Two Weeks of Praying Graceনমুনা

Pray Like a Commander, Not a Beggar

“Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing will injure you.” (Luke 10:19 NASB)

Many believers were raised in well-meaning religious traditions that emphasized a certain type of humility. Genuine humility is indeed an important spiritual quality. It flows naturally from an awareness of how utterly powerless, helpless, and lost we are apart from Jesus. It comes from being mindful of the truth Jesus declared to His disciples: “Apart from Me you can do nothing” (John 15:5 NASB).

However, many Christians have been taught that even in Christ they remain worthless, miserable, lowly, sinful scum. This brand of false humility causes us to pray like beggars. We don’t “come boldly to the throne of grace,” as the writer of Hebrews exhorts (see Hebrews 4:16). Instead, we slink into God’s presence on our bellies if we come to Him at all.

Christians with this shame-centered mindset tend to instinctively avoid engaging the Father who loves them and have difficulty receiving from Him when they do come to Him. They expect little and get precisely what they expect.

A New Covenant understanding of the believer’s authority and position in Jesus will lead you to a very different mindset and a whole new level of praying!

Consider how Peter dealt with the lame man by the temple gate. Understanding the authority and power that was his in Jesus, Peter declared, “I have no silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!” (Acts 3:6 ESV) Notice those words: “what I do have I give.”

Peter was no beggar, but as someone in rightful possession of blessings and power, he had authority to deploy and give away. What Peter gave came from the Lord. He clearly had it––both to possess and to give away.

Pray and declare today, not like a beggar, but like a commander to whom the King has delegated supernatural authority. With that authority, you can tread on all the power of the enemy and nothing will injure you.

Prayer of Declaration:

Father, I come boldly to Your throne of grace to receive help to move through this day in the authority You have gifted me in Jesus.

I declare that You have given me authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy. Nothing will injure me! As I encounter the works of the enemy, I will exercise that authority wisely and confidently to extend love and freedom to others, pushing back darkness wherever I go.

What I have freely received from You, I will freely give to others.  I give encouragement. I give mercy. I share with others the life and power You’ve deposited in me.