Apostolic Perspectives # 3 - Prayer and the Apostolic Mindset
Properly understood, prayer is one of the most powerful resources that we have as believers.
There are aspects of prayer that are conversational and are designed to fellowship and have communion with God. There are aspects of prayer that release hostile forces against the powers of darkness. We generally refer to this as warfare prayer. Still there are aspects of prayer that make requests on behalf of another. This is intercession in its most basic form.
Prayer that Creates New Realities
There is also a type of prayer that creates new realities. This may sound intimidating or even presumptuous but I want to assure you that Scripture doesn’t only mention this type of spiritual transaction, but it actually encourages it:
You will make your prayer to Him,
He will hear you,
And you will pay your vows.
You will also declare a thing,
And it will be established for you;
So light will shine on your ways.
(Job 22:27-28 NKJV)
Behold, the former things have come to pass,
And new things I declare;
Before they spring forth I tell you of them."
Sing to the Lord a new song,
And His praise from the ends of the earth,
You who go down to the sea, and all that is in it,
You coastlands and you inhabitants of them!
(Isa 42:9-10 NKJV)
Three Vital Observations
1. When the new has become old, God begins to declare new things again.
2. God has a way of revealing these things before they manifest
3. Human declaration is the avenue through which God activates these new things.
This third observation is vital. It connects revelation to declaration and manifestation. People are commanded to language the new things, even before they are manifested. This is a deliberate invitation from God to participate in changing current realities!
What impact should this have on our prayer life? How should this influence our worship before God? I submit that this is an element of prayer that touches apostolic realities. Part of being apostolic is conquering new territories. Seeing what is possible and daring to declare it. Declaration is only the second step in a three-step process:
First there is revelation. This is God’s doing.
Then there is declaration. This is our part.
Then there is manifestation. This is also controlled by God.
Imagine God changing our circumstances by the very words that we pray!
What are some of the things that we could pray over the KFIC community that would change the very culture of the house? Please consider the following words over the house and what new things God is saying to us as we pray this week:
The testing of our faith is not a denial of God’s love for us
Process is not punishment
Followship is a deliberate and conscious choice
Followship is an outward expression of an inner position
Maturity in Christ is not knowledge-based it is attitude or behavior-centered
May the Lord strengthen you and give you insight into His will as you wait before Him in prayer.
Kingdom Blessings!