Pulpit Today

Adjuring Prayer

The adjuring prayer is an authoritative pronouncement invoked in Christ's name, which commands events, circumstances, or even nature to conform to God's will. Biblical examples include Christ cursing the fig tree (Mark 11:20-23); Jesus commanding Lazarus to arise (John 11:41); Peter healing the lame man at the Temple (Acts 3:1-6); and Paul exorcising a demon (Acts 16:18).

Altar

In contemporary terms, an altar refers to an object used for kneeling or a designated area where worshipers come to approach God through prayer.

Altar Service

An altar service is an allotted part of church worship when seekers approach God to pray, confess sin, renew commitment, seek healing, receive anointing with oil, or secure a divine blessing.

Anoint with Oil

Anointing with oil is the act of placing oil (typically olive oil) upon an individual, which represents the presence of the Holy Spirit. Christ commanded His followers to anoint the sick with oil (Mark 6:13); and James said church elders should anoint with oil as they prayed for the sick (James 5:13). Today, the church presbytery often ordains men/women into the ministry with this practice.

Attitude of Prayer

The phrase, attitude of prayer, indicates the willful act of a worshiper adjusting his/her attitude to a disposition conducive to prayer.

Basking in God's Presence

Binding and Loosing

Binding and loosing finds it meaning in two ways. First, it involves an authoritative act by a Christian to restrict or cast out demonic activity. Under the Holy Spirit's direction and authority, believers may speak to demonic powers and bind their evil from dominating others, or, they may loose God's favor, healing, or blessing upon others (Matthew 16:19; 18:18).

Blessing, Prayer of

The prayer of blessing involves pronouncing God's favor or goodness upon others. • Exodus 39:43 says, "Moses inspected the work and saw that they had done it just as the LORD had commanded. So Moses blessed them" (NIV). • Leviticus 9:23 says, "Moses and Aaron then went into the Tent of Meeting. When they came out, they blessed the people; and the glory of the LORD appeared to all the people" (NIV). • Joshua 22:7 says, "When Joshua sent them home, he blessed them, (8) saying, "Return to your homes with your great wealth-with large herds of livestock, with silver, gold, bronze and iron, and a great quantity of clothing-and divide with your brothers the plunder from your enemies" (NIV). • Ephesians 1:18 reveals Paul's apostolic blessing.

Consecration, Prayer of

The prayer of consecration involves a voluntary act of devoting oneself or a material possession unto God for His purpose. It could include the willingness to offer one's entire life to God's purposes. In Joshua 3:5, Joshua told the Israelites, "Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do amazing things among you." Many years ago, John G. Lake offered the following prayer of consecration: "Dear Heavenly Father, I come to you boldly in Jesus' name. Take me as I am. I now give myself—my heart, my mind, my body, my time, talents and treasure to you. Fill me and possess me. I renounce all sins, self and Satan. Jesus, sanctify me. Cleanse me, purge me, purify me. Your will be done in my life, on earth as it is in heaven. Let me manifest a faithful spirit, a pure mind and a sickless body to your glory. Amen."

Corporate Prayer

Corporate praying involves a group of believers gathering for prayer (of any type) and deals more with the setting than the style of prayer. In Acts, Luke shows how the early church convened for corporate prayer in behalf of the apostles' call to spread the Gospel (Acts 4:23-31). Later, the early church prayed corporately for Peter's release from prison (Acts 12:4-5).

Dedication, Prayer of

The prayer of dedication is a verbal pledge that sets apart and surrenders an individual or an object for God's holy purpose and glory. It is recognizes that the person or object of dedication belongs to God. Christians offer dedicatory prayers (sometimes in the form of litany) for children, church facilities, places of worship, houses, and even enterprising. Biblical examples include: Hannah's dedication of Samuel to the Lord (1 Samuel 1:19-28); and Solomon's dedication of the Temple (2 Chronicles 6 & 7).

Discernment

Discernment is the ability to distinguish truth from error. It also involves a person's ability to assess matters with accurate insight and judgment. Discernment often makes itself known during times of prayer.

Divination

Divination is the power that operates through an individual collaborating with satanic spirits (Acts 16:16). The purpose of 'divining' is to perceive hidden events and contravene God's purposes. The Bible associates the diviner's greed for money as a motivation for his/her efforts (Deuteronomy 23:4; Acts 16:16-24). Divination emerges from astrology, white or black magic, horoscopes, crystal balls, palm readings, tarot cards, necromancy, mediums, Ouija boards, psychic powers, séances, soothsaying, and voodoo. In the Old Testament the sin of divination was so egregious that God commanded diviners to be stoned to death (Deuteronomy 18:9-12).

Earnest Prayer

Earnest, or fervent, prayer describes an intense and passionate communion with God through intercession, petition, worship, or praise (Colossians 4:12 and James 5:16-17). (See fervent prayer.)

Fervent Prayer

(See Earnest Prayer)

Fleece

This prayerful act is named after Gideon's fleece of wool in Judges 6:36-40, and it seeks to ascertain by means of a sign or wonder, what God's will is for a specific situation. The Bible indicates that God answers a fleece for those who invoke it from pure motives and He refuses to answer a fleece when the petitioner's heart is prideful, stubborn, or hardened toward God. The Lord sometimes answers a fleece for those who are weak in faith.

Forgive/Forgiveness

Forgiveness is the act of God's mercy, manifested through Christ, which discharges, cancels, and covers the indictment of sin against man. However, God, whose glory is to forgive men, commands Christians to practice forgiveness. The Bible significantly identifies man's willingness to forgive others with God's willingness to forgive man (Matthew 6:15) and even answer man's petitions (Mark 11:22-26). Forgiveness should flow from a sincere heart toward "offenders" (Matthew 18:35) and it should occur as often as needed (Matthew 18:22). Forgiveness is a practice that separates Christians from non-Christians (Colossians 3:13; Ephesians 4:32).

House of Prayer

The term, House of Prayer, directly concerns the Temple at Jerusalem with prayer being its chief activity. Today, Christians apply "house of prayer" to their local sanctuaries as it is used for prayerful activity. The phrase, House of Prayer, is an indication that prayer should take a vital place in church worship. Biblical eschatology infers that prayer will become the chief activity of Jerusalem's Third Temple during Christ's 1000-year Millennial Reign.

Humility in Prayer

Humility in prayer describes man's disposition and posture before God. Strictly speaking, the humble person is without vain pride and exhibits an attitude of lowliness and reverence toward the sovereign God of the universe. The great intercessors of Scripture were those who humbled themselves and recognized that they and those they prayed for were unworthy of God's blessings. The following is a quote from John Newton. "If two angels were to receive . . . a commission from God, one to go down and rule earth's grandest empire, the other to go and sweep the streets of its meanest village, it would be a matter of entire indifference to each [angel] which service fell to his lot—the post of ruler or the post of scavenger. . . . The joy of the angels lies only in obedience to God's will, and with equal joy they would lift a Lazarus in his rags to Abraham's bosom, or be a chariot of fire to carry an Elijah home." (Original reference unknown.)

Importunity

The prayer of importunity is an intense, bold, unrelenting prayer that comes with refuse-to-be-denied urgency. In the context of Luke 11:5-8, it is an unabashed, (even annoying) request that comes at the midnight hour and causes inconvenience upon the one implored.

Imprecation or Imprecatory Prayer

The expression imprecation means, "to invoke an evil." Subsequently, imprecatory prayers aim at contravening people or circumstances that willfully oppose God, His people, or His purposes. Imprecatory prayers can also benefit a person who is in danger of harm or destruction. Examples of imprecatory prayers include Paul's words to the Galatians: "If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let him be eternally condemned" (1:9, NIV). Additionally, Psalm 59; 69; 149; and 2 Timothy 4:14 illustrate imprecatory praying.

Instant in Prayer

The phrase instant in prayer originates with the KJV translation of Romans 12:12, and suggests that Christians should persevere in and always be ready to pray.

Intercession, Gift of

The gift of intercession is a charismatic endowment of the Holy Spirit to a Christian, which supernaturally enables a Christian to draw near to God and appeal to Him on behalf of others, or for a given situation.

Intercession/Intercede

As it regards prayer, intercession involves a person appealing to God's favor in behalf of another. Besides Moses, the prophet Ezekiel alludes to Noah, Daniel, and Job as among the notable intercessors of Scripture (Ezekiel 14:12-18).

Intercessor

An intercessor is one who approaches God and appeals for His favor on behalf of others, or a given situation. He/she acts as a mediator or go-between.

Laying on Hands

The biblical injunction for Christians to "lay hands" on others is most often coupled with prayer and designed to confer a divine blessing upon another (Genesis 48:14-16). Scripture also shows that the "laying on of hands" also supplies for divine healing (Mark 5:23; 41; 16:18; Acts 28:8); the Baptism in the Holy Spirit (Acts 8:18-19; 19:6); the impartation of spiritual gifts (1 Timothy 4:14; 2 Timothy 1:6); and ordaining elders for preaching the Gospel (Acts 13:3).

Lost in Prayer

The expression lost in prayer does not suggest one is without direction for praying. Rather, it implies God has so deeply captured the person in prayer that he/she is absorbed in communing with God at the expense of external distractions. While the one lost in prayer becomes almost oblivious to time and temporal surroundings, they become wholly focused on God and their communion with Him.

Manifestation

Manifestation has both a positive and negative meaning. Positively, a manifestation describes an outward demonstration of the Holy Spirit to show forth God's glory. During times of prayer, God has manifested His presence, power, and glory in ways that strengthen Christians and meet their needs. The apostle Paul also employed the term to describe the Holy Spirit's charismatic endowment upon an individual to visibly demonstrate supernatural power to the church. Negatively, a manifestation can arise from demonic activity. Such manifestations are deceptive, harmful, and seek to turn men from God.

Meditation/Meditative Prayer

Meditation is a reflective aspect of worship when Christians quietly listen for God's voice, contemplate His Word, character, nature, or deeds, and embrace His presence.

Ministering to the Lord

The act of ministering to the Lord involves worshiping Him in praise, adoration, and thanksgiving (which includes song and music.) The objective is to focus on worshiping God rather than entreating God. Biblical examples include the occasion when King Jehoshaphat placed the Levites in front of Israel's army to praise God as the army marched to war (2 Chronicles 20). In the New Testament the early church united in ministering to the Lord and the Holy Spirit made known His purpose for Paul and Barnabas to launch out in apostolic ministry (Acts 13:2).

Perseverance in Prayer

The concept of perseverance in prayer involves an undeterred, resolute commitment to maintaining a prayerful and faith-filled posture before God. Perseverance in prayer does not allow doubts to overwhelm one's trust in God or let negative circumstances assuage their belief that God will surely answer!

Persistence in Prayer

Persistence in prayer involves the protracted, repetitive practice of praying about an issue. The very repetitious practice of communing with God makes persistence in prayer transformative in and of itself.

Petition

The prayer of petition is probably the most common of all prayers and it involves approaching God with a request, (whether it's an urgent need or merely a desire) and asking for God's answer. The consequence of faith-filled petitioning will meet needs, bring joy, and reveal God's transcendent power. The Bible makes it clear that Christians should not hesitate to petition God inasmuch as the apostle James points out, "we have not because we ask not" (James 4). Among the many biblical passages that characterize the prayer of petition the most notable include Matthew 7:7-11 where Jesus said, "Ask and it shall be given unto you. Seek and you will find. Knock and the door will be opened." 1 John 5:14 says, "This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. (15) And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him" (NIV).

Pleading the Blood of Jesus

There is no place in Scripture that specifically calls for "pleading the Blood of Jesus." However, there is great value in this practice. Pleading the Blood of Jesus is a Christian's verbal profession to nullify Satan's evil work and enforce Christ's dominion. The ground for pleading Christ's Blood through prayer derives its meaning from the provision of Christ's spilled Blood at Calvary. According to New Testament theology, Christ's shed Blood provides man with salvation, deliverance, and protection. Paul noted that Christ's bloodletting defeated every enemy of God (Colossians 1:13; 2:15; 1 John 3:8). Further, the Law of Moses in the Old Testament required the sprinkling of lamb's blood upon the priests and articles of the Tabernacle and Temple. This sprinkling of blood attested that God owned these persons and objects and they were set apart for His purposes. Today, there is no further need to offer animal sacrifices. Christ's Blood, spilled once at Calvary, is sufficient and never loses its power or meaning! Pleading the Blood of Jesus is a verbal application of Christ's victory over Satan, sin, and bondage. The apostle John said in Revelation 12:11, "We overcome by the Blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimony," and Solomon wrote, "the power of life and death are in the tongue" (Proverbs).

Praise

Praise is the verbal or outward expression of truth that glorifies, exalts, and esteems God. Such expressions include testimony, singing, dancing, clapping, shouting, lifting of hands, and instrumentation.

Pray Without Ceasing

The Christian practice to "pray without ceasing" describes a lifestyle, not a mode of prayer. It is a discipline that cultivates an awareness of God's presence, coupled with a readiness to offer thanks, praise, petition, intercession, or whichever prayer is appropriate for the moment.

Prayer

Prayer is the act of communing with God in the form of petition, praise, thanksgiving, confession of sin, or meditation.

Prayer Chain

A prayer chain is the act of contacting numerous persons, typically for interceding in behalf of someone in need.

Prayer Covering

A prayer covering describes the target of prayer rather than the nature of prayer. The concept involves identifying a person, a geographic region, or a situation and then offering prayer toward that objective.

Prayer Language

A prayer language is the divinely imparted ability to converse with God in a language unknown to the speaker (Acts 2:4). According to the apostle Paul, these tongues may be known or unknown human languages (1 Corinthians 14), howbeit, the languages are always foreign to the speaker. It is important to assert that the prayer language must be inspired by the Holy Spirit or it ceases to be a charismatic gift.

Prayer of Agreement

The prayer of agreement is two or more believers, in harmony of purpose, petitioning God for a desired result (Matthew 18:19).

Prayer of Faith

The prayer of faith involves seeking God with the full assurance that He hears the prayer and will certainly answer.

Prayer Track

A prayer track furnishes a course of guidance to help lead someone through a time of prayer. For example, someone can pray The Lord's Prayer line-by-line and amplify upon each segment. Praying Bible passages, especially the Psalms, also furnish excellent prayer tracks. Prayer tracks can be developed by utilizing models, such as Moses' Tabernacle and focusing prayer on the imagery of the brazen altar, the laver, the lampstand, the mercy seat, etc. There are many ways to develop prayer tracks as a course of guidance for praying.

Prayer Vigil

A prayer vigil identifies a group of people who gather for meditative, petitionary, or intercessory prayer.

Prayer Walk

A prayer walk is a literal route that Christians take over a given area, whereby they offer petition, intercession, confession, thanksgiving, or praise to God.

Praying in the Spirit

The charismatic phenomenon of "praying in the spirit" occurs when one speaks under the direct impulse of the Holy Spirit in an unlearned tongue (1 Corinthians 14:14-15).

Praying Through

The concept of praying through deals with the process of thoroughly settling a matter with God. Regardless of the repeated times of approaching God in prayer about the matter, the praying through experience culminates when one obtains the assurance that God has met the need. (Before you are through praying, make certain you have prayed through!)

Prophetic Praying

Prophetic praying occurs when the Holy Spirit inspires a Christian to pray with wisdom, insight, and revelation. In short, it involves praying with divinely imparted knowledge. Prophetic prayer may arise in the form of foretelling or forth-telling, and it serves to edify, exhort, or comfort others.

Rejoicing Before the Lord

The prayer of rejoicing is closely related to praise, yet, with distinct differences. While praise seeks to exalt and glorify God, the prayer of rejoicing is a celebratory response toward God for His manifested goodness. It is the soul's exultation for God's mercy and grace and the apostle Paul called men to "rejoice in the Lord always" (Philippians 3:19).

Renunciation, Prayer of

The prayer of renunciation is typically spoken by the person in need, and it seeks to reject, repudiate, cancel, and disown that which Satan has caused to encroach upon their personal life or property. Its primary purpose is to break satanic strongholds that overwhelm a person or place. Prayers of renunciation are especially useful for those who need freedom from destructive habits, drug addictions, impure thoughts, or inordinate sexual affections. At times, Christians can make a consensual agreement with a destructive sin and the prayer of renunciation is the means of reclaiming freedom in Christ.

Repentance, Prayer of

Repentance involves the acknowledgement of sin, which corresponds with the willingness to turn away from it and walk toward righteousness. The prayer of repentance begins deep within the heart and seeks to restore a right relationship with God. It is interesting that the Bible commands both Christians and sinners to repent of sinful practices. Biblical references to repenting include: Leviticus 26:40-42 Nehemiah 1:4-11 Psalm 51 Romans 10:10 1 John 1:9

Revelatory Praying

Revelatory prayer originates from the Holy Spirit and His sovereign determination to impart knowledge or wisdom to an individual. This revelatory insight may originate through dreams, visions, impressions upon the heart or mind, or through gifts of the Spirit. While this divine insight is never equal with Scripture, it is often helpful when the Holy Spirit supplies insight that directs, protects, comforts, or edifies people. Through prayer, King Jehosophat gained supernatural understanding for warring against his enemies (2 Chronicles 20). While Solomon built the Temple, David received the architectural details for constructing it. The primary purpose of revelatory praying is to help people follow God's will for their lives.

Soaking Before the Lord

(See definition of basking before the Lord)

Spirit of Heaviness

A spirit of heaviness occurs when negative circumstances or satanic forces suppress or inhibit someone from their freedom, power, or joy in prayer.

Spiritual Warfare

Spiritual warfare occurs when Christians confront the forces of evil through the power of Jesus Christ. It is not physical confrontation (such as the Holy Wars of the Middle Ages), rather, the strategy is applied through prayer (i.e., praise, petition, intercession, rebuking powers of darkness, etc). Because natural warfare is fought in groups of soldiers, it is best for Christians to engage in high-level spiritual warfare with a group of other Christians and not alone. Additionally, Christians that practice spiritual warfare should devote time to personal prayer and fasting.

Stronghold

The English word stronghold derives its meaning from the Greek military word fortress. A stronghold appears in a person's life to form a sinful craving, an unbridled appetite, an uncontrollable temper, an inordinate habit, wild jealousy, or to create a place of demonic activity from which it seems almost impossible to find freedom. Strongholds can reside in the spirit, soul (mind and heart), or body. A stronghold can also influence geographical areas or material objects linked with the occult. Satan uses strongholds to exploit human weakness and create a suppressive force of control over people. It typically requires a Christian who is "filled with the Holy Spirit" to dislodge a stronghold.

Thanksgiving, Prayer of

Thanksgiving is the inward or outward expression of gratitude toward God for His character, blessings, grace, judgments, or deeds. The apostle Paul commanded Christians to abound in this act (Colossians 2:7).

Travailing Prayer

Travailing prayer occurs when a Christian prays with distress of spirit or soul in order to bring forth the purposes of God. It could be quiet or loud, with or without tears, physically painful, but always with agony of soul. Since Hannah is the classic example (1 Samuel 1:12-18), she testifies that travailing prayer refuses to accept barrenness as the final estate! Biblical examples include Exodus 2:23; Jeremiah 6:26; Luke 22:44; and Galatians 4:19.

Vision

A vision is a manner in which God discloses His will, direction, or purpose. This prophetic disclosure may occur when the Holy Spirit speaks through dreams (Genesis 28:12), deep impressions upon the heart, mental pictures, supernatural opening of sight into the spiritual world (2 Kings 6:17; 2 Corinthians 12:2-4), or even by the audible voice of God (Genesis 15:1).

Vow-making Prayer

A vow intends to invoke a covenant with God in order to secure His blessing. In the Old Testament, a vow involved a verbal pledge toward God where one dedicated himself, his service, or something of worth to God. Biblical examples include: Jacob's vow to tithe (Genesis 28:20-22). The Nazarite vow (Numbers 6:1-8). Moses' commandments concerning vows (Numbers 30). Hannah's vow to give her son to God (1 Samuel 1:11-28). David's vow for God's House (Psalm 132:1-5).

Watch and Pray

The expression watch and pray indicates the Christian's need to maintain vigilant awareness of Satan's schemes, and counter those schemes with prayer. Further, the expression includes a readiness to respond through prayer to advance God's purposes in the earth (Habakkuk 2:1; Luke 21:36).

Worship

Worship is the expression of honor, worthiness, or reverence toward God. The Bible always describes man's worship as an intentional gesture, not something done unintentionally. Man's worship toward God occurs in eight ways. It occurs through prayer, praise, the reading the Scriptures, the ordinances of baptism and communion, offerings, the testifying of Christ, and through obedience to God's written Word. Worship is the expression of honor, worthiness, or reverence toward God. The Bible always describes man's worship as an intentional gesture, not something done unintentionally. Man's worship toward God occurs in eight ways. It occurs through prayer, praise, the reading the Scriptures, the ordinances of baptism and communion, offerings, the testifying of Christ, and through obedience to God's written Word.