Power And Purpose In Prayer

We are shadowing our clearly instructive text. Be shod with sandals; and not put on two coats. We are looking at our Lord’s single-layered helpers and noting the Power, Purpose, Promise and Produce in what Jesus has sent them to do for Him, in His Name.

The first thing Jesus does is to give His disciples Power, in the authority He puts in them and gives to them, over evil spirits. Note, this is not just power to cast out evil spirits, but it is authority over evil spirits. Authority means that whatever you do or say when you meet any kind of unclean or injurious enemy, you already have the authority to deal with them. Have you noted that the quantity of evil spirits does not matter to the authority you have in Jesus? It may simply be the strength of one, or the strength of combined or allied forces; it matters not. You have your Master’s unswerving and unconquerable authority. Who can stand against the Lord’s Power?

This same Jesus has called you to serve Him in prayer and He has given you His authority in prayer, for He is the One who says, Ask, and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. Matthew 7: 7. You have the Power of Prayer established and working in you.

Pray then, as the Holy Ghost instructs you.

The second thing Jesus does is to give His disciples Purpose. We are being given the meaning of purpose, not in our own understanding and interpretation, but in the way our Lord will have us learn and lean fully upon His Word. The purpose for this instruction, to wear no extra shirt, or tunic, is twofold. It is that the disciples will have to depend solely on Jesus for the adequate protection of their mortal bodies. In addition, in this obedience, faith and trust are being grown in leaps and bounds. To be a single-layered helper is to be and live the purpose of their Master, with His commendations.

In this, we note also, that our obedience does not precede, or inform Jesus’ purpose and giving of power and authority. Who can stand up to the Lord’s single-layered servant, whose one layer of faith is mightily used by God?

This same Jesus has called you to serve Him in prayer and He has given you His purpose in prayer, for He is the One who says this to you. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. Mark 11: 24. You have the Purpose of prayer fixed and working in you.

Pray then, as the Holy Ghost instructs you.