WEEK 12 – Authority of Prayer

The author teaches us that God does not teach us to pray in the position of weakness. Rather he gives us the authority to activate His will on earth through his name. When someone gives us the permission to use their name, it is an indication of trust. It is essentially telling somebody ’’Use the credibility I have earned to establish your own. Use my name and you will be received as I am’’.

She gave an example of how she benefits from the reputation of her parents name. She is treated with respect because of the good things her parents have done, even though she is not the one who did those things.

God’s name is majestic and powerful that we need the spirit’s power to understand it. Because his name defines our relationship with him, God has patiently taught us his name. The first revelation of his name to a redeemed people was ’’I AM’’ this name is open ended and leaves room for our understanding of him to grow . He grows our knowledge of his name with each encounter. Actually, His name is to big too be spoken by human lips. And this makes it a travesty, nay, even an abomination to take the name in vain as s swear words or as an expletive. In fact the name is so great that there is a command given about its usage ‘’ You shall not take my name in vain’’.

The name of God has now been consolidated in one all-encompassing name ‘’Jesus’’. Phillipians 2:9-11 tells us the power of The Name : ’’ Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Even though people, particularly in latin America and parts of Europe bear the name Jesus, the name of J-e-s-u-s is simply the code word for a person of supreme universal authority that has present and future authority. The authority of that name is recognized not only in heaven, on Earth but also in hell. Angels in heaven snap to attention when they hear the name. Demons and Devils tremble and kneel and obey when they hear the name. All rational and irrational creatures in the universe recognize that name and bow to its power.

When we pray in that name, all the resources of heaven-and that includes angelic armies are placed at our disposal. In John 16: 24 Jesus tells us :‘’Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.’’

So when we worship, we must bow before the name-whether mentally or physically. We must speak the name reverently. We must also sing songs that exalt his name. Be conscious of every prayer you pray in the name of Jesus. Let the spirit reveal the power of the name to you.

The Spirit gives us the Power to pray. But Jesus’ name gives us the authority to pray. Authorithy and power are two different things. For instance, I can drive a car but because I do not have the authority or legal permission to do so, I cant or I risk going to jail.

When we embraced the lordship of Jesus in our life, he became my life. I am in Him (Ephesians 1:13) and he is in me (Colossians 3:3) So when God looks at Victor for instance, he no longer sees Victor. Rather, he sees Jesus in His Victor- form.

The name gives us authority in the spiritual realm. And the natural as well. So when we touch heaven with our prayers in the name of Jesus, we can change the Earth.

When we pray in the name of Jesus, we bring into any situation the resources and the timing and the events that will clearly reveal God’s power and glorify his name. You do not influence God to do your will. You simply influence the spiritual realm to do God’s will.

The writer gives an example of being president of an organization. As president, she can sign checks but only for the purpose and goals of the organization. If she does not sign the check, the organization’s goals can’t be achieved. Similiarly, Jesus has delegated to us to access resources for his purpose. Our God -authored prayer releases his riches just as a check releases the resources in a checking account. Delegated authority is only in effect when it exactly the original authority that backs it up. Jesus has original authority, in other words, authority inherent in himself while we have authority delegated to us. It is never our authority. It is His but he gives us the right and privilege to use His authority and power on His behalf to do those things he would want to do if he were us.
So, once our prayer is out of His will, we have no authority. But once they are in His will, we have authority.

The president of the United States has original authority, while the secretary of State has delegated authority. When she speaks, she must speak the thoughts and ideas of the president. The very moment she begins to speak her thought as a private citizen, she is no longer in authority. Delegated authority is operational only when it is the exact representation of the original authority that backs it up.

Jesus is Lord. We don’t make him Lord. Our prayers do a work that enforces and executes his authority, bringing it to bear in a situation just as a state trooper or policeman brings the president’s authority to bear in say, a traffic situation.

Like Elijah, we can enforce God’s will and purpose on Earth. ‘’Your will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven’’ refers to us. Angels enforce and carry out God’s will in Heaven. We are the enforcers of planet Earth.

The secret of a praying life is not a method, but a relationship. The secret of prayer is not my fervency or eloquence. It lies in the master alone. Powerful prayer will occur when:

1. I allow him to align my thoughts and purposes with His.
2. I give up my preconceived ideas of what I want and need and allow him to fill me with his abundance.
3. I bring my will in cooperation with his.
4. My mind, will and emotions become the conduits through which he can express his thoughts, desires and longings.

Meditation by Victor Edun

Presentations on Prayer (Index)