CONCERT OF PRAYER

Pray Week 676

“Authority”

Matt 10:1; Luke 10:1-19 (NIV) He called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out evil spirits and to heal every disease and sickness…

John 14:12-13 (NIV) I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father.

Acts 19:13-16 (NIV) Some Jews … tried to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those who were demon-possessed. They would say, “In the name of Jesus, whom Paul preaches, I command you to come out.”…One day the evil spirit answered them, “Jesus I know, and I know about Paul, but who are you?” Then the man who had the evil spirit jumped on them and overpowered them all.
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Several years ago the news media reported an incident that occurred in Atlanta, Georgia where several youth were attacked while fishing along the Chattahoochee riverbank. Their attacker was a naked man who overpowered one teenage girl while the other youth fled. The girl also escaped unharmed after she commanded her attacker to stop in the Name of Jesus Christ. The Bible records numerous events of how evil was overcome by the power of the Name of the Lord. For many of us however, these are just stories from the past and we do not feel that they have relevance for today.

Why would the power of God not be relevant for today? Has God changed? Not at all! The recent event in Atlanta as well as the miraculous events that occur throughout the world illustrates that God is the same today as He has always been. The problem is that we have changed. We have traded intimate spiritual communion with Jesus Christ for a counterfeit ‘feel good’ religiosity that appeals to our flesh. Some practice meditation to get in touch with their inner child. Others would rather walk a labyrinth than walk with Jesus. Many have compromised their Christian moral world view and embraced much of the impurity and immorality of the world.

Is it any wonder then that we have no authority over the attack of the enemy? Like the Jews who attempted to use the Name of Jesus by proxy, the enemy overpowers us when our personal relationship with the living Word of God, Jesus Christ is nonexistent or weak at best. Spiritual authority is not a matter of weaponry; it is a matter of relationship. With God’s authority, David slew Goliath with a small stone. With God’s authority we too can overcome the evil of the enemy.

You are under attack. Your work place is also under attack as is your family, church and neighborhood. Satan seeks to establish strongholds for all types of addictions, anger, rage, materialism, envy, sexual immorality and the list goes on. How much ground are you willing to give to enemy to establish his strongholds in your life? How much impurity are you willing to allow in your heart to chill your relationship with a Holy God?

Purity comes before spiritual power and authority. It is high time for the Christian Church to rise up and renew a right relationship with their Lord and move in the power and authority of the Holy Name of Jesus Christ to destroy the strongholds of the enemy. Seek first His kingdom and seek first His righteousness. Don’t wait for your Pastor to initiate a five step program… Let it begin with you right now.

Close in prayer, thanksgiving & rededication of your work to the glory of God