We Rule By Prayer
by Alexandra P. Burns
In this article I want to paint a picture for you of the extraordinary importance of prayer. The title of the article is: "We Rule by Prayer". This is not just wishful thinking. This is a command! We, the church, have been given authority to rule. Through prayer and intercession we administer the authority that is ours in the name of Jesus.
Jesus Christ's authority is supreme
The first thing we need to understand is the extent of Christ's authority.
Psalm 110:1 describes Christ reigning as King.
The Lord says to my lord,"Sit at my right hand till I make your enemies your footstool."
Ps 110:1 RSV
Three times in the Gospels, Jesus quotes Psalm 110:1, applying it to himself. The Pharisees had so elevated the great men of the Old Testament "Moses, Elijah, and David" that they had overdone it. To them, it was going to be an honor for the Messiah, God's only-begotten Son, to be considered a descendant of David! Teaching in the temple, Jesus corrected the Pharisees' assertion that the Christ was "the son of David", in other words, of lesser authority than David. "David himself calls him Lord," Jesus reminded them, "so how is he his son?" (RSV Mark 12:35-37)
On the day of Pentecost, Peter also quotes Psalm 110:1.
This Jesus God raised up, and of that we are all witnesses. Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God... he has poured out this which you see and hear. For David did not ascend into the heavens; but he himself says,
"The Lord said to my Lord, Sit at my right hand until I make thy enemies a stool for thy feet."
Acts 2:32-36
Let all the house of Israel therefore know assuredly that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.
Peter declares that at his ascension Jesus, whom they had crucified, was now confirmed in his royal status as Messiah and Lord. This exaltation of Jesus is reiterated by Paul who outlines the scope of Jesus Christ's authority. When God raised Christ from the dead, "he made Christ sit at his right hand in the heavenly places far above all rule and authority and power and dominion and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come" (Eph 1:20-21 RSV). One can hear the refrain of Psalm 110:1 in what God does here! This does not necessarily mean that all other forms of authority or government are set aside, but that Christ's authority takes precedence over them. This is why he is declared to be "Lord of lords, and King of kings" (Rev 17:14; 19:16). His authority extends over all others.
Jesus Christ exercises his authority through his church
In Luke, Jesus declared to his followers: Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. (Luke 12:32 KJV) Because of God's graciousness and love toward us, the church shares in Christ's authority.
But God, rich in mercy, for the great love he bore us, brought us to life with Christ, even when we were dead in our sins; it is by his grace you are saved. And in unison with Christ Jesus he raised us up and enthroned us with him in the heavenly realms. Eph 2:4-6 NEB
We, the church, are enthroned in the heavenly kingdom in union with Christ. The position which Christ holds on the throne he shares with his believing people! Moreover, this fact is not stated in the future tense. It is all stated in the past tense, as a fact already accomplished.
The Lord shall send the rod of strength out of Zion;
rule thou in the midst of thy enemies.
Psalm 110:2
Christ's rod "the mark of a ruler's authority" is sent forth out of Zion, denoting the place of assembly of God's people. Christ's church is to rule, exercising the authority Christ has shared with us.
How the Church is to rule
The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind,
You are a priest forever after the order of Melchizekec.
Psalm 110:4 KJV
Jesus Christ is here declared to be a priest after the order of Melchizedec, the King of Salem to whom Abraham offered tithes. When we look at what the book of Hebrews says about Melchizedec, we find in him a union of kingship and priesthood. Melchizedec was "priest of the most high God". The meaning of his name indicates his other role: King of Righteousness and after that also King of Salem, which is, King of Peace. (Heb 7:1-2 KJV) According to Psalm 110:4 Christ also exercises this double ministry. As king, he rules. As priest, he intercedes: "He ever liveth to make intercession". (Heb 7:25)
The Church too shares this role of priesthood! In I Peter 2:5, Christians are called "an holy priesthood", whose ministry is "to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ." (KJV) In Revelation, those redeemed by faith in Jesus Christ are also called kings and priests: "Unto him [Christ] that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, and hath made us kings and priests unto God and His Father."(1:5-6 KJV)
If the main role of Jesus Christ as priest is to make intercession then it makes sense that the main role of the Church as a holy priesthood would be the same: the various forms of prayer, particularly worship and intercession. Moreover, one must not separate the two functions.
If we would rule as kings, we must serve as priests. The practice of our priestly ministry is the key to the exercise of our kingly authority. It is through prayer and intercession that we administer the authority that is ours in the name of Jesus.
To intercede means to interpose on behalf of another, plead (with one person for another). There are numerous examples of intercession found in the Bible. I wanted to draw your attention to Nehemiah 1:4-11 which is one example of intercession, here by Nehemiah for his people in captivity. When you read it, notice the following things about his prayer. Respect and reverence permeate his entire prayer. Nehemiah begins with worship "extolling God's great love and faithfulness to his Word." Then there is confession of sin. Nehemiah identifies himself with his people, asking God for forgiveness. Then Nehemiah reminds God of his promises to his people. Now alluding to those among the people (including himself) who delight to fear God's name, Nehemiah asks for deliverance for his people. Not explicit, but undergirding the whole prayer is his deep love and compassion for his people, captives in a foreign land.
The church today would like to see more exercise of the kingly authority given to her. Instead, the church has often had the experience of attempting to do a lot for God without success. Consider the following incident, cited not to condemn the church in America, but to learn, evaluate and change.
It' amazing how we get caught up in talking about God or doing things for God... without having the actual presence of God.
A group of Chinese pastors visited some noted U.S. churches a while back. At the end of their tour, they were asked about their biggest impression. "What really amazes us," they said soberly, "is how much you Americans can accomplish without God." Ouch.
This suggests that the Church has perhaps given prayer short shrift. Perhaps the Church would be more effective if she administered the authority she has through prayer and intercession to God and then let Him act to make the changes for which she has been praying.
Finally, when we think of Jesus Christ making intercession, we naturally assume his scope is big, encompassing not only our individual concerns but concern for authorities, communities, nations... all men. But when we "God's royal priesthood" pray, do we share God's concerns? Consider the following, a parody perhaps of the average church member's prayer: "God bless me, my wife, my son John and his wife. Us four. No more." Contrast this self-centered prayer with I Tim 2:1 where we are commanded to pray for all men! Prayer and intercession are the exercise of the church's role as a holy priesthood, our first duty as fellowships, and our primary outreach. Let us do our duty and pray!
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