The Lord is My Banner

Prayer

Rich Heritage of Healing in the Alliance

We as a body of Christ believe that God is still alive, he is still active.

And if I had to summarize this entire book of Ephesians today we could summarize it by saying…that right believing, when acted upon, when head knowledge become heart knowledge…it leads to an abundant life in Christ. Because we believe Ephesians 3:20

Ephesians 3:20 NIV

20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us,

And today we are talking about Christ our Healer. Part of the good news of the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ is that he is a good God who is concerned about His children. And specifically we are talking about Prayer…

Ephesians 6:18–20 NIV

18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. 19 Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.

Pray in the Spirit-

What does that even mean?

Romans 8:26–27 NIV

26 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. 27 And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.

On All Occasions

Philippians 4:6–8 NIV

6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

1 Thessalonians 5:16–19 NIV

16 Rejoice always, 17 pray continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 19 Do not quench the Spirit.

Go after relationship…share your day.

On Thursday I got a call from Steve Perrine…

Noah & Christine a couple…conversation on the way back to the trucks

We’ve been in prayer this whole time…His encouragement to me…don’t let it be too long…

With all kinds of prayers and requests.

All kinds of prayers

Adoration

Confession

Thanksgiving

Supplication

Arn’t ya?

2 Chronicles 20:6 NIV

6 and said: “Lord, the God of our ancestors, are you not the God who is in heaven? You rule over all the kingdoms of the nations. Power and might are in your hand, and no one can withstand you.

Didn’t ya?

2 Chronicles 20:7 NIV

7 Our God, did you not drive out the inhabitants of this land before your people Israel and give it forever to the descendants of Abraham your friend?

Won’t ya?

2 Chronicles 20:12 NIV

12 Our God, will you not judge them? For we have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you.”

Paul continues…with a specific type of prayer encouragement…

Intercession- Be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people

Ephesians 6:18 NIV

18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.

Case study…this is intercession…

Exodus 17:8–16 NIV

8 The Amalekites came and attacked the Israelites at Rephidim. 9 Moses said to Joshua, “Choose some of our men and go out to fight the Amalekites. Tomorrow I will stand on top of the hill with the staff of God in my hands.” 10 So Joshua fought the Amalekites as Moses had ordered, and Moses, Aaron and Hur went to the top of the hill. 11 As long as Moses held up his hands, the Israelites were winning, but whenever he lowered his hands, the Amalekites were winning. 12 When Moses’ hands grew tired, they took a stone and put it under him and he sat on it. Aaron and Hur held his hands up—one on one side, one on the other—so that his hands remained steady till sunset. 13 So Joshua overcame the Amalekite army with the sword. 14 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Write this on a scroll as something to be remembered and make sure that Joshua hears it, because I will completely blot out the name of Amalek from under heaven.” 15 Moses built an altar and called it The Lord is my Banner. 16 He said, “Because hands were lifted up against the throne of the Lord, the Lord will be at war against the Amalekites from generation to generation.”

Jehovah Nissi- The Lord is my banner.

The Lord is the banner we carry into battle. Our white flag of surrender allows Him the opportunity to fight the battle before us. Remember His strength is made perfect in our weakness…

Chris Tomlin…White Flag

The battle rages on

As storm and tempest roar

We cannot win this fight

Inside our rebel hearts

We're laying down our weapons now

We raise our white flag

We surrender All to You All for You

We raise our white flag

The war is over

Love has come

Your love has won

Here on this Holy ground

You made a way for peace

Laying your body down

You took our rightful place

This freedom song is marching on

We raise our white flag

We surrender All to You All for You

Moses learned another important lesson that day. He was too weak to keep on praying, so he needed his brother Aaron and Hur to help interceed on his behalf.

This is intercession. Lifting up our brothers and sisters when they are too weak to fight the battle themselves in prayer.

Quick note on Hur…

Leadership Hur was left in charge with Aaron while Moses went to Mount Sinai to receive the Ten Commandments.

Lineage Hur's lineage is connected to Bezaleel, the chief artisan of the Tabernacle…why is that important?

Remember that Bezalel, a few weeks ago when we talked about how our work is empowered by the Spirit of God? And how the first person filled with the Spirit of God was Bezalel…

Bezaleel was the grandson of Hur. Your faithfulness in prayer can impact generations!

There is another type of intercession that the bible lays out for us to seek God for specific answers to prayers when the body of Christ is suffering…

The Prayer of Anointing with Oil

Testimony- My foot…

Lastly, Paul encourages us to

Pray for Spiritual Leaders

Ephesians 6:19–20 NIV

19 Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.

This is hard of me to ask…but Church, I understand why Paul put this here…

The battle is real. And it takes courage to say the things that God wants us to say.

It takes courage to stand in faith believing that God will still move and to ask him to do so.

Declare the Lord is my Banner. He is the flag we wave in battle