Today we continue our series entitled, “The Benefits of Prayer and Fasting,” with an emphasis on “The Power of Prayer.” The last couple of days I have been teaching you about fear and prayer. The point is that you should not fear when you pray, because if you do, your prayers will be hindered. Today I will cover a major reason why you should NOT fear: because you have the authority to use the name of Jesus! You have been authorized to operate in Jesus’ name, both in prayer and in practice.
I believe most believers don’t understand the authority Jesus died to give us. His authority is tied to His name, and what is amazing is that Jesus gave us the authority to operate in His name in the earth. Learning to operate in the name of Jesus helps us in prayer and in everyday life. Let’s see what the Bible says about the name of Jesus:
Wherefore 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.
(Phil 2:9,10 KJV)
Paul tells us that the Father exalted Jesus. Jesus’ name has been exalted above every other name. At the name of Jesus every knee will bow. This includes those in heaven, in the earth and even under the earth. Every knee in the natural and every knee in the spiritual must bow to the name of Jesus. Jesus’ name is the MOST EXALTED name in the universe; and we have been given the right to operate in this name!
One time Jesus called His 12 main disciples together and He gave them power and authority over all demons. He gave them the power to heal diseases in His name (Luke 9:1). But even though Jesus gave it to them, they were so close to Jesus, and they relied on Him so much, that they did not maximize this power until Jesus was gone and they could not rely on Him anymore. In other words, they never truly stretched themselves to operate in this authority, by faith, until Jesus was no longer around and they had to.
In the next chapter, Jesus gave this same authority to 72 other disciples. He then sent them out groups of two. Jesus forbid them from taking any money with them. He wanted them to rely on God for everything. If they could not believe God for $10, then they were surely not going to be able to believe God to cast out demons or heal the sick. So Jesus sent them out and they went, authorized to operate in His name. When they came back they were excited!. He said to Jesus, “Lord, even the demons obeyed us when we spoke in your name!” (Luke 10:17). Did you get that? Not even demons have power over us when we operate in the authority of the name of Jesus. I have personally encountered demons and I can attest to the fact that they are subject to the name of Jesus!
In the passage known as “The Great Commission” (Mat 28:18-20), Jesus said, “All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.” Jesus was not saying that He only had power in heaven. Jesus came to take back what Adam lost in the garden. Jesus died and rose from the dead to take back what satan stole. Our resurrected Jesus conquered satan, hell and the grave. It was this resurrected Jesus who clearly stated that He had ALL power both in heaven and in the earth. Based upon this power He said, “Go ye therefore.” The therefore, is connected to the power Jesus had. We can GO, because Jesus has ALL POWER and He has given us the authority to operate in His name!
So what does this mean to you today? A few things.
- The day you fully embrace the revelation of all Jesus is and the fact that He has given you the authority to use His name, you will take your prayer life to another level.
- Every knee in heaven, in the earth and even under the earth, must bow to the name of Jesus. There is power in His name. And Jesus Himself authorized us to use His name. He deputized us! This has major implications for both prayer and daily practice. When you pray, you approach the Father in the name of Jesus. When you leave your prayer closet, you approach the world in the name of Jesus! You have been authorized to operate in the name above all names. What are you going to do with this authorization?
- Jesus came to get back everything Adam lost in the Garden. He came to get us out of the mess Adam got us into. After Jesus died and rose from the dead, all power and authority (in heaven, in the earth and under the earth) were given to Him. All things are under Jesus’ feet. And guess what? You are in Christ and Christ is in you! You are deputized to operate in His name in the earth. This means that when you operate in the name of Jesus, all things are under your feet; not because of You, but because of HIM! The day you get this revelation down in your heart, you will be able to pray prayers that are fearless and full of faith.
Closing Confession:
Father, this is a season of expectation for me. I believe Your Word. No devil, demon or demonic influence has any power over me. I operate in the authority given to me in Your name. The name of Jesus is above all principalities and powers. At the name of Jesus every knee must bow and every tongue must confess that Jesus, the Christ, is Lord! Thank You Father, for giving me the authority to operate in the name of Jesus in the earth. I declare, right now, in the name of Jesus, that I am healed, healthy, blessed, prosperous and protected. Fear has no power over me. I overcome evil with good. I operate in fearless confidence daily. I pray, You hear me, and I live as Your representative in this world. I do this in the power that has been vested to me to operate in the name of Jesus! I declare this by faith. In Jesus’ name, Amen!
This is Today’s Word. Apply it and prosper!
