PRAYING WITH AUTHORITY
Hear me, O Lord, hear me, that this people may know that you are the Lord God, and that you have turned their hearts back to you again.” 1 Kings 18:37
God has given His children the privilege of calling upon Him for Call they need, and what's more, He's promised to respond. He has also included the right to petition Him on behalf of others. Scripture tells us that the prayers of a righteous person can accomplish much (James 5:16).
To be righteous in the Father's sight, we must have accepted His offer of salvation. Before redemption, we were unrighteous people under His judgment (Eph. 2:1, 3). Through faith in Christ as our Saviour, we are made new and declared holy in His sight. Then, for our petitions to be powerful and effective, they must be in agreement with His will (1 John 5:14-15). Getting to know our Father's character and priorities is the key to making requests aligned with His plan.
Elijah is a good example of someone who prayed with authority. The Lord sent him into battle against evil King Ahab and the 450 prophets of Baal. This was a spiritual conflict to prove who was the real God - Baal or the Lord of Israel. Elijah's weapons were his knowledge of the Father's plan and the authority he had in prayer as a prophet of God. His request, made publicly before his opponents, matched the Lord's will--that Jehovah would make Himself known (1 Kings 18:37). And when God responded to Elijah's prayer, the people declared, “The Lord, He is God!" (v. 39).
Are you a child of God? If so, you can pray with spiritual might by making sure your requests are in agreement with His will.
Prayer: Thank you Father for the privilege to come into your presence in prayer. Teach me to pray with power and authority.
Scriptural Reading: 1 Kings 18:20-40
