The Prayer of Kings (2)

2 January 2011

1. Introduction

1 Pet 2:9

“You are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people that you may proclaim the promises of Him ….”

Last year was filled with challenges, pressures, opportunities – that is now over.
God has new possibilities waiting for you in 2011.
Tasks to accomplish, people to meet, relationships to establish – opportunities to serve.
Peter reminds us who we are: Royal Priesthood – Kings with assignment to serve.
You are a King on assignment – Make Christ Known.

2. The Prayer of Kings

1 Chron 4:9-10

“Oh that you would bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory, that your hand would be with me, and that you would keep me from evil that I might not cause pain.” So God granted him what he requested.

Jabez stood out from his background and his generation.
Prayer has power to open heaven and change your year, your destiny.
Key characteristics of Jabez prayer.

(a) Personal

· Notice how many times the word ‘Me” appears – 4x

· Heb 11:6 “without faith it is impossible to please God ….”

· God has a purpose and destiny for you – he has plans for good for you.

· Jabez arose above his past pain and rejection – trusted the goodness of God.

· Make it personal! Rejection and sorrow are often roots of unbelief.

· Whatever has happened God is good and desires to bless and enlarge you.

· What heart issues, beliefs hinder you arising to believe God and see His promises manifest in your life.

(b) Presence and Person of God

· V10 Oh that you would bless me indeed = bless in abundance.

· Blessing = favour and prosperity in abundance upon life and relationships.

· New Testament –

Gal 3:13-14 “Redeemed … so that blessing of Abraham come …”

Eph 1:3 “He has blessed us with every blessing in heavenly places …”

· You are blessed - Jesus has positioned you to walk in blessing.

· Blessing is the overflow of intimacy with the Holy Spirit – reveals what is freely given.

· How can you walk in and see blessing revealed?

§ Time in the presence of God – Worship

§ Meditation in the Word of God

§ Decree and declare His Word over life, relationships and circumstances

· What will you do in 2011 to increase the flow of blessing?

· V10 Enlarge my territory …

· Territory = land to be possessed by driving out the giants, dispossessing them.

· There are always giants standing between you and God’s provision.

· Exod 23:30-31 “… I will drive them out … you shall drive them out…”

· God requires that we participate actively and not to be passive.

· God promises to provide – our part is to take faith actions.

- Goals; Planning; Sowing; Persevering; Overcoming.

· What areas do you desire enlargements in 2011?

· What part must you play in co-operating with God?

(d) Power

· V10 … that your hand might be with me ….

· Hand of God = Power of God manifested in tangible way.

· = Person of God intervening and manifesting supernaturally

· God desires to demonstrate His power – supernatural life

· Eph 1:19 … revelation …. of the exceeding greatness of His power to us who believe.

· Biggest hindrance to power of God flowing is unbelief – “not me!”

· All believers are called to experience and manifest supernatural life of God (1 Cor. 12:7)

· Power in the New Testament is connected to evangelism – making Christ known (Acts 1:8)

· What stretch will you take in 2011?

(e) Protection

· V10 … that you would keep me from evil ….

· When participate in sin – others are hurt by our sin e.g. King David.

· Demonic opposition and temptation are reality daily!

· Mt 26:40 “Watch and pray that you enter not into temptation”.

· What areas are you vulnerable? – besetting sins?

· What strategy will you form to overcome? – to resist?

· 2011 - Year of arising as Kings in faith, in prayer, in action.

Year of enlarging territory personally, locally, globally!