Prayer is crucial to our success in every area of our lives. Through prayer, we discover that God is good and that He is faithful. Through our personal prayer, we gain the confidence to know God’s Word is true and that when we pray, He hears and answers us. When we base our prayers on God’s Word, which is His will, our prayers are effective—and they produce the success we want. In other words, we get to see God’s Power at Work Through Prayer.
Our prayers are like incense rising before the Lord (Revelation 5:8, 8:3-4). Even in the Temple, incense served as a reminder to the children of Israel to pray, and assured them that their prayers were a sweet-smelling fragrance to the Lord (Exodus 30). God is pleased with our prayers, and prayers based on His Word changes things (and us!).
First Thessalonians 5:16-18 tells us to “rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (New King James Version). Pray without ceasing? How do we do that? In the words of Kenneth Copeland, we are to pray about anything and everything. We are to pray about ALL things ALL the time.
But how do we really do that? Well, a good way to start is to learn about and incorporate the many different kinds of prayer found in the Bible. Ephesians 6:18 says for us to “pray at all times (on every occasion, in every season) in the Spirit, with all [manner of] prayer and entreaty. To that end keep alert and watch with strong purpose and perseverance, interceding in behalf of all the saints (God’s consecrated people)” (Amplified Bible, Classic Edition).
Based on this verse, we’re to:
- Pray at all times, on every occasion and in every season.
- When we do, we’re to pray in the spirit.
- And we’re to pray with all manner of prayer and entreaty.
- Then we’re to watch and continue interceding.
Prayer is meant to be a full-time aspect of our everyday lives, not something reserved for Sundays or church services or emergencies—although by all means pray then too! When we pray using all manner of prayer—and God answers our prayers—we experience God’s Power at Work Through Prayer.
Pray In Agreement With Someone
According to Kenneth Copeland, when two of his children, Kellie and John, were just children, they fussed all the time, like siblings often do. But one day, Kellie told her dad that she and John wanted a boat. Kenneth’s response was, “OK, but I tell you what: You and John are going to have to believe for it. And Mom and I won’t get out of agreement, but you’re going to have to use your faith. We’ll agree with you, but it’s going to be based on your faith.” He emphasized that she and John couldn’t fight with each other any longer…they had to agree in faith!
By telling Kellie that he and Gloria would agree with their faith, he was teaching Kellie about one of the kinds of prayer—the Prayer of Agreement—that Ephesians 6:18 refers to when it says “all manner of prayer.” Now the Bible doesn’t label any specific instance as the Prayer of Agreement, but that’s what we call it for teaching and communicating purposes. Much like when Jesus prayed the Lord’s Prayer, He did not call it that. He was simply praying to His heavenly Father. People labeled it the Lord’s Prayer, and that’s what we still call it today. Likewise, when Jesus told His disciples, “If two of you agree here on earth concerning anything you ask, my Father in heaven will do it for you” (Matthew 18:19), He was establishing what we call the Prayer of Agreement.
Well, when Kenneth put the challenge before Kellie, she knew exactly what to do. She was old enough to write, so she wrote out her and John’s agreement, based on the Word of God—based on John 16:23. “At that time you won’t need to ask me for anything. I tell you the truth, you will ask the Father directly, and he will grant your request because you use my name.”
This is what she had been raised to do—to write out a Prayer of Petition based on the Scripture, believing it would be granted. What’s more, the Prayer of Agreement won’t work unless Jesus is Partner in the agreement. Once Kellie finished her petition, she signed it and John scribbled what he could. But their actions established their faith. Their faith was based on a foundation of a promise from God’s Word. And they were in agreement.
Kellie put their Prayer of Agreement on the refrigerator door and when they would pass by, they would declare by faith, “Thank You, Jesus, for the boat.” They understood the words of Matthew 18:19, “My Father in heaven will do it for you.” It will be done. What strong language God used!
Not too long after Kellie posted their Prayer of Agreement, someone called Kenneth saying they wanted to give him a fishing boat. Kenneth had wanted one, so he was thrilled; and naturally, it would have been completely understandable to think that was the answer to Kellie and John’s faith, but they weren’t believing for just a fishing boat. They believed for ‘the perfect boat.’ And when Kenneth asked Kellie what that meant, she said they needed to be able to fish and also to stay out all night in it to just have fun. Well, not too long after the first boat was given, someone else called Kenneth, and they gave him another boat. John and Kellie’s prayer and faith yielded not one boat, but two! Their ‘perfect boat’ was actually two boats! That’s God’s Power at Work Through Prayer!
Pray About Everything
The Lord once told Kenneth Copeland, Let My Word fight its own fight. In other words, incorporate God’s Word in our prayers and let it get to work on our behalf. That’s how we fight the good fight of faith—through prayer, through releasing our faith in prayer, and through praying prayers based on the Word of God.
Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, you can say to this mountain, ‘May you be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ and it will happen. But you must really believe it will happen and have no doubt in your heart. I tell you, you can pray for anything, and if you believe that you’ve received it, it will be yours” (Mark 11:23-24).
You can pray for anything. You can pray about anything. And it will be done.
Are you anxious? Pray.
“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7).
Are you fearful? Pray.
“When I am afraid, I will put my trust in you. I praise God for what he has promised. I trust in God, so why should I be afraid? What can mere mortals do to me?” (Psalm 56:3-4).
Are you worried? Pray.
“That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing? Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are? (Matthew 6:25-26).
Do you need money? Pray.
“And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19).
Do you want to surrender your life to Christ? Pray.
“If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved” (Romans 10:9).
Is there someone you need to forgive? Pray.
“When you are praying, first forgive anyone you are holding a grudge against, so that your Father in heaven will forgive your sins, too” (Mark 11:25).
Are you rejoicing about answered prayer? Pray.
“Enter his gates with thanksgiving; go into his courts with praise. Give thanks to him and praise his name” (Psalm 100:4).
The gift and exercise of prayer in the life of the believer is not a monologue that lands on deaf ears. It’s not meant to be us praying scattershot, as Kenneth Copeland says, where we say every religious and spiritual thing we’ve ever heard. No. It is intentional communication with God based on His Word, which we can always be confident is His will.
Prayer is the foundation of Kenneth Copeland Ministries and it should be the foundation of every believer. Make it yours today. Then you’ll see God’s Power at Work Through Prayer in your life.
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