“Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you.” Luke 10:19 ESV
Since January 2019, I have studied the word and power of authority. I have read every article I could find through google search and scouring through my husband’s theological library reading books and articles.
It has taken me twelve months to witness a shift in my thinking.
As many of you know, I have the gift of intercessory prayer. The week before Thanksgiving, I was sitting in my husband’s study praying as I read the book Secrets to Spiritual Power from the writings of Watchman Nee (compiled by Sentinel Kulp). In chapter eight, titled From Faith to Faith, it reads, “Doctrine is something people try to explain on earth; truth is what I become before God as I am transformed into the image of Christ and experience the realities of what the Lord Jesus has accomplished. What is reality? Truth is reality. Jesus is the truth (John 16:4); this should be our reality.” As I read that particular paragraph, something happened. There was a powerful connection between what I was reading and my spirit. Jesus showed Himself faithful to me in real-time. There was an immediate revelation. I pray all the time for others and me. Just imagine if I added the authority of Jesus and His power to the prayers I pray.
Back in October, many of you journeyed with me on a 31-day of intentional prayer. I have intentionally prayed with God’s power, my faith in Jesus (not in faith – more on that next week), and prayed God’s truth with authority. There’s nothing magical about it, but it is walking in the authority of Jesus along with His power and my faith that I have seen mountains move. I have witnessed relationships shift. I have heard from people who have asked me to pray, saying that they are not sure what happened, but peace is back in their homes and their marriages. I have received text messages stating human resource personnel staff of jobs they were waiting to hear from months ago all of a sudden reached out to them to offer them the position. No. It’s not me. It’s the position of prayer that I decided I wanted to lean into and trust Jesus knows precisely what He is doing. Therefore, I pray differently. I am now walking in the authority of Jesus. 
To be clear. I will state again that there is nothing magical about it. Prayer, power, and God’s authority is not anything we want to abuse. We must always move into a position of prayer, seeking God for knowledge and understanding. We have to seek understanding and be obedient to God’s instructions. God’s truth tells us, “Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.” [John 14:12 NIV]
Now, let me be honest. You will not wake up one morning and arrive at this destination. Go back to where I said, “Since January…” Yes, it has taken me twelve months studying prayer, power, and authority. I am seeing a move of God that I have never experienced before.
Today, as we move further away from darkness, allow me to share a few things that may be beneficial to walking in authority as you pray and lean into God’s power and His word.
- Come out of isolation. You’ve been there too long.
- Establish a regular time of studying God’s Word.
- Read books that are written by Christians who have experienced God’s transformation
- Secrets to Spiritual Power from writing of Watchman Nee (compiled by Sentinel Kulp)
- Fervent by Priscilla Shirer
- How to Hear from God by Joyce Meyer
- Intercessory Prayer by Dutch Sheets
- I Told the Mountain to Move by Patricia Raybon
- Prayer Shield by C. Peter Wagner
- Align with a Bible-based small group
- Consider spiritual formation coaching
- Keep a journal of your journey
- Pray without ceasing
Look at it this way. Ever felt thirsty? I am talking about a parch where your mouth is dry, and you are seeking feverishly to find something wet to drink. Still, the only real thing that will satisfy you is clear tasteless water that changes the trajectory of the parched feeling you once experienced. Are you ready to walk out of the darkness into the light? Are you ready to experience hearing from God through the reading of His word and living with boldness and confidence of Jesus?
Over the next few weeks, intentionally walk in the authority of Jesus. Not abusing it but exercising and accessing the power of Jesus. It is yours to live in your everyday life. Align with the Father in heaven, and with this authority, you will do greater works.
In your journey, notice how you speak, listen, discern, see, and live. Notice how you relate to others and how you respond.
Speak it with authority! Put God’s word on it! Time out for being intimidated by others. See it! Call it! Don’t question it! Remember, Jesus called Lazarus out. And…the dead man walked out alive!
Tweetable: Use your authority. He has already given you. Stop wasting it. @GailDudley
We are to be like Christ. Therefore, we are to be bold as Jesus, with and in authority. Jesus took charge. He commanded things to happen. He spoke to diseases, to demons, even to people as One who knew both who he was and the authority he had been given. We have the privilege and the charge to carry His name.
Today, use your God given power and authority.
This is what I hear in the spirit to use as an analogy to make the point I believe God wants me to make for us to connect the dots.
Parents take authority every day with their children. We do it vocally. We command what we expect to happen. Yet, when we take what we believe as the authority when praying, most of the time, we do it silently. This is not exercising our authority. That’s saying a sweet prayer.
We see children as small people, and since we are older and in many cases larger in stature, we are not afraid to use our authority and command a thing or speak with power. However, when we are faced with situations that appear larger or more significant than us, we act like we are bold, but then only give a soft whisper of a prayer communicating that we are unsure if the situation will change. This is not authority. Stop acting wimpy and walk in your authority. Be bold and be in charge.
Today I encourage you to access the authority you have in Christ Jesus! The Bible tells us that He uses words to “call those things which be not as though they were” [Romans 4:17].
Today, I believe that if you receive the authority of Jesus, everything you call forth will come to pass!
Are you ready to exercise your God-given authority? Share in the comment section how you are leaning into prayer, power, and God’s authority.
Join me and others beginning January 5, 2020 as we do an online (go at your own pace) Getting To The Root of It study. Order the workbook by clicking the image if you would like to join us. No other costs to join. [workbook order]
