Aligning Prayer with Divine Intent: A Transformative Approach

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

Youtube Chapters

### 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."

1. 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."

1. 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])