We’ve been on a series about cultivating a heart for God and that True Worshippers possess certain characteristics and bear fruit that glorifies God. Today, I want to conclude with your prayer life, but not only your prayer life, understanding that there is a place in the spirit as well as a specific approach to prayer that is a game changer.
Seated in Heavenly Places
“And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus.” – Ephesians 2:6 (NIV)
Imagine this: you are seated with Christ in heavenly places. This isn’t just a nice thought—it’s a powerful truth that can revolutionise how you see yourself and your spiritual authority.
Truth #1: Identity in Christ
Understanding that we are seated with Christ can transform how we view ourselves. We are not just earthly beings; we have a heavenly identity.
Truth #2: Victory and Authority
This position means we share Christ’s victory and have authority over spiritual powers. Think about that for a moment. You have authority in Christ!
But remember, our position in Christ doesn’t mean we are exempt from opposition and tribulation. We are three-part beings: spirit, soul, and body. So, where are your body and mind residing? In saying this, this should impact how you pray. In other words, are you praying from the earth, trying to cry out to heaven to get you out of your problems, or are you declaring from a place of victory from heaven speaking to your “mountains” demanding heaven to be released in your life?
Overcoming Adversity
“I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s Day, and I heard behind me a loud voice, as of a trumpet,” – Revelation 1:10 (YLT)
John, despite facing severe persecution, beatings, and torture, didn’t let his circumstances discourage him. He chose to be in the Spirit, engaging in spiritual warfare. He decided to pursue God’s presence, and in doing that, revelation opened up that would have encouraged him but also changed the revelation of the new covenant believer.
The prayers and worship of the Saints
“Now when He had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each having a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. And they sang a new song, saying: ‘You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals; for You were slain, and have redeemed us to God by Your blood out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation.'” – Revelation 5:8-9
What an inspiring scene! The twenty-four elders, worshipping the Lamb with harps and golden bowls full of incense—our prayers. They recognise Jesus’ authority to judge and redeem.
Who Are the Twenty-Four Elders?
They represent the redeemed Church, the 12 Tribes of Israel (Old Covenant Church) and the 12 disciples (New Covenant Church). They hold harps (worship) and golden bowls (prayers of the saints), highlighting their dual role as royal priests.
“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation…” – 1 Peter 2:9 (NIV)/”…by his blood, and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father—to him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen.” – Revelation 1:5-6 (NIV)
How do we genuinely approach prayer?
“This, then, is how you should pray: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your Kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.” – Matthew 6:9-13 (NIV)
Prayer is not meant to be a mechanical thing we do but rather a lifestyle we engage in by revelational approach. I’ve broken it down into five aspects from the Lord’s Prayer, mainly what Jesus taught.
1. Praise and Worship.” Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name”:
Start your prayers by acknowledging God’s holiness and greatness. Enter His presence with thanksgiving and Praise. “Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise.” – Psalms 100:4. Praise and worship are foundational. Along with that is our approach to God as a father, but this acknowledges God’s holiness and foundational approach to approaching God! Hallowed be your name refers to sanctified, Honoured, Revered, and Holy. Our approach from a place of reverence is vital. However, it doesn’t end there.
In the same way, God told Moses, “I AM.” What do you need God to be at this moment? The bigger question is, do you have a revelation of Him in this capacity? Do you KNOW His name? The names of God reveal various aspects of His character and affect the way you pray:
Elohim: Creator
Yahweh: Eternal, covenant-keeping God
El Shaddai: All-Sufficient One
Adonai: Lord and Master
Yahweh Jireh: Provider
Yahweh Rapha: Healer
Yahweh Nissi: Protector
Yahweh Shalom: Source of Peace
Yahweh Tsidkenu: Righteousness
Yahweh Rohi: Shepherd
Yahweh Sabaoth: Commander of heavenly armies
El Elyon: Most High
El Roi: God Who Sees
2. Submission to God’s Will: “Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven”
The Fervent, effective prayer has much to do with our alignment with God’s will for our life, Church, Business, Family, City, and Nation. Surrender to His authority and trust in His plans is crucial. I don’t believe the prayers of the saints in the golden bowls are about our holidays, vision boards, dream cars, etc. I genuinely think it has to do with Kingdom plans and assignments for you, your Church, your City and the Sovereign plans of God that have been pre-destined for you personally. In saying this, I believe that, according to scripture, God will give you the desires of your heart, and you can still ask for things; it’s just another level of intercessory prayer I’m talking about.
3. Provision for Daily Needs: “Give us today our daily bread.”
Scripture tells us, and Jesus quoted from Deuteronomy, “Man cannot live by bread alone but every word that proceeds.” God wants us to depend on Him for our daily needs. Remember, He is your provider, your shepherd, your Father.
4. Forgiveness and Confession: “And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.”
We are told to confess our sins and forgive others. This is crucial for maintaining a healthy relationship with God and others. It is also vital to unlock the Kingdom of God manifesting in your life and through you on earth as it is in heaven. Don’t give Satan a legal right to hinder, frustrate, and stop God’s plans for your life, Church, or community.
5. Guidance and Protection: “And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one”.
Seek God’s guidance to avoid temptation and ask for His protection against evil.
The Parable of the Persistent Widow and the Unjust Judge
“Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them they should always pray and not give up. He said: ‘In a certain town, a judge neither feared God nor cared what people thought. And a widow in that town kept coming to him with the plea, “Grant me justice against my adversary.” Luke 18:1-8 (NIV)
1. Persistent Prayer: Like the widow, keep praying and don’t give up. Persistence in prayer is powerful.
2. God’s Justice and Character: Trust in God’s justice. Unlike the unjust judge, God is righteous and just.
3. Faith and Justice: Let your faith drive you to seek God’s justice persistently.
4. Intercession and Advocacy: Stand in the gap for others through persistent prayer. Be their advocate before God.
5. God’s Timely Response: Trust in God’s perfect timing. He will answer your prayers at the right time.
Call to Action: Cultivating a Worshiping Heart.
I believe that if we do these things every day, we will cultivate a heart of worship and become the worshipers Jesus spoke about, whom the Father seeks.
1. Seek First God’s Kingdom: Prioritise God’s way of doing things. Make His will your primary pursuit.
2. Choose Obedience Over Convenience: Obey God even when challenging or inconvenient. Your faithfulness will be rewarded. Choose obedience over convenience.
3. Cultivate a Heart of Worship: Make worship a lifestyle, not just an event. Let your actions and attitudes honour God daily and stir a passion for worshipping in song.
4. Cultivate a Lifestyle of Prayer: Engage in continuous prayer, incorporating various types such as adoration, confession, thanksgiving, and intercession. Begin to ask the Holy Spirit to open up your Spiritual eyes to see the things of the Spirit and your ears to hear the things of the Spirit.
5. Study the Word: Don’t just read the Bible; study it. Meditate on its truths and apply them to your life. Don’t allow religion and watered-down Bible translations to steal the mysteries and keys of the Kingdom. Cross-references, look at the original text and ask the Holy Spirit to illuminate the truths that will change your life.
Conclusion
As worshippers seeking God, let’s commit to a lifestyle of prayer, worship, and persistent faith. Understand your identity in Christ, equip yourself for spiritual warfare, and follow the example of persistent prayer. Let’s cultivate hearts that truly seek and honour God in every aspect of our lives.
Remember, you are seated with Christ in heavenly places. Embrace your identity, walk in authority, and live out your calling as kings and priests in His Kingdom. Let’s seek God with all our hearts and watch Him move powerfully in and through us.
This blog was inspired by Ps Shaun’s message at Faith Legacy Believers Church on the 30th of June, 2024. You can watch the full message below.