Confession-Declare Promises-Believe
Where do we begin our prayer journey for results? Great question! PERSONAL CONFESSIONS. Proverbs 15:29 “The LORD is far from the wicked, but he hears the prayer of the righteous.” It is vitally important that we are prepared to go before our Heavenly Father. Remember, He is Holy and we must approach Him with the right attitude and a pure heart. The Word states that we are to “…come boldly to the throne of grace.” Hebrews 4:16. One translation tells us to come with confidence.
So very often we come across social network sites and faith communities presenting themselves as Prayer Warriors. This gets people attention very quickly, because so many people are in need of prayer and a Prayer Warrior sounds like the one to get the job done! As should be the case, of course.
Prayer Warriors are Christians who intercede to God on behalf of others. Shouldn’t this include ALL believers? Because this sounds like any mother wrestling before the Lord over her children, or a father and husband interceding on behalf of a job interview and the success of landing a good paying job. Or perhaps a person praying for a spouse, their marriage to be saved. It could also include young adults and students praying to be ‘exam ready’, or a preacher praying over his congregation and for the next sermon.
While the term prayer warrior is not found in scripture the description of men and women of God interceding on the behalf of others and nations are found throughout the Scriptures. (Again, this should include ALL believers). When King Jehoshaphat heard that Judah was going to be invaded by the Moabites and Ammonites he began to intercede for the land. 2nd Chronicles 20:1-24.
His prayer was one of great distress; the remarkable thing is he began his prayer with questions. Jehoshaphat felt the need to remind God of who He [God] was to the people of Israel. “…Are you not the God who is in heaven? You rule over the nations. Power and might are in Your hand… didn’t You drive out the inhabitants… and give it to Your people Israel and give it forever to the descendants of Abraham Your friend?” Ever thought of how to pray for Israel? Well, there you go. A perfect prayer for the peace of Israel.
God’s answer to his distress call was a miraculous one. He told him, “…Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s.” Here’s what Jehoshaphat did next: He was so confident that God would answer his prayer that the next morning he ENCOURAGED the people to BELIEVE in God! Then he appointed singers and told the people to PRAISE God!
The Ammonites and Moabites went to destroy the people of Seir and when they had done so, they began killing each other! You can’t make this stuff up! You have got to read it! (2 Chronicles 20:20-30) here’s an excerpt:
24 And when Judah came toward the watch tower in the wilderness, they looked unto the multitude, and, behold, they were dead bodies fallen to the earth, and none escaped.
25 And when Jehoshaphat and his people came to take away the spoil of them, they found among them in abundance both riches with the dead bodies, and precious jewels, which they stripped off for themselves, more than they could carry away: and they were three days in gathering of the spoil, it was so much.
26 And on the fourth day they assembled themselves in the valley of Berachah; for there they blessed the Lord: therefore the name of the same place was called, The valley of Berachah, unto this day.
27 Then they returned, every man of Judah and Jerusalem, and Jehoshaphat in the forefront of them, to go again to Jerusalem with joy; for the Lord had made them to rejoice over their enemies.
28 And they came to Jerusalem with psalteries and harps and trumpets unto the house of the Lord.
29 And the fear of God was on all the kingdoms of those countries, when they had heard that the Lord fought against the enemies of Israel.
30 So the realm of Jehoshaphat was quiet: for his God gave him rest round about.
God desires to give us answers to our prayers. Be encouraged. Believe and trust Him. Thank and Praise Him for the answer.
Stay Tuned for a continuation of a series on Effectual Fervent Prayer. Also visit P.I.C.C. blog pages where you will find A Prayer Basket, The Situation Rooms, and the Invitation to Prayer. Here are links: