Prayer is a weapon for destroying the works of darkness. Although we use it to communicate with God, we can also use prayer to act in God’s behalf. The prayer of authority is prayer taken to another level. This high level puts us in the place we share with Christ in the heavenly places (Ephesians 1 3, 20; 2:6). We rule with the Son of God in this realm and we can exercise the authority He gave us here on earth.
The prayer of authority moves us from being “pleaders” to being “commanders” of the power of God. We saw Jesus use the two levels of prayer. At Gethsemane, He pleaded the Father to take the cup of suffering away from Him. In Mark 1:35, we saw Him rise early to observe His daily morning prayer. But when the sick, diseased and possessed came to Him, Jesus switched to the prayer of authority.
We see Peter and John heal a lame man at the Beautiful gate (Acts 3:1-6). They didn’t kneel and cry to God to show mercy to the poor man. Jesus had taught them well. They had seen Him pray with authority and demons and sicknesses fled.
What is the Prayer of Authority?
The prayer of authority is the prayer you pray in the name of Jesus. The amount of power in a name depends on the value of the person behind that name. The name of Jesus Christ is the name above every name (Philippians 2:9-11). The name of Jesus contains all the power of the Person of Christ. it can do what Christ can do, and Christ Himself is God.
When you pray with authority, you give commands by faith. You use your faith in God through the faith of Christ. Galatians 2:20 reveals that we live by the faith of the Son of God. The implication is that if we live by that faith, we also do all things by that same faith, including prayer. Praying with authority is using the faith of Christ in place of Christ to command things that are under the authority of Christ.
In praying with authority, we become one with Christ ruling and taking dominion over the spiritual and physical realms. This is a glorious privilege, and one that many believers are yet to experience. It is something we should cherish and apply when we must.
The prayer of authority works effectively when we pray according to the will of God. The name of Jesus works wonders when the glory of God is involved. The Holy Spirit manifests only to glorify the name of Jesus. So when you pray, make sure you pray according to the will and purpose of God the Father.
When you pray prayers of authority, you bind and loose in the name of Jesus. You are not in a sense begging God to make things happen. Although you depend on the power of God, you are issuing commands just as God would if He were physically present.
Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. – Matthew 18:18 KJV
When we bind and loose according to God’s will, heaven will approve what we say.
How to Pray With Authority
If we want to be useful in the hands of God and in the body of Christ, we must learn how to pray with authority. Many believers are doing well in normal prayer. They pray prayers of thanksgiving, intercession, petition, confession and supplication. But only a few can move to the level of exercising authority over the things God has given them power. Even the few who pray with authority do it with fear and doubts. They either don’t think it works or fear that they are usurping the authority that belongs only to God.
When you pray with authority, you do not usurp the authority of God. You are merely doing what God says you should do. You are acting on behalf of Christ on earth and giving commands to things within the provision of grace. Jesus Himself gave us that authority. Therefore, when you pray with authority, you are obeying and pleasing Christ.
Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases. – Luke 9:1 KJV
Jesus sent His disciples to preach the gospel of God’s kingdom. He knew what they would face in the field, so He delegated His power and authority to them. Here’s another similar verse in Luke gospel:
Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you. – Luke 10:19 KJV
Jesus has given believers power to bind and lose. He has given us power to trample all the works of darkness without exception. The authority and power of Jesus has no limits. It encompasses living and nonliving things, material and spiritual worlds, mental and emotional parts of life, and things that exist now and in the future (John 1:3-4; Colossians 1:16-19; Ephesians 1:19-23).