The Goal is Whole: One Together, Part 2 One Glorious Church, O2.5: Kingdom Prayer

FULL STUDY:

We are touching something so much bigger than us. We have been exploring this around the theme of “one glorious church” – a church that Jesus has been building through the centuries and that is approaching completion in our times.

The bible describes a time of great turbulence, political uprising, and demonic manifestation, as well as the supernatural judgments of God on a fallen and rebellious world. Most of this can be seen in the book of Revelation, and is touched on somewhat by Jesus, some Old Testament prophets, and the New Testament writers.

In Revelation, we see clearly that the unfolding events are under the ultimate control of Heaven, under the authority of the “lamb that was slain” (Jesus). He alone was found worthy to take the scroll that carried the unfolding events, and release them into action. Jesus has ultimate authority:

“And I saw between the throne (with the four living creatures) and the elders a Lamb standing, as if slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God, sent out into all the earth. 7 And He came and took the book out of the right hand of Him who sat on the throne. 8 When He had taken the book, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each one holding a harp and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. 9 And they sang a new song, saying, “Worthy are You to take the book and to break its seals; for You were slain, and purchased for God with Your blood men from every tribe and tongue and people and nation. 10 “You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to our God; and they will reign upon the earth.” (Revelation 5:6-10)

After that, in chapter 6, we read how Jesus breaks the seals to allow the unfolding events to take place, “Then I saw when the Lamb broke one of the seven seals…”

We are not able to study all the end time events in this series, but will be developing materials around this in the future. There are many resources available, although there are also widely differing interpretations. Prophetic fulfilment is only fully known as things take place, so we recommend not adopting any dogmatic position as this will likely create divisions.

As the book of Revelation unfolds, it is clear that as things are released in heaven, so there are manifestations on the earth. This is the real emphasis for us to grasp here. Jesus is in authority in heaven, but He has a people of His own on the earth, people of the new creation, a different spirit, united in Him, and formed into a Kingdom. And that Kingdom (us) is called to reign on the earth. Jesus rules and reigns in heaven, and He outworks that on earth through His church, His Kingdom.

So, part of the vision we carry is to embrace this as part of INN-life. As we pursue a lifestyle of union with Jesus in the new creation, so we enter into partnership with Him on a kingdom/governmental level. This is just one further aspect of Jesus manifested, as He comes to work out His authority and kingdom government through us. We are His instrument on the earth!

We have a priestly role, through which we are to reign. We understand that Jesus is the victorious high priest who has opened the way into eternal life. So, what is this priestly role? Quite simply, the priest had two key functions: to represent God to man, and to represent man to God. In our Kingdom role, we do the same. We bring situations of need before Him in prayer, but we also demonstrate and proclaim His kingdom to the world around – we are His ambassadors sent out with the message of reconciliation. Perhaps the clearest example of this priestly-prayer role is found in what is often called “the Lord’s prayer”:

“Your kingdom come. Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” (Matthew 6:10)

We are His kingdom on earth, and we are called to reign here. We are to pray that His kingdom comes, and His will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.

As His people, we are not to be by-standers, but participants. He has a vital role invested in us. This is specifically to do with unfolding events, but its primary purpose is the manifestation of His Kingdom and His will. This should keep our attention away from religious formalities, and engage us in a much higher quality of spiritual life – manifesting the authority and presence of Jesus.

We see this specifically around regions and neighborhoods. INNs typically take on responsibility for listening to Jesus, praying and proclaiming His will in the immediate area. At times, this may extend beyond the immediate locality, but we see real importance in taking real ownership of this, co-reigning with Him on the earth where we are, being channels of His authority. A major part of this is the extension of His kingdom, multitudes of people encountering Jesus and receiving Him, and the completion of His bride. This kind of prayer is essential if community witness is to be impactful. We desire empowered outworking!

The Holy Spirit has revealed a simple prayer model using Psalm 24 that will be demonstrated in a group context. The purpose of this is to learn to gather in unity and let the Him guide, exercising and enforcing the will of Jesus and His authority together with us. We are His body, the fullness of Him, and we have a role to play!

Of course, this happens through many expressions of Jesus in so many different ways. There is no doubt that large gatherings of new creation people gathered to engage in powerful worship, and proclamation of the victory of Jesus, significantly affects the spiritual atmosphere, and the openness of people to Jesus. Anointed teaching and preaching can shift understanding, and bring freedom through the truth being proclaimed.

In the INN vision, we seek to pick up the action of Kingdom prayer. Some INNs will participate in this more than others. Some may take this on as their primary role and identity, and seek to partner with others that are more active in community witness. But, even where this is not the case, every INN is encouraged to take this on board at some level as part of their inspired community and empowered outworking lifestyle.

In closing today, we will look at a number of passages that reveal what is included in the phrase, “your Kingdom come, on earth as in heaven.” This helps keep our praying focused on His agenda.

First, Jesus explained that no-one can see or enter the Kingdom unless he is born again – born of the spirit. This is entry into the new creation:

“Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” 4 Nicodemus said to Him, “How can a man be born when he is old? He cannot enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born, can he?” 5 Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. (John 3:3-6)

So, a strong “your kingdom come” prayer point is for all those still trapped in the fallen race to hear about Jesus and respond, receiving Him.

Second, Jesus declared that casting out a demon by the Holy Spirit is a manifestation of His kingdom:

“But if I cast out demons by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.” (Matthew 12:28)

So, another “your kingdom come” prayer point is for those impacted by demons to experience deliverance.

Both these first two points are concerning the power in community witness. Prayer around these two points is seen as “air cover” for the battle on the ground.

Third, the Kingdom is manifested through righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit:

“For the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 14:17)

This is really a “your kingdom come” prayer point for those who have already entered the new creation. The purpose is for rich community expressions of the one glorious church. This may also include specific prayer around situations that are not aligned with righteousness, peace or joy, or where the Holy Spirit is being quenched.

There will be much more that comes up for prayer that the Holy Spirit will reveal specifically to the gathering. The key is to be willing to let Him lead, and to make time available where this can happen. We recommend that every INN plans regular Kingdom prayer gatherings. Jesus has a strong focus on building a victorious and glorious church, and as we partner with Him, reigning on earth, as He is in heaven, we know we will see magnificent demonstrations of His authority and power in our midst.

Paul wrote this to the Ephesians:

“With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints.” (Ephesians 6:18)

Our closing thought today is that the prayers of Paul in the various letters reveal the type of prayer we need to engage in. This is really enforcement of the victory that Jesus has secured, and the revelation of that in His church. This is great material for further study. Check out Ephesians 1:15-23, Ephesians 3:14-21, Philippians 1:3-11, and Colossians 1:9-14.

Those passages include the kinds of prayers that we call Kingdom prayers! Let’s rise up and be His Kingdom, reigning on the earth. Pray into being a strong church, full of His revelation and power, as His instrument for His demonstrated presence and glory, and which He will use as the basis to add many, many people into the new creation.