Blog 2 - Embracing Our Identity in God Transforms Our Prayers
Discover how understanding your biblical identity in Christ can transform your prayer life and leadership. Shift from pleas to partnering with God, using the authority He has given you. Embrace the fullness of your identity and start seeing breakthroughs in your life and leadership.
Introduction
Have you ever stopped to consider how the way you see yourself impacts your prayer life? It's a question I've been exploring lately, and I'm excited to share it with you in today's episode.
God is continuously at work in all of us. He is at work in you, too, teaching you new things, no matter how long you have been walking with Him. After decades of following Christ, I still find myself grappling with issues related to my identity. One thing I have learned is how I see myself on any given day influences the way I pray.
When I feel beaten down by life's circumstances, my first response is to crawl up into God's lap, and not to exercise the authority Jesus entrusted to me. I need both responses to advance past the discouraging obstacles I am facing.
The Struggle of Self-Perception in Prayer
As an intercessor praying for others, it's been easier to see myself in partnership with God for them invoking His provision to meet the needs of those I pray for. When I apply the blood of Jesus, paired with His expressed will, I can use my voice to enforce His agenda over competing hindrances, canceling the schemes of the enemy for them.
In contrast, for my own life, sometimes the best prayer I can muster is a desperate, "Help!" Can you relate to this? In those moments, I feel stuck, overwhelmed, and without recourse. But even in my desperation, God is there mercifully holding my heart as I invite Him into my mess.
I'm so grateful to God for His love-drenched grace and for my prayer team, who helps pray me through such funks and back into proactive partnership with God, who changes outcomes.
Let's look at how we see ourselves in the moment and how our view affects the way we pray.
Biblical Paradoxes and Identity in Christ
As we explore this topic further, it's important to understand the biblical paradoxes surrounding our identity in Christ. The word of God is full of paradoxes.
Are we a child of God, or as a member of the church, a bride? Of course, we know we are both. Are we an actual friend of God or merely a humble supplicant? Do we simply receive the works of His hands, or do we somehow move His hand? In the Kingdom of God, these pairs are not either/or propositions. Both can be gloriously true, even at the same time.
The way we pray at any given time flows out of the way we see ourselves in the moment.
Today, I want to invite you to recognize and embrace the multifaceted expressions of your God-granted identity in Christ. As a beloved children of God, you and I can confidently approach Him with our desires.
To quote A.W. Tozer, "God is trying to call us back to that for which He created us, to worship Him and to enjoy Him forever. He is trying to mature us until He can trust us with everything that we desire."
This insight reflects a profound truth: As we grow in spiritual maturity and intimacy with God, our desires align with His will, as we find ourselves in a place where He can grant us the desires of our hearts.
Different Identities in Prayer
Let's talk about how these different aspects of our identity influence the way we pray. When we petition God effectively, we are essentially asking Him for what He already desires, having allowed Him to shape our desires through the transformation of our character and perspectives.
Petitioning is the most familiar form of prayer for most believers, and it's a beautiful expression of our relationship with God as His children and friends, but there's more! As the bride of Christ, we are called to partner with Him in His mission, exercising authority in prayer that goes beyond humble supplication.
We see this dynamic beautifully illustrated in the story of Esther, who boldly approached King Ahasuerus to save her people from destruction. As the king's trusted bride, Esther was granted authority to issue decrees in his name.
As the story unfolds, the king proclaims, "Now you write to the Jews as you see fit, in the king's name, and seal it with the king's signet ring; for a decree which is written in the name of the king and sealed with the king's signet ring may not be revoked." (Esther 8:8, NASB) As the king's trusted bride, Esther is granted authority to act on his behalf.
Jesus does the same thing with His Bride, entrusting His authority to us. Esther used her authority to foil the plot of the enemy who sought to steal from, to kill, and to destroy the Jews. The way she exercised her authority was through decrees. We can pray using decrees as well, proactively representing our King, shutting down the enemy and his plots designed to hinder the Kingdom of God and the full expression of God's goodness upon this earth.
Exercising Authority in Prayer
So, what does it look like to exercise authority and prayer? Let's explore this together.
Jesus said He came to destroy the works of the enemy, to do the works of His Father. Since the enemy came to steal, kill, and destroy, we can extrapolate quite an expansive range of ways in partnership with God we can counteract the enemy's schemes and act to expand God's reign into the spheres He has given us influence or control. Jesus entrusted His authority to us, which has far-reaching implications in prayer.
A decree sounds very different than a petition. It is an alternative way to pray that requires the pre-work of discernment and seeking our King for what He desires. Because a decree is a ruling using legitimate delegated authority, this highly effective prayer model is key in strategic intercession.
Because a decree is a ruling using legitimate delegated authority, this highly effective prayer model is key in strategic intercession.
Some people worry that making decrees is like ordering God around, but it's important to understand the difference. A decree is made from a place of alignment with God's will derived from knowledge discerned at His bosom. Just like Esther issued decrees in the king's name, we issue decrees in Jesus' name, knowing that we are carrying out His will. It's not about manipulating or forcing God's hand; it's about partnering with Him and exercising the authority He has given us.
Embracing The Fullness of Your Identity
So, how do you move beyond petitioning to start exercising Bridal authority in your prayers? As a serious disciple of Christ, you are already immersing yourself in the word of God. Your in-depth knowledge of God's word prepares you to know what He says about you and your situation or others whom you carry before the Throne of God in intercession. Speak out God's will with confidence over your circumstances using both His Logos (the written word) and Rhema (ways He has spoken to you personally). You can proclaim His word and will as a declaration or by using actual decrees in the exercise of your authority.
In the closeness of your relationship with God, you have likely already done the pre-work to discern God's will regarding your business, ministry, or leadership role. Even so, the enemy works relentlessly to thwart, delay, harass, and even to stop the success of the work God has assigned you. You already know how to use your authority in leadership. You can use it in prayer as well, enforcing through declarations and decrees what God has clearly expressed is His will, in Jesus' name.
Don't let what you are seeing or experiencing in the natural contribute to doubt that holds you back. Your enemy doesn't just roll over and play dead. He is actively opposing God's plans in and through you. You are not just randomly struggling in your role– you are being actively targeted and opposed on a spiritual level! In response, you can call your circumstances into alignment with God's will, in Jesus' name.
Remember, praying in this way is about the authority of Christ in you, entrusted to you by Christ Himself.
Your confidence in prayer will emerge from Your faith in the power of God's word and will. "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." (1 John 5:14-15, NIV)
Jesus assures us, "And I will do whatever you ask in My name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. You may ask Me for anything in My name, and I will do it." (John 14:13-14, NIV)
As you see God move, your confidence will grow. You'll begin to pray bolder prayers in alignment with God's expressed will, knowing that you are operating in partnership with the King of kings.
If you're ready to take your prayer life to the next level and start seeing breakthrough in your life and ministry, I want to invite you to join me on this journey of strategic intercession. Download the "Shift from Petition to Decree Guide" and start implementing these principles in your daily prayer life. Share your testimonies with us – we can't wait to celebrate with you as you partner with God to see His Kingdom come, and His will be done in your sphere of influence!
Conclusion
Understanding complementary expressions of your identity in Christ can transform your prayer life from pleas with uncertain outcomes to making a profound impact. Each identity – child, friend, intimate bride – enriches our prayer life, making it more effective and powerful. Take actionable steps towards embracing the fullness of your identity in Christ and watch how it changes your intercession.
Take actionable steps towards embracing the fullness of your identity in Christ and watch how it changes your intercession.
If you have any questions or need further guidance, don't hesitate to reach out. We value your input and would love to hear from you. Please share your comments, questions, insights, or experiences related to this topic in the comments section. Join our community of like-minded believers who are passionate about strategic intercession, and let's grow together in our understanding and practice of this powerful tool for transformation. Subscribe to our blog to receive weekly insights and inspiration, and stay connected with us on social media for encouragement and prayer support.
Download the Shift from Petition to Decree Guide for further reflection and practical steps. Know that we're here to support you every step of the way, believing for God to do amazing things as we partner with Him through strategic intercession.
Thank you for joining me on this journey of discovering our true identities in Christ. Until next time, keep embracing the fullness of who you are in Him and praying with the authority He has entrusted to you. Blessings!
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