Prayer Power – Discovering Authority In Surrender
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Discovering Authority in Surrender [ 3:18 ]
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As a Christian are you tired of the “same ol’ same ol’”? I am. Do you want to see God’s wonderworks? I do. My spirit cries out for miracles, signs and wonders, healings, prophetic words that will meet the needs of our world. But wonderworks take power. How do we get power and authority to work the works of God?
As I read about the centurion in Matthew 8:5-13 God began to speak to me about authority. This centurion was a captain in charge of a hundred men in a Roman legion; he had some power. He saw Jesus in Capernaum and recognized authority resting upon the Lord. Leaders always seem to recognize authority in other leaders. Although the centurion had a measure of power, he had a problem he couldn’t fix; his servant lay suffering and paralyzed at home. He desperately needed someone with enough power to heal him. Would Jesus the Healer help? Of course the answer was, “I will come and heal him.”
But the centurion protested he wasn’t worthy to host Jesus under his roof and replied, “… just say the word and my servant will be healed. For I, too, am a man under authority; and I say to this one, ‘Go!’ and he goes, and to another, ‘Come!’ and he comes, and to my slave, ‘Do this!’ and he does it.”
Did you catch that phrase, “I am a man under authority”? The word “under” startled and stopped me. I would’ve said, “I am a man of authority,” not “I am a man under authority.” What a great difference those two little words make.
As I pondered those words God spoke this truth into my mind: “To the degree you will be a leader under authority, you will be a leader of authority.”
God knows those submitted to Him. He releases miracle-working power through them because He trusts them. The instant we surrender and come under God’s authority and under those in headship over us, He invests us with ability to do His wonderworks. Committed disciples use power for His glory, not their selfish purposes.
Are you convinced Jesus is All Authority and will entrust His power to you? These scriptures prove He is and He will:
- Jesus is God and created all things. John 1:1,2; Revelation 4:11
- Jesus conquered Satan and redeemed all fallen men. Revelation 5:5
- Jesus purchased all men with his blood. Revelation 5:9
- Jesus makes all righteous men kings and priests to reign with Him. Revelation 5:10
Jesus commands surrender not to make us His slaves but to invest us with authority, ability and power for wonderworks. He wants us empowered to rule and reign with Him as kings and priests. What a benevolent, incredible God!
Question: Is it difficult sometimes to surrender to God’s authority in prayer? Why might this be so?
About this Author: La Von (Petey) Prater
