Prayer-Line of Authority

My Marine on Parris Island, 2004

My former U.S. Marine-child (who is well acquainted with lines of authority) asked for Scriptures teaching the effects of prayer on the war in the heavenlies. Last night, Joe McGee’s message to Church of the Highlands helped me 

answer that good question.

        

God created man and gave him dominion over the earth:

“God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. God blessed them; and God said to them, ‘Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it; and rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over every living thing that moves on the earth.’”  

  (Gen. 1:27-28)

But man disobeyed God. Man sinned, thus plummeting man and this earth into the curse of disease, pain, wickedness, and death: 

all marching in a beeline headed straight to hell!

“Throw out the worthless slave into the outer darkness; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” (Matt. 25:30)

“Cursed is the ground because of you; in toil you will eat of it all the days of your life. Both thorns and thistles it shall grow for you…by the sweat of your face you will eat bread till you return to the ground.” (Gen. 3:1719)

Man had relinquished his dominion over the earth into

the hands of Satan, the devil:

“You were dead in your trespasses and sins, in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the air (i.e. the devil), of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience.” (Eph. 2:1-2)

“And even if our Gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, in whose case the god of this world (i.e. the devil) has blinded the minds of the unbelieving so that they might not see the light of the Gospel of the glory of Christ, 

who is the image of God.” (2 Cor. 4:3-4)

Man fell, but God…

But God, in His grace and mercy, implemented His plan 

to rescue man and redeem the world!

  

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.” John 3:16

“For a child (was) born to us, a son (was) given to us; and the government will rest on His shoulders; and His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, 

Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.” (Isa. 9:6)

“Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29)

“For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected in, in hope the that the creation itself also will be set free from its slavery to corruption into freedom of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groans and suffers…awaiting eagerly…for the redemption.”

(Rom. 8:20-23)

Jesus saves (rescues) people from hell and 

gives His followers authority over the devil:

"Whoever believes in (Jesus) will not be disappointed...Whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved!" (Rom. 10:11,13)

 “And (Jesus) said to them, “I was watching Satan fall from heaven like lightning. Behold, I have given you authority…over all the power of the enemy.” 

(Luke 10:18-19)

"You are from God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is He that is in you than he who is in the world." (1 John 4:4)

Prayer: the legal line of transfer of authority: Jesus to us over the enemy!

Jesus said, “…behold, Satan has demanded permission to sift you like wheat; 

but I have prayed for you…” (Luke 22:31-32)

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil…with all prayer and petition at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints!” 

(Eph. 6:10-11,18)

         Today, on this national day of prayer, I urge all followers of Jesus to exercise the authority given to you by Christ and PRAY!!!