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PERFECT PRAYER

by Charles Sivley http://www.riversoflifekanab.org/

 

Romans 8:28 (AMP): So too the [Holy] Spirit comes to our aid and bears us up in our weakness; for we do not know what prayer to offer nor how to offer it worthily as we ought, but the Spirit Himself goes to meet our supplication and pleads in our behalf with the unspeakable yearnings and groanings too deep for utterance. (27) And He Who searches the hearts of men knows what is in the mind of the [Holy] Spirit [what His intent is], because the Spirit intercedes and pleads [before God] in behalf of the saints according to and in harmony with God's will. So, when we pray in the Spirit, it is perfect prayer - praying His will into action, not ours. What we may fail to realize is that prayer promotes action in both realms - ours, then His. When we can see into the realm of the Spirit and see Him in action, we will always pray in the Spirit knowing we are allowing Him to move, and keep moving as He chooses. He always knows what is best for the saints, it is always according to His will. Other countries are experiencing great moves of God's Spirit because the people are all praying and fasting together. Just as the Book of Acts Church was born out of a prayer meeting, I would rather go to a prayer meeting than a meeting because I know which moves God more. Many in America want to be entertained and amused but prayer moves God's hand, not shouting, dancing, laughing, etc.

 

And the Bible tells us it is accomplished by praying in the Spirit always. Ephesians 6:18 (AMP), Pray at all times (on every occasion, in every season) in the Spirit will all [manner of] prayer and entreaty. To that end keep alert and watch with strong purpose and perseverance, interceding in behalf of all the saints (God's consecrated people). Pray at all times - does all times really mean ALL times? Yes, on every occasion, in every season, in the Spirit, with ALL manner of prayer, for all saints. We see here that the Body of Christ is MOST important to God. Selfish people cannot do this. Their prayers are about themselves. Selfishness says, "Pray and fast for two weeks for someone else - FORGET IT! What about me."

 

There are many different types of prayers. There is a prayer of intercession when we desire to pray for the benefit and well being of others. When we pray with a desire to know something from God, it is a prayer of revelation -- then He is going to download revelation knowledge to us.

 

Right now let us consider the prayer of intercession. As we saw in Ephesians 6:18 (AMP) it says, interceding in behalf of all the saints (God's consecrated people). So we know that intercessory prayer is done totally in the Spirit. This verse makes it very clear. He gives us discernment in all things, but if we don't desire it ... You have not because you ask not. (James 4:2)

 

We have to realize something here. When we are praying in the Spirit, He's not just up in heaven praying and making intercessory prayer for all of us. It would be wonderful if God were doing that, but He's not. We need a revelation of this. We need to understand what He IS doing.

 

When I'm praying in the Spirit, it is the Spirit in me that lays on my heart, "You need to pray for Brother so-and-so, or Sister so-and-so." I begin to pray for that  person in the Spirit, because I don't know how or what else to pray. That is the spirit of intercession. And, guess what, the Holy Spirit is going to exceed my highest expectations. That is how the Spirit makes intercession for the saints - when someone is obedient to pray by the Spirit  what is put on their heart.

 

It is frustrating to hear believers praying, "Oh, God do this, and God do that." They're trying to command God what to do, and that is not scripturally correct. We are the ones who err when we try to command God for our desires. Nowhere do I see where Paul ever prayed for himself, although he did ask the church to pray that doors would be opened for him.

 

When we pray for someone else, for healing for example, we are bringing that prayer into our own life. Galatians 6:1 (AMP); Brethren, if any person is overtaken in misconduct or sin of any sort, you who are spiritual [who are responsive to and controlled by the Spirit] should set him right and restore and reinstate him, without any sense of superiority and with all gentleness, keeping an attentive eye on yourself, lest you should also be tempted also. (2) Bear (endure, carry) one another's burdens and troublesome moral faults, and in this way fulfill and observe perfectly the law of Christ (the Messiah) and complete what is lacking [in your obedience to it]. This is powerful instruction when believer's can get a revelation of it -- and DO it. Prayer is all about others, not about ourselves.

 

James 5:16 (AMP) Confess to one another therefore your faults (your slips, your false steps, your offenses, your sins) and pray [also] for one another. Why would we want to pray for one for another? that you may be healed and restored [to a spiritual tone of mind and heart]. The earnest (heartfelt, continued) prayer of a righteous man makes tremendous power available [dynamic in its working]. So when you are making intercession for someone for healing, you are storing up healing for yourself. Praise God! Praise God!

 

... Galatians 6:7 (KJV): Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. (8) For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.

 

We had a testimony not long ago from a woman who was 60 years with an infirmity. She had an opportunity to pray for a baby born with the same infirmity. Not only did the baby get healed, but this woman was also healed. If she had simply prayed for somebody else with that infirmity 60 years earlier, she could have received her healing that much sooner.

 

When we pray in the Spirit, we are operating in the principles of God. We are praying in the perfect will of God for somebody when we are praying in the Spirit and seeing him or her healed. We can use our imagination at this particular place. It is like taking a snapshot in our mind, having a clear picture, and through praying in the Spirit we can pray it into existence. As long as it is the will of God it will come into being.

 

The Holy Spirit revealed to me twenty years ago that imagination is a powerful tool when properly used Gen 11:6 (AMP) says, And the Lord said, Behold, they are one people and they have all one language; and this is only the beginning of what they will do, and now nothing they have imagined they can do will be impossible for them. Was that not revealing? There is nothing we cannot imagine that we can do that will be impossible for us. In other words I'm praying in the Holy Spirit, using my imagination. It is possible.

 

Romans 4:17b (KJV)  ... even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things that be not as though they were. I am calling those things that be not as though they are. How? Through the Spirit of God. Because the supernatural realm of the Spirit can bring the things that are not, into reality, just as He can bring them to nothing. Even if we do not have the perfect words, with our imaginations we are moving the realm of the Spirit in that direction. Isn't that powerful? Our imagination is the most unused force that we have, and it is the most powerful force! That's why the Bible describes casting down imaginations in 2 Corinthians 10:5 (KJV): Casting down imaginations and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ. When we are praying in the Spirit and seeing things accomplished our imagination is lining up with God. It is wonderful. We should be praying n the Spirit to see the Body of Christ as one.

 

 

 

OUR IMAGINATION IS THE MOST UNUSED FORCE THAT WE HAVE,AND IT IS THE MOST POWERFUL FORCE IN THE SPIRIT

 

 

 

 

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