Aligning Prayer with Divine Intent: A Transformative Approach
Summary
In a profound exploration of the concept of prayer, Tony Evans delves into the intricacies of how prayer operates within the Christian faith. He begins by emphasizing the importance of connecting prayer with the spiritual realm, rather than merely discussing God with others. Evans points out that while seeking sympathy from others is common, what is truly needed are answers and divine intervention—where heaven invades earth. He likens prayer to activating radio and TV signals; they are always present, but without the right equipment to receive them, they remain invisible and unheard.
Evans further explains that prayer is not about coercing God into action but rather about aligning with God's will and receiving by faith what He has already planned. He uses the analogy of radio and TV waves to illustrate how prayer functions as a means to 'pull down' the spiritual into the physical realm. This concept is crucial for understanding how to engage the armor of God and put it to work effectively.
The discussion then shifts to the power of prayer, as illustrated in the book of James, where the prayer of a righteous person is said to accomplish much. Evans highlights the story of Elijah, an ordinary man whose earnest prayers affected the weather, demonstrating the potential impact of prayer when it aligns with God's intentions. He emphasizes that Elijah's prayers were effective not because he was extraordinary, but because he was righteous and knew God's will.
Evans also addresses the common misconception that prayer is a passive or rote activity. He argues that many treat prayer as a mere formality, akin to the national anthem at a sports event—present but irrelevant to the outcome. Instead, he insists that prayer should be understood as earthly permission for heavenly interference, a concept that should transform the way one prays and the expectations one has from prayer.
The idea that God has organized the world to work through people is central to Evans' message. He explains that God has given humanity rulership over the earth and that He joins us in this rulership when invited through prayer. This means that while God is sovereign and can act independently, He often chooses not to intervene without a request, as He desires to be wanted, needed, and expected by His people.
Evans concludes by reiterating that prayer is not about forcing God's hand but about calling upon Him to intervene in ways He desires to but waits to be requested. He uses the example of Elijah's prayer for rain to illustrate that prayer is about bringing down to earth what God has already intended in heaven. Prayer, therefore, is the human means of entering the supernatural realm to utilize the armor of God effectively.
Key Takeaways:
- Prayer is not a tool to manipulate God but a faith-based reception of His preordained plans. It is a profound spiritual practice that requires understanding and alignment with God's will to be truly effective. This perspective transforms prayer from a passive ritual into a dynamic interaction with the divine. [45:07]
- The story of Elijah demonstrates that ordinary individuals have the capacity to influence significant outcomes through prayer. This is not due to their own power but because of their righteousness and alignment with God's will. Understanding this can inspire believers to approach prayer with greater confidence and expectation. [36:23]
- Prayer should not be treated as a mere formality or emergency measure but as an active engagement with the spiritual realm. It is through prayer that believers grant earthly permission for heavenly interference, which underscores the importance of intentionality and expectation in one's prayer life. [32:03]
- The concept of rulership is key to understanding the relationship between the divine and human agency. God has given humanity the authority to govern the earth, and He respects this by waiting for our invitation through prayer before intervening in our affairs. This theological framework emphasizes the significance of human desire and initiative in the divine-human partnership. [33:30]
- Understanding the nature of prayer as a means to bring down what is already intended in heaven to earth can revolutionize one's prayer life. It is not about changing God's mind but about participating in His will. This insight can lead to a more purposeful and expectant approach to prayer, knowing that it is a collaboration with the divine purpose. [41:58]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Ephesians 6:12-18 (NIV)
> "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people."
2. James 5:16-18 (NIV)
> "Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. Elijah was a human being, even as we are. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops."
3. 1 Kings 18:1, 41-45 (NIV)
> "After a long time, in the third year, the word of the Lord came to Elijah: 'Go and present yourself to Ahab, and I will send rain on the land.'... And Elijah said to Ahab, 'Go, eat and drink, for there is the sound of a heavy rain.' So Ahab went off to eat and drink, but Elijah climbed to the top of Carmel, bent down to the ground and put his face between his knees. 'Go and look toward the sea,' he told his servant. And he went up and looked. 'There is nothing there,' he said. Seven times Elijah said, 'Go back.' The seventh time the servant reported, 'A cloud as small as a man’s hand is rising from the sea.' So Elijah said, 'Go and tell Ahab, “Hitch up your chariot and go down before the rain stops you.”' Meanwhile, the sky grew black with clouds, the wind rose, a heavy rain started falling and Ahab rode off to Jezreel."
#### Observation Questions
1. According to Ephesians 6:12, what is the nature of our struggle, and where is it rooted? ([26:39])
2. How does Paul describe the role of prayer in Ephesians 6:18? What are believers instructed to do with prayer? ([28:41])
3. In James 5:16-18, what is said about the prayer of a righteous person, and how is Elijah used as an example? ([35:44])
4. What specific actions did Elijah take in 1 Kings 18:41-45 to bring about the rain, and how does this relate to the concept of prayer as described in the sermon? ([39:56])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does understanding that our struggle is against spiritual forces (Ephesians 6:12) change the way we approach our daily challenges? ([27:18])
2. What does it mean to "pray in the Spirit on all occasions" as mentioned in Ephesians 6:18, and how can this be practically applied in our lives? ([28:41])
3. Why is Elijah's example in James 5:16-18 significant for understanding the power and effectiveness of prayer? How does his righteousness play a role? ([36:23])
4. How does the story of Elijah in 1 Kings 18 illustrate the concept of prayer as "Earthly permission for Heavenly interference"? ([32:03])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a current struggle you are facing. How can you shift your perspective to see it as a spiritual battle rather than just a physical or emotional one? ([27:18])
2. What steps can you take to ensure that your prayers are more intentional and aligned with God's will, rather than just routine or emergency measures? ([30:49])
3. Think of a time when you prayed earnestly for something. How did you see God move in that situation, and what did you learn about the nature of prayer? ([36:23])
4. How can you incorporate the practice of "praying in the Spirit on all occasions" into your daily routine? What might this look like practically for you? ([28:41])
5. Elijah's prayers were effective because he knew God's will. How can you better understand God's will for your life and align your prayers with it? ([39:56])
6. In what ways can you invite God into your daily decisions and actions through prayer, recognizing that He desires to be wanted, needed, and expected by His people? ([33:30])
7. How can you use the "sword of the Spirit," which is the word of God, in your prayers to make them more powerful and effective? ([43:15])
Devotional
Day 1: Aligning with Divine Intentions
Prayer is an act of aligning one's heart with God's will, not a means to bend His will to ours. It is through this alignment that we can receive what God has already planned for us, by faith. Understanding this transforms our approach to prayer from a passive act to one of active faith and expectation. [45:07]
James 4:8 - "Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded."
Reflection: How can you align your current prayers more closely with God's will, and what steps can you take to actively trust in His plans for you?
Day 2: The Impact of Righteous Prayer
The earnest prayers of a righteous person have great power and can lead to extraordinary outcomes. This power is not inherent in the individual but is granted through their righteousness and knowledge of God's will. Recognizing this can embolden us to pray with confidence and expectation. [36:23]
Daniel 9:18 - "Give ear, our God, and hear; open your eyes and see the desolation of the city that bears your Name. We do not make requests of you because we are righteous, but because of your great mercy."
Reflection: Reflect on the quality of your prayer life. Are you seeking to live righteously and understand God's will so that your prayers may be powerful and effective?
Day 3: Granting Permission for Heavenly Interference
Prayer is not a formality but a crucial means of inviting God's intervention in our world. It is through prayer that we give permission for heaven to act on earth, which should inspire us to pray with intention and expectancy. [32:03]
Colossians 4:2 - "Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful."
Reflection: In what situations do you need to invite heavenly interference, and how can you pray more intentionally for God's will to be done in those circumstances?
Day 4: Human Agency in Divine Rulership
God has given us authority over the earth and respects our rulership by awaiting our invitation through prayer. This partnership with the divine highlights the importance of our desire and initiative in God's plan. [33:30]
Psalm 115:16 - "The highest heavens belong to the Lord, but the earth he has given to mankind."
Reflection: How does understanding your role in divine rulership change the way you pray, and in what ways can you exercise your God-given authority through prayer?
Day 5: Participating in God's Will Through Prayer
Prayer is the means by which we bring down to earth what God has purposed in heaven. It is not about changing God's mind but about participating in His will. This insight encourages us to pray with purpose and expectation, knowing we are collaborating with God's divine plan. [41:58]
1 John 5:14-15 - "This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him."
Reflection: Consider a specific area in your life where you need God's intervention. How can you pray for His will to be manifested in this area, and what does it mean for you to participate in His plan?
Quotes
1) "Prayer is the means of contacting the invisible spiritual realm and bringing it down to the visible physical realm. That is the way you engage the armor and put the armor to work." [45:07] (Download)
2) "Prayer is Earthly permission for Heavenly interference. It is Earth giving Heaven permission to interfere or to intervene in what is happening in my world of reality." [32:03] (Download)
3) "God has given us rulership over the Earth, and He joins us when invited to do so through prayer. There are many things God does not intervene on unless requested." [33:30] (Download)
4) "Prayer doesn't make God do anything. Prayer calls on God to intervene in ways He wants to intervene anyway but won't do it until requested to do so." [34:20] (Download)
5) "The effectual prayer of a righteous man accomplishes much. Elijah was just like you and me, but he was a righteous man and he prayed earnestly." [36:23] (Download)
6) "Prayer is not making God do something He never planned to do. Prayer is grabbing what God intended to do and driving it down to earth." [41:58] (Download)
7) "Prayer is the human means of entering into the supernatural realm in order to utilize the armor of God effectively." [42:39] (Download)
8) "The best way to pray is when you throw God's word back at Him. Knowing what God has said and praying in light of what He says gives you authority in the spiritual realm." [43:15] (Download)
Chatbot
-
I'm an AI bot trained only on this specific sermon. Do you have any questions about it?