Prayer: Intercession, Authority, Tongues

## Core Position

Prayer is direct communication with God the Father through Christ the one mediator, empowered by the Holy Spirit. It is not a monologue directed at a distant God — it is a conversation with a Father. We have a right to come to the throne as sons and daughters made in his image. Prayer must be targeted and specific. There are multiple modes of prayer with different targets and purposes — knowing the difference determines the effectiveness.

The Lord's Prayer — The Model

Matthew 6:9-13 — Jesus says "Pray like this."

"Our Father" — Abba Father. Intimate relationship. An acknowledgment that God is Creator and we are sons and daughters made in his image. We have a right to come to the Father.

"Hallowed be your name" — May your name be revered and lifted up holy in the earth. An active obligation on us — may we be examples by the living testimony.

"Your kingdom come" — We operate in a real spiritual kingdom not made with hands. The kingdom operates completely differently from the world.

"Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven" — Where is God's will? In his Word. From the Garden of Eden there has been a battle for will. Thy will be done, not my own.

"Give us this day our daily bread" — Not beg and plead. Trust in the Lord for provision.

"Forgive us our debts as we forgive others" — Forgiveness is a prerequisite. Unforgiveness and bitterness can make you physically sick. Forgiveness is for you — not anybody else.

"Lead us not into temptation" — Jesus told the disciples in the garden: pray lest you enter into temptation. In the garden, they were tempted by their own will. Temptation comes from within.

"Deliver us from evil" — The most passed-over part. This world still belongs to Satan. The principalities and powers set over this earth are still here.

The Modes of Prayer

Prayer must be specific and targeted. Know what you are doing when you pray and who you are actually talking to.

1. Praying to God — Petition (Philippians 4:6-7).
2. Praising God — Thanksgiving (Hebrews 13:15).
3. Questioning God — NOT Prayer. Lord why would you let this happen to me? This is questioning God's decision. He killed the complainers in the desert. Trust him.
4. Corresponding with God — Conversation. Back and forth communication. Moses at the burning bush. Samuel in the night.
5. Intercession — Praying FOR Others. There is ONE mediator between God and man (1 Timothy 2:5). You cannot intercede for somebody else's sins — that is Jesus's job. But you can intercede for their salvation, deliverance, revelation, and help in ministry. Philippians 1:9-11 is the pattern.
6. Supplication — Relentless Pursuit (Philippians 4:6). I am going to my prayer closet and not getting up until I get an answer. Wrestling with God until it costs you something — Jacob wrestled until his hip was knocked out of joint.
7. Exercising Authority — Ecclesia. The gathered body declaring, rebuking, and claiming kingdom principles. This is different from praying TO God — this is addressing the spiritual realm (Luke 10:19).
8. Proclaiming to the Heavens. Devil, get out in the name of Jesus. Speaking over a property, situation, or person.

God Hears All Prayer

The teaching that God cannot hear a sinner's prayer is wrong. "For everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord will be saved" (Romans 10:13) — they are NOT saved YET when they call. They are sinners calling on God. He hears them. The tax collector beat his breast: "God, be merciful to me a sinner" — and Jesus said that man went down to his house justified (Luke 18:13-14). God hears everyone in whatever state they are in. That is the whole point of repentance.

Tongues in Prayer

1 Corinthians 14:2 — "One who speaks in a tongue speaks not to men but to God... he utters mysteries in the Spirit."
1 Corinthians 14:4 — "The one who speaks in a tongue builds himself up."
Jude 1:20 — "Building yourselves up in your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit."
Ephesians 6:18 — "Praying at all times in the Spirit."
Romans 8:26-27 — "The Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words."

When you pray in tongues, you are praying things that your mind does not know but your spirit knows. Sometimes you think you are praising God but you are actually praying for your kids. That is how it works.

The Prayer of Agreement

Matthew 18:19-20 — "If two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven." Sometimes people need to piggyback on somebody else's faith. But we have to actually agree. Do not agree with a prayer of resignation or unbelief — agree for God's full provision. There is no greater spiritual union than that of a spouse.

The Result of Consistent Prayer

Philippians 4:6-7 — "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

What This Rejects

God cannot hear a sinner's prayer — Romans 10:13, Luke 18:13-14.
Prayer as talking to the congregation — prayer is addressed to God, specific and targeted.
Intercession for another's sins — 1 Timothy 2:5; only Jesus stands between a person and God for salvation.
Questioning God as prayer — he does not respond to self-pity or doubt.