Understanding Prayer (Part 2)

Daughters of Rachel,
As we continue learning about prayer, know that when you enter into intercession, you are embracing what men call foolish and weak. God has chosen to use the things that men consider as weak to triumph over the things that men consider wise and mighty. God will use those who embrace the so called ”weakness” of praying, fasting, giving, serving, and suffering persecution to triumph over human wisdom and might.

God has chosen the (so called) foolish things of the world to put to shame the (so called) wise, and God has chosen the (so called) weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty… that no flesh should glory in His presence. (1 Cor. 1:27-29)

Because prayer and intercession is speaking back to an invisible God what He tells us to tell Him, men consider this to be too weak and offensive to do (especially since it is so simple that anyone can do it). We see God’s wisdom is sharing His government in a way that leaves no place for our glory or boasting.

Ladies, prayer and intercession is a form of “voluntary weakness,” as also are fasting, giving, serving, persecution, etc.

He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my strength is made perfect in weakness”… I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. (2Cor. 12:9)

The very fact that God chose the simplicity of prayer (so that all could do it) just shows us His desire for partnership with us. He allows us to wrestle with Him and even prevail. (Gen. 32:24-30)

Intercession causes us to internalize God’s Word by our saying it back to Him throughout our life. Each time we say what God says, that in itself builds our faith, marks our mind, marks our spirit and changes us. This process progressively renews our inner man.

God’s words are spirit and life. They impart God’s life to us. Each time we say what God says, we receive a small impartation of His life that illuminates our mind and tenderizes our heart.

The words that I (Jesus) speak to you are spirit and they are life. (John 6:63)

The Father’s word abiding in us is our fuel for intercession and our personal transformation.

If you abide in my word, you are my disciple indeed. You shall know (experience) the truth, and the truth shall set you free. (John 8:31-32)

Prayer and intercession renews our hope and faith as we continually speak God’s word back to Him while, waiting for the release of His promises. Prayer unites our heart to the people and places for whom we pray. Intercession helps produce community with people, and ownership of God’s purposes in the different cities and nations for which we pray. One reason that most of the New Testament prayers are for the Church instead of the lost is so that we grow in love for the Church. Over time, many will tend to despise the Church due to being overly familiar with it. Praying for the Church will take care of this.

The process of intercession humbles us so when God answers us we are protected from pride. God is humble. He is the only One who has based His entire government on humility. He has chosen that His people would rule with Him in humility through speaking His simple words. The way that prayer functions expresses humility. We speak God’s simple words back to Him. There are times when our prayers are offered without feeling God’s power, yet they ascend before His Throne in power.

Prayer changes the spiritual atmosphere of cities and nations and thereby prepares the way for the presence of God to enter in. This releases anointed ministry to bring blessing and deliverance to many in need. This is the very reason why we pray over Perry’s itinerary and closely pray for him before and during his scheduled meetings.

Oh Daughters, when you pray and intercede for others, you are making a long term impact that is going way beyond this age. Our prayers for people and cities continue to have an impact in the ages to come. The Bible says that prayers from history are stored in a bowl near God’s Throne (Rev. 5:8; 8:1-6). Intercession gives us an inheritance in the people and places for whom we pray. This inheritance begins in this age and continues in the age to come. Personally, I look forward to the Bema Seat to get my inheritance. It’s all about the crown!

Prayer positions us to hear from God, so as to obey Him that we might walk in our calling and destiny. In intercession, we position ourselves to receive revelation from His heart for our lives. Also, we receive revelation into the destiny of others (loved ones), cities or nations so that we may stand with them in contending for God’s fullness for them.

Intercession for others causes multiplied blessings to return back on the life of the intercessor. Every prayer of blessing for another is a prayer that God returns back on you and your family. The law of the Kingdom requires that we always receive more than what we give away by faith.

Give, and it will be given to you; good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you. (Luke 6:38)

Ladies, intercession is God’s strategy for including the saints in ruling with Him in power. Yet, it has such great impact on us as it draws us into intimacy with God, as it protects us with humility, as it transforms us with holiness, as it anoints us with power, as it unifies us in community, as it releases revelation, as it increases our inheritance, while it trains us to rule with His wisdom.

Precious Daughters of Rachel, This is what prayer is all about!

Ellen Kanode