What Does It Mean to Pray With Authority?
Every Christian has the privilege of using the Name of Jesus in prayer. When you pray in Jesus’ Name, you immediately get God’s attention. Philippians 2:9-10 says, “God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth.” In Jesus’ Name, the believer has authority to “tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy” (Luke 10:19).
When you call upon someone’s name, you are placing a demand on their ability. To know how much confidence you can place in a name, you must be able to measure the power behind it. A man writing a check places a demand on his own name. If he has the proper funds in the bank, then there is enough power to meet the demand. The power backing the Name of Jesus is the power of Almighty God Himself!
First John 3:22-23 says, “And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight. And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment.” The mighty, powerful Name of Jesus is available to you. Become aware of your right and privilege to use it.
God’s love motivates Him to use His power. First John 4:16 says, “And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us….” When you believe the love He has for you, you’ll begin to realise you have as much right to use the Name of Jesus as anyone else. Believe the love God has for you. Once you recognise the reality of God’s love in your life, you will realise He has not left you defenceless and powerless against evil. When you pray, use it freely and confidently in the face of your enemy!