Church of the Open Bible, Marabella.

INTERCESSORY PRAYER Day 2 Prayer Training with Pastor Charles Alexis

HOW PRAYER IS ANSWERED  

  1. God answers prayers immediately (Matt. 14:31; Dan. 9:21-23)
  2. God answers prayer even before we call on Him (Isa. 65:24). 
  3. God allows
  4. God gives answers to our prayers that are different from our desires (2 Cor. 12:8-10).
  5. God gives answers to our prayers that are beyond our expectation (Jer. 33:3; Eph. 3:20).
  6. God may say “No” when we pray(Deut.3:21-29). 
  7. God may also say “wait” (Habakkuk 2:1-3)
  8. God may remain silent (Matt. 15:21-28).
  9. God may refuse to answer because of sin (Psalm 66:18).
  10. God gives answers to prayer that are beyond our expectation (1 Kings 3:3-15). 

THE INTERCESSOR AND HEARING GOD’S VOICE  

Introduction: Greetings in the wonderful name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Communication is the life-giving blood that sustains all relationships. Without blood the body dies, without communication, relationships die. When we communicate, we listen with our hearts to the one who is speaking and then respond. To know and recognize a person’s voice, we must spend time with that person.  

Even so, it is imperative that every intercessor know God as well as know His voice. 

 God is a Communicator 

  •  God desires to speak to us personally. He wants us to hear His voice (Jn. 10:3-5). Drawing near to the Lord opens the door for Him to fellowship and communicate with us. His desire is to teach us (See Psalm 32:8), Lead us into the truth and to show us things to come (Jn. 16:13-15). 

 

How does God Speak?  

  • God speaks to us in the SKIES (Psalm 19:1-6)

In the Psalm, David tells us how God speaks to us through the things He has created in heavens (Literally in the skies)  

  1. It is an Unmistakable Witness (1) 
  2. It is an Untiring Witness (2) 
  3. It is an Understandable witness (3-6).

 

  • God speaks to us in the Scriptures (Psalm 19:7-14) 

 

  •  God’s Word is Precious (7-10) 
  1. It Converts us (7) 
  2. It Comfort us (8) 
  3. It Changes us (9-10) 

 

  • God’s Word is Powerful (11-14) 
  1. It Convicts us (11) 
  2. It Cleanses us (12) 
  3. It Corrects us (13-14)

 

  • God speaks to us through His Son Jesus Christ (Psalms 19:14) 
  1.  In verse 14, we see David getting a revelation of Jesus speaking to us through His redemptive work on the cross (19:14). a. O Lord, my Strength, and my Redeemer. 

 2. The New Testament Scriptures, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John give to us the full account of Jesus Christ – His birth, His life, His miracles- death, burial, and resurrection. God uses the testimony of His Son Jesus to speak to us. 

  •  God speaks to us at times in an Audible Voice 
  1.  God spoke audibly to Adam (Gen. 3:8-10) 
  2. God spoke audibly to Moses (Exodus 3:4,5) 
  3. God spoke audibly to Samuel (1 Samuel 3:10) 
  4. God spoke audibly to Saul of Tarsus (Acts.9:4) 
  5. God spoke audibly to John in the Isle of Patmos (Revelations 1:10,12,15) 

 

  • God speaks to us through the Person of the Holy Spirit (Ezek. 36:27; Jn. 14:16,17) 

 1. Jesus calls the Holy Spirit the Counselor (Isa. 9:6; Jn. 14:16, 17; 2 Tim. 3:16). 

 2. “Counselor” in the Greek language is derived from the word ‘Parakletos’ and means: 

  • One called alongside to help.
  • Comforter 
  • Strengthener 
  • Helper 
  • Advocate 
  • Intercessor 
  • Ally  
  • Friend 

 

As intercessors, we must not be afraid to trust the voice of the Holy Spirit. He never moves outside of the character of God and is always in harmony with the Word of God. He is a Friend who is called to walk beside us and communicate with us. He will not remain silent but will daily speak to us (Ps. 28:1; 35:22; 83:1; Jn. 12:49; 14:26). 

As intercessors, we must be aware that God wants to instruct us and give us answers to our question (Ps. 21:2; 119:169). 

As Intercessors, we cannot depend on another person to hear God’s voice for us. Hearing God’s voice must become a daily exercise as we joyfully and willingly spend time with Him, in prayer and by studying, meditating, and memorizing Scripture (Ps. 119:11,16; Jn. 1:8). 

Then when we hear God’s voice, we know, that we know, that we know it is the Lord, because it agrees with the Word of God. The more we know God’s Word, the more we will also understand His character and His ways (Ex. 33:13; Ps. 25:4; 103:7). 

As warrior intercessors, we must understand the character of God’s voice. One test to determine whether we are hearing the Holy Spirit is to ask: “is the voice gently leading, or is it commanding and harsh? God’s voice gently guides and encourages, giving hope (Ps. 18:35; Isa. 40: 31; James 3:17). 

God leads; Satan drives (Jn. 10:4, 10). 

God convicts: Satan condemns and brings guilt (Jn. 16:8-11; Rev. 12:10). 

When God speaks, He does not use fear to motivate. If fear overcomes us, it is the enemy speaking, not God (2 Tim. 1:7). 

 

  • God speaks to us through Dreams and vision.  
  1. Joseph (Genesis 37:5) 
  2. Abimelech (Gen.20:1-8) 
  3. Joseph (Matt.1:20; 2:12-22) 
  4. Peter (Acts 10) 
  5. Cornelius (Acts 10) 
  6. Nebuchadnezzar (Daniel 2:1) 
  7. Joel (Joel 2:28; Acts 2:17; Judges 7:13) 

 

  • God speaks to us through Theophany. 
  1. Joshua (Joshua 5:13-15)  
  2. Abraham (Genesis 18,19) 
  3. Jacob (Genesis 32:24-30)  
  4. Sampson’s parents (Judges 13) 
  5. Hagar (Genesis 16) 
  6. The three (3) Hebrew boys in the fiery furnace (Daniel 3). 

 

  • God speaks to us through Angelic Visitations. 
  1. Mary (Luke 1) 
  2. Daniel (Daniel 10) 
  3. Elizabeth and Zacharias (Luke 1)  

  

  • God speaks to us through natural elements. 
  1. Thunder/Lightening (Rev. 10:3,4; 4:5; 8:5; 11:19) 
  2. Storms (Job 37:1-6; Jonah 1:4). 

 

  • God speaks to us through a still small voice (1 Kings 19:9-15). 

 

  • God speaks to us through our circumstances of life (Job 42). 

 

  • God speaks to us through prophecy (or through His prophets). 
  1. Isaiah  
  2. Jeremiah 
  3. Ezekiel 
  4. Daniel 
  5. Elijah 
  6. Nathan (2 Samuel12:25) 
  7. Moses (Deuteronomy 18:15) 
  8. John the Baptist 

 

  • God spoke in the Old Testament times through Urim and Thummim (Ex28:30; Lev. 8:81; Sam. 23:9-12; 30). 

 

  • God speaks to us through signs (2 Tim. 3:1-5; Rev. 10:3,4). 

 

Guidelines for Hearing God’s Voice 

 

  1. The devil and his evil forces do not want us to hear God’s voice because our partnership with the Lord as intercessors can create havoc in his kingdom. Knowing that we will fight the enemy as we enter our time alone with God will help us to stay true to our commitment. 

a. The following guidelines are tools to help us win the battle. 

  1. Bind the voice of the enemy in the name of Jesus. (Matt16:19; Jn. 14: 26; 15:26, 27; 16:14-15; James 4:7, 8; 1 Pet. 5:8, 9). 
  2.  We must submit our own will and reasoning to the Holy Spirit (Ps. 119:104; 125; Proverbs 3:5; 16:3; 1 Cor. 2:14-16; James 4:7, 8). 
  3.  We must turn off our own problems (Ps. 37:5; 42:5; 43:5; Prov. 3:5; 14:30; Isa. 26:3; Phil. 2:4; 4:6,7; 1 Pet. 5:7). 
  4. We must give undivided attention to God’s Word (Ps. 37:7; Prov. 4:4; 20:23; 1 Cor. 2:10-12; 2 cor. 10:5).
  5. We must limit our own talking (Num. 9:8; Ps. 18:28; 27:14; 31:24; 37:5; Songs of Solomon 2:14).
  6. We must write down what God is saying to us (Ex. 17:14; Ps. 16:7; 36:9; Hab. 2:1-3; 1cor. 2:9-16).
  7. We must not argue with God (Isa.46:10, 11; James 16:13; 1 Cor. 2:16; 2 Cor. 13:1; Phil. 2:5).
  8. We must not run ahead of the Holy Spirit, neither should we lag (Jer. 10:23; 1 Cor. 4:5; 2 Cor. 4:6; 2 Pet. 3:9).
  9. We must be trustworthy (Gen. 17:17; Num. 12:7,8; Ps. 25:14; Isa. 35:3).
  10. We must understand how the Holy Spirit speaks through music (Ex. 15:1, 2; 2 Chron. 20:21, 22; Ps. 32:7; 40:3; 42:8; 138:5; Eph.5:19; Col. 3:16).
  11. We must pay attention to our dreams and visions (Job 33:14-16; Dan.  2:19-23; 4:18; 7:1, 2, 7, 13; 9:21, 22; 10:14, 21; Matt. 1:20; 2:13).
  12. We must not be afraid when God seems to be silent (Ps. 45:11; 46:10; 95:9; Songs of Solomon 1:4; Isa. 12:2, 3: 30:15: 50:10).
  13. We must learn to listen to God. Listening is a key part of effective intercession. The more time we spend with the Lord in total trust, the more clearly, we will recognize His voice.
  14. We must walk in humility (Ps. 25:9).
  15. We must have faith in the very character of God (Hebrews. 11:6). a. God will never tell you to do anything that is not consistent with His high and holy standard.
  16. We must keep a clean heart (Ps. 66:18) 
  17. We must have a yielded will. Guidance from God will be determined by the extent of our commitment to do His will.
  18. We must learn to be still (Ps. 46:10). a. Worship helps to bring stillness to our soul and spirit. 

 

Subject:  Manifestation of Intercession 

Introduction: As intercessors, we will be aware of times when our very emotions will be involved in our prayers. 

There are times in our interceding when we will feel or identify with the sorrow of the person for whom we are praying or we will know the grieving of the Holy-Spirit over a person’s sin.  When we enter into this realm of intercession we experience many different form of manifestation. In this study we will look at some of the various ways the Holy-Spirit affects us as we pray. 

  •  Travailing 
  1. Travail is given by God and cannot be acted out. We cannot make it happen. 
  2. Travail can be  audible as  well as silent (Rom.8:26) 
  3. Travail can be for long periods or short periods. 
  4. Travail comes as a result of interceding for something in which God wants to act and therefore the Holy-Spirit will use your travailing to help give birth to what God wants to accomplish. 

 

  • Examples of travailing intercessors 
  1. Jesus Isa. 53:11; Jn. 11:33 
  2. Jesus while praying in Gethsemane 
  3. Paul the apostle (Gal.4:19) a. Travail in this text comes from the Greek odino – to experience the pangs of childbirth. 

 

  • Travail has many other shades of meaning in Scripture. 
  1. To shake and tremble all over. 
  2. To light up. 
  3. To bring forth. 
  4. To drive away. 
  5. To dance or twirl in a circular or spiral manner. 
  6. To wax great. 

When an intercessor is in travail, there is need for other experienced intercessors to act as spiritual midwives in order to protect the travailer from Satanic attacks and so avoid a “miscarriage”. 

 

  • Laboring – (Col. 4:12; 2 Cor. 6:5; 11:23; 1 Thess. 2:9 

Paul the apostle laboured for the Christians at Colosse so that they may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.  

Labouring in prayers means:  

  1. To sing. 
  2. To bring forth 
  3.  To fight. 
  4. To compete for a prize 
  5. To accomplish something 
  6. To agonize 
  7. To induce 
  8. To struggle 
  9. To be in pain 
  10. To chop 
  11. To beat with repeated blows 
  12. To cut down 
  13. To toil 
  14. To carry 
  15. To contend with 
  16. To beat the breast as in grief.
  • To contend. 
  1. When you are making intercession and you start going into the Satanic real to do battle with Satan and to pull down his strongholds, you will find yourself unconsciously hitting your fist at something. True intercession involves spirit, soul and body. 
  •  To Groan (Rom. 8:23) 
  1. To moan 
  2. To march as in military rank. 
  3. To keep step. 
  4. To snort with anger.  Jesus groaned in this manner (Jn. 11:33)
  5. To pray out loud
  •   Weeping (Lk. 19:41; Jn. 11:35. Heb. 5;7) 

 

  •  Clapping (Jer. 6:11; Ps. 47:1; Nahum 3:19) 
  1. To smite. 
  2. To strike. 
  3. To put down. 
  4. Clapping is a means of breaking yokes that upon people’s lives. 

 

  •  Laughter ( Ps. 2:4; 37:12,13; 126:1-2; 126:2; 80:6,7) 

 

  1. Laughter is a weapon of intercessory warfare designed by God to mock our enemies. 

 2. Gen. 17:17- Abraham laughter was symbolic of Abraham laughing at his enemies because God had caused him to triumph over them through intercessory prayer. 

 3. Laughter in intercession is a sure sign that God’s will has been accomplished or that the answer is on the way or that the enemy’s plan have been averted. 

 4. Singing  Isa. 30:29-32; 2 Chron. 20 

 5. Sign Language – intercession Mk. 7:32-37 

 6. Walking and Marching

7. 2 Ki. 4:35; Ps. 48:12; Gen. 13:14-18; Joshua 6.

 

  •  Treading a. Joshua 1:3 
  • Shouting (Loud, Voices) 
  1. Joshua 6:16-20 
  2. Jer. 50:14-15 
  3. 1 Chron. 15:28 
  4. 2 Chron. 13:12-20 
  5. Ps. 19:3; 47:5 
  6. Ex. 19:16 
  7. Jn. 11:43 
  8. 1 Thess. 4:13-18 
  9. To shout means: 
  • To take hold 
  • To be violent 
  • To conqueror 
  • To prevail (you shall not be overpowered) 
  • To encourage self 
  • To build 
  • To apply strong blows 
  • To restrain 

 

  • Joy Ps. 149:2 
  1. Joy and laughter are interrelated in intercessory warfare. 
  2. Joy involves jumping, leaping, spinning around in a violent manner Zeph. 3:17; Luke 10:21 
  3. The joy of intercessory prayer warfare can also manifest itself in a quiet peace. 
  4. Joy breaks heaviness and releases oppression. 

 

  • To Dance 
  1. Miriam (Ex. 15.) 
  2. David – 2 Sam. 6:14 

 

All these emotional displays in intercession are God-inspired and God-directed. As we allow Him to have His way in our lives, He will take us into higher heights and deeper depths of expression.