Today we look at how to pray with authority and it is part 2 of our series on The Centurion who approached Jesus.
When I joined my church, I noticed something very different about the way they were praying. There was authority, boldness and conviction.
They declared victory.
My prayers seemed a bit weak and wimpy in comparison. I realised I had to change and step up my prayer life. Not so much about the time spent in prayer, but how I was praying.
A typical prayer for healing sounds like ‘Please God heal me’ which is a begging prayer and suggests a lack of revelation about our healing at the Cross.
I believe it is more effective to pray declarative and authoritative prayers.
THE IMPORTANCE OF AUTHORITY
The centurion knew the importance of authority when he approached Jesus.
For I also am a man placed under authority, having soldiers under me. And I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes; and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” Luke 7:8
I highlight the word ‘also’ deliberately. He is recognising the authority Jesus is under and the authority Jesus has. This takes honour and humility.
We are under the authority of our church leaders, our parents, our husbands (if you’re married), our employers and even those leading the country/city you live in.
Just like the centurion has respect for authority, I believe that you and I need to have that same reverence and appreciation for those who have authority over us.
Speaking and thinking well of them, praying for them and doing as they ask. God has put them in this position and we don’t want to question that. Rom 13:1
The Centurion recognises that he has no authority over sickness, but Jesus does.
Jews are supposed to be subject to Roman soldiers, but the Centurion willingly puts his rank aside in adoration for Jesus.
The Bible teaches that God gives grace to the humble. James 4:6 (and healing is part of grace).
PRAY WITH AUTHORITY
WHAT IS AUTHORITY IN CHRIST?
Authority is the same as jurisdiction.
Think of a police officer who upholds the law. He has the authority to do so because of his position.
If I tried to arrest someone, or if I tried to investigate a crime, I wouldn’t get very far because I don’t have the authority.
In his own strength, the policeman could just be a puny little man, but he has the law on his side which gives him boldness and legal charge over the people.
He can stop the traffic, uphold the law, make arrests and assert authority over all of us.
As children of God, as sons and daughters of THE KING, we have AUTHORITY over sickness. Unlike the Centurion who had no authority over sickness, you and I are in Christ which means that the Christ in us has the authority.
If this sounds a little alien, know that makes sense. I too am still growing in my understanding of what this means.
When Jesus had called the Twelve together, he gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases. Luke 9:1
Our position as children of God, is to use our authority. Just like the police officer wears a uniform, you and I are clothed in Christ; this is our uniform.
What an honour and privilege to be given such a responsibility. Jesus is speaking to you and I, not just the original 12. This is our mandate as Christ’s representatives.
To do what Jesus did when he walked on earth. (Jesus will not do it for you).
Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give. Matt 10:8
“If we don’t use our authority, we stop God from intervening in our lives. God flows through us.” Andrew Wommack.
Peter and John show us an example of the prayer of command when they came across the lame man at the Gate Beautiful.
Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.
Acts 3:1
Peter knew his power and authority. He commands the man to walk in Jesus’ name. I believe that James would call this the prayer of faith.
It’s the power of the Holy Spirit in us that heals, but we have to exercise our authority through speaking. You see, when we declare, we speak with authority.
It’s basically Jesus speaking through us.
We have been given permission, by Jesus, to use His name when we pray with authority.
THE PRAYER OF COMMAND
Prayer is referred to throughout the Bible, but the Prayer of Faith is only mentioned once. My understanding is that the Bible is talking about the prayer of command.
In James 5:15 it says ‘And the prayer of faith shall save the sick’
If we keep reading, James goes on to give us the example of Elijah. He says this
Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain; and it did not rain on the land for three years and six months.
James 5:17
Let’s look at the account of Elijah.
“As surely as the LORD lives–the God of Israel before whom I stand–there will be neither dew nor rain in these years except at my word!” 1 Kings 17:1
Elijah didn’t ask God to stop the rain, he declared it.
According to Joseph Prince, (if I’ve understood him correctly) the prayer of command, or the prayer of declaration is what the Bible means by ‘earnest prayers’.
I love that the only time this is mentioned in Scripture is about sickness. In other words, we’re asked to speak to the sickness to command it to leave.
THE POWER OF WORDS
Andrew Wommack tells of how we need to get to a place of where our words and our actions are the same. Christ is in us – if Jesus says he’ll do something, he’ll do it.
He walked with integrity. The person on the inside, behind closed doors, is the same as the person on the outside. Our hearts know truth and lies.
This is important because if we declare a verse over our lives, our hearts will know whether we agree.
If we speak verses and deep down we don’t believe it, then praying the prayer of command won’t help us either.
JESUS AND THE FIG TREE
I’m sure you’re familiar with Jesus cursing the fig tree. He noticed it wasn’t bearing fruit so He cursed it. “Jesus said to it, “Let no one eat fruit from you ever again.” Mark 11:14
He’s speaking the tree as though it’s a person.
The next day, the tree had completely withered and died. Jesus spoke the prayer of command. He knew to pray with authority.
This is how you and I are to speak to the sicknesses in our bodies. Our words are powerful, plus this is the example that Jesus set.
SPEAK TO THE MOUNTAIN
Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.
Matt 17:20
God is asking us to speak to the mountain of sickness. This is the earnest prayer that we read of in James 5; the prayer of command.
“For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says” Mark 11:23
I am still growing in this area. When I pray for someone in this way, I set the intention knowing that I am doing as God asks and that He is able and willing.
If you know you have doubts, take a read of 10 WAYS TO ‘HELP MY UNBELIEF’ (FOR HEALING)
We release our faith through our words. (Of course we need to believe that what we speak will manifest, so speaking alone isn’t enough).
Jesus knew how to pray with authority. He declared and commanded. Some translations use an exclamation mark.
MOSES’ BRONZE SERPENT
Moses asked God to take away the snakes as they were biting and killing the people. God did not take away the snakes. Instead He asked Moses to make a bronze serpent.
Those who looked intently upon the bronze serpent received their healing. See MOSES’ BRONZE SERPENT: WHY HEALING PRAYERS FAIL
Asking God to take away a sickness is just like Moses asking God to take away the snakes. God will say no. Instead He wants us to pray with authority.
We look intently at the Cross because this is where the healing is. Then, we speak to the mountain of sickness. The prayer of command.
In his commentary of Moses crossing the Red Sea, Andrew Wommack says this:
“Many of us Christians miss the supernatural power of God in our lives because we are asking God to do what He empowered us to do”
God didn’t just part the Red Sea. He instructed Moses to lift his rod. God only works through people.
THE NAME OF JESUS
When we speak with the believer’s authority, we use the name of Jesus. There is power, healing and victory in the name of Jesus
You and I have permission to use it, so let’s take advantage.
The name of Jesus means ‘Jesus saves’ which can also be translated ‘Jesus heals’ because the verb sozo refers to both.
Healing is part of the Atonement. When we speak to a mountain of sickness in the name of Jesus, we are declaring that the healing is at the finished work of the Cross.
In Philippians 2:9, it says that the name of Jesus is ‘the name above every name’. And that ‘at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth’ v10
Can you imagine the difference it would make to your prayer life if you used your authority instead of praying passive prayers?
If this is new to you, I suggest just practising until you become familiar with praying declarative prayers. I’m still practising too. I have quite a gentle personality so it still tends to feel alien. Perhaps I’m still identifying with me in the flesh?
There were times when Jesus didn’t command the sickness to leave, but He declared it done. The Centurion’s servant (Luke 7), the Canaanite woman’s daughter (Matt 15) and Bartimaeus (Mark 10) for example.
It is so important to remember that prayers need only be short to be effective.
These are the steps I’m taking to grow in this area of how to pray with authority:
1. KNOW MY IDENTITY IN CHRIST
Knowing who Christ is in you and who you are in Him has to be our foundation. Knowing we are Christ’s ambassador gives us confidence, assurance and boldness. Christ is all-powerful and He is in us.
The Spirit that rose Jesus from the dead is on the inside of us, healing us.
But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you. Rom 8:11
See HOW TO SEE YOURSELF HEALED. POSITION VS CONDITION
Whilst I’m still on the journey, I believe we’re meant to identify more with who we are in Christ than with our ‘natural’ selves. I find this so challenging, especially in the face of symptoms.
Some good Scriptures here to help are: 1 Cor 6:17, Rom 6:6, Eph 3:12, Gal 2:20, Col 3:1-4,
2. KNOW CHRIST’S WILL IN THE AREA OF HEALING
God wants you well
Yes many people don’t receive their healing, and some people are ill for many years, but Jesus paid for your healing so wants you well.
Without knowing that the Atonement includes healing, you’ll never pray with confidence, you’ll always have doubts, thinking God might not want to heal for some divine purpose.
But knowing who you are in Christ and His provision at the Cross will give you the confidence to pray in such a way.
3. DECLARE THE WORD
Can you find verses that you’re comfortable speaking aloud? “God loves me with an everlasting love….I am forgiven according to the riches of God’s grace…..”
I find it’s important to be in agreement with what we speak out loud. So, if you don’t feel loved or forgiven, you could say ‘God says I am forgiven….God says I am loved….
This way there is integrity between our hearts and our words.
So instead of saying ‘I am healed by the stripes of Jesus, an alternative could be ‘God says I am healed by the stripes of Jesus…..’
I think when we’re comfortable saying verses out loud, it is easy to pray them.
“Thank you God that your word says I am healed….”
4. SPEAK TO THE MOUNTAIN
I have to admit, I am still growing in this area. If you have an illness, it might be too much of a leap for some to launch into ‘Pain I command you to leave in Jesus name!’
As with anything faith-related, we need to exercise those faith muscles. So speaking to something less tangible might be a good place to start.
fear…anger…resistance….
You may prefer to practise praying like this when you’re on your own to begin with.
If there is no change afterwards, know it takes time to develop those muscles and God is still working, even if we don’t feel it.
Otherwise, we’ll feel defeated.
Have you ever prayed like this before? I know it can feel daunting (it certainly is for me) if you are used to praying a certain way.
I hope this helps you today.
Lorna x
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