Dear TC-HOP Family,
Ephesians 3:16-17 says, “I pray that out of his glorious riches He may strengthen you in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith”…
I would like to share with you some thoughts about prayers of supplication, or asking God to bring change to our personal life circumstances. This category of prayer focuses on asking God to bring change to our total man (spirit, soul and body), our personal life circumstances, and our ministry through the release of His provision and power for breakthrough. Phil. 4:6, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.”
During supplication we ask God for the release of spiritual and natural breakthrough in our personal life. In other words, we pray for all types of God’s provision and power for breakthrough, including protection, direction, wisdom, guidance, doors to open, finances to be released, increased strength over sin, freedom from demonic attack, etc.
The actual Greek word is transliterated as “supplication” denotes the idea of approaching for a favor or supply. Those in need approached the one whose aid they would implore by holding an olive branch entwined with white wool and fillets to signify that they came as suppliants. In other words, they represented themselves as branches in need of supply from their only source of life. Certainly, Jesus had this in view when He spoke to His disciples concerning the Vine and branches. John 15:5-8, “I am the vine, you are the branches”…
Within all of God’s commandments is His promise to enable us to obey them if we ask. Obedience requires the work of the Spirit upon our hearts that increases as we ask for God’s help in each area. He knows our needs (Mt. 6:32), but requires that we ask Him for increased blessing, because it causes us to interact with His heart. Those who ask receive (Luke 11:9) and the hungry are filled (Matt. 5:6).
God will not do our part and we cannot do His part. God has ordained supplication as the primary means and channel by which He has chosen to release the sovereignly ordained blessing of His heart to us. James 4:2 says, “…You do not have because you do not ask.” To ask implies that we actually verbalize our prayers, not just think about them or our problems. Hos. 14:2: “Take words with you, and return to the Lord. Say to Him “Take away all iniquity; receive us graciously, for we will offer the sacrifices of our lips.”
Next week I’d like to continue writing about supplication and the need to pray for ourselves. May God richly bless you this week as you bring your prayers before Him.
Come join us this week as we seek the Lord together at the TC-HOP.
Blessings,
Gary