Praying in the Spirit.

Praying Always in the Spirit.

Before you begin to read this piece, I'd like to point out that God is always with us. As born-again believer's, the Holy Spirit lives in us, whether we feel Holy Spirit there or not, whether or not we are aware of His presence, Holy Spirit resides in us. 

There are things we can do, however, which bring a stronger anointing of that presence, a special endowment from the Holy Spirit. This piece is hopefully going to do that for you; bring in a strong anointing presence, with a greater capacity towards answered prayer.

Ephesians 6:10-11 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armour of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

There’s a tremendous spiritual battle with unseen powers. We live in a material world but our citizenship is that of the eternal. Without the strength of the Lord, the devil will pit against us.

Once we realise the reality of the unseen spiritual life and the powers held there, we can then work towards winning our battles, taking captive the unseen and bringing it to the seen.

To overcome and not be cast down is to put on the full armour of God, provided by God, that we may stand in the evil day. We must also pray. And we must know Who we are praying to. To conquer the might and power of the enemy means knowing where to go and what to do and Who to do it with.

So, then, how do we pray?

The disciples asked; “Lord teach us to pray...” (Luke 11:1) It was important enough for them to want to know how to do it correctly. Prayer is not effective so much in general principles but by exactness.

The most essential thing about prayer is that we are to pray in the Spirit.

There’s time and methods for prayer. But it is useless to spend our time on those other things without knowing this first principle …. How to pray in the Spirit.

After Jesus’ resurrection, the disciples met together in the upper room and the Spirit filled them. The great baptism into one body, the body of believers. Let’s not look at this in the wrong way. We’re impressed by the manifestation of power displayed on that day, but the ultimate point is that of salvation. Salvation is simply to bring us to know God.

Christ died in order to bring us to God. That’s the importance of salvation. God’s Son died so we would have it.

The primary function of the Holy Spirit is to bring us to God, worked out by the Son of God; that we know God and have fellowship and communion with Him.

The more excellent way than just prayer alone, is communion, love, knowledge and certainty. We are to pray in the Holy Spirit. Worship isn’t worship unless we pray in Spirit and in Truth. That is to pray with heartfelt sincerity and in accordance with God’s word. A heart motivated by love and gratitude, conforming to the revelation of scripture. And we can’t pray according to the scripture unless we’re reading our scripture.

The partition was torn by the death of Christ and we now have direct access to the Father because of the Son. It is this one and only Holy Spirit, brought through the death and resurrection of Christ that we are to pray. We are to worship God, in or by the Holy Spirit and rejoice in Christ with no confidence in the flesh.

The only true way to pray is in the Spirit. The Spirit is of Jesus and the only way for intercession to occur is through the Spirit in Jesus name.

Prayer isn’t because of a place. It’s not in the rushed and flurry of our morning routine. It occurs in the warm and compassionate centre of the heart. It’s in the reverence and holy fear of the Lord. Know Who you are praying to! Revere Him.

Prayer isn’t in the monotonous repetition of routine. It’s not in the time or the date that you pray, or even the place. Yes, it’s disciplined and directed, but it’s in the Spirit. Mechanical prayer is better than no prayer but it’s not in the mechanical, not in the quiet time but in the heartfelt prayer brought before God through the Spirit.

True prayer comes from the heart, from compassion, from love. To Whom are you praying? Vain repetitions, counting beads, or numbering your prayers aren’t the answer. Being mechanical isn’t the answer. Frantic prayers in crisis, while better than none, is not the answer. Anxious and fear filled prayer won’t move God.

Praying in composure, led by the Holy Spirit, guided by the Spirit, taught and directed by the Spirit. Seeing God as Spirit, seeing Him, really seeing Him as He is in Spirit. Stop and look at Who you’re addressing. The essence of prayer is to know the Eternal Holy God. Pure Spirit, who is in all, above all, through all, below all, omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent. The Holy Father. That’s a prayer in the Spirit.

Pray with reverence and Godly fear; with awe, wonder and amazement. If we don’t start with that, surely it isn’t prayer.

Whom are you addressing? It is the One for whom the blood of the Lamb was sacrificed. God needs to be great in our mind, with Jesus at the centre and the Holy Spirit at the helm, directing the believer in the way they should walk.

In honouring the Lord, we will have forgotten our supplications and be worshiping the great and mighty God. Realising we’re in the very presence of God, we are then in the full assurance of faith and in boldness and knowledge of the Father.

We’ve been unsure, desperate, not quiet, restless, uncertain, unhappy, with no peace, and feverish, on the off-chance God will hear and that’s not the way to pray.

Prayer in the Spirit realizes the presence of God. We know and feel that Thou art here. Never be content in your prayer life until you know and feel God is there. A living and vital prayer, free, warm and loving.

Not mechanical, not stilted, but with an open heart we come to Our Father, as a child to his daddy. Confident, assured, a prayer which realises the presence of God. Knowing and feeling the He is here. Never rest content until we know and feel that God is here, face to face with us.

Prayer will always be in accordance with His will, when done in the name of Jesus Christ, according to the mind of Christ and His will. A prayer of faith and divine expectation. A prayer led and directed of the Spirit, looking for answers. Not double minded like James, but in faith, believing and expecting answers. Always looking forward with peace and joy.

James 1:7- 8 “But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do.”

Now I don’t want to complicate this any more than it has to be. There’s a place for discipline, for discipline brings healing. There’s a place for the mechanical; doing everything we can to do in order to bring us before the Father. Some days all we have time for is a quick “help me" in the morning and “thank You” in the evening, for life can get busy. As it says in Romans 8:28 And we know at all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.

If we pray in the Spirit the rest will look after itself. Pray on all occasions. Never give up praying. Methods are not the concern. It isn’t in the way we do it or the order we do it in, as long as it’s done in the Spirit. All prayer and supplication, done as we ought in boldness and assurance, but always in the Spirit. Then we shall stand in the evil day.

Resist the Devil and he will Flee.

Resist the Devil and he will Flee.

Some weeks ago, I mentioned to a friend how lonely it can be going to church by myself week after week. My children have grown, now living their own lives and my husband isn’t a believer. More recently, I also mentioned to laugh at the devil and say; “Is this all you got!”

I remember I also wrote to her describing when 26 years ago, I learned to feel the fear and do it anyway and where only recently did I learn not to feel the fear, but to cast it out. For all these years I’ve been stepping out in ‘fearful faith.’ Stepping out in faith, but with anxiety attached to the hip.

Even though I’ve read my bible through, cover to cover 7 times, I still didn’t connect ‘cast out fear’ to what I was doing. Once I hit on it, I could then walk in courage, leaving sin on the sidewalk, so to speak. No longer in fear filled faith, but in courage and with a sound mind, I now march into my day ready for any battle.

Coming back to feeling lonely; it hit on occasion. Or it did. Not now, as now things have changed. Recently, when I had a terrible loneliness three weeks in a row (funnily enough – only ever at church), I saw it was a ploy of the devil. Him thinking he could stop me attending church, although he never did. I felt the loneliness and went anyway, in spite of my feelings.

Once I realised this, once I realised this was a ploy, I said to the devil; “Is this all you got?” and laughed. I haven’t been lonely at church since.

Now that I have this in hand, the devil thought he’d try a new thing today. While worshipping I got an overwhelming sadness for our beautiful dog, Soxx, as her days are coming to a close (she’s 17 years old now, arthritic, stiff and slow). And who knows, she may go another 2 or 3 years but for whatever reason, today I got teary and again only at church.

Straight away I realised it to be another ploy of the devil. Satan can no longer get me in the loneliness department and so, ever the optimist, he’s trying a new thing. “Ha, ha, ha; is this all you got?” I went right on worshipping and didn’t think of Soxx again throughout the service.

It’s a new tool for the tool kit on battling the enemy, don’t you think? New to me anyway.

When in condemnation; Is this all you got!

When in pain; Is this all you got!

When in poverty; Is this all you got!

When in fear; Is this all you got!

When in illness; Is this all you got!

The list is endless, but I guarantee, when you laugh (a form of resistance) the devil will flee, for as it says in James 4:7 Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.

Now I’m not saying we should poke the bear. That’s never a good idea. We need to be “prayed up” before we attempt this kind of thing. There are two forces at work in our world; good and evil (Christ and satan). Unprepared, it’s not so easy to laugh at the devil.

We need to be tapped into the wisdom of God, for to laugh at the devil is no simple thing. In this instance, it’s not to be taken lightly. Done the right way the devil’s plans are brought to nought, as we break the chains holding us back, under the guiding hand of the Lord Jesus Christ.

As we look through Christ’s eyes and pray for wisdom and understanding, as we ask for the strength and courage to take us where we need to go, as we hear the Lord’s prompting over our situation, then with His leading and guiding can we overcome the evil one.

Laughter transmutes our perspective on an issue, be it a form of evil, or the mundane of modern living. Proverbs 17:22 states a merry heart does good, like medicine. But a broken spirit dries the bones.

Laughter is good for us. A crushed spirit is the opposite of a cheerful heart. If you would rather joy than sadness, take a moment to laugh. Force it if you have to. Even forced laughter causes the mind to react in a positive manner, lifting our pleasure endorphins.

God’s word says in Job 5:22; You shall laugh at destruction and famine and you shall not be afraid the beasts of the earth.

Laugh at destruction and famine – not an easy thing to do when you’re in the midst of the situation. But God can change situations. Beasts of the earth - satan is a beast and one of whom we should not fear, for God is our strength.

Follow the leading of the Holy Spirit, pray, study God’s word, take Communion, worship and stand your ground, have faith, testify to all and you will resist the devil and overcome your battles, in Jesus mighty name.

Remember Baal-Perazim; the God of multiple breakthroughs. He can do what you can’t. Amen.

Mamlaka.

Mamlaka.

Shantelle spoke at church on Sunday night about mamlaka (the Hebrew word for dominion, reign, sovereignty). God gave us the authority to rule and reign on the earth. We are told to take that authority, engaging creation in order to bring about our victory.

Genesis 1:28 And God blessed them. And God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”

Shantelle spoke of decreeing to the fish of the waters and the birds of the air, declaring what we want to see happen in our lives. Her main point being this one aspect; to engage creation’s help in bringing that victory to us.

Shantelle had lost her sunglasses. Eight months they were missing. To her they were an expensive pair and she didn’t want to buy another set. One day she took her authority and spoke that creation bring her glasses back to her. The very next day, there they were, sitting on the entry table at church. Eight months missing and returned the day after enlisting creation’s help.

Stepping outside one day, a white cockatoo landed in a tree nearby and actually said ‘hello’ to Shantelle. More than just a little surprised by this, Shantelle replied hello back to the cocky. Shantelle had been thinking about the need for a front fence. She lives on a highway and now has a newly walking toddler. She was also thinking about a problem with a leaking shower.

The bird says hello and Shantelle said to the bird; “I declare my dominion over this earth and I need you to bring me enough money for a front fence and have the bathroom fixed.” As soon as she’d finished speaking the phone rang. And there it happened; enough money for both a fence and bathroom repair.

This is not to take anything away from God. It’s to do as He requested; have dominion over the fish of the sea and the birds of the heavens and over every living creature that moves on the earth.

Dalby in Queensland is eminently flat however I live in a mountainous region. I often walk or cycle around the area, decreeing and declaring as I go. Where my caravan resides is on the fringes of Mares Forest National Park and as I hike the mountains of the reserve, I decree and declare my vision for my life and for those I’m praying for. I sing hymns and recite bible passages, taking the word of God into all creation as God’s asked us to do. Mark 16:15 …Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature…

One day as I was doing this, I heard clapping, lots and lots of clapping. So vivid was this sound, so real, I actually turned around to see who was behind me. I’m out in the bush, miles from anywhere and I’m looking to see who’s clapping. My theory is, in speaking the word of God to His creation, the leaves on the trees clapped their hands; either that or the cloud of witnesses who watch from above were cheering me on. (I’ve also had this happen a second time, as I cycled the streets around town.) It wasn’t a small number of clapping hands, not by any means. It was like a huge auditorium full of people both times.

But; I have never thought to engage creation’s help in bringing my victory. I was decreeing and declaring my outcome, but wasn’t enlisting my mamlaka over the situation. I wasn’t calling out my dominion over creation.

The very next night it was time to put Shantelle’s word to the test. This stay at Lizzie’s I’ve felt my photos have been a little ordinary, a little lacklustre. After hearing Shantelle’s words I went for an evening stroll. I declared my dominion, my mamlaka over the wildlife in the area, stating I wanted them to aid me in getting a ‘most extraordinary shot.’

I was not disappointed as I snapped the setting sun over the golf course with the trees lit up as if in a golden fire. A perfect reflection upon the dam used for watering the course. And the cheekiest juvenile galah at feeding time, plus a well camouflaged Tawny frogmouth with two nestlings.

It was almost dark by now and I was heading for home when I noticed a brown lump in the tree. I felt truly blessed to capture an image of Tawny and babes. However, the light wasn’t the best and I went back the next day, where I felt I got the perfect image.

In taking hold of my authority in greater measure, in enlisting the help of creation, I feel more confident now in bringing about my victory over any and all situations. You might be just as surprised as Shantelle was and as I was at the outcome should you attempt to do the same.

On a little side note; our dog will turn 17 soon. She's become a tad incontinent. The night before Shantelle’s talk, Soxx had me up seven times in eight hours. The night after Shantelle’s talk I decreed my authority over the situation and for the following two nights I only got up to Soxx once each night. Let's pray that continues. 

I feel to add here, one week on and I still haven't had to get up more than once a night for Soxx. Also, as a push-bike rider for pleasure, I've used my mamlaka against swooping magpies, with fantastic results. 

The Fight for Your Wells.

The Fight for Your Wells.

When at church the other week, visiting ministers arrived. A lady and her husband; Cate and Greg. They gave each of us a personal prophecy. Mine was about feeling like I’ve just been bunkered down, as I wait for things to happen and dug deep wells (I had to look up the digging of wells (see below)) during the waiting period. She didn’t know me, but did manage to hit the nail on the head with that, I felt, as I have just been bunkered down waiting for things to move along. Cate said the breakthrough is on the horizon, that there’s a flourishing and a bursting forth on its way.

She also mentioned for me not to worry about anything that troubles, as God is my shield and strength, just as He was for David. That to me is a personal piece; one I often quote to others. I tell people you have to stir up your own faith, just as David did. So, it was compelling to hear Cate say a similar thing, using words comparable to my own.

Greg said he was just getting joy, joy, joy and that he can see people coming up to me in the street, asking what I’ve got and saying they want it. I found that to be intriguing as that’s what I’ve been praying for. No one knows that’s what I’ve been praying for. I walk around town and ask the Holy Spirit to flow with healing, peace, prosperity, love and joy for all. I’ve asked that people could feel and see His presence. These two ministers didn’t know that about me. They don’t know me at all.

I was reading my bible this morning, wading through Genesis once again, but I felt led to read Haggai. Before starting my reading, I was speaking to God about my waning faith over His promises of abundance. It’s been such a long time. Will it ever happen? I feel my entire life has been lived on a shoe string budget. While I’ve always had enough, I do have a tight income and it shouldn’t be. The bible speaks of paths dripping with abundance. With many battles in many other areas overcome, I feel this one is the last frontier and once this battle is won, I’ll be well on my way.

Yesterday, I tried stirring up my own faith as King David did, by listening to the prophetic message from Cate and Greg, which speaks of; not to dismay, not to worry about anything which has troubled me in the past, for God is my strength and shield. God is with me and a bursting forth is on the horizon. I listened to this a number of times, not only yesterday, but other days as well, in an attempt to keep my own waning faith, on the matter of prosperity, stirred.

In reading Genesis and Haggai, church happened to speak on the same two chapters this week. Haggai talks about rebuilding the destroyed temple. A transformed remnant returning and rebuilding the city and their lives. The temple lies in ruins. The people are rebuilding their own houses and not putting God first and it’s leading them into famine and drought. Motivated by Haggai, the people started to rebuild the temple however they aren’t building to the full glory of how the temple originally looked. It’s a half-hearted attempt.

From this temple the world will be redeemed, according to Haggai as he called on the people to work with hope in spite of their disillusionment. The challenge is that only by true repentance and covenant faithfulness, by obedience to God and in all humility, will God be moved towards the efforts of the people in order to bring about His blessings.

God’s waiting for His people to be faithful. God will fulfil His promise to the faithful only. 25 years on and I’m pleased to say, I’m still faithful. In all this time, I’ve never quit and I have been diligent, even if at times having to stir up my faith.

Faithfulness - a challenge to every generation; our choices matter. Faithfulness and obedience of God’s people is part of how God chooses to work out His purposes in the world. This truth should motivate people to humility and action; that humility and action matters.

The point of today’s writing was; in all honestly, I spoke to God about my waning faith in this one promise; that the work of my hands prosper and He answered me. Basically; get back on the horse, have faith and keep going. I do have a measure of prosperity, after all, I retired 10 years early. My dream and desire is that, as an author, my book sales cover my lifestyle. I’m not there yet.

Some time ago I finished hand writing Romans and have recently started hand writing Revelation. As I began the continuation of this work today, Revelation 3:3 says to hold fast and repent. Again; repentance and faithfulness. I got on my knees, in a measure of not being half-hearted and asked for forgiveness, repenting as requested from both readings; yesterday and today, acting on what God was telling me to do.

Yesterday as I was hand writing Revelation I wrote a few verses (Rev 3:7-10) which piqued my interest. Today, ‘The Word for Today’ spoke of that very same passage. Yesterday, I meant to look a little deeper into this passage, but then forgot. By the end of my hand writing, I went on to other things. Today’s word was a good reminder.

The Word for Today writes; mistakes don’t disqualify you, and your inadequacies don’t limit God. When we speak boldly about God, He will open doors for us. Just a simple overview of a greater message, written by this wonderful ministry of God’s (Christian Vision).

Revelation 3:7-10 is quite a captivating passage and I discovered a segment on it within the internet pages written by Charles Spurgeon. What a brilliant author that man was. Oh, that I could write like him. I revere his work. His explanation of the four verses are wonderful. The one in particular I thought to study further was the one about; for you have a little strength… (verse 8).

Spurgeon writes that though I’m only small in influence, God is pleased and He will open doors to a greater measure. Spurgeon writes a considerably long piece about these few verses, but states that I may be small in influence and with little means, plus only a small ability to speak, work miracles, and teach. Though I am not brilliant and have little talent, my faithfulness to the word is precious in God’s eyes. (A Sermon (No. 1814) Delivered by C. H. Spurgeon. Commendation for the steadfast.)

It’s a nice thought.

My prophetic word from Cate says there’s a bursting forth on the horizon. Perhaps it’s the beginning of the open door spoken of in these few verses.

When we’re given a prophetic word, we have to do the study ourselves, to show ourselves approved and to dig deeper into the meaning of the prophecy. God, what are you saying? You do the work to find out what the prophet has said. Is it a ‘now’ word? Is it for the future? We have to work out the timing of the word given to us. The Lord will give us revelation and insight through His prophets, but we have to work on the interpretation.

The devil will contend for your wells, but you will only win and be fruitful for as long as you keep going. Keep digging wells. God will establish and give favour, if you don’t quit but keep trying.

Gen 26 speaks of the Lord giving revelation and insight to Isaac about wells. The wells are the words, the promises and the flow, which comes out of the Living Water and we dig them through prayer and worship and the reading of the bible.

Isaac had to trust God would keep him, his family and all his livestock, in spite of the battles in the land over the wells. I do a lot of this (prayer, worship, bible study) and I know I’ve been waiting for the breakthrough for a very long time. Just as Isaac was eventually able to settle and live in a land of abundance, I too will eventually settle and live in a land of my desires.

We have to figure out what the prophet meant when he stepped out in faith and spoke into our future.

Study the scriptures, digest, read commentaries written by others, eat the scroll (to receive God’s heavenly knowledge and act upon it; a leading from the Great Book with a heart that delights in its truths), and continue until your prophetic word is clear in your own mind.

If you missed it, work out why you missed it. If there is contention or dispute while digging your wells, keep moving until you have peace.

It’s God’s word that will sustain His people. You must discipline yourself in the word of God, so you remain healthy and balanced, as you judge and test that Word for yourself.