Prayer Changes Things Pt. 2 Series

Prayer Changes Things Pt. 2

Philippians 4:6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7. and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

We were discussing in pt. 1, how that when we’ve gone to the Father in prayer in the correct way, we will have God’s peace and that peace will guard our hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. We were also talking about how different types of prayer are for different purposes. There is the prayer of intercession, the prayer of salvation, the prayer of consecration, the prayer of repentance for the believer, the prayer of agreement, and these are not the only types of prayer mentioned in the Word of God. One type of prayer isn’t always the right type of prayer for every situation.

I would also like to point out as the title of this study indicates, prayer changes things. Prayer does not change God! We know His Word tells us there is no variation of change in Him. Circumstances can change, but God won’t!

I’ve heard people say that prayer moves God. I believe that is not an accurate way of looking at this. The truth is, God has already moved on our behalf. The Apostle Paul wrote to the Ephesians and said, Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ. (Ephesians 1:3.) We have already been blessed with all the blessings of God, we have to learn to receive them according to God’s Word. Prayer is one of things God has given us to accomplish this.

Faith receives those things that have already been accomplished in the spiritual realm and manifests them in the natural realm. The New English Translation says in Hebrews11:1. Faith gives substance to our hopes and makes us certain of realities we do not see.

We may not see these realities in the natural, however they are real. Just as the wind can not be seen but we know it is real.

I said in pt.1, Prayer is another way of saying you are processing out the very will of God, working out His will and bringing His will into existence here on the Earth. There are times when we just don’t know the correct way to pray, as opposed to the times when God’s will is clearly known and understood. For instance we know that God’s will is for all to be saved and come to the knowledge of repentance. So God’s will is clearly understood in this situation. We don’t need to pray, God if it be thy will save cousin Mary Lou. Since God’s will is clearly known and understood, we pray the way that Jesus told us to pray for the lost. We pray that the Lord of the harvest send laborers into the harvest.

We know that in order to be saved we have to hear the Word of God. Ro. 10: ...

How do we pray when God’s will is not clearly understood, such as when we are seeking direction or wisdom, or for a situation to be resolved where you just don’t have all the answers. This is not the same kind of prayer as where God’s will is clearly known and understood. Faith always comes from clearly knowing and understanding the will of God. I am talking about reveled knowledge here and not just head knowledge. Faith for salvation comes this way, and faith for all of God’s promises come this way as well. So how can we pray in faith when we don’t have clarity of God’s will and purpose? That is a fair question and deserves a fair answer. God’s Word covers these situations as well. I’m so thankful He hasn’t left us hanging aren’t you? This is why it is so important to know the correct way to pray!

The eight chapter of Romans discusses this very thing. This type of prayer is for unfolding God’s will and purpose. Once this is done, faith arises in our heart. I will repeat myself here. Faith always comes from knowing and understanding God’s will, you can’t have faith outside of knowing God’s will. Another way of saying this is to say that we must get revelation knowledge. That is supernatural knowledge of God’s will.

Intercession is processing the plan of God. It is bringing the will and purpose of God to fulfillment. Let’s look at God’s Word and see what it says.

Romans 8:26. Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. 27. Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God. 28. And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.