PrayerPower

Confidence to Act on God’s Word

Hallmark’s television ad showed a girl about nine, shy and withdrawn, climbing into the school bus. Seated, she opened a Hallmark card from mom and read, “You rock!” Self-assurance lit her face. “CONFIDENCE!” flashed across the screen in bold letters.

Is confidence found in Hallmark cards? Will we do exploits for God with their card as sword? Nope. Sorry, Hallmark.

Confidence grows in us when Jesus, our Rock, speaks to us. His word fills His people with courage. Hearing His voice strengthens our will to risk for Him. “And the LORD is the one who goes ahead of you; He will be with you. He will not fail you or forsake you. Do not fear, or be dismayed.” Deuteronomy 31:8

The great need of Christians is for confidence. Few of us know His voice well enough to risk obedience. When Christ speaks, we’re not sure it’s Him. We believe if we’re wrong we’ll embarrass ourselves and stain His glory. Isn’t it wiser to sit in the safe zone doing those things we know we can accomplish? Or we could learn to recognize His voice, trust Him and find our ministry feet. Is it possible some wonderworks await us as we cooperate with our Lord?

How do we hear God’s voice? Author Joy Dawson* teaches principles that help us recognize His voice. She’s given permission to share them. Applying these insights helps us hear Him and gives confidence to risk for Him. (*Intercession: Thrilling and Fulfilling, YWAM Publishing, 1997)

Three voices normally speak in prayer: (1) the voice of self, (2) the voice of Satan and demon powers, and (3) the voice of God. We must get rid of the first two to hear God’s voice.

The voice of self:

• Die to your thoughts and desires, yield your mind to God, and receive His mind by faith. “He who leans on, trusts in, and is confident of his own mind and heart is a self-confident fool….” Proverbs 28:26 “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus….” Philippians 2:5 Thank God that you’ve received His mind by faith.

The voice of Satan and demon powers:

• Speaking out loud, silence their voices using any of these tools: the blood of Jesus, which cleanses from all sin, the quoted word of God, the Name of Jesus, and/or praying with discernment. “Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world.” 1 John 4:4 “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” James 4:7 Thank God that you have victory in Christ.

The voice of God:

• You’ve received God’s mind, bound the enemy from speaking and now your mind is free to hear God. “But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth….” John 16:13“I will instruct you and teach you in the way which you should go….” Psalms 32:8 Wait silently for His voice and obey. Praise God for sharing His mind with you.

Our prayer: We will listen and risk confidently, obeying Your word, Lord. Amen.

Petey Prater writes and speaks from Beaverton, Oregon. peteyprater@yahoo.com