FULFILLING OUR SPIRITUAL CALLING AND DESTINY

KINGDOM PRAYER

AND INTERCESSION

FULFILLING OUR SPIRITUAL CALLING AND DESTINY

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INTRODUCTION:

 Most everyone acknowledges the importance of individual and congregational prayer.

Even some non believers pray to God or, when in difficult circumstances, they may call

on people that they know are believers to pray for them.

 Many believers, even those who have a strong relationship with God, including spiritual

leaders, battle at times with the conviction of knowing they should pray but also deal with

time pressures. Sometimes, the time pressures or other demands win out and then they

sense a lack of peace along with a conviction from the Holy Spirit because of their

prayerlessness.

 On the other hand, Satan can afflict believers with a spirit of condemnation saying, “You

never pray enough and your prayers are not effective.” We need to resist that spirit in the

name of Jesus. Satan can also cause us to be distracted by good things, creating an

atmosphere of busyness and pressure, so that we are diverted away from prayer and

become “religiously” busy in that which may be urgent but perhaps of no enduring value.

We need to be alert to these various spirits that want to prevent us from prayer that

hinders the Kingdom of God from advancing.

 We are living in a time of major upheaval and crisis, both in our nation and around the

world. The Spirit of the Lord is raising up an army of prayer warriors, people who will

defy what meets the natural eye and seek revelation of what God is both doing and

desiring to happen. Upon clear discernment and revelation, Kingdom believers will

passionately begin to pray, intercede, and prophecy in agreement with God’s will and

Word. They will exercise their spiritual authority that is inherently theirs through the

precious blood of Jesus Christ. The amazing result is that the course of ones life, family,

marriage, congregation, business, school, city, state, and nation will begin to change for

God’s glory! This is no easy task. It requires an understanding of the following:

1. God’s PRIORITY for prayer

2. God’s PURPOSE for prayer

3. God’s PROVISION for prayer

4. God’s POWER through prayer

5. Our PRIVILEGDE to partner with God through prayer

 Are we willing to pay the price of passionate prayer and intercession? Are we willing to

make the necessary adjustments in our lives to see God’s Kingdom will and purposes to

be done on earth as they are in heaven? Are we willing to deal with mediocre living so

that our priorities in life will be consumed by God’s passion for His people and the world

and not our own? In other words, do we truly want the things that break the heart of the

Father to break our heart?

 NOW IS THE TIME TO ARISE AND PUSH BACK THE FORCES OF EVIL, AND

SPREAD THE GOSPEL OF JESUS SO THAT GOD’S KINGDOM WILL BE

ADVANCED! This is an hour of unprecedented challenge, opportunity, and blessing.

Let’s not be ignorant of God’s will. Let’s move forward in the authority of Jesus Christ

and through the power of the Holy Spirit!

 This teaching will be divided into six parts as defined in the previous page. The

objectives of this teaching are as follows:

1. Be informed concerning the reason for prayer and intercession

2. Be inspired to a deeper motivation to prayer and intercession

3. Spend time in prayer together throughout the teaching

4. Be encouraged, motivated and refreshed in the Holy Spirit and by God’s

living Word.

5. Set individual goals on how to grow and participate in the ministry of intercession

6. Provide some suggested resources that will encourage and motivate

prayer.

 There cannot be a kingdom without a King. Our King is Jesus! His Kingdom is an

everlasting Kingdom. He calls for our full allegiance. It is a Kingdom of unconditional

and sacrificial love; righteousness, peace, and joy; mercy and forgiveness; grace and

endurance; supernatural power and righteous living.

 The Kingdom of God stands in sharp contrast to what could be referred to as cultural

Christianity. Cultural Christianity is often characterized by religion, passivity, selfcenteredness,

unholy compromise, status-quo living, indifference, and any other

characteristic that grieves the heart of God. We must exercise a “holy violence” over this

spirit of the age that demonstrates itself in cultural Christianity, and be part of the

“forceful advance” of God’s Kingdom. Jesus states this in Matthew 11:12 (KJV) -“And

from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and

the violent take it by force.” Matthew 11:12 (NIV) –“ From the days of John the Baptist

until now, the kingdom of heaven has been forcefully advancing, and forceful men lay

hold of it.”

 In these days, God is raising up a “Gideon’s army” who is not intimated by the sheer

mass of those who stand in opposition to God’s Kingdom. Why? This army possesses

the revelation of God’s Word for a given situation and through prayer, spiritual warfare,

all of which is under girded by a deep faith in God’s Word, dislodges the enemies of

Christ. In the same way that Gideon was put to the test, all natural abilities and logical

conclusions are stripped away and we proceed into battle in the name of the Lord of

Hosts! This is not done in arrogance but in humility because we recognize we have no

power in ourselves to defeat the powers of darkness. It is available through the power of

the blood and name of Jesus!

 The teaching and proclamation of the Kingdom was important for Jesus -Matthew 4:17;

6:33; 24:14; Acts 1:3 and for the apostles - Acts 16:8.

 Kingdom signifies the rule of God. The person who prays with a Kingdom mentality

will:

1. Be fully yielded and surrendered to the Lordship of Jesus, recognizing that

disobedience and sin hinders effective praying. Psalm 66:18 – “If I had cherished

sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened.”

2. Recognize and exercise the authority that has been delegated to them. Luke 10:19

- “I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome

all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you.”

3. Demonstrate a zealousness to persevere in fervent prayer and intercession –

Example of Hannah - I Samuel 1:12-16; Luke 11:9-10 - "So I say to you: Ask and

it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door be opened to

you. [10] For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who

knocks, the door will be opened.

4. Be very discerning of the times and follow through in obedience to how God

wants them to respond. - 1 Chron. 12:32 “…men of Issachar, who understood the

times and knew what Israel should do.”

5. Take time to hear how God wants their prayer to be aligned to God’s will in

certain matters. (Note, there are many aspects of God’s will that we already know

through his Word.) – Example of Jesus in Mark 1:35-38.

6. Exercise a “holy violence” against Satan’s power in ones own life, family, city,

church, and in the kingdom of this world. - Example of Paul in Ephesus – Acts

19.

7. Be passionate in their commitment to prayer. A passion is “A driving force of

energy that shapes a person’s lifestyle, thinking, and action until that person sees

a total fulfillment of what they are pursuing.” Dr. Jonathan David – Apostolic

Strategies. Hebrews 5:7 – “During the days of Jesus' life on earth, he offered up

prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the one who could save him

from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission.”

8. Embrace faith and God’s grace to confront what would seem to be

insurmountable obstacles. Matthew 17:20 - He replied, "Because you have so

little faith. I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you

can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will

be impossible for you."

9. Prophesy with faith and confidence that which we know to be God’s will over

lives and situations. Ezekiel 37:4-5 - Then he said to me, "Prophesy to these

bones and say to them, 'Dry bones, hear the word of the Lord! [5] This is what the

Sovereign Lord says to these bones: I will make breath enter you, and you will

come to life. Jesus did this at the grave of Lazarus: John 11:41-43 – “So they took

away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, "Father, I thank you that you have

heard me. [42] I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of

the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me." [43] When he

had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, "Lazarus, come out!"

10. Manifest a spirit of joy, expectancy, trust and confidence, even in the face of

negative situations. Neh. 6:9 - They were all trying to frighten us, thinking, "Their

hands will get too weak for the work, and it will not be completed." But I prayed,

"Now strengthen my hands."

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 While God’s Kingdom will ultimately be established in all of its glory and Satan’s power

will forever be destroyed (Rev. 11:15), we are called to pray for God’s Kingdom to come

NOW, on earth, as it is in heaven. This is the hour for Kingdom prayer and intercession!

In doing this, we will see God’s destiny being fulfilled in our personal lives, homes,

congregations, communities, and the world.

Prayer & Intercession

 Prayer is conversation with God in word or thought. Prayer can be a petition,

thanksgiving, praise, adoration, and above all, recognition that we are powerless in our

lives apart from communion with our Maker and Redeemer.

 “Intercessory prayer is an extension of the ministry of Jesus through His body, the

Church, whereby we mediate between God and humanity for the purpose of reconciling

the world to Him, or between Satan and humanity for the purpose of enforcing the victory

of Calvary.” Dutch Sheets, Intercessory Prayer. We are an extension of the Jesus

ministry on earth. John 20:21 - Again Jesus said, "Peace be with you! As the Father has

sent me, I am sending you.”

Questions for reflection and action:

1. Is my life most characterized by a “Kingdom mentality” or a “cultural Christian

mentality?” Explain.

2. When I look at the ten characteristics of a “Kingdom mentality” listed above,

what are my three weakest and strongest characteristics?

3. How does having a “Kingdom mentality” affect my prayer and intercession?

PART 1 – THE PRIORITY OF PRAYER

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Why must prayer be a PRIORITY in our lives and in our

congregations?

1. We are commanded to pray

-1 Chron. 16:11 - Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always.

-Matthew 7:7 (Msg) -"Don't bargain with God. Be direct. Ask for what you need. This

isn't a cat-and-mouse, hide-and-seek game we're in.

- Ephes. 6:18 - And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and

requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.

- Luke 18:1- Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always

pray and not give up.

- Matthew 6:6 - But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your

Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward

you.

2. Jesus is our example – We follow in the footsteps of Jesus

-Mark 1:35 - Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the

house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.

- Mark 6:46 - After leaving them, he went up on a mountainside to pray.

- Luke 5:16 - But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.

-Luke 6:12 - One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the

night praying to God.

- Hebrews 5:7 (TEV) -In his life on earth Jesus made his prayers and requests with loud

cries and tears to God, who could save him from death. Because he was humble and

devoted, God heard him.

3. The Early Church demonstrated Kingdom prayer – We are no

less exempt from prayer

-Acts 1:14 - They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and

Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.

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- Acts 2:42 - They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to

the breaking of bread and to prayer.

- Acts 4:29-31 - Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your

word with great boldness. [30] Stretch out your hand to heal and perform miraculous

signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus." [31] After they prayed,

the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy

Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.

- Acts 12:12 - When this had dawned on him [Peter’s supernatural release from prison],

he went to the house of Mary the mother of John, also called Mark, where many people

had gathered and were praying.

-Acts 21:5 - But when our time was up, we left and continued on our way. All the

disciples and their wives and children accompanied us out of the city, and there on the

beach we knelt to pray.

4. Our nation is in crisis at all levels – Kingdom praying addresses

situations that no political power is capable of doing

- 1 Tim. 2:1-2 - I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and

thanksgiving be made for everyone-- [2] for kings and all those in authority, that we may

live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.

- 2 Chron. 7:14 - If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and

pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and

will forgive their sin and will heal their land.

-Proverbs 14:34 - God-devotion makes a country strong. God-avoidance leaves people

weak.

For whom & how shall we pray?

a. Leaders at all levels of government, especially praying for heads of government in the

U.S. and specific leaders in the world that God puts on our heart; for supernatural

wisdom, protection, strategy, working together

b. For Israel, her peace and protection, and for a recognition of the Messiah

c. For Arab and Muslim nations, for a revelation of Jesus and a collapse of structures that

keep people in ignorance and impoverished physically and spiritually; for the exposure of

terrorist plots and strategies

d. For the courts at all levels, for the new justices, that they will be uncompromising in

their principles; for more godly and righteous judges to be installed

e. For elections at all levels, even congressional and presidential elections in the future, that

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God would place godly candidates in office. (Remember, our hope is ultimately in God,

not a political leader.)

f. For the media, institutions of higher learning, and that godly journalists could be raised

up and that ungodly media would loose its grip.

g. For the demonic powers and structures that have a grip on the homosexual agenda,

abortion, and other issues of morality, that they will loose their power.

h. What are additional concerns that you have regarding prayer for government?

Note - Earthly governments are ordained by God but it cannot be expected that they will

conduct themselves like the Kingdom of God. However, in the midst of living in the

earthly kingdom, we must intercede that God’s Kingdom will advance. We cannot sit

back and wait for the “sweet bye and bye” while the world goes to hell. It’s through

Kingdom prayer and intercession that we can have an impact in the Kingdom of this

world. Ezekiel 22:30 - "I looked for a man among them who would build up the wall and

stand before me in the gap on behalf of the land so I would not have to destroy it, but I

found none.”

5. There is a spiritual “wake-up” call.

-Rev. 3:1-2 - "To the angel of the church in Sardis write: These are the words of him who

holds the seven spirits of God and the seven stars. I know your deeds; you have a

reputation of being alive, but you are dead. [2] Wake up! Strengthen what remains and

is about to die, for I have not found your deeds complete in the sight of my God.”

Ephes. 5:13-17 (Msg) - Rip the cover off those frauds [those living in darkness] and see

how attractive they look in the light of Christ. "Wake up from your sleep, Climb out of

your coffins, Christ will show you the light!" [14] [15] So watch your step. Use your

head. [16] Make the most of every chance you get. These are desperate times! [17] Don't

live carelessly, unthinkingly. Make sure you understand what the Master wants.

Questions for reflection and action:

1. How can I measure if prayer is a priority in my life?

2. What is the biggest battle I face in making prayer a priority?

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PART 2 – THE PURPOSE OF PRAYER

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 Many times people ask the question, “Why pray?” It’s true, we come to God in prayer

because of all the reasons that we looked at in the “priority of prayer.” However, because

God is sovereign, and knows all our needs and needs of the world, what is his purpose in

inviting us to pray?

 Here are some more questions:

-Can my prayers actually change things?

-Does God need me to pray or does he just want me to pray?

-Can God’s will on earth be frustrated or hindered if I don’t pray?

“You can do more than pray after you have prayed, but you cannot do more than

pray until you have prayed…prayer is striking the winning blow…service is gathering

up the results.” S. D. Gordon

“God shapes the world by prayer. The more praying there is in the world the

better the world will be, the mightier the forces against evil…The prayers of God’s

saints are the capital stock of heaven by which God carries on His great work upon

the earth. God conditions the very life and prosperity of His cause on prayer.”

-E. M. Bounds

Many of the insights from the following section are drawn from the book by Dutch Sheets, Intercessory

Prayer, Regal Books, chapter 1

1. God chose, from the time of creation, to work on the earth

through humans, not independent of them

-God gave Adam (meaning man; human being) and Eve and their descendants dominion

over the entire earth and all creation. Genesis 1:26-28 - Then God said, "Let us make man

in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of

the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along

the ground." [27] So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created

him; male and female he created them. [28] God blessed them and said to them, "Be

fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea

and the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves on the ground.”

-What is the significance of “ruling over” or dominion? Psalm 8:4-7 - What is man that

you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him? [5] You made him a little

lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor. [6] You made

him ruler over the works of your hands; you put everything under his feet: [7] all flocks

and herds, and the beasts of the field,

-The Hebrew word mashal translated “ruler” in verse six of the above passage indicates

that Adam (and eventually his descendants) was God’s manager here, God’s steward or

governor. Adam was God’s mediator, go-between or representative.

-In regards to man, it says in verse five above that you “crowned him with glory…” The

Hebrew word kabowd translated “glory” literally means “heavy or weighty, linked to the

concept of authority!” Sometimes we say of individuals, “They carry a lot of weight!”

Adam represented God with full authority!

-Psalm 115:16 - The highest heavens belong to the Lord, but the earth he has given to

man.

-The Hebrew word nathan is translated “given.” God didn’t give away ownership of the

earth, but he did assign the responsibility of governing it to humanity.

Genesis 2:15 - The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it

and take care of it.

-The Hebrew word shamar means to guard or protect. It is the primary word for

“watchman” in the Scriptures. Adam was God’s watchman or guardian on the earth.

Adam was God’s representative here on the earth. A representative is one who represents

the will of another and speaks and acts with authority on the part of another. We

are honored to represent Christ in the world.

-Genesis 1:27 - So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created

him; male and female he created them.

-The Hebrew word tselem is translated “image.” It involves the concept of a shadow, a

phantom or an illusion. It is no small task to re-present God. To assist us in the

assignment of being watchmen or guardians, God made us so much like himself that it

was illusionary. An illusion is something you think you see, but on closer observation

you discover that your eyes tricked you. Adam was not God, but similar to God.

Genesis 1:26 - Then God said, "Let us make man in our image, …

-The Hebrew word demuwth is translated “likeness.” This is another indication that

Adam was very much like God!

Here is the summary to date:

1. Adam was so similar to God that it was illusionary.

2. God was recognized in Adam, which meant that Adam “carried the weight” here on

earth.

3. Adam represented God, presenting His will on earth.

4. Adam was God’s manager or governor here.

5. The earth was Adam’s assignment.

6. Adam was watchman or guardian.

7. How things went on planet Earth, for better or worse, depended on Adam and his

offspring. If the earth remained a paradise, it would be because of humankind. If things

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became messed up, it would be because of humankind.

-God gave dominion because He wanted a family---sons and daughters who could

personally relate to him, and vice versa.

-He gave them a beautiful home and said, “This is good.”

-He communed and walked with them.

-So complete and final was Adam’s authority over the earth that he, not just God, had the

ability to give it away to another. Luke 4:5-7 (Msg.) - For the second test he led him up

and spread out all the kingdoms of the earth on display at once. [6] Then the Devil said,

"They're yours in all their splendor to serve your pleasure. I'm in charge of them all and

can turn them over to whomever I wish. [7] Worship me and they're yours, the whole

works."

-Jesus knew that the earthly domain and authority had been handed over to Satan.

Jesus referred to Satan as the “ruler of this world” three times in the Gospels –

John 12:31; 14:30; 16:11.

-So complete and final was God’s decision to do things through human beings

that it cost God the incarnation to regain what Adam gave away. He had to

become part of the human race. Without question, humans were forever to be

God’s link to authority and activity on the earth.

A summary for the purpose of prayer to date:

1. God chose, from the time of Creation, to work on the earth through humans, not

independent of them.

2. He always has, and always will, even at the cost of becoming one.

3. Though God is sovereign and all-powerful, Scripture clearly tells us that He

limited Himself, concerning the affairs of the earth, to working through human

beings in spite of the tremendous mess that man has made. God’s working

through humanity is the story of Scriptures:

 God needing faithful men and woman

 God needing a race through whom to work

 God needing prophets

 God needing judges

 God needing the Messiah

 God needing human hands to heal, human voices to speak, and human feet

to go.

2. Through Jesus, the “second Adam,” we are commissioned with

authority to carry out God’s intended purpose from creation.

-Because of our relationship with Jesus Christ, the “second Adam,” we now have

authority to carry out God’s intended purpose from creation.

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Some examples of God’s invitation to cooperate with His plan through prayer:

1. Ask that His Kingdom come, His will be done (Matthew 6:10). He wouldn’t want

us to waste our time on something that is going to happen anyway.

2. Ask for our daily bread (Matthew 6:11). He knows our needs even before we ask

but He want us to ask.

3. Ask that laborers be sent into the harvest (Matthew 9:38). Doesn’t the Lord of the

harvest want that more than we do?

4. Paul said, “Pray that the word of the Lord may spread rapidly and be glorified” –

II Thess. 3:1. Wasn’t God already planning to do this?

Some examples of Biblical Characters who cooperated with God in prayer:

1. Elijah in I Kings 18 and the reflection of James on this account in James 5:17-18.

It was God’s idea to send the rain again but it was the prayers of Elijah that

brought it to pass. James 5:17-18 (Msg) - Elijah, for instance, human just like us,

prayed hard that it wouldn't rain, and it didn't—not a drop for three and a half

years. [18] Then he prayed that it would rain, and it did. The showers came and

everything started growing again.

“God’s giving is inseparably connected with our asking…Only by intercession can

that power be brought down from heaven which will enable the Church to conquer

the world.” – Andrew Murray

2. Daniel discovered in reading the prophet Jeremiah that it was time for the

captivity to end. Daniel did not wait for a passive fulfillment of this. Daniel 9:3

So I turned to the Lord God and pleaded with him in prayer and petition, in

fasting, and in sackcloth and ashes. The angel Gabriel was dispatched

immediately (verse 21) after Daniel started to pray. However, it took him twenty

one days to penetrate the warfare in the heavens with the message to inform

Daniel that his words were heard as we see recorded in the following verse:

Daniel 10:12 - Then he continued, "Do not be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day

that you set your mind to gain understanding and to humble yourself before your

God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to them.

Question for reflection and action:

How many promises of God have gone unfulfilled because he can’t find the human

involvement He needs?

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“Daniel evidently realized that intercession had a part to play in bringing the

prophecy to pass. God had made the prophecy. When it was time for its

fulfillment He did not fulfill it arbitrarily outside of His program of prayer. He

sought for a man upon whose heart He could lay a burden of intercession…As

always, God made the decision in heaven. A man was called upon to enforce that

decision on earth through intercession and faith.” –Paul E. Billheimer

3. We are called to “stand in the gap.”

-God’s existence and character are completely independent of any created thing. Acts

17:24 - "The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and

earth and does not live in temples built by hands.”

-God has all resources in His hands. Job 41:11 -Who has a claim against me that I must

pay? Everything under heaven belongs to me. Psalm 50:10 - for every animal of the forest

is mine, and the cattle on a thousand hills.

-HOWEVER, God still needs our prayers. Ezekiel 22:30-31 - "I looked for a man among

them who would build up the wall and stand before me in the gap on behalf of the land so

I would not have to destroy it, but I found none. [31] So I will pour out my wrath on them

and consume them with my fiery anger, bringing down on their own heads all they have

done, declares the Sovereign Lord."

-We see in this passage that God’s holiness and uncompromising truth cannot

excuse sin. It must be judged. But God is also love and He desires to redeem and

restore. The only way to spare the judgment was intercession by humanity but no

person could be found to “stand in the gap.”

-We should allow this awesome responsibility to weigh us down, intimidate us, or

even condemn us for our lack of prayer. Rather, let us consider it a privilege to

take our responsibility to cooperate with God in bringing his will on earth. This is

a place of dignity and honor!

“Prayer is essentially a partnership of the redeemed child of God working hand in

hand with God toward the realization of His redemptive purposes on earth.”

-Jack Hayford

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Questions for reflection and action:

1. Has the awesome responsibility and privilege that we have to represent God on

earth in fulfilling his Kingdom purposes through prayer really gripped my

heart?

2. As you reflect on this responsibility, what really motivates you and what raises

some questions or concerns?

3. What specific way can I apply this teaching to my personal life? To my family?

To my church community? To our community, state, nation, or the world?

PART 3 – THE PROVISION OF PRAYER

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1. Because of Calvary, we have direct access to God’s throne

room.

-Hebrews 4:16 - Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we

may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

“Prayer is not begging God to do something which He is loath to do. It is not

overcoming reluctance in God. It is enforcing Christ’s victory over Satan. It is

implementing upon earth Heaven’s decisions concerning the affairs of men. Calvary

legally destroyed Satan, and cancelled all of his claims. God placed the

enforcement of Calvary’s victory in the hands of the church.” Matthew 18:18 - "I

tell you the truth, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and

whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.

-Above quote by Paul E. Billheimer, Destined for the Throne

-John 1:16 - From the fullness of his grace we have all received one blessing after

another.

-Ephes. 3:19 – “…and to know this love that surpasses knowledge--that you may be filled

to the measure of all the fullness of God.”

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-Through Calvary, and our identification with Christ in His death and resurrection, we

have every provision we need in order to walk in our full potential in Christ. Any

limitation that we experience in our life is a result of limitations that we place upon

ourselves. God’s resources are limitless. BECAUSE OF CALVARY, WE HAVE FULL

AND COMPLETE ACCESS TO THE FATHER THROUGH PRAYER!

2. The Holy Spirit teaches us how to pray

-Romans 8:26-27 - In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know

what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words

cannot express. [27] And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit,

because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will.

-The provision of the Holy Spirit to intercede on our behalf is a generous and wondrous

provision that God provides for us. We must be in fellowship with the Holy Spirit in

order to experience the benefit of the Holy Spirits intercession for us. Why?

PART 4 – THE POWER OF PRAYER

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1. The power to “demolish strongholds”

-2 Cor. 10:4 - The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the

contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.

“A stronghold is a demonic fortress of thoughts housing evil spirits that (1)

control, dictate, and influence our attitudes and behavior; (2) oppress and

discourage us; (3) filter and color how we view or react to situations,

circumstances, or people. As we entertain thoughts and participate in activities

that are contrary to the will of God, we open ourselves up to demonic inhabitation

in those areas. When these thoughts and activities become habitual, we allow a

spiritual fortification to be built around that spirit and its influence. We become

so accustomed to responding to the “voice” of that spirit that its abode in us is

secure.” Mike and Sue Dowgiewicz, Demolishing Strongholds

-Often times victory in ones life, family, church, community, etc. seems elusive. One

reason is that a “stronghold” may stronghold on a person or situation.

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-Through prayerful discernment, and knowledge on how to identify strongholds, victory

can be achieved.

-Dealing with strongholds in our own life is very important if we are to have success in

confronting strongholds in the broader community. Why?

-As a child of God, we have the power to demolish strongholds!

2. The power of agreement

-Matthew 18:19 - "Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you

ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven.

-The Greek word for agree in this verse is sumphoneo which literally means “to sound

together,” to be harmonious.

-God doesn’t call us to stand alone in our warfare against the enemy. It’s in the prayer of

agreement that see greater results. Why? What is necessary for agreement in prayer?

Why is the prayer of agreement so powerful?

-Example of Early Church – Acts 1:14 - They all joined together constantly in prayer,

along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.

3. The power of the name of Jesus

-John 14:13-14 - And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring

glory to the Father. [14] You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.

-John 15:16 - You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear

fruit--fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name.

-John 16:23-24 - In that day you will no longer ask me anything. I tell you the truth, my

Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. [24] Until now you have not asked

for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.

-Acts 3:6 - Then Peter said, "Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you. In

the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk."

-Philip. 2:10 - that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth

and under the earth,

-Using the name of Jesus should not be out of habit or routine. It is a precious gift Jesus

has given to us, the authority, “power of attorney.”

4. The power of the blood of Jesus

-In a day when the deity of Jesus Christ and the power of his atonement on the cross are

called into question, it is important that, in our prayers of faith, we continue to declare the

power of the blood of Jesus and what it does in our life. Our faith declaration, in the

form of praise and thanksgiving, is one way of expressing our gratitude to God and to

Jesus over and over for the wonderful salvation they have offered to us. The following

scriptures can be turned into prayers of thanksgiving and declaration on a daily basis:

-Power to overcome Satan and protection - Rev. 12:11 - They overcame him by the blood

of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to

shrink from death.

-Redemption and forgiveness of sins - Ephes. 1:7 - In him we have redemption through

his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace

-The ability to approach God - Hebrews 10:19 - Therefore, brothers, since we have

confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus,

-Ongoing cleansing of sin - 1 John 1:7 - But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light,

we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all

sin.

-Sanctification - Hebrews 13:12 - And so Jesus also suffered outside the city gate to make

the people holy through his own blood.

-Healing - 1 Peter 2:24 - He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we

might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed.

5. The power of “breakthrough” prayer

-Sometimes in life, it is very tempting to give up when faced with a situation where there

seems to be no “breakthrough.” We pray and pray and nothing seems to be happening.

What is the solution?

-Paul sets an example for us in that he kept pressing on to attain that which he knew to be

God’s will and intended goal for his life. Philip. 3:12-14 (Msg) - I'm not saying that I

have this all together, that I have it made. But I am well on my way, reaching out for

Christ, who has so wondrously reached out for me. [13] Friends, don't get me wrong: By

no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I've got my eye on the goal, [14]

where God is beckoning us onward—to Jesus. I'm off and running, and I'm not turning

back.

-Satan may try to bring disillusionment, discouragement, and unbelief to hold us captive

to our situation in life. To break means to come apart by force, to separate into pieces by

shattering. In the realm of the Kingdom, it means breaking through an obstruction, a

disrupting of the continuity or flow of an old system. There are times when God calls us

to use prayer to break the power of the enemy in a given situation. Chuck Pierce, Prayers

that Outwit the Enemy

-One of the names and characteristics of God is the “Breaker.” Micah 2:13 (Amp) The

Breaker [the Messiah] will go before them. They will breakthrough, pass in through the

gate and go out through it, and their King will pass on before them, the Lord at their

head.” God wants to establish himself at the gates of our lives, families, relationships,

churches, cities, and nations.

Some principles and results of breakthrough power– Chuck Pierce

1. Our light and healing will break forth - Isaiah 58:8 -Then your light will break forth like

the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear; then your righteousness will go before

you, and the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard. In this context, this breakthrough

came by fasting.

2. The new song will break forth and waste places be rebuilt – Isaiah 52:9 -Burst into song

of joy together, you ruins of Jerusalem, for the Lord has comforted his people, he has

redeemed Jerusalem.

3. A renewed joy will arise in our spirit - Neh. 8:10 -Nehemiah said, "Go and enjoy choice

food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is

sacred to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”

4. New strength will arise in our spirit -Isaiah 40:31-…but those who hope in the Lord will

renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow

weary, they will walk and not be faint.

-We must present our problems and challenges to the Lord and get his perspective.

Example of Hezekiah when faced with the army of Sennacherib – 2 Kings 18 & 19.

We need God’s strategy to “break through.”

-The Parable of the Persistent Widow, Luke 18:1-8, demonstrates the relationship of faith

and “breakthrough” prayer.

5. The power of declaring God’s Word in prayer

Why declaration of God’sWord is one important way of prayer:

1. We sow the “seed” of God’s Word into a situation. Seeds produce fruit. Isaiah 55:11

“God’s Word will not return void.”

2. We honor God with thanksgiving by declaring that which we already have instead of

constantly asking him for it.

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3. When we declare the Word of the Lord in prayer, under the direction of the Holy Spirit,

we “call things that are not as though they were.” – Romans 4:17

God commanded Ezekiel to prophesy to the dry bones of Israel and declare that they hear

the Word of the Lord. – Ezekiel 37:4

-Prayers of declaration of God’s Word, in order for them to be powerful, must be led of

the Holy Spirit. In other words, discern what the Holy Spirit is saying for a given

situation, and pray in agreement with God’s Word.

PART 5 – THE PRIVILEGE OF PRAYER

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1. The privilege of being invited to seek God

-2 Chron. 16:9 - For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those

whose hearts are fully committed to him.

-2 Chron. 15:2 - He went out to meet Asa and said to him, "Listen to me, Asa and all

Judah and Benjamin. The Lord is with you when you are with him. If you seek him, he

will be found by you, but if you forsake him, he will forsake you.

-Psalm 34:10 - The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the Lord lack

no good thing.

-Jeremiah 29:13 - You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.

-Matthew 6:33 - But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things

will be given to you as well.

2. The privilege to be in partnership with God in carrying out his

Kingdom plan.

-We have been given authority to carry out his work - Matthew 28:18-20 - Then Jesus

came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. [19]

Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father

and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, [20] and teaching them to obey everything I have

commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

-He invites us to ask with the promise to receive - John 14:13-14 - And I will do whatever

you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. [14] You may ask me

for anything in my name, and I will do it.

-Through abiding in Jesus, there is a promise of receiving - John 15:7 - If you remain in

me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you.

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-We are given the keys of the Kingdom - Matthew 16:19 - I will give you the keys of the

kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever

you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”

-God has exalted believers to a place of high honor. Let’s embrace our responsibility

with joy and faith and fulfill the destiny that He has called us to.

“To enable her to learn the technique of overcoming, God devised the scheme of

prayer. To give her “on the job” training, God delegated to her the authority to

enforce His will right here on earth. In order to enable her to acquire the

character and the “know how” she will need as co-sovereign, He has placed upon her

the responsibility and authority to enforce God’s will and administer His decisions

in the affairs of earth.” –Paul E. Billheimer, Destined for the Throne

3. The privilege of receiving rewards for entering into his battle

plan and persevering.

-It may seem hard to believe, but the Bible says that one day we Christians will judge and

govern the world. 2 Tim. 2:12 -… if we endure, we will also reign with him. If we disown

him, he will also disown us; Rev. 2:26 - To him who overcomes and does my will to the

end, I will give authority over the nations—

4. The privilege of being part of a world-wide army of prayer

warriors

-There have always been faithful prayer warriors and intercessors. However, since the

mid 80’s and growing in the 90’s, there has been an unprecedented prayer movement.

People are praying in our nation’s capital, state capitals, around the flag pole, on the

Supreme Court steps, in numerous prayer movements, churches, universities, and the list

goes on.

-There is fervency for prayer as never before. It’s time to enlist in this mighty army and

come into agreement of God regarding his divine plan and purpose for Kingdom prayer

and intercession. THE HOUR IS NOW!

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CONCLUSION:

 Summary of basic and fundamental principles of Kingdom Prayer and Intercession

as described in this teaching: (Some principles may overlap)

1. Persons who have a passion for Kingdom prayer and intercession will have a

resolute and aggressive determination to align their hearts with God’s will to see

His Kingdom purposes be established “on the earth as it is in heaven.”

2. God choose from the time of creation to work on the earth through humans and

not independent of them. As Kingdom people, we are in partnership with God,

through prayer, to see his will be accomplished.

3. Intercession has the power to determine destiny of individual lives, families,

marriages, homes, congregations, areas, cities, nations…

4. Through Calvary, every provision for prayer has been made. It’s up to us to align

our will with God’s will.

5. Kingdom praying and intercession is not a ritual, not a religious exercise, not

something to be endured in order to fulfill an obligation to attend a meeting.

Kingdom prayer and intercession takes time and discernment. However, it is the

highest calling of every believer. It’s a joy and a privilege!

 While we are living in some of the darkest of times, we are also privileged to live in some

of the brightest of times. The reason for the “brightness” is because men and woman,

young and old, are arising to the mandate of Jesus’ invitation to pray, “Your Kingdom

come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” Those who embrace this mandate

as a clarion call to take our authority under Christ, in place of only chanting this prayer as

a religious ritual, will experience an ever increasing spiritual breakthrough for God’s

glory!

 The challenges and pressures that convict us to pray as well as the temptations and snares

of life that cause our prayers to be hindered if we yield to them, are tremendous. But,

“Greater is He that is in us than He that is in the World.” Let’s cry out to the Greater

One, the Lord and Master of our lives, and become one with Him in seeing His will

fulfilled “that none should perish” and that His Bride, the Church, will arise to her full

manifest destiny!

 Isaiah 13:2-4 - Raise a banner on a bare hilltop, shout to them; beckon to them to enter

the gates of the nobles. [3] I have commanded my holy ones; I have summoned my

warriors to carry out my wrath--those who rejoice in my triumph. [4] Listen, a noise on

the mountains, like that of a great multitude! Listen, an uproar among the kingdoms, like

nations massing together! The Lord Almighty is mustering an army for war. Are you

ready to enlist in God’s army through Kingdom prayer and intercession? This is the hour!

ARISE!

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STRATEGY SESSION:

THE SPECIFIC PLAN FOR PRAYER

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Some things to consider when forming a strategy:

1. When we develop strategy, it is important to take time to hear what God is saying. We

might have good ideas in our head and we may know of a plan that worked for someone

else. However, what is God saying to me or for us now?

2. It’s important to be flexible. What you may think is of the Lord and certain to work may not

work. Keep pursing God’s plan.

3. Don’t allow the zeal for prayer and intercession in your personal life or ministry to be

“heavy.” Yes, God may give us burdens to carry, some more so than others. But, allow the

Holy Spirit to energize you and lighten your spirit. “The joy of the Lord is your strength.”

Mingle worship with intercession.

4. Intercessory prayer ideas and program in the church must always be submitted to the pastor

and elders. They carry the spiritual weight of responsibility for the church. Hopefully you

can find agreement in direction but in the end, the leaders are accountable to God for their

decisions or lack thereof. Pastors and elders should be a vital part of intercessory ministry in

the church.

___________________________

Here are some questions to start the process of strategy. Do not limit

yourselves to these questions.

1. What has worked in the past as far as a prayer and intercession strategy?

2. What is God calling you to now and in the future on a personal and ministry level as it

relates to intercession?

3. What are the obstacles for me or as a ministry to overcome for prayer and intercession to be

pursued and practiced?

4. What are specific prayer and intercession goals that God is leading me to set for my own

life? For my ministry or intercession group?

5. What is the ultimate vision for prayer and intercession that you want to see come to

fulfillment in your life and ministry?

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Here are some books that we’ve recently read, along with some others, that carry an

understanding, in our opinion, of Kingdom prayer and intercession:

Chuck Pierce & Rebecca Wagner Sytsema, Prayers That Outwit the Enemy, Regal Books, 2004

(Stimulating and a practical guide to powerful prayer.)

Paul E. Billheimer, Destined for the Throne, Christian Literature Crusade, 1975 – (A book that

opened my eyes to the purpose and value of prayer more than 25 years ago)

Ana Mendez, Shaking the Heavens (How you can pray God’s will on earth as it is in heaven),

Renew Books, 2000 – (Practical teaching on intercession along with some amazing stories of

spiritual breakthrough. Peter Wagner calls Ana, “One of God’s generals of intercession.)

Dutch Sheets, Intercessory Prayer, Regal Books, 1996 – (In my opinion, a classic must read book

on intercession that clearly defines the purpose of intercession. Very readable.)

Peter Wagner, Freedom from the Religious Spirit, Regal Books, 2005 – (Every leader and every

member of every church should read this book to understand how the religious spirit affects

individual lives and congregations)

George Otis, Jr., Informed Intercession, Renew Books, 1999 – (A textbook on spiritual mapping)

Barbara Yoder, God’s Bold Call to Woman, Regal Books, 2003 – (A series of articles that are

inspiring to woman to take a stand but also an excellent book for men to read in order to

understand “God’s bold call to woman.”)

Andrew Murray, The Ministry of Intercession, Whitaker House, 1982 – (A classic)

Gary Oats, Open My Eyes Lord, Open Heaven Publications, 2004 – (Unbelievable true story of

angelic visitations)

Myles Munroe, Rediscovering the Kingdom, Destiny Image Publishers, Inc., 2004 – (Powerful

insights on the Kingdom)

Rolland & Heidi Baker, There is Always Enough, Sovereign World, 2003 – (A book that really

stimulates faith to do the impossible)

Ron Luce, Battle Cry for a Generation: The Fight to Save America’s Youth, NexGen, 2005 (I’ve

not read this book yet but believe it is an excellent book to understand how to reach the youth of

our nation)

Rebecca Greenwood, Authority to Tread, Chosen Books, 2005 – (Excellent on understanding

territorial warfare)