Praying "Resurrection Prayers" Series, Part 4 of 4

We have been discussing, in parts one thru three of this four part series, about the "who, what, and why" of APPROPRIATING the power of our Lord's RESURRECTION to our lives, our ministries, and our effective prayers. Now, let's lay hold on "HOW" it is done.

Now, I AM NOT trying to persuade anyone here of the significance of the FACT that, according to the Word of God, Jesus has been resurrected from the dead, by the power of God's Spirit. I assume that most people who would be reading this exhortation are already, at least, "intellectually" aware of this destiny-changing event, and of it's significance to all humanity, for the remission of sin.

However, I AM WRITING to encourage, exhort, and remind my FELLOW BELIEVERS, as well as myself, to make the significance and power of the Lord's resurrection a CENTRAL, current "REALITY" in our ongoing lives, ministries, and prayers. So, let's talk about HOW to do that.

When praying with others here and there, I'm aware of a "disconnect" between our faith, and the reality of the resurrection. I seldom hear PRAYERS that are actually BUILT UPON the "reality and power" of the RESURRECTION of Christ, even though the familiar scriptures we've all been reading in parts one thru three invite, and more than that, direct us to do so! In fact, many of our prayers are articulated as though Jesus is still in the tomb struggling to overcome, and the measure of our inheritance is still in question (at least to us). And, therefore, MUCH OF THE VICTORY, GLORY, AND POWER that we have actually INHERITED, in the resurrected Christ, GOES UNUSED, AND NEGLECTED.

"So, just what words, what knowledge, what understanding, would FORM THE "LANGUAGE" of such "RESURRECTION PRAYERS?" I'm so glad you asked. Consider the message of the following passage of scripture from Apostle Paul to the believers in Colossi (and to you and me, right now). Please, let's read it slowly…and let it speak Life into us again:

"[9] For IN HIM (the resurrected Jesus) dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; [10] and you ARE (already) complete IN HIM, who is the head of all principality and power. [11] IN HIM you were also circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the sins of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, [12] (you were) buried with Him in baptism (that's what was happening under the water), in which you also were (already) raised with Him THROUGH (your) FAITH in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead (using the same power that resides in the Spirit-filled believer right now). [13] And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made (past tense) alive together with Him (you and I are ONE with His victorious resurrection, and power), having forgiven you (past tense) ALL trespasses, [14] having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way (it's gone!!!), having nailed it to the cross. [15] Having disarmed principalities and powers (He broke their power over us!!!), He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it (past tense)." (Co 2:9-15)

So, how significant is the Lord's resurrection? It is His ultimate, public TRIUMPH over our spiritual enemies, overcoming everything including death! The only thing left to do is for the Lord's "clean-up crew" (you and me)...working with the Holy Spirit's leading, power, and anointing...through the unstoppable vehicle of our faith/obedience...using His instruction manual…to MANIFEST (appropriate) His unshakeable, heavenly kingdom everywhere, for His glory!

It is time for us to declare, "In your face, devil, for you've been soundly beaten!" It's time for us to declare, "Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!" (Ac 3:6) It's time for us to declare, "Aeneas, Jesus the Christ heals you. Arise and make your bed!" (Ac 9:34) It's time for us to declare, "'Tabitha, arise (in Jesus' name).' And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter she sat up!" (Ac 9:40) And, it's time for us to declare, in the name of the One we represent, "'Stand up straight on your feet!' And he leaped and walked!" (Ac 14:9) Jesus is alive! IT'S TIME FOR "RESURRECTION POWER!"

Using the victorious name of the One who triumphed, it is now time for us to pray, "Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven!" (Mt 6:10) Using the name of the One who triumphed, it's now time for you and me to, "Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons" (Mt10:8) In the name of the One who triumphed, it's now time for us to, "Bind on earth what is bound in heaven, and loose on earth what is loosed in heaven!" (Mt16:19) It is now time, in the name of Jesus, for us to, "Say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move!" (Mt17:20) This is the triumphant Day for faithful, and full of faith disciples to, "Pull down strongholds, cast down arguments, and bring every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ!" (2 Co 10:4-5) It is time for us to, "ask for the nations for our inheritance!" Jesus is alive! IT'S TIME FOR RESURRECTION POWER!

So now, JUST HOW DO WE PRAY "RESURRECTION PRAYERS?" How does effective and confident faith operate in the "kingdom of God?" In the same way as my trip to the bank, where this series began:

-having begun with the spiritual knowledge of God's good, precious, and living promises, and of all Jesus IS and DOES (our inheritance) deposited in our hearts,

-and, following the leading of the Holy Spirit,

-we, therefore, enter into God's holy Presence, through the perfect blood of Christ, behind the veil that was torn for us from top to bottom.

-And, in the anointed fellowship of God's Spirit,

-and operating "in the name of Jesus," as allowed and directed by Him,

-we, then, ASK, BELIEVING...

-believing enough to "receive" what He has said...

-believing enough to obey Him...

-believing enough to trust Him...

-believing enough to allow Him to manifest our supernatural miracle in our midst...

-believing enough to step-up and bring Him glory!

I'll end with this. With the power of the resurrection's victory firmly in our hearts and minds, in short, the way for us to begin a "resurrection prayer" sounds like,

"Almighty God and Father, SINCE Jesus is alive…"