Levels of Prayer: Growing in Power and Overcoming Spiritual Opposition

Key Scripture: Jude 20, Jer 33:3, Is 43:26 "But you, dear friends, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit..." (Jude 20, NIV)

Introduction: Growing in Prayer and Spiritual Power

Prayer is a journey that evolves as believers grow in their relationship with God, deepening their understanding of Scripture and increasing their reliance on the Holy Spirit. As believers mature, their prayers become more powerful, rooted in the Word, and guided by the Holy Spirit. However, as prayer becomes more effective, spiritual opposition from the enemy, like what Daniel faced, can increase. Understanding these levels of prayer and recognizing how Satan tries to discourage or block prayer can empower believers to persist and overcome.

1. Simple Prayer (Communion with God) - Luke 18:13

Initial Growth:At the foundational level, prayer is about simple, honest communication with God. This is where most believers begin, expressing their thoughts, needs, and feelings to God in a straightforward manner. Though these prayers are simple, they are the building blocks of a deeper relationship with God.

Characteristics:

Honest Expression: The believer talks to God as one would to a close friend, sharing everyday concerns and joys.Requesting Help: Prayers often involve asking for help in daily life situations.Thanksgiving: Expressing gratitude for God's blessings.

Example Prayer: "God, I don’t know much about You yet, but I need Your help. Please be with me today and guide me through these challenges. Thank You for listening."

Scriptural Basis:

Luke 18:13: "But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’"

Spiritual Opposition:At this stage, Satan may try to instill doubts about the effectiveness of prayer or distract believers from praying consistently. The enemy aims to keep believers at this basic level, knowing that deeper prayer brings greater power.

2. Petitionary Prayer (Asking with Faith) - Matthew 7:7

Growth in Faith: As believers grow, their prayers become more intentional, focusing on specific needs or desires. At this level, they begin to learn and incorporate basic biblical promises into their prayers, understanding that God is faithful to respond.

Characteristics:

Focused Requests: Prayers are more specific, often related to personal or family needs.

Growing Faith: An increasing awareness that God hears and answers prayers according to His will.

Emerging Scriptural Awareness: Recognizing that God’s promises in the Bible are relevant and can be claimed in prayer.

Example Prayer: "Lord, I ask that You provide for my needs today. I trust that You care for me and that You will help me in this situation. Thank You for Your love and provision."

Scriptural Basis:

Matthew 7:7: "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you."

Spiritual Opposition:At this level, Satan may attempt to discourage believers by causing delays in answers to prayer or by creating circumstances that make it seem like God is not listening. This is similar to the delays Daniel experienced when he prayed (Daniel 10:12-13). The enemy knows that when believers persist in prayer, they tap into God’s power.

3. Intercessory Prayer (Praying for Others and Situations) - James 5:16

Expanding Influence:As believers grow further, they begin to intercede on behalf of others, expanding their prayer focus beyond personal needs. At this stage, they start to recall specific scriptures to support their prayers, understanding the power of intercession.

Characteristics:

Praying for Others: Regularly lifting up the needs of others, seeking God’s intervention in their lives.

Scriptural Application: Incorporating biblical principles into prayers for others.

Greater Spiritual Awareness: A growing sensitivity to the spiritual needs of others and the power of collective prayer.

Example Prayer: "Lord, I lift up my friend to You. Please bring healing and comfort to them. I believe that You are the great Healer and that You care deeply for them. Thank You for Your faithfulness."

Scriptural Basis:

James 5:16: "Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective."

Spiritual Opposition:Satan may attempt to make believers feel overwhelmed by the needs around them or to doubt the effectiveness of their intercession. He knows that intercessory prayer has the power to change lives and thwart his plans.

4. Scripture-Based Prayer (Praying God’s Word) - Isaiah 55:11

Deepening in Power:As believers grow in their knowledge of Scripture, their prayers become more grounded in God’s Word. They begin to recall and declare specific biblical promises, recognizing that praying God’s Word is powerful and effective.

Characteristics:

Praying God’s Promises: Using specific verses that apply to their situation or the situation they are praying for.

Faithful Remembrance: Reminding God of His promises, expressing faith and trust in His Word.

Biblical Language: The language of prayer increasingly reflects the language of Scripture.

Example Prayer: "Father, You said in Philippians 4:19 that You will supply all my needs according to Your riches in glory in Christ Jesus. I trust in this promise today as I seek Your provision for my family. Thank You for being faithful to Your Word."

Scriptural Basis:

Isaiah 55:11: "So is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it."

Praying in the Holy Spirit:At this stage, "praying in the Holy Spirit" (Jude 20) becomes crucial. It involves allowing the Holy Spirit to guide and empower prayers, ensuring they align with God's will. This includes being sensitive to the Spirit’s leading and even praying in tongues (for those who practice it).

Spiritual Opposition:Satan may try to create confusion or distractions, making it difficult for believers to focus on Scripture or feel the Holy Spirit’s guidance. The enemy recognizes the power of praying God’s Word and seeks to undermine it.

5. Covenant Prayer (Putting God in Remembrance of His Word) - Jeremiah 33:3, Isaiah 43:26, Psalm 89:34

Maturing in Authority:At the most mature level of prayer, the believer prays with deep understanding and authority, grounded in God’s covenant promises. Jeremiah 33:3 emphasizes God’s invitation to call on Him and His promise to reveal "great and unsearchable things." Believers at this stage confidently remind God of His Word, fully expecting Him to fulfill His promises.

Characteristics:

Covenant Confidence: Praying with the assurance that God’s promises are guaranteed by His covenant.

Declarative Prayer: Declaring what God has already promised in Scripture, with a strong sense of authority and expectation.

Strategic Intercession: Praying strategically, aligning requests with God’s overarching plan and will as revealed in Scripture.

Example Prayer: "Lord, You have made a covenant with Your people, and You are faithful to all Your promises. As You have said in Jeremiah 33:3, I call to You today, trusting that You will answer me and reveal great and unsearchable things that I do not know. I stand on this promise as I seek Your guidance and wisdom. Thank You for being a covenant-keeping God."

Scriptural Basis:

Jeremiah 33:3: "Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know."Isaiah 43:26: "Review the past for me, let us argue the matter together; state the case for your innocence."Psalm 89:34: "I will not violate my covenant or alter what my lips have uttered."

Spiritual Opposition:As prayer becomes more powerful and effective, Satan intensifies his efforts to block or discourage prayer, much like the spiritual battle that delayed the answer to Daniel’s prayer (Daniel 10:12-13). The enemy knows that covenant prayer can bring about God’s will on earth, and he will attempt to create doubt, fatigue, or distractions to hinder such prayers.

Conclusion: Growing in Prayer, Overcoming Opposition

The journey of prayer is one of deepening intimacy with God and increasing spiritual power. As believers progress from simple communication to covenant prayer, they grow in their ability to pray effectively and overcome spiritual opposition. "Praying in the Holy Spirit," as mentioned in Jude 20, is essential at every level, ensuring that prayers are aligned with God’s will and empowered by the Spirit.

As believers grow in their knowledge of Scripture and their relationship with God, they can fully engage in the powerful practice of putting God in remembrance of His promises, as described in Jeremiah 33:3. By recognizing and resisting Satan’s attempts to block or discourage prayer, believers can persist in prayer, confident that God will fulfill His Word and bring about His purposes in their lives.