Extreme Prayer
What It Is and What It Requires
“In his name”
- To do on behalf of someone else.
- In essence, it is not a matter of my will but his will.
Correctly understand to correctly interpret
- Two examples
- Matthew 18:5 – The church, Jesus’ body on earth, receives new members on behalf of Jesus.
- Matthew 18:20 – The church, Jesus’ body on earth, has authority to judge sin within itself on behalf of Jesus.
“Ask in my name”
- John records five times (14:13 & 14; 15:7, 16; 16:23-24).
- Literally means to ask on the behalf of Jesus.
- Jesus only did the will of God. (John 6:38)
- John later modifies “ask in my name” to “ask…according to his will.” (1 John 5:14)
- Praying on behalf of Jesus means to pray God’s will.
Determining God’s will
- Scripture reveals God’s general will for all believers
- God’s specific will for a believer can be determined through testing which comes about through transformation which in turn comes about through renewing of the mind (Romans 12:1-2).
- Determining God’s will requires two mind renewing things: faith and wisdom.
Remember the strategy
If prayer is the strategy, it becomes the starting place, therefore don’t be afraid to ask for…
- Wisdom
- Faith
- God’s revelation of his will
Misguided ideas concerning Extreme Praying
- Praying in Jesus name means that God has to do it.
- Believing it to be extreme prayer makes it extreme prayer.
- Extreme prayer is the only kind of praying that should be done.
- Prayer stands by itself.
What do you need to pray today?
- God, help me continue to have a strong prayer life.
- God, help me to add this new dimension of prayer.
- God, I need wisdom to discern your will.
- God, I need faith to know that you are listening.
- God I need for you to reveal to me your will so that I might pray it.
- God I need to submit to you.