What is Spirit Empowered Prayer?

by James W. Goll
What is Spirit Empowered Prayer?

A. Letting the Holy Spirit Lead
1. Romans 8:14 states, “For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are the sons of God.”
2. Just like in a great waltz or dance, you want another to take the lead and gently nudge you in the direction you are to go. Follow the lead of the Holy Spirit and He will guide you into a power prayer that is strong and effective.

B. Letting the Holy Spirit Empower
In Spirit empowered prayer, as it was on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2), the Holy Spirit will light upon you and give you power that you previously did not know. When you add the Holy Spirit’s power to the force of prayer, it is like getting a booster to your missile or rocket. A burst of energy that is not your own will come upon you or even through you, and your prayers will hit the target!
There are various forms of Spirit Led and Spirit Empowered Prayer. Let’s take a look at a few of them.

Praying in the Gifts of Tongues
A. Praying in the Spirit through the Gift of Tongues
While there can be many expressions of Spirit empowered praying, praying with the gift of tongues is one of the foremost ways. The following are some key points concerning this type of prophetic intercession.

1. Praying in the Spirit is your spirit communicating directly with God. It is primarily for use in your devotional prayer life for intercession, praise, and worship.
a. 1 Corinthians 14:2 – “For one who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men, but to God; for no one understands, but in his spirit he speaks mysteries.”
b. 1 Corinthians 14:28b – “…let him speak to himself and to God.”

2. Praying in the Spirit is a Perfect Prayer
a. Romans 8:26 – “And in the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.”
b. 1 Corinthians 14:14 – “For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful.”
c. Since you do not always know how or what to pray in a given situation, you can bring the need before the Lord by praying in the Spirit. The Holy Spirit, your Helper, enables you to pray as you ought thereby praying in the Lord’s will.
d. Praying in the Spirit is a means by which the Holy Spirit intercedes through your spirit. This is where we get the term “prayer language.”

3. Praying in the Spirit has Definite Meaning
a. Although you do not understand what you are praying, God does. He who inspired it also comprehends it.
b. 1 Corinthians 14:10 – “There are, perhaps, a great many kinds of languages in the world, and no kind is without meaning.”

4. Praying in the Spirit Edifies the Person Praying
a. As you use this prayer language consistently, you become built up, strengthened, and encouraged. You then have the refreshing ability to continue on in your intercessory warfare task.
b. 1 Corinthians 14:4a – “One who speaks in a tongue edifies himself…”
c. Jude 1:20 – “But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith; praying in the Holy Spirit.”

5. Praying in the Spirit has the Authority of Heaven Behind It
a. There is no way you could know in the natural when satan and his demonic forces will launch an attack. But the Holy Spirit will prompt you at the strategic, opportune time and keep you on the alert.
b. James 5:16b – “The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much.”
c. 1 Corinthians 14:15 – “What is the outcome, then? I shall pray with the spirit and I shall pray with the mind also; I shall sing with the spirit and I shall sing with the mind also.”
d. Like Paul, you can pray in the spirit and praise and worship Jesus. As you do this, you regain territory from the demonic kingdom in the lives of those for whom you are praying.
e. This perfect prayer and praise weapon is powerful and always on target. Praise and prayer in tongues is God’s secret anti-ballistic missile!

B. Diversities of Tongues
1. 1 Corinthians 12:1, 4-7, 27-28:
“Concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant.”
“Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God, which worketh all in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal
“Now ye are the Body of Christ, and members in particular. And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.”

2. There are Different Types of Tongues
There is more than one kind of tongue. In 1 Corinthians 12:28 (above), the word translated “diversities” is the Greek word genos, which means “kin” or “offspring.” It is a term that is used to refer to a collection of different things belonging to the same group or family. In other words, diversities of tongues are heavenly utterances that are all different from each other, yet all are related to one another by the same Spirit.

3. Examples of Diversities of Tongues
a. Tongues at the filling of the Holy Spirit – Acts 2:1-4; 10:44-46; Mark 16:17.
b. Tongues for interpretation – 1 Corinthians 12:7-10; Isaiah 28:11.
c. Tongues of edification – Jude 1:20; 1 Corinthians 14:4.
d. Tongues as a sign to the unbeliever – 1 Corinthians 14:22.
e. Tongues of intercession – Romans 8:26. The word groanings in this verse can be translated “inarticulate speech.” It refers to speech that does not originate in the intellect or with the understanding. It is speech that is not related to race of nationality. Inarticulate speech includes, but is not limited to “other tongues.”
f. Tongues of Warfare
There is a place where the Holy Spirit goes on the offensive. He battles through us. Sometimes there is a coupling together of the gift of faith with tongues. A rising within occurs and a push or urge to launch out against the demonic forces happens. Sometimes it is the wedding between discerning of spirits and tongues. You combat or attack the dark force, commanding it to flee.
In these situations, you are operating in a “militant tongue” or “warring with the gift of tongues.” When you pray in this type of tongue, you are attacking the powers of darkness. You are taking authority over the power of satan. You are rebuking the enemy and rejecting his plans for your life by the power of the Holy Spirit who dwells within you. This is the tongue of intercession engaged in warfare. Deliverance, healing, and liberty can come through the power of warring in the gift of tongues.

Being Tenacious!
A. Never Give Up!
Never Give Up! Passionately pursue God and tenaciously pursue your enemy until you prevail! Love never quits and as intercessors we are called to prevailing prayer motivated by the love of God – not just sporadic praying! Be constant in your prayers. Never Give Up!

B. The Watchmen’s Anointing
In Spirit empowered prayer, an anointing of a watchman can be granted to you. You are watching to see in the Spirit what the enemy is doing and what the Holy Spirit desires to do. You take the keys of the Kingdom and bind up darkness and may see the opposite spirit of the Lord’s presence. Watch! Be alert! Be vigilant! Be on your guard!

C. The Words of Jesus’ Word from Matthew 11:12
“The Kingdom of Heaven suffers violence and the violent take it by force.”
Such will be the Holy Spirit empowered intercessors in a last generation! Will you be among them? Will you volunteer freely?

Let’s Pray: Father, I want to make a difference! I want to take the Kingdom by force. Teach me Spirit empowered and Spirit led prayer. Anoint me with a prayer power that goes beyond my natural mind. Take me further than I have ever been before, for Your Kingdom’s sake.
In Jesus name, Amen and Amen!

Thriving in a Difficult Season of Change

by Ron McGatlin
Is it really possible to not only endure but thrive through times of extreme personal and worldwide change? As world systems crumble and life-long situations are abruptly changing, how can it be possible to not be weighed down with concern?
It may depend largely on where we are connected. Let me explain. If our life is connected to the past and dependent on how things were, we will not continue to prosper when that to which we are connected crumbles or fades away. Lives that are connected to the natural world though the passing secular and religious systems will not thrive in the time of severe shaking.
Heb 12:26-28: Whose voice then shook the earth; but now He has promised, saying, “Yet once more I shake not only the earth, but also heaven. Now this, “Yet once more,” indicates the removal of those things that are being shaken, as of things that are made, that the things which cannot be shaken may remain. Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear.
History emphatically teaches us that all worldly kingdoms are temporal. Any man-made worldly system that we are connected to and dependent upon is subject to major changes and even disappearing. When that to which we are connected is failing, we will not thrive but languish.
Only the spiritual kingdom of God is forever and never fails. Connecting to the unchanging kingdom of God assures us the potential to thrive even while worldly kingdoms are failing.
Those who have severed their connections to secular and religious systems and are connected into the everlasting spiritual kingdom of God will thrive. The bright light of heaven will shine within them and from them. They will be a part of bringing intense spiritual awakenings to many people. The living presence of God in their lives will draw out and rescue many that are perishing without hope. Once translated into the kingdom they too can thrive as sons of God.
Many who have trusted in fallen-world systems will be without hope clinging to pieces of the crumbling old systems. Some will begin searching for real life – searching for a solid foundation in a fluid world. Many will then be given ears to hear the real gospel of the kingdom of heaven on earth. They will turn from their old ways and come to Jesus with their whole hearts to be set free by the powerful presence of God. The effects or results of their ungodly living that had been passed down to them from their forefather’s will be severed as they are adopted into a new heritage of their heavenly Father in the kingdom of the Son of His love.
Col 1:13: He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love.
Gal 4:4-7: But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, “Abba, Father!” Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.
Rom 8:14-:15: For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.”

Changing Our Connection

For some of us this may seem impossible or unreasonable. The past systems may have been good and served us well. Our connection to secular and religious systems has been our lifeline and the key to our thriving in the world as it existed at the time. Looking to a spiritual kingdom may seem nebulous and uncertain after abiding so long connected into worldly kingdoms. Walking and living in the Spirit may not seem as solid or as real as walking in the secular and religious past. Real faith is required to be fully translated from the kingdom of this world into the spiritual kingdom of God.
We are not talking about an abstract pseudo “faith” or fantasy coping concepts to fill our minds with unreal dreamy expectations. We are speaking of a victorious faith supernaturally empowered by the Spirit of the One for Whom and by Whom all things were created and continue to consist. Real faith is anchored in intimately knowing and being known of Christ Jesus as mature sons and heirs of God in Christ.

Everyone has faith in something. We have been trained to have faith in our abilities and in the systems of the fallen world. We have faith in higher education to make us more successful. The fallen world systems taught us to trust in money and accumulated wealth. You can know what kingdom you are connected in by how your time and effort is spent. Most people spend years getting an education to be able to have more money and what it can buy. However, they spend very little time in seeking spiritual truth. For most people seeking pleasure and entertainment far exceeds the time and effort spent in seeking the spiritual things of God and godly living.

To change our connection we must change what we are seeking in life. Sadly the secular world has taught us that spiritual matters were mostly irrelevant to practical life. While religion taught many that seeking spiritual things was for the primary purpose of securing heaven after death. Little consideration has been given to seeking spiritual matters for ordering this life. For most people secular or natural things have been the primary if not the only considerations for preparing for and living this life. Religious things were usually only added in as a small part of one’s life, if at all. The people of the world have connected fully into the secular/natural reality and for the most part ignored the far greater and more important spiritual reality of God and His kingdom.
This backward self-seeking life focus characterized by need, greed, lust, and pride is the cause of worldwide economic, ecological, and political failures. The failure of the secular and religious systems will cause many people to become desperate for a different way of life. The door will be wide open for many to seek new life in the kingdom of God.
Mat 6:33: But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.
I suspect the greatest spiritual awakening ever may be before us as the light of the real gospel of the kingdom flowing through the powerful presence of God penetrates the darkness of the hearts of men and intervenes in world affairs. A new genuineness will come to the people of God as persecution and difficult times expose the shallowness of life based on the past secular and religious systems.
The major purpose of spiritual awakenings and revivals is more than getting people born again and more than getting them into a church and more than teaching them the Bible. The real purpose of revival and spiritual awakening is the kingdom of God on earth as it is in heaven. Revival is to lead to kingdom living now in this life, developing pure holy mature sons of God to rule and reign with Christ. The end of this matter is the return of the kingdoms of this earth to the kingdoms of our God and Christ Jesus preeminent in all things.
Recognizing Kingdom Values
Kingdom values are usually the opposite of fallen-world secular values and different from religious church system values. Stated in brief and general terms some kingdom value changes are: faith instead of fear and worry, giving instead of taking, forgiving and blessing instead of resenting and retaliating, selflessness instead of selfishness, serving instead of being served, sense of always having enough instead of a sense of need, peace and joy instead of strife and depression, rest instead of unrest, focus on heaven’s ways coming to earth instead of going to heaven some day, focus on spiritual reality instead of natural: in general, God-seeking instead of self-seeking and walking in the Spirit instead of the flesh or intellect.
These are just some values that will shift in people who are connected into the kingdom of God and freed of the systems of this fallen world. All of the attributes of God are potentially available through Christ Jesus by the Holy Spirit to all mature sons of the kingdom of Christ.
Some Basic Lifestyle Changes
Family and extended family will grow more closely knit instead of widely scattered and individualistic. The kingdom family will be God-focused and led by the Holy Spirit. Family worship, prayer, and family interaction will replace television, video games, and other forms of empty entertainment. Community will develop among neighbors who trust and pray with one another. Community families will not just look out for themselves but will care for one another. Competition will be changed to cooperation.
Fathers will return to protecting and providing strength and encouragement for their children. Irresponsible and random bringing children into the world or worse disposing of unborn babies will stop. The kingdom norm will be one man and one woman working together with extended family and neighbors to raise godly children and protect them from the devastating wayward lifestyle that many of the past generation grew up with. Joy will be abundant within families walking with God that is not dependant on external situations or circumstances. Children’s hearts will be insulated from devastating stress by the loving presence of God. Adversity will be about, but the solid foundation of a loving family in God’s presence will keep us during the times of difficulty.

There is much more that will change, but these are some examples of thriving in a season of difficult changes.
Isa 26:3: You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You.
Col 3:2-3: Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.
Col 3:5-14: Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. Because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience, in which you yourselves once walked when you lived in them.
But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth. Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds, and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him, where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcised nor uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave nor free, but Christ is all and in all.
Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection.
The kingdom of God is a spiritual kingdom that changes the world.
The short version is that the kingdom of God works by love – the pure holy love of God in His people through Christ by the Holy Spirit.

Keep on pursuing love.
It never fails.

Ron McGatlin

George Washington’s 1789 Thanksgiving Proclamation

Whereas it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favor; and Whereas both Houses of Congress have, by their joint committee, requested me to “recommend to the people of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer, to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many and signal favors of Almighty God, especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness:”

Now, therefore, I do recommend and assign Thursday, the 26th day of November next, to be devoted by the people of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being who is the beneficent author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be; that we may then all unite in rendering unto Him our sincere and humble thanks for His kind care and protection of the people of this country previous to their becoming a nation; for the signal and manifold mercies and the favorable interpositions of His providence in the course and conclusion of the late war; for the great degree of tranquility, union, and plenty which we have since enjoyed; for the peaceable and rational manner in which we have been enable to establish constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the national one now lately instituted for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed, and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge; and, in general, for all the great and various favors which He has been pleased to confer upon us.

And also that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations and beseech Him to pardon our national and other transgressions; to enable us all, whether in public or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually; to render our National Government a blessing to all the people by constantly being a Government of wise, just, and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed; to protect and guide all sovereigns and nations (especially such as have shown kindness to us), and to bless them with good governments, peace, and concord; to promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the increase of science among them and us; and, generally to grant unto all mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as He alone knows to be best.

Given under my hand, at the city of New York, the 3d day of October, A.D. 1789.

Stop Islamic Totalitarianism Threatening Freedom Worldwide

“So many times in history in the last 100 years, citizens have stood by and done nothing, allowing evil to prevail. As America stood up against and defeated Communism, now it is time to stand up against the terror of religious bigotry, hatred and intolerance.”

Stop Islamic totalitarianism threatening freedom worldwide

Add your name to the group of 5,085 people who have already signed using the Internet!  Here.

Because They Hate: A Survivor of Islamic Terror Warns America

Very, Very Powerful Testimony, and Commentary!
The following, are video links to interviews with Brigitte Gabriel.
Please watch.

Interview with Mrs. Garbrial

And

Because They Hate: A Survivor of Islamic Terror Warns America

Brigitte Gabriel lost her childhood to militant Islam. In 1975 she was ten years old and living in Lebanon when militant Muslims from throughout the Middle East poured into her country and declared jihad against Lebanese Christians. Lebanon was the only Christian influenced country in the Middle East, and the Lebanese Civil War was the first front in what has become the worldwide jihad of fundamentalist Islam theology against non-Muslim peoples.

Based upon her personal experiences, Gabriel addresses the West’s lack of understanding and ignorance of the ways and thinking of the Middle East. She identifies mistakes the West has made in consistently underestimating the single-mindedness with which fundamentalist Islam has pursued its goals over the past thirty years. Through the telling of her own story, she outlines the history, social movements, and religious divisions that have led to today’s critical conflict.

A compelling and captivating personal story with a powerful lesson about threats to freedom in our time. – R. James Woolsey, Director of Central Intelligence, 1993-95

Brigitte Gabriel is a journalist and news producer who started her career as an anchor for World News, an evening Arabic news broadcast throughout the Middle East. She reported on the Israeli security zone in Lebanon and the Palestinian uprising in the West Bank as they unfolded. As a terrorism expert and the founder of the non-profit organization, American Congress for Truth, she speaks regularly on topics related to the Middle East on television and radio and lectures nationally and internationally.

PRAISE:
“Rarely in my career, which extends to almost three decades now, have I had so much overwhelming response to any particular guest as we did to Brigitte Gabriel.
Toni Macrini, WNIS Norfolk, Virginia

“ I’ve worked in PR all my life. I have trained speakers, I have written for speakers, Brigitte Gabriel is the most effective and passionate speaker I have ever heard.”
Heather Stein, ZOA, Pittsburgh, PA

” I have never had a reaction to any guest during my career at the station like I have had to Brigitte Gabriel. She’s fantastic.
Al Rantel Show, KABC, LA

What you are going to hear is staggering. It’s so important that every Jew and non-Jew understands and hears what Brigitte
Gabriel has to say.
Charles Bernhaut, Co-host “Israel Update” NYC

“ Your presentation was excellent. The anecdotes as you related them and the passion you communicated energized everyone in the room. We need this exposure to prevent the apathy which sets in sooner or later.”
Nancy Carney, Program Coordinator, Republican Party, VA

For further information, visit www.americancongressfortruth.com