The Apostolic Prayer
It is time to stretch the boundaries of prayer and break limitations off our prayers. God wants to restore the apostolic prayer model to the church of today. Believers need to pray big, bold, believing prayers in order to see miracles released on earth. When we join with Jesus in heaven, we will hear the decrees and thunders of the Throne Room. The sounds of heaven are ready to cascade over the earth as our prayers open portals into heaven. We must pray in the apostolic model left to us by the apostles of the Lamb. New Testament prayers are focused and specific. Generic, non- specific prayers really accomplish little. As we search the New Testament, we discover some valuable lessons for our prayer life from Paul and all of the apostles. They spent their lives in the Word of God and praying for the needs of all the churches
4 but we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” Acts 6:4
We must also value the Word of God and prayer. Only then will we have a satisfying prayer life that is filled with intercession for others. Kingdom-advancing people have a mind-set that's clear and aggressive. They are forceful men and women who shake the status quo. The Greek word for forceful means to "shake violently." Their prayers shake violently the spirit realm around them because the Father has anointed them with governmental influence. Strong prayer calls down the power of the Holy Spirit and pushes kingdom reality forcefully ahead, pulling the future into now. This causes strongholds to shake and topple. Forceful men and women are coming with kingdom-advancing prayer, laying hold of its power. They plunder the kingdom of darkness and declare treason in the enemy's domain.
"From the moment John stepped onto the scene until now, the realm of heaven's kingdom is bursting forth, and passionate people have taken hold of its power" (Matthew 11:12). When the church in a region begins to cry out to God using the apostolic model, we begin to see breakthrough for our cities. The apostolic prayer model is the prayer that will break open the heavens and release revival into the cities of the earth. Paul prayed for churches in different regions to experience breakthrough. Although there are many, take the time to speak the verses and pray them over your family, church, and region. Then watch God work!
17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, 18 the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, 19 and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power Ephesians 1:17-19 -Pray for the Holy Spirit of Wisdom and Revelation to be expressed in your life as you welcome His truth, conviction, and transforming power. Pray that every truth we learn will lead us into a deeper knowledge of Christ. Pray that hope will fill our hearts, convincing us of our destiny in Christ. And pray for the power that will overcome even death. When this prayer for the revelatory spirit to fall on the church is answered, the church will come into the fullness of His glory.
16 that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, 17 that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height— 19 to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Ephesians 3:16-19 -This prayer is for the supernatural strength of God to come into your being as the Holy Spirit is released within us. Faith is the virtue that will bring more of this into our lives, so pray that God will increase your faith. As you grow in love, Jesus is released from within you. Ask for His love to be revealed to you.
18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints— 19 and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak. Ephesians 6:18-20-This is a prayer for the release of boldness and anointing for public ministry. God wants His servants to carry His Word with courage to the ends of the earth. It will require fresh measures of boldness to carry it out. Signs and wonders will be done on earth as the church moves into Holy Spirit boldness in the prayer room.
5 Now may the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the patience of Christ. 2 Thessalonians 3:5-Pray for an increase of love in the body of Christ. Only the release of the Spirit can accomplish this. He will reveal our brokenness and weaknesses that we may lean upon Him. Pray that all the gifts will flow in love as we seek the blessing of others. God will give us the wisdom of the Spirit to walk in these things.
9 For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; 10 that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; 11 strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy; Colossians 1:9-11-Pray that God would make known His will to His people as the Holy Spirit is released upon us. The people of God need spiritual understanding to grow and fulfill the purpose of God. Pray for power to be patient in hardships.
27 Now when they had come and gathered the church together, they reported all that God had done with them, and that He had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles. Acts 14:27-Paul requests prayer that God would open a "door" of evangelism through the release of His anointing upon the Word. There is a door of opportunity that our prayers must knock on if we want to enter into anointed evangelism. Jesus opens these doors as we intercede in faith.
8 “I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it; for you have a little strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name. Revelation 3:8 Corporate prayer must turn to the lost. Doors of opportunity swing open as the church prays. The "opening of doors" releases miracles, signs, and wonders by the Holy Spirit.
12 Epaphras, who is one of you, a bondservant of Christ, greets you, always laboring fervently for you in prayers, that you may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God. Colossians 4:12-We must pray for spiritual maturity to come to the church across the city. This type of intercession raises the level of spirituality in a region. There is a measure of grace and maturity that will only come as we pray. This brings God's will to the earth.
8 who will also confirm you to the end, that you may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 1:8-These are prayers for the church to be established, complete, and mature. It is only by the release of the Spirit that these prayers will be answered. Spiritual fruit, gifts, and wisdom come as the Holy Spirit overwhelms our hearts with transforming grace.
20 “I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; 21 that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. 22 And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: John 17:20-22-Unity among the saints! This must be prayed down as we ask the Holy Spirit to make us one in all things. We need intercessors to pray these prayers until the leadership of the church models the unity of the Trinity.
4 I thank my God always concerning you for the grace of God which was given to you by Christ Jesus, 5 that you were enriched in everything by Him in all utterance and all knowledge, 6 even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you, 7 so that you come short in no gift, eagerly waiting for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ, 8 who will also confirm you to the end, that you may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 1:4-8-Paul's apostolic prayer is for the church across a city to excel in spiritual gifts as they await the coming of Christ. Revelation knowledge and citywide strategies will be birthed. The church will grow in maturity and be blameless in the day of Christ.
9 For we are glad when we are weak and you are strong. And this also we pray, that you may be made complete. 2 Corinthians 13:9-This is a prayer for the church of the city to grow in maturity, wisdom, and all the dimensions of the grace of God. How right it is to pray this for your region!
3 We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is fitting, because your faith grows exceedingly, and the love of every one of you all abounds toward each other, 2 Thessalonians 1:3-Prayers of thanksgiving for the grace given to others will bring more grace to them and enlarge our hearts in love. It's crucial that the church prays with thankful hearts as we ask for even more!
9 For what thanks can we render to God for you, for all the joy with which we rejoice for your sake before our God, 10 night and day praying exceedingly that we may see your face and perfect what is lacking in your faith?11 Now may our God and Father Himself, and our Lord Jesus Christ, direct our way to you. 12 And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love to one another and to all, just as we do to you, 13 so that He may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints. 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13-The church is to pray for the release of apostolic ministry to the whole church in that region, causing the believers to abound in love and holiness. Mature ones must come and complete what is lacking and immature in the church of a region.23 Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it.25 Brethren, pray for us. 1 Thessalonians 5:23-25-We must pray for more passion for Jesus and purity of heart. The Holy Spirit will empower us as we pray this way. God is faithful and will be stirred to act. He will protect us and cleanse our lives and our churches.
7 Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. James 4:7-This is the closest we find to warfare praying in the New Testament. These apostolic prayers are for the power that we already possess-power to over-come, resist, and defeat dark strategies in human hearts-to be released in us. Satan, the evil one, has already been defeated in our lives, and victory is appropriated as we pray and stand on God's promises.
1 Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may run swiftly and be glorified, just as it is with you, 2 and that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men; for not all have faith.3 But the Lord is faithful, who will establish you and guard you from the evil one. 4 And we have confidence in the Lord concerning you, both that you do and will do the things we command you.
5 Now may the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the patience of Christ. 2 Thessalonians 3:1-5-It will be prayer that delivers believers from persecution. Intercession digs a channel for the power and the Word of God to flow through. We must build a house of prayer in every city, asking the Father for protection from the evil one, to establish the saints, and for the love of God to be poured out.
9 And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment, Philippians 1:9-Praying these Scriptures will release the church to purity, love, and holiness. We must arise with these words in our mouths and pull down the virtue of heaven into the bride of Christ. The bride makes herself ready when she walks in these strengths. The release of Spirit will bring this to the earth.
15 which He will manifest in His own time, He who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings and Lord of lords, 16 who alone has immortality, dwelling in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen or can see, to whom be honor and everlasting power. Amen. 1 Timothy 6:15-16-This is throne room prayer. It so pleases God's heart when we speak our blessings over Him. This is what He longs for! When we do, we're connecting with the worship going on around Him in the heavenly realm. This is connecting with eternity!
1 Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, 2 for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. 3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. 1 Timothy 2:1-4-We are given the responsibility to pray for government authorities and civil leaders. This prayer releases peace and tranquility to the church in a city. It pleases the Father that you would pray for their salvation and the salvation of all men.
7 Consider what I say, and may the Lord give you understanding in all things. 2 Timothy 2:7,
45 And He opened their understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures. Luke 24:45
14 Now a certain woman named Lydia heard us. She was a seller of purple from the city of Thyatira, who worshiped God. The Lord opened her heart to heed the things spoken by Paul. Acts 16:14-We must ask God to open the hearts of others and grant them repentance. Jesus holds the keys, and prayer opens the hearts. This prayer for revelation and understanding must be a theme of our prayers.
19 and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel, Ephesians 6:19-These are prayers for boldness. There is a measure of boldness we'll never have if we don't ask for it! Boldness is a specific manifestation of the Holy Spirit that is imparted through prayer. The united prayer of apostles will release the hand of God for healing, signs, and wonders.
2 Then He said to them, “The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few; therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest. Luke 10:2-Pray for more harvesters! The word used for "send out" in the Greek text is a lot stronger in the original text. It's the word ekballo, and it's used for driving or casting out demons. The Scripture tells us to plead with the owner of the harvest to ekballo-drive or cast out-many more workers into the harvest fields of the earth. There's a harvest waiting, and we need more of His "reaping angels." We are those "reaping angels." The Lord is going to "drive us out" to the nations of the earth to bring in the harvest. We are full of the Holy Spirit-full of His gifts, fruit, and wisdom-and the Master has need of us. The world is waiting for us to answer this prayer fully.
1 Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they may be saved. Romans 10:1-Pray for Israel that they would receive the knowledge of salvation in Christ. Paul earnestly prayed for Israel from his heart.
5 Now may the God of patience and comfort grant you to be like-minded toward one another, according to Christ Jesus, 6 that you may with one mind and one mouth glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. 7 Therefore receive one another, just as Christ also received us, to the glory of God. Romans 15:5-7-This is a prayer for the unity of the church within a city. The faith to unite churches in a region will be expressed by fervent intercession. We can't work it up! Only God's Spirit can answer this prayer.30 Now I beg you, brethren, through the Lord Jesus Christ, and through the love of the Spirit, that you strive together with me in prayers to God for me, 31 that I may be delivered from those in Judea who do not believe, and that my service for Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints, 32 that I may come to you with joy by the will of God, and may be refreshed together with you. 33 Now the God of peace be with you all. Amen. Romans 15:30-33-There is a need for united, fervent prayer to secure the deliverance and freedom from persecution for those who preach the gospel. Our prayers can release safety and fruitfulness for the outreach of the gospel to go forth.
1 Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may run swiftly and be glorified, just as it is with you, 2 and that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men; for not all have faith. 2 Thessalonians 3:1-2-Prayer multiplies the power and anointing of the spoken word. We must have an increase of power upon the preaching of the gospel and the teaching of the saints. Holy Spirit anointing increases the effectiveness.
11 Therefore we also pray always for you that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfill all the good pleasure of His goodness and the work of faith with power, 12 that the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and you in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Thessalonians 1:11-12-We must pray for the maturing of the church to receive a greater grace than we now have. Prayer releases heaven's substance on earth. Part of our maturing is linked to entering into our prayer partnership with Jesus.
5 Now may the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the patience of Christ. 2 Thessalonians 3:5- This is the great prayer of Paul for an increase of the revelation of love in the churches. This deep, transforming revelation comes by the power of the Holy Spirit.
4 I thank my God, making mention of you always in my prayers, 5 hearing of your love and faith which you have toward the Lord Jesus and toward all the saints, 6 that the sharing of your faith may become effective by the acknowledgment of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus. Philemon 1:4-6-Prayer activates evangelism. Boldness comes as the church unites in corporate prayer. As faith arises in the prayer meeting, more power and boldness is released!
20 Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, 21 make you complete in every good work to do His will, working in you what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen. Hebrews 13:20-21-This prayer acknowledges the greatness of God, His covenant of love with us, and the power of the resurrection of Jesus. We pray out of this revelation. As we intercede, a greater level of maturity will come to the church and bring glory to our Great Shepherd.
5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. 6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. James 1:5-6-Praying in faith releases divine wisdom. We need to ask for a walk of wisdom. We desperately need it. As we pray, true understanding and discernment flows. There is no reluctance in the Father's heart to give His kids whatever they ask for.
2 Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers. 3 John 1:2-Spiritual and physical health comes to the church as we pray. Our personalities (soul) will prosper and come alive before God, reflecting the image of Christ. The God of Abraham will bless everything in our life as we intercede in His love.
18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints Ephesians 6:18We need to be praying passionately: every moment spent in the Spirit with every form of prayer is Throne Room Prayer! Answers are released, faith is built up, and boldness will rise in our midst!
