Authority in Prayer... principle #1

There is a common misconception that all Christians have the same amount of authority to operate in Christ's name....We do not. There are several principles that determine the varying degrees of spiritual authority we operate in as followers of Jesus.

The first principle that determines our level of authority in prayer is simply ' Our relationship to Christ-- Our salvation'. While each believer moves in differing levels of authority for some activities, everyone has equal authority to access the Father in Jesus' name. No Christian has any more authority to go before the heavenly Father than you do. No one has more access to the provisions procured for us by Christ than you. God has no second-class children. We all stand on equal ground and have the same potential level of authority when it comes to petitioning the Father in Jesus' name and requesting of Him the biblical promises made to us.

The key word here is "Potential". While we all have equal access to our heavenly Father in Christ's name, there are factors that can alter this. They have to do with our obedience to His Word and our freedom from sin. These can and will affect our right to approach the Father for His blessings.

The Bible is filled with passages indicating that our level of authority and favor with God is linked to our level of purity, Psalm 24:3-6

Who may climb the mountain of the Lord?
Who may stand in his holy place?
4 Only those whose hands and hearts are pure,
who do not worship idols
and never tell lies.
5 They will receive the Lord’s blessing
and have a right relationship with God their savior.
6 Such people may seek you
and worship in your presence, O God of Jacob.

Psalm 1:1-3

Oh, the joys of those who do not
follow the advice of the wicked,
or stand around with sinners,
or join in with mockers.
2 But they delight in the law of the Lord,
meditating on it day and night.
3 They are like trees planted along the riverbank,
bearing fruit each season.
Their leaves never wither,
and they prosper in all they do.


We must not be deceived into believing we can do as we please, live contrary to God's laws, and still be welcome before our Father and move in significant intercessory authority for others.

In Revelation 2 God addressed the church at Thyatira about their compromise with the spirit of Jezebel. He was angry with them because they were tolerating this spirit; He challenged then to change this, then He said
Verse: 26-27 " To all who are victorious, who obey me to the very end,
To them I will give authority over all the nations.
27 They will rule the nations with an iron rod
and smash them like clay pots.



God unquestionably links our authority level to our purity level. If we choose to compromise of allow a particular evil spirit to operate in our life, it will diminish the level of authority we possess, both when petitioning the Father for ourselves and for others.



Samson is another good example: ( Book of Judges )

Samson's compromise with Delilah eventually eroded his authority and power and it cost him his ministry, his freedom, his eyesight, and his destiny! Our obedience to the Lord absolutly determines our rights before Him.



Authority in Prayer

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