaysaskingforthingstobedoneforyouandcryinginthefaceofeverysituation,theglorynevercomesnearyou.Itissonshipthatattractstheglory,andresponsibilityiswhatmakesason(Isa.9:6).

Inprayerofenquiry,Godshowsyouwhatyouneedtodo,inordertogetwhatyouarelookingfor.Itthenbecomesyourresponsibilitytoputtoworkwhathasbeenrevealedtoyou.

KingDavidwonallhisbattlesbecausehewasamanofenquiries.

ButwhenthePhilistinesheardthattheyhadanointedDavidkingoverIsrael,allthePhilistinescameuptoseekDavid;andDavidheardofit,andwentdowntothehold.ThePhilistinesalsocameandspreadthemselvesinthevalleyofRephaim.AndDavidinquiredoftheLord,saying,ShallIgouptothePhilistines?wiltthoudeliverthemintominehand?…AndthePhilistinescameupyetagain,andspreadthemselvesinthevalleyofRephaim.AndwhenDavidinquiredoftheLord,hesaid,Thoushaltnotgoup;butfetchacompassbehindthem,andcomeuponthemoveragainstthemulberrytrees…AndDaviddidso,astheLordhadcommandedhim;andsmotethePhilistinesfromGebauntilthoucometoGazer.2Samuel5:17-25

Davidwasamanofenquiries,soheneversufferedanydefeatorinjuriesasawarrior.Hehadaccesstodivineinstructionsbyprayersofenquiry,anditmadeaworldofdifferenceinhislife.Oneinstructionfromheavencandeliverfromalifetimeofstruggles.Youwillnolongersufferinjuriesinyourlife.

Ihaveoftensaid,“Responsibilityisthepriceyoupayforgreatness.”ThereiswhatyoumustdotocommitGodtolistentoyou.YouhaveyourparttoplayandGodhasHis;Hewillneverplayyoursforyou.Hesaid,“DrawnighuntomeandIwilldrawnighuntoyou”(Jam.4:8).ItisyourdrawingneartoHimandmakingenquiriesthatprovokeHisdrawingneartoyouwithanswersandinstructions.

Don’twatchyourlifedragonendlessly,withyourhandsakimbo,saying,“Godwilldoit.”GetintoGod’spresenceandwithyourentirespirit,

approachHimforananswer.Donotbeinahurry,besettogetananswerandtakedeliveryofHishigherways,whichwillputyouabovewhateversituationyouarein.

Makeenquiries!“Lord,whyisthishomenotworking?Whyisthisministrydragging?OhGod,whatwouldYouhavemetodo?Whatismissinginmylifethatisresponsibleforthisproblem?Lordhelpme.WhatamInotdoingthatIshouldstartdoing?WhatamIdoingthatIshouldstopdoing?Lord,IamlookinguptoYouforananswer.”

Somethinginyourlifemightbewhatisresponsiblefortheproblems.Maybethewayyoutalktoyourspouseiswhatsetsthewholehouseonfire.Maybeyouareneglectingyourcovenantresponsibilitiestowardsyourworkmen,thatiswhyyourbusinessisgoingdown.Youmayhavebeengivingtithesandkingdominvestments,yetyourfinancialsituationisgettingtighter.Itcouldbethatyouarenotdoingitproperly.

Whicheverwayyouaremissingit,HewillrevealittoyouwhenyougobeforeHimtoenquire.YouworshipbeforeHim,speaktoHimandwaitforHisresponse,celebratingintonguesuntiltheanswercomes.

GodAnswers

Ifanyofyoulackwisdom,lethimaskofGod,thatgivethtoallmenliberally,andupbraidethnot;anditshallbegivenhim.James1:5

Godiscommittedtoansweringyourprayer,ifyouask,notifyoucry.Nomatterhowmanydemonsareconnectedtoyourproblem,God’swisdomwhichisreleasedinprayerofenquirywillgivethemaknock-out.

Thisisyourhouroftriumph;youareleavingtherealmofpeopledoingthingsforyou,tothatofgettingitdonebyyourself.WhenGodopensyouuptothatrealm,youareonaflight,faraboveprincipalitiesandpowers.

TheSeal

Andwhatsoeveryeshallaskinmyname,thatwillIdo,thattheFathermaybeglorifiedintheSon.Ifyeshallaskanythinginmyname,Iwilldoit.John14:13-14

ThenameofJesusisthesealofauthoritythatcompelsheaventodispatchtheanswertoyourprayeronceyouareheard.ManypeoplethinkthenameofJesusisapunctuationmark,apauseinprayeroranexclamatoryreligiousword.No!

ThereispowerinthenameofJesus!ThenameisbackedupwithalltheanointingthatJesushas,bothwhileHewashereonearthandnowthatHeisseatedattherighthandofGod.TheBibletellsusthatGodgaveHimtheHolyGhostwithoutmeasure(Jn.3:34).Also,Acts10:38says:

HowGodanointedJesusofNazarethwiththeHolyGhostandwithpower:whowentaboutdoinggood,andhealingallthatwereoppressedofthedevil;forGodwaswithhim.

Jesusisanointedwithoutmeasure,tellingyouhowpowerfulHisnameis.If,forinstance,thePresidentofyournationgivesyouanote,withhisnameandsignatureonit,thatnotecarriesasmuchpowerandauthorityashisphysicalpresencewithyou.Withitinyourhand,youhaveequalaccesstotheplacesandthingsthatthePresidenthasaccessto.

Inthesameway,theauthorityandpowerinthenameofJesusiswhatyoureleasewhenyouprayinHisname.Philippians2:9-11tellsus:

WhereforeGodalsohathhighlyexaltedhim,andgivenhimanamewhichisaboveeveryname:ThatatthenameofJesuseverykneeshouldbow,ofthingsinheaven,andthingsinearth,andthingsundertheearth;AndthateverytongueshouldconfessthatJesusChristisLord,tothegloryofGodtheFather.

Thatnameanswersbothinheaven,ontheearth,andeverywhere.Thatmeansnoauthorityinheaven,orontheearthcanresistit.Peter’sprayerforthelamemanatthegateBeautiful,thoughverybrief,butbecauseitwaswrappedupinthenameofJesus,theresultwasinstant.

ThenPetersaid,SilverandgoldhaveInone;butsuchasIhavegiveIthee:InthenameofJesusChristofNazarethriseupandwalk.Andhetookhimbytherighthand,andliftedhimup:andimmediatelyhisfeetandanklebonesreceivedstrength.Acts3:6-7

NooppositionfacingyoucanwithstandthenameofJesus.Whenyouinvokethatname,youarenotonlyputtingademandontheanointing,butalsoontheintegrityofGod,andHeisboundtorespond.AtthementionofthenameofJesus,angelsariseinheaventocarryouttheordersthatthenamehasbeensenttoaccomplish(Heb.1:4,14).

Moreover,thenameofJesusisyourheritageinGod.Youhaveeveryrighttousethename,asJesus’Himselfcommandsus:

Hithertohaveyeaskednothinginmyname:ask,andyeshallreceive,thatyourjoymaybefull.John16:24

Sostopchantingthenameasthoughitcarriesnopower;itistheauthoritysealthatvalidatesyourrequestinheaven.Withtheproperuseofthatname,yourprayercannotreturntoyouunanswered.Godiscommittedtothename,asHeHimselfgaveittoJesus(Phil.2:9).

Chapter6:PrayerBoosters

Therearecertaincovenantforcesthatreinforceyourprayer.Theyarenotsupplementarytoprayer,butrathercomplementary.Theseboostersnotonlyenhancecommunicationinprayer,butalsoaidotheraspectsofspiritualgrowthandencounters.

Youneedreinforcementsinprayer,becausetherearecertainoppositionsthatwillnotanswertofaithandprayeralone.Suchoppositionsrequireyourbuildingupastrongerspiritualenergytodealwiththem.

Fasting

Afteremphasizingtheroleoffaithindealingwithoppositions,Jesusfurthersaidtohisdisciples:

Howbeitthiskindgoethnotoutbutbyprayerandfasting.Matthew17:21

Nomatterthekindofoppositionstandingagainstyou,itisnothigherthantheoneJesusisreferringtohere.Acombinationoffaith,prayerandfastingwillbringitintosubmission.

Unfortunately,therehavebeenmanyerroneousbeliefsaboutfasting.InmyearlyChristiandays,peopleusedtoequatefastingwithspirituality.Theyseeitasacompetitionamongthemselves,seizingeveryopportunitytoboastabouttheirfastingability.Jesusfastedforfortydaysandnevermadereferencetoitonce,buttheeffectwasevidentinHislifeandministry.Whenfastingisvoidoftangibleresults,itisamerewasteoftimeandefforts.

Thepurposeoffastingisforthereleaseofpower.ItisnottobegGodtoact,neitherisittoimpressHimorforceHimtograntyourrequest.Rather,itisaspiritualdevicethatempowersyouwiththeunctionneededtodealwiththeissuesfacingyou.InLuke4:14,afterJesushadfastedforfortydays,theBiblesays:

AndJesusreturnedinthepoweroftheSpiritintoGalilee:andtherewentoutafameofhimthroughalltheregionroundabout.

Whenweareinafast,wearenotbeggingorstrugglingwiththedeviltoleave;weareconnectingwithheaven,forthereleaseofpowertosendthedevilpackingfromourenvironment.Thatiswhyduringafast,youmusthaveperiodsofseparationtostudyandfellowshipwiththeWordofGod.

DuringHisfastinthewilderness,JesuswasengagedinWordwarfare.Inthreeinstances,Heresistedthedevilwith,“Itiswritten…”,untilHeeventuallysenthimpacking(Lk.4:1-13)

WithoutWordintake,fastingisdangerous.Itisnothingbutahungerstrikewhichhasclaimedthelivesofmanyintimespast.Fastingisnotatimeforoutwardshowofpiety.Jesussaid:

Moreoverwhenyefast,benot,asthehypocrites,ofasadcountenance:fortheydisfiguretheirfaces,thattheymayappearuntomentofast.VerilyIsayuntoyou,Theyhavetheirreward.Butthou,whenthoufastest,anointthinehead,andwashthyface;Thatthouappearnotuntomentofast,butuntothyFatherwhichisinsecret:andthyFather,whichseethinsecret,shallrewardtheeopenly.Matthew6:16-18

Afastismeantforthebuildingupofyourspirit-man,sothatyoucanobtainthedesiredresultsinthephysical.WhenJesussaidtoHisdisciples,“Thiskindgoethnotoutbutbyprayerandfasting,”Hemeanttosay,“Youneedahigherlevelofunctiontodealwiththiscasethanyouhavenow.”

So,whenyouarefacedwithanoppositionthatseemsnottobeyieldingtofaithandprayer,organizeafast,tohelpgenerateafreshsupplyofpowertodealwithit.Whathappenswhenyoufastisthatyourspiritualperceptionisincreased,sothatyouareabletoreceivedirectinstructionsandstrategiesonhowtodealwithsituations.

Fasting,thereforeisnotareligiousexercise,oroneofthosethingswedoinChristianity;itisavitalkingdomforcewhichempowersthebelievertoloosethebandsofwickedness,undoheavyburdensandbreakeveryyoke.

IsnotthisthefastthatIhavechosen?toloosethebandsofwickedness,toundotheheavyburdens,andtolettheoppressedgofree,andthatyebreakeveryyoke?Isitnottodealthybreadtothehungry,andthatthoubringthepoorthatarecastouttothyhouse?Whenthouseestthenaked,thatthoucoverhim;andthatthouhidenotthyselffromthineownflesh?Thenshallthylightbreakforthasthemorning,andthinehealthshallspringforthspeedily:andthyrighteousnessshallgobeforethee;thegloryoftheLordshallbethyrereward.Isaiah58:6-8

TheGod-ordainedfastisonethatisdoneoutofadelightforGod,notincontention,bitternessorstrife.Amongotherthings,fastingguaranteesbreakthroughs—“Thylightshallbreakforthasthemorning.”Italsodeliversoutstandingaccomplishments,abreakingforthinyourhealth,spiritualbreakthroughsandanswerstoprayers.

Thenshaltthoucall,andtheLordshallanswer;thoushaltcry,andheshallsay,HereIam.Ifthoutakeawayfromthemidstoftheetheyoke,theputtingforthofthefinger,andspeakingvanity.Isaiah58:9

Theseshouldbetheoutcomeoffasting,notlossofweight,orfamishedhaggardlooks.

PrayingInTheSpirit

Prayinginthespiritisanotherwayofreinforcingyourprayer.InMark14,beforeHiscrucifixion,JesustookHisdisciplesuptoagardentopray.Heleftthemandwentalittlefarthertopray.WhenHecameback,Hefoundthemsleepingandsaidtothem:

Watchyeandpray,lestyeenterintotemptation.Thespirittrulyisready,butthefleshisweak.Mark14:38

Theforcesagainstusarespiritual,sowehavetoconfrontthemfromthespiritrealm,asthefleshhasn’tenoughforcetohandlethem.ThatiswhyJesuspromisedustheHolySpirit,ourComforterandHelper,tohelpustranscendthephysicalrealmintotheheavenly.

UntilyouareabletoengagethehelpoftheHolySpiritinprayer,youmayneverexperiencetruebreakthroughinyourChristianlife.

LikewisetheSpiritalsohelpethourinfirmities:forweknownotwhatweshouldprayforasweought:buttheSpirititselfmakethintercessionforuswithgroaningswhichcannotbeuttered.AndhethatsearcheththeheartsknowethwhatisthemindoftheSpirit,becausehemakethintercessionforthesaintsaccordingtothewillofGod.Romans8:26-27

Thereareforcesbeyondthenatural,whichareouttoteardownyourdestiny;you,therefore,needtoengagespiritualforcestoundothem.Prayinginthespiritisthemosteffectivewayofsubduingsuchforces.ThatiswhyApostlePaulsaid:

Forwewrestlenotagainstfleshandblood,butagainstprincipalities,againstpowers,againsttherulersofthedarknessofthisworld,againstspiritualwickednessinhighplaces.WhereforetakeuntoyouthewholearmourofGod,thatyemaybeabletowithstandintheevilday,andhavingdoneall,tostand.PrayingalwayswithallprayerandsupplicationintheSpirit…Ephesians6:12-13,18

Sincetheseforcesofoppositionoperatefromthespiritrealm,whichmosttimesarebeyondourhumancomprehension,Godhasalsogivenusaweaponthatgrantsusaccesstothethroneroomofheaven,whichtheyalsodonotunderstand.

Forhethatspeakethinanunknowntonguespeakethnotuntomen,butuntoGod:fornomanunderstandethhim;howbeitinthespirithespeakethmysteries.1Corinthians14:2

WhenyouprayintheSpirit,noone,includingthedevil,knowswhatyouaresaying,asyouarespeakingtoGodaloneinmysteries.

WhenyouengagetheSpiritinprayer,Hetakesyouintoheaven’sfrequency,enablingyoutopraywithprecisiontheexpresswillofGodforthatsituation(1Cor.2:11).TheHolySpiritHimselfintercedesonyourbehalf.Hepicksupwhatisinyourheart,presentsittoGodandinturndeliverstheanswerfromGodtoyou.

…FortheSpiritsearchethallthings,yea,thedeepthingsofGod.Forwhatmanknoweththethingsofaman,savethespiritofmanwhichisinhim?evensothethingsofGodknowethnoman,buttheSpiritofGod.1Corinthians2:10-11

…Whentheenemyshallcomeinlikeaflood,theSpiritoftheLordshallliftupastandardagainsthim.Isaiah59:19

Iftheenemyiscomingagainstyoulikeaflood,youcan’texpecttoresisthimasastream.Butwhenyouswitchovertothespirit,theHolySpirithelpsyoutoraiseastandardagainsttheenemy.WhathappenswhenyouswitchovertotheSpiritisthatyouarereleasingtheriversoflivingwaterthatflowsinyouasaSpirit-filledbeliever.

Hethatbelievethonme,asthescripturehathsaid,outofhisbellyshallflowriversoflivingwater.(ButthisspakeheoftheSpirit,whichtheythatbelieveonhimshouldreceive:fortheHolyGhostwasnotyetgiven;becausethatJesuswasnotyetglorified.)John7:38-39

YourmouthistheoutletfortheriversofGodwithinyou.So,whenyouburstoutintongues,youarereleasingthatriver,whichisabletoswallowupeveryfloodoftheenemyanddeliveryououtofeverypredicament.

Whenyourspiritprays,youareprayingthewillofGod.So,youcanbeconfidentthatyourprayersareheard,andwhenGodhears,thevictoryissure(1Jn.5:14-15).

…WithmyspiritwithinmewillIseektheeearly…Isaiah26:9GodisaSpirit:andtheythatworshiphimmustworshiphiminspiritandintruth.John4:24

Effectualcommunicationistheonedoneinthespirit,asGodisaSpirit.Prayinginthespiritisaspirit-to-Spiritcommunication,andthusisyour

surestwayofconnectingheavenforearthlyinterventions.

WecanthereforeapproachthethroneroomofGodboldly,communicatinginourheavenlylanguagethatguaranteesvictoryinprayer.Thisprayerboosterisforthebenefitofeverybeliever.

Butye,beloved,buildingupyourselvesonyourmostholyfaith,prayingintheHolyGhost.Jude20

PrayinginthespiritisaGod-ordainedprogrammeforyourspiritualbuild-up.RememberRomans8:26saysthattheHolySpirithelpsourinfirmitiesinprayer.Thereisalimittowhichyourphysicalstrengthcantakeyouinprayer.Thatiswhymanyfailinprayer.Amanstartstoprayandinlessthanfiveminuteshedozesoff.Bythetimeheopenshiseyesonehourhaspassed.Thenhesays,“InJesus’name”,andthat’sitfortheday.

It’stimetoleanonthehelpoftheSpirit,tokindleanunquenchablefireonyourprayeraltar.CallonHimtohelpyou.“SpiritofGod,HelperoftheChurch,helpme!Putanewfireonmyprayeraltar.Helpmetomaintainawinningsprayerlife.”

UntilyourealizeyourhelplessnesswithouttheHolySpirit,youmaydieinstruggles.ButwhenyouleanontheSpirit,youkeeponleapingthroughlife.

Therearetimeswhenyouprayandyouknowyourprayerisnotgoingbeyondtheceiling.Itisasiftheheavenislockedupandyoucan’tgetthrough.SwitchovertotheSpirit.LetHimclearthewayandcreateathoroughfaretoheavenforyou,soyoucanenjoysweetcommunionwithyourheavenlyFather.

TheHolySpiritnotonlyboostsyouraccessincommunication,butalsohelpsyouovercomeeveryprayerweakness,inordertosustainthefireofGod

onyourprayeraltar.

PersonalTestimonies

GodcommandsthatweputHiminremembrance:

Putmeinremembrance:letuspleadtogether:declarethou,thatthoumayestbejustified.Isaiah43:26

Thewaytodothisisthroughtestimonies.Testimoniesareweaponsinthehandsofthebeliever(Rev.12:11)WhenyouremindGodofHisactsinthelivesofotherpeople,Hedoesn’tdenyHimself.AndsinceHeisnotarespecterofpersons,HeiscommittedtodoforyouwhatHehasdoneforothers,ifyouputHiminremembrance.WhenyouhaveapersonaltestimonyofsanctityinyourwalkwithGod,youcommitHimthemore.ItislikeputtingHiminacornerHecannotcomeoutfrom.Hecannotbutansweryou.

Hezekiah’sprayerisaverygoodexampleofthis.

InthosedayswasHezekiahsickuntodeath.AndIsaiahtheprophetthesonofAmozcameuntohim,andsaiduntohim,ThussaiththeLord,Setthinehouseinorder:forthoushaltdie,andnotlive.ThenHezekiahturnedhisfacetowardthewall,andprayeduntotheLord,Andsaid,Remembernow,OLord,Ibeseechthee,howIhavewalkedbeforetheeintruthandwithaperfectheart,andhavedonethatwhichisgoodinthysight.AndHezekiahweptsore.ThencamethewordoftheLordtoIsaiah,saying,Go,andsaytoHezekiah,ThussaiththeLord,theGodofDavidthyfather,Ihaveheardthyprayer,Ihaveseenthytears:behold,Iwilladduntothydaysfifteenyears.Isaiah38:1-5

Hezekiahwouldhavediedcheaply,wereitnotforhispersonaltestimony.Hehadatestimony,sohedidn’targuewithIsaiah,butratherfacedthewall

andcriedouttoGod.“Lord,isdeaththerewardforservingYouwithaperfectheart?”GodistheJudgeofthewholeearth,andarighteousOneatthat.HemusthavegonethroughHezekiah’srecordsandfoundthathewasright,soHesentIsaiahbackwithananswerforHezekiah.

Withjustafewsecondsofeffectualcommunicationonthepersonaltestimonyline,Hezekiahsecuredheaven’sexpressinterventioninhiscase.Yourpersonaltestimonywillalwaysdeliveryouinthedayoftrial.

Whenyouhaveapersonaltestimony,itemboldensyouandsetsyoursoulaflameforeffectualcommunicationinprayers.

IreadthestoryofacottonfarmerinAmerica.Hehadacottonfieldandwhentheseasonforharvestcame,thecottonbudsrefusedtoopenup.Ifthatseasonpassedwithoutthemopening,thewholefieldwouldbewasted.Worriedoverthis,thefarmerwenttoamanofGod,KennethCopeland,whowasinthatareaatthattime.

KennethCopelandaskedthemanifhepayshistithes.Thefarmersaid,“Yes”.Copelandthenaskedforthefarmer’schequebookwithwhichhehadbeenpayinghistithe.TheybothwentouttothefarmandCopelandliftedupthechequebookandsaid,“Lord,remembernow,thatthisisatitherandthedevourerhasnoholdontithers.Hearnowandanswer.”Ongettingbacktohisfieldthefollowingday,thefarmersawthatallthecottonbudshadopened!

Whymustyoubeatitherandthedevilisdestroyingyourlifewithtrials?Whymustyoubeaninvestorinthekingdomandremainabeggarintheworld?IfyouaregenuinelyservingGod,thentellHim!GetonthetestimonylineandGodwillhavenochoicebuttorespond.

Whendeathwantedtostealmydaughteraway,thisistheprayerIprayed:“Lord,YouknowthatwhatYoutoldmetodoiswhatIamdoing;andYouknowthathowYoucommandedmetodoitishowIamdoingit.ThatiswhyIknowthisisnocase.ThankYou,Lord.”Afterthisshortprayer,mydaughterwasrestoredbacktolifewithfullvigour!

YourpersonaltestimoniesbeforeGodareasstrongastheWordsofScripture.Youdon’thavetobebarrenwhenyouservetheLord,becausetheBiblesays:

AndyeshallservetheLordyourGod,andheshallblessthybread,andthywater;andIwilltakesicknessawayfromthemidstofthee.Thereshallnothingcasttheiryoung,norbebarren,inthyland:thenumberofthydaysIwillfulfil.Exodus23:25-26

GodiscommittedtoblessingthosewhoserveHim.Soutilizeyourtestimonyline.RemindHimofhowyouhaveservedHimwithallyourheartandwatchoutforthereleaseofyourheritageinGod.Ifyouareatitherandakingdominvestor,youaredestinedtoflourish.Theeconomyofyourcountryandthevalueofthecurrencynotwithstanding,Godiscommittedtoblessingyou.Ifyouarefaithfulenoughtoserve,GodwhoabidesfaithfulandcannotdenyHimselfwillsurelyrespondwhenyouapproachHimwithyourtestimony.

ItisagreatthingtobeabletosaybeforetheLord,“Lord,YouknowhowIwalkbeforeYouwithatrueandperfectheart.”Thisiswhyyoumustmaintainsanctityatallcost,sothatitcangiveyouatestimonyinthedayoftrial.YourpersonaltestimonyofdedicationandcommitmenttoserviceinGod’skingdomwillserveasastrongholdforyouinthedayoftrouble.

WithoutapersonaltestimonybeforeGod,youdon’thaveafutureofliberty;butwithityoucanalwaysconnectheavenandsecureautomatictriumphinprayer.Thepersonaltestimonyprayerlineisamiracleline,whichissuretodelivertoyou,aslongasyouserveGod,forHehasnotaskedtheseedofJacobtoseekHiminvain.

…Butgodlinessisprofitableuntoallthings,havingpromiseofthe

lifethatnowis,andofthatwhichistocome.1Timothy4:8

Chapter7:PrayingWithoutUtterance

Anditshallcometopass,thatbeforetheycall,Iwillanswer;andwhiletheyareyetspeaking,Iwillhear.Isaiah65:24

Oneday,Iwasdrivingonthehighwayinmybettlecarandnoticedthatbecausethecar’senginewasbehind,wheneverIcameface-to-facewithabigvehicle,mycarwouldbesoshaken,itwouldseemasthoughitwasgoingtobreakintopieces.Ithenthoughtwithinmethatitwouldbenicetohaveaheaviercar,becauseofmylongjourneys.Andlo,IgothomethatdaytomeetaPeugeot504carwaitingforme!

ThisledmetoaskGod,“Won’tYouevenwaitformetocallbeforeYouanswer?”Hisreplywas,“No.Thereisacompanyofpeoplewho,beforetheycall,Ianswer,andwhiletheyareyetspeaking,Iamonthelinetoperform.”Youcanprovokeheavenlyresponsewithoututterance.Youcansecuredivineinterventionswithoutcrying.

WhatIamabouttosharewithyouinthischapterdoesnotcancelortaketheplaceofspeakingandmakingutterancesinprayer;itisonlyanextradepthincommunicatingwithGod.Itisknowinghowtopositionyourselfintherealmofanswerswithouttears.ArealmwhereGodcontendswithallthatcontendwithyou,withoutyouhavingtoaskHim.Arealmwhereyoucanreachheavenandreceivefromheavenwithoutshouting.Arealmwhereyoucompelthingstohappenontheirownaccord.

So,winningtheprayerwarisnotonlyafunctionofintercessions,supplicationsandprayersofagreement;thereareotherdirectavenuestoGodthatbringyouvictorywithoutsweat.IcallitoperatingGod’sprivatelines—thesilentprayerfrequency.

However,notallbelieversbelonginthisrealm.Therearethingsthebelieverdoesthatgranthimaccessintothisrealm.

Obedience

(Fortheweaponsofourwarfarearenotcarnal,butmightythroughGodtothepullingdownofstrongholds;)Castingdownimaginations,andeveryhighthingthatexaltethitselfagainsttheknowledgeofGod,andbringingintocaptivityeverythoughttotheobedienceofChrist;Andhavinginareadinesstorevengealldisobedience,whenyourobedienceisfulfilled.2Corinthians10:4-6

Obedienceisoneofthethingsthatlaunchesthebelieverintotherealmofprayingwithoututterance.Youcanbringdownimaginations,destroystrongholdsandavengeeverydisobedience,justbyyourownobediencetotheinstructionsofGod.

IfyoudowhateverHetellsyoutodo,thedevilcannotundoyou(1Pet.3:13).Youcanliveahurt-freelifethroughobedience,becauseitrendersyourenemieshelplessandendearsyoutoGodfordivinefavours.

Ourministryisblessedfinancially,andyetwehaveneverprayedtoGodtosendusmoney.Whereisthemoneycomingfrom?Fromobedience!WesowwhereverGoddirectsusto,that’swhythingsjustkeephappeningforusfinanciallywithoutanystruggles.

AcheapwaytodisarmthedevilisthroughobediencetoScriptures.AtthemarriageinCanaofGalilee,whentheyranoutofwine,aftertellingJesusaboutit,Marysaidtothepeople,“Whatsoeverhesaithuntoyou,doit.”(Jn.2:1-9).Obedienceturnedtheirlackandimpendingshameintoplentyandglory.

Doyouwantahappyandpeacefulhome?TheBiblesays:

Wives,submityourselvesuntoyourownhusbands,asuntotheLord.Forthehusbandistheheadofthewife,evenasChrististheheadofthechurch:andheisthesaviourofthebody.ThereforeasthechurchissubjectuntoChrist,soletthewivesbetotheirownhusbandsineverything.Husbands,loveyourwives,evenasChristalsolovedthechurch,andgavehimselfforit;Ephesians5:22-25

Justobeythisinstructionandyouwillneverneedtoprayforpeaceinyourhome.Once,IwastryingtoreasonthingsoutandIsaidtoGod,“Lord,IcanseeYourfingerinmylifeinaverystrongway,butIhavenotcriedforitthewayothersdo.’Hesaid,“Iamcommittedtoyou,Myson,becauseyouarecommittedtoMe.”

OnSeptember4,1987,theLordspoketomefromthebookofHebrews,ontheimportanceofprophet’s-offering.Ineverhearditfromanywherebefore,butfromthattimeon,IhavebeenobedienttothatWord.

Iwasn’tworth50,000nairawhenHetoldme,butnow,Igiveofferingstootherprophetsinmillions;andthatisapartfrommykingdominvestments.

ItisnotthatGodlovessomepeoplemorethanothers.ItissimplythatsomehaveplacedthemselveswheretheynaturallycompelGod’slove.ThereisaplaceinGodwhereallotherthingsareaddedtoyouwithoutyouaskingforthem.

Anditshallcometopass,ifthoushalthearkendiligentlyuntothevoiceoftheLordthyGod,toobserveandtodoallhiscommandmentswhichIcommandtheethisday,thattheLordthyGodwillsettheeonhighaboveallnationsoftheearth:Andalltheseblessingsshallcomeonthee,andovertakethee,ifthoushalthearkenuntothevoiceoftheLordthyGod.Deuteronomy28:1-2

Ihavebeenonthatfrequencyforsomanyyearsandithasneverfailedme.

TheLordspoketoonemaninourchurch,tochangethecarpetonthealtar.Hetookpermissionfromthepastoranddidit.Afewdayslater,hestumbledintoatwomillionnairadeal!Hedidn’tneedtoprayforthatbreakthrough,itcameasaresultofhisobediencetothevoiceoftheLord.

Ifyoudon’tobeythegeneralrulesofChristianity,howwillyoueverenjoytheblessingsofGodwithoutasking?Strengthenyourstandontheobediencelineandyouwillsendthedevilparkingwithouttears.

Valueisafunctionofcost.IfChristianitydoesnotcostyouanything,itwilldelivernovaluetoyou.Obedienceisthepricefordivinevalue.GodkeepsonenhancingyourvalueinthekingdomasyoubuildupyourobediencetoHim.Whenyourobedienceinanyareaisfulfilled,youwillnaturallyandautomaticallyavengealldisobedience,andenjoyrestinthatarea.

WhenGodtoldAbrahamtoleavehisnativelandandmovetoaplaceHewouldshowhim,theBiblesays,“SoAbramdeparted”(Gen.12:4).Asaresultofhisobedience,Godbecamecommittedtohimandsaidtohim:

AndIwillmakeoftheeagreatnation,andIwillblessthee,andmakethynamegreat;andthoushaltbeablessing:AndIwillblessthemthatblessthee,andcursehimthatcurseththee:andintheeshallallfamiliesoftheearthbeblessed.Genesis12:2-3

WhenAbimelechtookAbraham’swife,Godplaguedhimandhis

householdandevenmadehimtoknowthatHe(God)waspunishinghimforAbraham’ssake.AbrahamneverprayedtoGodaboutit.HisobediencewasspeakingforHim.

InGenesis13:2,wearetold:

AndAbramwasveryrichincattle,insilver,andingold.

Hebecamethisthroughobedience.Godhassaid:

Bringyeallthetithesintothestorehouse,thattheremaybemeatinminehouse,andprovemenowherewith,saiththeLordofhosts,ifIwillnotopenyouthewindowsofheaven,andpouryououtablessing,thatthereshallnotberoomenoughtoreceiveit.AndIwillrebukethedevourerforyoursakes,andheshallnotdestroythefruitsofyourground;neithershallyourvinecastherfruitbeforethetimeinthefield,saiththeLordofhosts.Malachi3:10-11

InsteadofprovingGodbypayingtheirtithes,manyareprayingtoHimforfinancesevenintheirdisobedience.Itdoesn’tanswertoprayer.DowhatHehascommanded.ProveHimandseeifHewon’tfulfillHispart.TheBiblesays:

Neithermurmurye,assomeofthemalsomurmured,andweredestroyedofthedestroyer.1Corinthians10:10

Andthereyouare,murmuringandprayingatthesametime.Ofcourse,themurmuringcancelsouttheeffectoftheprayer,becausenoScripturehaspowertonullifytheother.

WhenGodtoldAbrahamtosacrificehisonlyson,Isaac,onmountMoriah,Abrahamdidn’tsayawordofprayer.Hewentstraighttothemountain,builtanaltar,laidtheboyonitandwasabouttodoashehadbeencommandedwhenGodcalledtohimfromheaven.HisobedienceearnedhimastrongercommitmentandaffectionfromGod.GodsworetoAbraham:

Andsaid,BymyselfhaveIsworn,saiththeLord,forbecausethouhastdonethisthing,andhastnotwithheldthyson,thineonlyson:ThatinblessingIwillblessthee,andinmultiplyingIwillmultiplythyseedasthestarsoftheheaven,andasthesandwhichisupontheseashore;andthyseedshallpossessthegateofhisenemies;Andinthyseedshallallthenationsoftheearthbeblessed;becausethouhastobeyedmyvoice.Genesis22:16-18

Justoperatetheobedienceline,itwillearnyoumuchmorethanyoucaneveraskforinprayer.Deuteronomy28:1-14cataloguestheblessingsreservedforthosewhoobeyGod,whereasverses15-68tellsusthecursesandcalamitiesthatfollowdisobedience.Thecursesarequiteterrible.

In1Samuel15,GodsentSaultodestroytheAmalekitesforwhattheydidtothechildrenofIsraelwhentheyjourneyedfromEgypttoCanaan.Saulwasinstructedtodestroyeverythingandeverybody,buthedecidedtosparethekingofthelandandsomecattle,foraflimsyreligiousreason.

Butthepeopletookofthespoil,sheepandoxen,thechiefofthethingswhichshouldhavebeenutterlydestroyed,tosacrificeuntotheLordthyGodinGilgal.AndSamuelsaid,HaththeLordasgreatdelightinburntofferingsandsacrifices,asinobeyingthevoiceoftheLord?Behold,toobeyisbetterthansacrifice,andtohearkenthanthefatoframs.

Forrebellionisasthesinofwitchcraft,andstubbornnessisasiniquityandidolatry.BecausethouhastrejectedthewordoftheLord,hehathalsorejectedtheefrombeingking.1Samuel15:21-23

Goddelightsmoreinyourobediencethaninyoursacrifices.Obedienceissupreme!DisobedienceangersGodandmovesHimtorejectpeople;andwhosoeverisrejectedofGodbecomesaneasypreyofthedevil.

Ifyebewillingandobedient,yeshalleatthegoodoftheland:Isaiah1:19

Thegoodofthelandisavailabletoall,butaccesstoitisforonlytheobedient.So,takeadvantageofthissilentprayerline,whichcommitsGodtoansweryou,evenbeforeyoucall.Andverysoon,peoplewillbegintoaskyou,“Doyoueverhaveproblems?”becauseyouwillliveasthoughthedevildidn’texist.All,becauseofthedivinecoveringobediencecommands.

Imagination

Nowuntohimthatisabletodoexceedingabundantlyaboveallthatweaskorthink,accordingtothepowerthatworkethinus,’Ephesians3:20

GodrespondstoyourthoughtsasmuchasHedoestoyourspeech.ThatmeansyourwordsandthoughtsweighthesameinHissight.ThatiswhyyoufindmanyplacesinScripturewhereJesusrespondedtothethoughtsofsomepeople.

And,behold,certainofthescribessaidwithinthemselves,Thismanblasphemeth.AndJesusknowingtheirthoughtssaid,Whereforethinkyeevilinyourhearts?Matthew9:3-4

Yourmindisthebattlegroundineveryconflictoflife;anduntilyouwininthemind,youdon’twinintheworld.Manysupposedprayerwarriorsdieweary,becauseoftheirnegativethoughtsandimaginations.Forasamanthinksinhisheart,soishe(Prov.23:7).

Imaginationisapowerfulsilentprayerlinetoheaven.Youcandrawanythingwithyourthoughts,justasyouwouldwithyourwords.Youcan’tcarryanegativeimaginationandhavesuccessfulinterventioninprayer.Whenyourimaginationisnegative,yoursupplicationisfrustrated,becausenothinggoesthrough.

Ican’timaginemesick,becauseIneversawJesussick.ThatiswhyIamnotsick,andIdon’tneedtopraytoremainhealthy.IimaginethatIamhealthy,justasJesuswaswhenHewasontheearth!Ineverimaginedourministrybeg,evenbeforeitsinception.That’swhywearenotbeggingtoday.

Imaginationisaverypowerfulforceofprayer,particularlywhenitisScripturallyformedandmotivated.TheBiblesays:

Keepthyheartwithalldiligence;foroutofitaretheissuesoflife.Proverbs4:23

Whatgoesoninyourmindcontrolstheissuesofyourlife.Youcanprovokedivineinterventionwithyourimaginations.Thewomanwiththeissueofbloodonlysaidinherheart,“IfImaybuttouchHisgarment,Ishallbemadewhole.”Shedidandwasmadewhole(Matt.9:20-22).Fromwithinherheartshedrewvirtuewithoututterance.

ShemusthaveheardofhowJesusraisedtheonlysonofawidowfromthedeadbymerelytouchingthecoffininwhichhelaid,andhowhethatwasdeadsatupandJesusdeliveredhimtohismother(Lk.7:11-15).ShemusthavethenconcludedinherheartthatsinceJesushadenoughpowertoraisethedead,andshewasstillliving,allsheneededtodotobehealedwastotouchthehelmofHisgarment.ThatisformingScripturalequationsinyourmind,toachieveyourdesiredend.

InGenesis11,thepeoplehadimaginedandhadbeguntobuildatower,whosetopwouldreachheavenandGodsaid:

…Behold,thepeopleisone,andtheyhaveallonelanguage;andthistheybegintodo:andnownothingwillberestrainedfromthem,whichtheyhaveimaginedtodo.Genesis11:6

Godwassayinghere,“EvenIcannotstopwhatthesepeoplehaveimaginedtodo.”Hehadtoscattertheminordertostoptheirimagination.

Youcanengagethepowerofyourimaginationforpersonal

manifestations.Imaginethis,theBiblesays:

Thoushaltbeblessedaboveallpeople:thereshallnotbemaleorfemalebarrenamongyou,oramongyourcattle.Deuteronomy7:14

ItmeansthatuntilyouareblessedasachildofGod,allthepeoplewhodon’tknowGodshouldn’tseeblessing.Sowhenyouseesinnersandanimalsreproducing,youshouldneverimagineyourselfchildlessordestitute,becauseblessingsandfruitfulnessareprimarilyforGod’schildren.Healingisbreadforthechildrenofthekingdom(Matt.15:22-27).Sincewhatdropsfromthetableiswhatsinnerstaketokeephealthy,noneofthemshouldbehealthyonthestreet,whileyouliedownsickinbed.Whymustyou,whohasdirectaccesstothetable,besickandthesinnerishealthy?

Youcanusetheforceofimaginationtogetoutofthatdestructivedisease.Askyourself,“CananysicknessholdJesusdownlikethis?”Theanswerisno!AndJesusisinyoubyHisSpirit!YoucanwinanybattlebyfocusingyourthoughtsonyourScripturallybaseddesires.

Ifyouwanttobeasuccessfulthinker,thereisaneedtoseparateyourselffromthenoiseandrowofactivities,andcreatequietnessaroundyou.

It’stimetoworkonyourimagination,soyoucanbefreefromallfrustrations.Yourimaginationisapace-setterforyourdestiny;itdetermineshowfaryougoinlife.Thatmeansyoumustputabridleonyourmind,soitdoesn’tleadyoutodestruction.

MeditateonScriptures.ProgramyourmindtothinkinlinewiththeWord.

Finally,brethren,whatsoeverthingsaretrue,whatsoeverthingsarehonest,whatsoeverthingsarejust,whatsoeverthingsarepure,whatsoeverthingsarelovely,whatsoeverthingsareofgoodreport;iftherebeanyvirtue,andiftherebeanypraise,thinkonthese

things.Philippians4:8

InMark11:23,Jesussaid:

ForverilyIsayuntoyou,Thatwhosoevershallsayuntothismountain,Bethouremoved,andbethoucastintothesea;andshallnotdoubtinhisheart,butshallbelievethatthosethingswhichhesaithshallcometopass;heshallhavewhatsoeverhesaith.

So,theeffectofwhatyousaywithyourmouthisdeterminedbywhatgoesoninyourheart.Whenyoudoubtinyourheart,whatyouhavesaidwithyourmouthisrenderedineffective.Youcancryfromnowtilleternity,ifyourimaginationdoesnotfallinlinewithwhatyouaresaying,itwillnotproduceresults.ThePsalmistsaid:

Letthewordsofmymouth,andthemeditationofmyheart,beacceptableinthysight,OLord,mystrength,andmyredeemer.Psalm19:14

GodiscommittedtoyourthoughtsasHeistoyourwords,sobecarefulwhatyouthink!Hewilldowhateveryouthink,negativeorpositive.

Affection

AffectionisanotheravenueofreachingGodwithoutspeakingaword.SomebodycametoJesusandaskedHim:

Master,whichisthegreatcommandmentinthelaw?Jesussaiduntohim,ThoushaltlovetheLordthyGodwithallthyheart,andwithallthysoul,andwithallthymind.Thisisthefirstandgreatcommandment.Andthesecondislikeuntoit,Thoushaltlovethyneighbourasthyself.Onthesetwocommandmentshangallthelawandtheprophets.Matthew22:36-40

Withoutlovenothingworks.EverylawinScripturesproducesforyouonthebasisoflove.ThelovelineprovidesyouaprivateandunhinderedaccesstoGod,becausewhenyoudrawneartoHim,Hedrawsneartoyou.WhenyouareinlovewithHim,Heisinlovewithyou.HerespondstolovethesamewayHerespondstooursupplicationsandintercessions.

WhenGodisinlovewithyou,thebestHehasismadeavailabletoyou,evenifitistheonlyoneHehas.RememberHegaveHisonlybegottensonbecauseHesolovedtheworld(Jn.3:16).

WhenyouwintheloveofGod,yourtearsstop,becausebeforeyoucall,Hewillanswer,andwhileyouareyetspeaking,Hewillperform.TheBiblesays:

Butasitiswritten,Eyehathnotseen,norearheard,neitherhaveenteredintotheheartofman,thethingswhichGodhathpreparedforthemthatlovehim.ButGodhathrevealedthemuntousbyhisSpirit:fortheSpiritsearchethallthings,yea,thedeepthingsofGod.

1Corinthians2:9-10

EveryspecialfavouranswerstoyourloveforGod.Thatmeans,Hewon’twaitforyoutocryforanythingbeforeHereleasesittoyou.Mywife,forinstance,hasneverneededtoaskmeforanything.IsimplydothingsIknowwillmakeherhappy,becauseshelovesmeandI’minlovewithher.ShewokeuponeChristmasmorningtofindthatshehadanewcar.Shedidn’thavetoprayforit.Iblessedherwithitbecauseofmyloveforher.

Likewise,loveconnectsyoutosupernaturalinterventionswithoutyourhavingtocryandwail.IhaveneverprayedaprivateprayerinwhichIaskedGodtoblessme.I’mcommittedtoHim,soHe’snaturallycommittedtomealso.Sinceyoudon’twaitforsomeoneyoulovetocrybeforeyougivehimwhatheneeds,HeneverwaitsformetoaskforathingbeforeHegivesme.

OnSeptember12,1976,IenteredintoalovedealwithGod.Isaid,“Lord,allIhaveisyoursandshouldYouaskmetoforsakeallthatIhave,Iwillneithergrumblenorcomplain.”HerespondstomyloveforHimbyspeedilygrantingeventhemerewishinmyheart.

ItisgoodtosingpraisesandrendereverykindofservicetoGod,butuntilitisdoneoutofgenuineloveforHim,itdoesnotregisterinheaven.WewinGod’slovebylovingHim,andweexpressourloveforHimbykeepingHiscommandments.

Hethathathmycommandments,andkeepeththem,heitisthatlovethme:andhethatlovethmeshallbelovedofmyFather,andIwilllovehim,andwillmanifestmyselftohim.John14:21

Weareinaloverace.Themoreyoulove,themoreyouwin;thelessyoulove,thelessyouwin.

Loveisalsodemonstratedbygiving.Givingisaproofoflove,butitisnotloveinitself.Youcangivewithoutloving,butyoucan’tlovewithoutgiving.

AndSolomonlovedtheLord,walkinginthestatutesofDavidhisfather:onlyhesacrificedandburntincenseinhighplaces.AndthekingwenttoGibeontosacrificethere;forthatwasthegreathighplace:athousandburntofferingsdidSolomonofferuponthataltar.InGibeontheLordappearedtoSolomoninadreambynight:andGodsaid,AskwhatIshallgivethee.1Kings3:3-5

SolomonlovedGod,sohesacrificedathousandofferings,toexpresshislove.Solomondidn’tgotheretoaskGodforanything;hejustwenttoexpresshislove.ButGodsaidtohim,“AskwhatIshallgivethee.”

WhenyouwinHislove,Hewillpersonallykeepcalculatingandworkingoutthingsforyourgood(Rom.8:28).Hewon’twaitforyoutocrytoHimforanything.ThedepthofyourloveforGoddeterminesyourultimateheightinthekingdom.WhentheloveofGodisenthronedinyourheart,Heseestoyourenthronementontheearth.

OnegreatsecretofmylifeisthatIjustloveGod.I’mdrivenbyHim.HeridesonmybackandIenjoyit.EverythingaboutHimmovesme.Manyyearsago,wewereatameetingwhereaneedwasannouncedforanon-goingprojectinchurch.Ihad700naira,withwhichIhadwantedtobuyamotor-bike,somylegscouldbedeliveredfromlongtrekking.Whenthatannouncementwasmade,IknewthatmustbethereasonGodgavemethatmoney.SoIgaveitasseed.

Now,Iwillneverneedtobuyamotor-bikeanymore.Infact,GodhasblessedmetothepointthatIwillneverrequiremorethan1percentofmy

financialincometosatisfymyneeds.I’msoldouttoGodandHekeepsmanifestingHimselftome.Youcan’tgiveGodfirstplaceinyourlifeandHegiveyouthelastplace.

Godunderstandsthelovelanguage.LoveHimandeverythingaroundyouwillnaturallywork.Whenyouareinlove,youenjoyonenesswithGodandifGodbeforyou,whocanbeagainstyou?

Actions

Talknomoresoexceedingproudly;letnotarrogancecomeoutofyourmouth:fortheLordisaGodofknowledge,andbyhimactionsareweighed.1Samuel2:3

YouractionscanreachGod,justasyourwords.YourdispositionscanmoveHim,justasyourutterances.

GodsentElijahtheprophettotellkingAhabthathewouldbepunishedforallhisevilwaysandthatgreatcalamitieswouldcomeuponhishousehold.Butseewhathappenednext:

Anditcametopass,whenAhabheardthosewords,thatherenthisclothes,andputsackclothuponhisflesh,andfasted,andlayinsackcloth,andwentsoftly.AndthewordoftheLordcametoElijahtheTishbite,saying,SeestthouhowAhabhumblethhimselfbeforeme?becausehehumblethhimselfbeforeme,Iwillnotbringtheevilinhisdays:butinhisson’sdayswillIbringtheeviluponhishouse.1Kings21:27-29

Ahabdidn’tutteraword,butherepentedbeforeGodandGodsawitinhisactions,whichinturnprovokeddivineintervention.WhenyouractionsaremotivatedbytheWordofGod,itgoesalongerwaythanwordsofprayer.

Oneday,mywifetoldmeshehadhadamiscarriage.Myreplywas,“Itcan’thappen!CanIhavemyfoodplease?”Thatwastheendofthatdiscussion.Therewasnoprayer,confessionorfurtherenquiriesonthematter.IsimplyactedtheWord,whichsays:

AndyeshallservetheLordyourGod…Thereshallnothingcasttheiryoung,norbebarren,inthyland:thenumberofthydaysIwillfulfil.Exodus23:25-26

Thatchildwasbornhaleandhearty.Infact,hewonaprizeatbirthforhissize.Everyrevelation-motivatedactionprovokessupernaturalmanifestations.

YouractionscountagreatdealbeforeGod.Ifyouappearinyourshoplookingdowncastbecauseyoudidn’tmakegoodsalesyesterday,youmaystillnotselltoday.Butwhenyouappearbrightandcheerful,notassomeonewhohadpoorsalesyesterday,butassomeonewhoexpectsgoodsalestoday,Godwillensurethatyourexpectationisfulfilled.

ActionisaveryeffectiveprivatelinetoGod.UntilyouacttheWord,youmayneverseeitfulfilledinyourlife,becauseyouractionisanevidenceofyourfaith(James2:17).TheBiblesays,“Lettheweaksay,Iamstrong.”Butsomebrethrenthinkthisisjustanotherwayofsaying,“Iamsick.”So,theysay,“Iamstrong”whiletheylookasweakandsicklyaspossible.Ifyoureallydesiretobestrong,andyousayyouarestrong,thenlookstrong.Acthealthyandyouwillbehealthy.

In1Samuel1,afterHannahhadprayedinthetemple,theBiblesays:

…Sothewomanwentherway,anddideat,andhercountenancewasnomoresad.1Samuel1:18

Beforetheprayer,shewasinbitternessofsoul,becausehercounterpartmockedherforherbarrenness.Sheweptsomuchthatherhusbandaskedher:

…Hannah,whyweepestthou?andwhyeatestthounot?andwhyisthyheartgrieved?amnotIbettertotheethantensons?1Samuel1:8

Butimmediatelyaftershehadprayed,shewasnolongersadandsheateherfood.Shehadnotmetherhusbandyet,andtherewasnophysicalchangeofanysortinherbodytoprovethatherconditionhadchanged,butshedecidedtochangehercountenancetosuitherexpectation.Godrespondedtothatactionandgaveherherheart’sdesire.Andinherexaltationshesaid,“…FortheLordisaGodofknowledge,andbyhimactionsareweighed”(1Sam.2:3).

Theweightofyouractiondeterminestheresponseyougetfromheaven.GodweighedHannah’sactionanditprovokedaseriesofvisitation.Notonlydidshegetthesonshedesired,buttheBiblesays:

AndtheLordvisitedHannah,sothatsheconceived,andbarethreesonsandtwodaughters.AndthechildSamuelgrewbeforetheLord.1Samuel2:21

WhenyouallowGod’sWordtodetermineyouractions,youcan’tmissdivineintervention.Don’tonlyconfessyourdesires,actit!Letitshowineverythingyoudo.

Youractionsmattertoyourdestinationinlife,sotakepositivestepsthatclearlyindicatewhereyouaregoing.Since1983,whenIdiscoveredthatGodisaGodofknowledgeandbyHimactionsareweighed,Ineveractcontrarytomydesires.ThatiswhyIalwayssay,“Itiswell”,nomatterthesituation.

WhateveryourdesirefromGod,actitandGodwillrespond.IfHerespondedtoAhab(thatwickedking),howmuchmorewillHerespondto

you,thesonofHislove.

IfyoureallybelievethatwhenyouprayaccordingtoHiswillGodhearsyou,andthatifHehears,youhavereceivedyourpetition,thenactit.Stoplookingsorrowfulandmournful,becausenogoodthingwillHewithholdfromyou.

So,ifyouneedababy,buyyourbabycotandputitinyoursittingroom.Whenyouopenlytakestepsoffaith,youcommitGodtofavouryouopenly.IfyouareashamedofHiminpublic,Hewillleaveyoutopublicshame;butwhenyougoalloutforHiminthepublic,Hewillgoalloutforyouinthepublicaswell.Don’ttellmeyouarejoblessandthenstayathomeallday,sleeping.Youshouldgetupeverymorning,dressupfasterthanthosewhohavejobsandbeonyourwayout.Ifanybodyaskswhereyouaregoing,say,“I’mgoingtowork.”YouhaveprayedtoGodforajobandHehasheardyou,butthejobwon’tcometoyouonyourbed,youhavetogoforit.

Oneyoungmanwhoneededajobheardmesaythis,gotdressedthenextmorningandheadedforthepostoffice.Ashegotthere,heheardsomepeopletalkingaboutaninterviewtheyweregoingtoattend.Afteraskingthemsomequestions,hedecidedtogowiththem.Hewrotehisapplicationattheoffice,wasinterviewedandgotthejobrightthere!

Youwanttogetmarried?Locateyourchiefbridesmaidorbestmanandprinttheweddingprogramme.YouhavecommittedGodtobringyourspouse.Youractionsspeakinheaven,soactwellandyouwilllivewell.

AllthesesilentprayerlinesgrantonedirectaccesstoGod.However,theycallforself-disciplineandcommitment,tooperateinthem.Youwillneverhavetosweatagaintogetanswerstotheissuesofyourlife,inJesus’name.

Chapter8:NowTakeDelivery!

NowthanksbeuntoGod,whichalwayscausethustotriumphinChrist,andmakethmanifestthesavourofhisknowledgebyusineveryplace.2Corinthians2:14

GodhasmadeitclearinHisWordthatnothingisimpossiblewithHim.Thereisnoinsurmountablemountaininlife,ifonlyyouknowhowtogoaboutit.

Ibelievethatwiththeknowledgeyouhavecontactedfromthisbook,prayerwillnolongerbeafruitlessreligiousactivity,butapracticalproductiveheart-to-heartcommunicationwithGod.

Inthischapter,Iwouldbeshowingyouhowtotakedeliveryofyourmiracleafteryouhaveengagedyourcommunicationlinkswithheaven.

Praise

In2Chronicles20,Jehoshaphatwasfacedwithwhatlookedlikeadeadend,whenthreenationscameagainsthiminbattle.Thisishowhewentaboutit:

Itcametopassafterthisalso,thatthechildrenofMoab,andthechildrenofAmmon,andwiththemotherbesidetheAmmonites,cameagainstJehoshaphattobattle.AndJehoshaphatfeared,andsethimselftoseektheLord,andproclaimedafastthroughoutallJudah.AndJudahgatheredthemselvestogether,toaskhelpoftheLord:evenoutofallthecitiesofJudahtheycametoseektheLord.AndJehoshaphatstoodinthecongregationofJudahandJerusalem,inthehouseoftheLord,beforethenewcourt,Andsaid,OLordGodofourfathers,artnotthouGodinheaven?andrulestnotthouoverallthekingdomsoftheheathen?andinthinehandistherenotpowerandmight,sothatnoneisabletowithstandthee?ArtnotthouourGod,whodidstdriveouttheinhabitantsofthislandbeforethypeopleIsrael,andgavestittotheseedofAbrahamthyfriendforever?If,whenevilcomethuponus,asthesword,judgment,orpestilence,orfamine,westandbeforethishouse,andinthypresence,(forthynameisinthishouse,)andcryuntotheeinouraffliction,thenthouwilthearandhelp.Andnow,behold,thechildrenofAmmonandMoabandmountSeir,whomthouwouldestnotletIsraelinvade,whentheycameoutofthelandofEgypt,buttheyturnedfromthem,anddestroyedthemnot;Behold,Isay,howtheyrewardus,tocometocastusoutofthypossession,whichthouhastgivenustoinherit.OourGod,wiltthounotjudgethem?forwehavenomightagainstthisgreatcompanythatcomethagainstus;neitherknowwewhattodo:butoureyesareuponthee.

ThenuponJahazielthesonofZechariah…cametheSpiritoftheLordinthemidstofthecongregation;Andhesaid,Hearkenye,allJudah,andyeinhabitantsofJerusalem,andthoukingJehoshaphat,ThussaiththeLorduntoyou,Benotafraidnordismayedbyreasonofthisgreatmultitude;forthebattleisnotyours,butGod’s.2Chronicles20:1-15

WarwasraginginthenationandJehoshaphatgatheredhispeopletogethertofastandpray.TheyusedtheWordintheirprayers,remindingGodofHiscommitmenttokeeptheminthelandoftheirinheritance.TheirprayersreachedheavenandGodansweredthem.Theircommunicationwasthrough.

Afterthis,itwastimetotakepracticaldeliveryoftheirvictory.Godsaidtothem:

Yeshallnotneedtofightinthisbattle:setyourselves,standyestill,andseethesalvationoftheLordwithyou,OJudahandJerusalem:fearnot,norbedismayed;tomorrowgooutagainstthem:fortheLordwillbewithyou.2Chronicles20:17

WhenyougetGodonthesceneinanybattleinlife,Hetakesover.Thebattleisnolongeryours,buttheLord’s.Hecomesfacetofacewithyourenemyandofcourse,youknowwhothewinnerwillbe.

Godtoldthepeople,“Youwillnotneedtofightnorstruggletogetyourdesires,butyouwillneedtodosomething;youwillneedtogooutagainsttheenemy,setyourself.”Thisiswherealotofpeoplemissit.

YouwillnoticethattheenemiesthatarrayedthemselvesagainstJudahdidn’tdisappearthemomenttheyprayed.Infact,theenemieswereverymuchpresentwhiletheywerefastingandpraying.EvenafterGodhad

answeredtheirprayers,theenemieswerestillorganizingasiegearoundthecityandthreatenedtokillthemandtaketheirland.

So,eventhoughtheyhadfasted,prayed,andGodhadanswered,itseemedtheproblemwasstillthere.Thentheyengagedtheweaponofperfection—praise,whichestablishedtheirvictory.

Andwhenhehadconsultedwiththepeople,heappointedsingersuntotheLord,andthatshouldpraisethebeautyofholiness,astheywentoutbeforethearmy,andtosay,PraisetheLord;forhismercyendurethforever.Andwhentheybegantosingandtopraise,theLordsetambushmentsagainstthechildrenofAmmon,Moab,andmountSeir,whichwerecomeagainstJudah;andtheyweresmitten.ForthechildrenofAmmonandMoabstoodupagainsttheinhabitantsofmountSeir,utterlytoslayanddestroythem:andwhentheyhadmadeanendoftheinhabitantsofSeir,everyonehelpedtodestroyanother.2Chronicles20:21-23

Godperformsinprayers,butHeperfectsinpraise.Hetakesoverinprayer,butHedemonstratesHisinterventioninpraise.So,aftereverypowerfulprayer,ittakespowerfulpraisetoexperienceperfection.

Understandthatpraiseisaweaponofwarfare.Itbringshomeyourmiracle,whichthoughhasbeenreleasedtoyoufromheaven,isstillbeingwithstoodbyaprinceofPersia(Dan.10:13).

Untilyouarevaliantinpraise,youarenotvaliantinbattle.YouneverknowthepowerofGod,untilyouknowhowtoturnHimon.ItispraisethatturnsHimon,thatiswhatsetsHimtowork.

Afteryouhavefastedandprayed,don’tstopthere;burstforthintopraise

andworship.CelebratetheintegrityofGodandyouwillseethingsbegintohappeninyourlife.Asyouenterintohotandfearfulpraises,Godwillestablishyourdominionoveralltheroaringsofyourenemies.

Whoislikeuntothee,OLord,amongthegods?whoislikethee,gloriousinholiness,fearfulinpraises,doingwonders?Exodus15:11

AlltheanswerstoprayersthattheprinceofPersiahasbeenresistinginyourlifewillbegintotumbledownonyouasyouengagetheweaponofpraise.

Whenyouareconfrontedwithanysituation,itiswisdomtolocatehowpeopleovercamesimilarsituationsinScripturesandthenlineyourselfupwithit;andyouwillendupwiththesameresultstheygot(Jer.6:16).

Towintheprayerbattle,youstartwithpraise—“OurFather,whichartinheaven,hallowedbethyname…”ThenyouwrapupyourrequestsinScriptures,receivetheanswerfromheavenandthentakedeliveryofyourdesiresinpraise.Youstartwithpraiseandendwithpraise—“…Forthineisthekingdom,andthepower,andtheglory,forever.Amen”(Matt.6:13).

ThePsalmistsaid:

WhenIcryuntothee,thenshallmineenemiesturnback:thisIknow;forGodisforme.Psalm56:9

Prayerstopsyourenemies,butpraisesetsambushmentagainstthemforcompletedestruction.

InLuke17,tenleperssawJesuspassingbyandlifteduptheirvoicestoHiminprayer,askingtobehealed.Hestoppedandsaidtothem,“Goshowyourselvesuntothepriests.”Astheywent,theydiscoveredthattheywere

healed,alltheitchingandothersymptomsofleprosyhadstopped.Theplaguehadbeenarrested,butthestigmaoftheirpastwasstillonthem.Theirfingerswerestillstuntedandtheirfacesdeformed.Butevenwiththat,oneofthemcameback,glorifyingGodwithaloudvoice.

AndJesusansweringsaid,Weretherenottencleansed?butwherearethenine?TherearenotfoundthatreturnedtogiveglorytoGod,savethisstranger.Andhesaiduntohim,Arise,gothyway:thyfaithhathmadetheewhole.Luke17:17-19

Thereisadifferencebetweenbeinghealedandbeingmadewhole.Whentheleperswerehealed,theitchinganddiscomfortingconditionstopped.Butwhenthegratefulonewasmadewhole,everytraceofleprosylefthim.Hisdeformedfingersandfacebecamenormal.Therewerenomoretracesofscartoshowthathewasoncealeper.Hisskinwasperfectlyrestored.Thatiswhatpraisedoes.ItperfectsyourmiracleandretainsthehandofGoduponyourlife.

Godkeepsrecordofthanksgiving.Jesussaidtothoselepers,“Weretherenottencleansed?butwherearethenine?”

Youhaveliftedupyourvoiceinacryformercyinyourtimeoftrouble,andGodhasanswered.Itmaynotlookso,butHehasanswered.ItisnowyourresponsibilitytofalldownbeforeHimandgiveHimpraiseandthanksfromthedepthofyourheart,ifyouwantthatmiracleperfected.

SomepeoplehaveseenthefingerofGodintheirlives,inanswertotheirprayers,buttheyareawaitingperfectionbeforetheywillbegintopraiseHim.Butwhiletheyarewaitingforperfection,GodwithdrawsHisfinger,andtheyarebacktosquareoneagain,tilltheybecomeprayerprojects.

Youdon’thavetowaittillyouseeeverythingthewayyouwantthem,

beforeyoubegintopraiseHim.IfyouhaveprayedinfaithandaccordingtoHiswill,thenyoucangoaheadandbegintothankGodforyourmiracle,because1John5:14says:

Andthisistheconfidencethatwehaveinhim,that,ifweaskanythingaccordingtohiswill,hehearethus:

Yourprayerhasbeenanswered,buttotakedeliveryofyourdesires,youneedtogiveGodthanks.

TheTongue

Anotherinstrumentfortakingdeliveryofyourdesiresinprayeristhetongue.

ForverilyIsayuntoyou,Thatwhosoevershallsayuntothismountain,Bethouremoved,andbethoucastintothesea;andshallnotdoubtinhisheart,butshallbelievethatthosethingswhichhesaithshallcometopass;heshallhavewhatsoeverhesaith.Mark11:23

Youhaveprayed,Godhasanswered,butwhatareyousaying?EverywordyouspeakisaseedandtheBiblesays,“Whatsoeveramansowsthatshallhealsoreap.”

Ifafterpraying,youbelieveinyourheartthatGodhasansweredyouandyouconfessit,thenyouwillhavewhatyousay.Butnomatterhowmuchyoupray,ifyourconfessionisnegative,youcan’treappositiveresults;becausewhatyousayiswhatsetsthepaceforwhatyouget.

Manyyearsago,Iwasphysicallydown.AfterseeingthestateIwasinforsomedays,oneofmyuncles,outofconcernformesaid,“Nowthatyouhaveprayedandyouarenotwell,whydon’tyougotothehospital?”Iroseupagainsthimlikealionandroared,“WhotoldyouIamnotwell?WhotoldyouIamsick?”AsIwasshoutingthosewords,thehealingvirtuebegantoflowwithinmeandthatwastheendofthesickness.

WhenyouhaveprayedtoGodforthehealingofyourbody,don’tallowanybodytotellyou,“Sorry”again.Confessyourhealinganditwillbeestablished.Remember,youshallhavewhatsoeveryouaskforinprayer.

Jesusalsosaid:

ThereforeIsayuntoyou,Whatthingssoeveryedesire,whenyepray,believethatyereceivethem,andyeshallhavethem.Mark11:24

Iamnottalkingaboutplayingpsychologicalgameswithwords;Iamtalkingaboutsayingwhatyoubelieve,onthebasisofthetruthyouhavediscoveredfromGod’sWord.

Toomanyemptytalkshavebeenmistakenforfaith,wordsthatarenotrootedinScripture.Butwhenyourutterancesarerootedinthetruth,youcommitheavenformanifestation.

ManypeoplepraythroughandGodanswersthem,buttheirtongueswon’tletthemtakedeliveryoftheirdesires.SomebodyhasjustfinishedcryingouttoGodforthefruitofthewomb.Godhasheardandanswered,andasfarasheavenisconcerned,sheispregnant.Butsheabortsthebabywithhertongue.Shedoesthisifforinstancesheseesbloodaftershehasconceived.Shesays,“Ihavehadamiscarriage.”Sinceangelsaremandatedtocarryoutwhateverwesay,thepregnancythathadalreadybeencertifiedanddeliveredbyheavendisappears.

ThatwashowthechildrenofIsraelshutthemselvesoutofCanaan,thelandoftheirinheritance.InExodus3:7-8,Godhadsaid:

AndtheLordsaid,IhavesurelyseentheafflictionofmypeoplewhichareinEgypt,andhaveheardtheircrybyreasonoftheirtaskmasters;forIknowtheirsorrows;

AndIamcomedowntodeliverthemoutofthehandoftheEgyptians,andtobringthemupoutofthatlanduntoagoodlandandalarge,untoalandflowingwithmilkandhoney;untotheplaceoftheCanaanites,andtheHittites,andtheAmorites,andthePerizzites,andtheHivites,andtheJebusites.

TheyhadcriedtoGodandHeheardthemandsentthemadelivererinthepersonofMoses,wholedthemoutofthelandofbondage.Butwhenitwastimetotakepossessionofthelandoftheirinheritance,theysenttwelvementospyouttheland.Ontheirreturn,twoofthemsaid,“Let’sgoupatonceandtakethelandforwebewellable.”Buttheothertensaid:

…Webenotabletogoupagainstthepeople;fortheyarestrongerthanwe….Theland,throughwhichwehavegonetosearchit,isalandthateatethuptheinhabitantsthereof;andallthepeoplethatwesawinitaremenofagreatstature.Numbers13:31-32

SeehowGodreacted:

Sayuntothem,AstrulyasIlive,saiththeLord,asyehavespokeninmineears,sowillIdotoyou:Yourcarcasesshallfallinthiswilderness;andallthatwerenumberedofyou,accordingtoyourwholenumber,fromtwentyyearsoldandupward,whichhavemurmuredagainstme,Doubtlessyeshallnotcomeintotheland,concerningwhichIswaretomakeyoudwelltherein,saveCalebthesonofJephunneh,andJoshuathesonofNun.Numbers14:28-30

Theirtonguerobbedthemoftheirdestiny.Yourtonguewillnolongerbeastumblingblockinyourprayerlife!Don’tuprootthegoodthingsGodhasdoneinyourlifewithnegativewords.Don’tpraytoGodforonethingandthensaytheoppositewhenyouarewithyourfriends.

Holdonfasttothatmiracle,nomatterhowbadtheenemyisraging;don’tgiveup.OnceGodhearsyourprayer,Heiscommittedtoanswer,andwhenHeanswers,Hewillnotonlyperform,butwillalsoperfectyourdesires.

Yourprayerlifewillnevergodownanymore!WhateverrobsyouofaccessintoGod’spresenceinprayerisflushedoutrightnow,inJesus’name!Icommandeveryshutgateagainstyourdestinytobeliftedupnow,inthenameofJesus.

ProofsOfWinningPrayers

‘GODSETHIMFREE…’

“InDecember1996,mybrotherwaswrongfullyarrestedasamemberofNADECOandwasheldupindetentionforayearandsevenmonths.

Duringoneoftheserviceshere,theBishopsaid,‘Godwillturnyourcaptivityaround’,andIcaughtit.Ibroughtmybrother’spicturetothechurchandastheBishopwasaboutleavingthepremises,Isaid,‘Papa,havemercyonme.’Hestopped,lookedatthepicture,anointeditandcommandedmybrother’srelease.

Duringthethree-dayfastingandprayerhereinchurch,Iwroteaprayerrequestformybrother’sreleaseanddroppeditinthebucket,astheBishophadinstructed.Attheendofthefasting,themanofGodaskedustopraiseandthankGodforansweringourprayers,andIpraisedGodwithallmyheart!

Thefollowingmorning,oneofmybrotherscametoinformusthatmydetainedbrotherhadbeenreleased!Godsethimfree!Theamazingthingisthatheisnowbornagain!”

Nejo,F.

HEALEDOFMENTALINCAPACITATION

“GodhealedmeduringtheBreakthroughNightheldatthenationalstadium.Ihadbeensufferingfromamentalincapacitationforthepast26years.Iwasinsecondaryschoolwhenitstarted.

Ihadgonetoseveralclinics,bothinNigeriaandtheUnitedStates.Theydideverythingtheycould,buttherewasnocure.

Butduringthatprogrammeatthestadium,IprayedferventlyuntoGod,thatHemighttakethissicknessawayfrommeonceandforall,andHedid!Ihavebeenokaysincethen.IgiveallthanksandpraisestoGodforthis.Hehasbeensogoodtome!”

Alaba,L.

1.8MILLIONNAIRACONTRACT!

“I’manimporterandmarketerofmosquitobednets.Throughoutmyfastinglife,Ihaveneverfastedbeyond3p.m.Onceitisthreeo’clockintheafternoon,Imusteat.

ButwhentheBishopdeclaredthethree-daycongregationalfastingandprayer,Imadeupmymindtoparticipatefully.ItookthisdecisionbecauseIwantedtocontactsomethingfromit.WhenthefastingstartedonThursday,IprayedthatGodshouldgivemethegracetocompleteit.

Thatveryday,somebodycametomyofficefromthenorthandsaid,‘Wesawyouradvertandweareinterestedinyourproduct.’Ihaddiscussionswithhimandhesaidtheywouldgetintouchwithme.Thefollowingday,IreceivedaphonecallfromEnugu,andtheyalsosaid,‘Wewantyourproduct.Wewillgetintouchwithyou.’AnothercallcamefromIlorinandthepersonsaidhewantedmyproductsandwouldgetintouchwithmelater.

OnSaturday,thethirddayofthefast,Iwashere,andattheend,theBishopsaid,‘CometomorrowandthankGodforwhatHehasdoneforyou.’ImadethoroughpreparationsfortheSundayservice.IhadagoodtimeandbelievedinmyheartthatGodhadansweredmyprayers.

Thefollowingday,at11a.m,somebodycametomyofficefromthenorth,withaletterfromacommissioner.Oninquiringaboutthecontentoftheletter,thepersonsaidIshouldfirstsignforit.Isignedfortheletterandopenedit.Behold,Isawacontractof1.8millionnaira!”

Yewande,S.

‘SHEISALIVE!’

“OnThursdaylastweek,myFamilyandIwenttobedhealthy.Therewasnosicknessofanysort.Atmidnight,mywifetookmydaughtertothetoilet.Whileinthetoilet,mywifescreamedandcalledonmyyoungerbrother.Whenhegotthere,hesawherlyingonthefloor.HealertedmeandIwenttoseewhathadhappenedinthetoilet.Igotthereandsawmywifelyinglifelessonthefloor.

Itriedtofeelherpulse,buttherewasnone.Immediately,Godremovedthespiritoffearfromme.Ithencarriedhertothebedroomandlaidheronthebed.IcalledmyneighboursandtoldthemtojoinmeinpraisingGod.WepraisedGodforovertwentyminutesandthenprayed.Duringtheprayersession,IrememberedPsalm23:4,whichsays,“EventhoughIwalkthroughthevalleyoftheshadowofdeath,Ishallfearnoevil.”IalsorememberedHosea13:14(Heransomedusfromthepowerofthegrave),andPsalm91:16(“WithlonglifewillIsatisfythee”).

ThenIsaid,‘AlmightyGod,YouaretheGodofDavidOyedepo.Raiseupastandardrightnowagainstdeath.Yousaidthelastenemyweshalldefeatisdeath.Youalsodeclaredthisyearasouryearoflaughter.WhyshouldImourn?’

Thatwasit!Immediately,theSpiritsaidtome,‘Anointher’,andIdid.Wecontinuedinprayer.Afterawhile,theSpiritsaid,‘UsetheBloodofSprinklingandcommandthepresenceofGodtocomeuponher.’Ididthatalso.IcontinuedprayingandtheSpiritsaid,‘Don’tyourememberhowyourfatherintheLord(BishopOyedepo)breathesintothosethataresick?’So,Iforcedhermouthopen,breathedintoitandsaid,‘NowIgiveyoulife,andinthenameoftheGodofDavidOyedepo,theresurrectionpowerinJesusChrist,thesamepowerthatbroughtLazarusoutofthegrave,willcauseyoutocomeupnow.AsJesuscalledupLazarus,nowIamcallingyou.’ThenIcalledhernameandfiveminuteslater,shemoved!

Wecontinuedprayingandlater,shesaid,‘Whereismydaughter?’Itookthechildtoherandshesaid,‘ThankGod!GlorybetoGod!’Today,sheis

alive!”

Nwonuala,E.

DIVINEINTERVENTION!

“IgotaletterfromtheAmericanEmbassy,toattendaninterviewinFebruary.Atabout6p.m.onthedaybeforetheinterview,IdiscoveredtherewasaninformationIneededfortheinterview,withoutwhichIwasgoingtobecompletelydisqualified.Iwasconfusedanddidn’tknowwhattodo,exceptthatIrememberedafriendwhocouldhavegivenmetheinformation,buthadlostcontactwithhimforclosetoayear.

So,IprayedtoGod,askingHimtostepintothesituation,andbelievedthatHewasgoingto.Thatsamenight,between11:30p.m.and12midnight,thisfriendphonedfromEngland,togivemetheinformationIneeded.TothegloryofGod,Iwentfortheinterviewandgotmyvisa.IthankGod!”

Okorie,V.