Reinhard
4 Authority in prayer
We can have authority in our prayers. When we pray, we can know that God hears and answers our prayers. As Christians, we can speak with authority just as Jesus Christ spoke. As Samuel in the Old Testament, our words don’t have to fall to the ground.
1 Sam 3:19 So Samuel grew, and the LORD was with him and let none of his words fall to the ground.
Jesus Christ, as the Son of Man spoke with authority!
Luke 4:32 And they were astonished at His teaching, for His word was with authority.
Its important to make our words count. We choose to avoid saying idle words, scornful or mocking words, unkind words or any words that we would soon apologize for. Instead, we have God’s Word in our mouth. We choose to speak what is just, lovely and of good report.
Phil 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.
We study to be quiet at the right times and then at other times let our words ring out as a trumpet proclaiming God’s goodness.
1Thes 4:11 And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you;
Isa 58:1 Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and shew my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins.
We can spend time in prayer and fasting, that when we do speak or pray, the demons hear and obey as we command them to leave in the Mighty Name of Jesus.
Matt 17:21 Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.
We see several remarkable examples in the Bible of people just like us, who had a relationship with God. When they prayed, God heard and answered. In the Old Testament, Elijah prayed and God answered:
James 5:17 Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain; and it did not rain on the land for three years and six months. 18And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth produced its fruit.
In Acts Chapter 16, we see the apostle Paul speaking with authority. A demonized girl had been following him, speaking things that sounded good but were not from God. Paul commanded the demon to leave the girl and it did.
Acts 16:18 But Paul, greatly annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, "I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her." And he came out that very hour.
Jesus Christ, is fully the Son of God. At the same time, He is fully the Son of Man. While here on earth, he was anointed with the Holy Spirit and with power. We too can be filled with the Holy Spirit and with power.
Acts 10:38 How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.
The religious rulers recognized that Jesus Christ had power.
Luke 4:36 And they were all amazed, and spake among themselves, saying, What a word is this! for with authority and power he commandeth the unclean spirits, and they come out.
An important aspect of authority in prayer is shown in the story of the centurion who came to Jesus asking for help.
Matt 8:9-10 For I am a man under authority, having soldiers under me: and I say to this man, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it. 10 When Jesus heard it, he marvelled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.
We have to be under authority ourselves to then exercise authority. We have to be in obedience to God. We have to be in obedience to authorities that God has placed in our lives.
Just as a man who goes on a trip and delegates his authority to someone he trusts, we have been delegated authority. As followers of Jesus Christ, we have been given the right to use the Name of Jesus in prayer and to speak it.
Mark 13:34 For the Son of man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch.
Jesus has been given all authority. We in turn as His followers have been given His authority.
Matt 28:18-20 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 “teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.
Jesus Christ exercised authority over demons, commanding them to leave.
Mar 1:23-26 And there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit; and he cried out, :24 Saying, Let us alone; what have we to do with thee, thou Jesus of Nazareth? art thou come to destroy us? I know thee who thou art, the Holy One of God. :25 And Jesus rebuked him, saying, Hold thy peace, and come out of him. :26 And when the unclean spirit had torn him, and cried with a loud voice, he came out of him.
Jesus exercised authority over the weather, commanding a storm to stop.
Mar 4:39 And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.
Jesus exercised authority over the barren fig tree, commanding it to dry up.
Mar 11:13-14 And seeing a fig tree afar off having leaves, he came, if haply he might find any thing thereon: and when he came to it, he found nothing but leaves; for the time of figs was not yet. :14 And Jesus answered and said unto it, No man eat fruit of thee hereafter for ever. And his disciples heard it.
:20 And in the morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig tree dried up from the roots.
Jesus exercised authority over disease, commanding it to leave.
Mar 2:10-12 But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (he saith to the sick of the palsy,) :11 I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy bed, and go thy way into thine house. :12 And immediately he arose, took up the bed, and went forth before them all; insomuch that they were all amazed, and glorified God, saying, We never saw it on this fashion.
As Christians, we are disciples of Jesus Christ! We too can walk in the power and authority we have in Jesus Christ.
Luke 9:1 Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases.
Matt 28:18-20 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go therefore* and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen.
We are abiding in the Vine, the Lord Jesus Christ. We are receiving His Power as we abide in Him.
John 15:5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
We are part of the body of Christ. Jesus Christ is the head. We receive strength and power as we remain in Him.
1 Cor 12:27 Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.
Authority goes hand in hand with having power. The example is told of how a person could stand in a road and hold up his hand for a truck to stop. The truck driver could choose to just drive around that person. On the other hand, if a police man stands in the road and puts up his hand for the truck to stop, then the truck driver has to deal with all the authority that the policeman represents.
We are representing a much higher authority than any earthly government. We are representing the King of King and Lord of Lords. We are His ambassadors. We have been given the right to offer eternal life though Jesus Christ to people.
2 Cor 5:20 Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God.
As Christians, we have been given the authority to use the Name of Jesus. We purpose to use it to build up people. Just as the Apostle Paul, we want to primarily edify, that is, build up and encourage people.
2 Cor 10:8 For though I should boast somewhat more of our authority, which the Lord hath given us for edification, and not for your destruction, I should not be ashamed: