By Andrew Williams – December 6, 2021
Then Peter said, “I don’t have money, but I’ll give you this—by the power of the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, stand up and walk!” Peter held out his right hand to the crippled man. As he pulled the man to his feet, suddenly power surged into his crippled feet and ankles. The man jumped up, stood there for a moment stunned, and then began to walk around! As he went into the temple courts with Peter and John, he leapt for joy and shouted praises to God.
Acts 3:6-8 TPT
Authority is defined as the power to influence or command thought, opinion, or behavior.
When you pray with authority you pray with power to influence or command thought, opinion, or behavior. Is this how you pray?
Peter’s words and actions demonstrated his prayer to God. His prayer was for this man to be healed, but what did Peter say? “I’ll give you this—by the power of the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, stand up and walk!” Then he helped him up, and the man began to walk.
Peter had the authority to influence and command this man to walk. He received this authority from Jesus Christ. What Peter did was what we should all do. He acted in the power and authority that Jesus Christ gave him. Are you doing this?
Sometimes we can be fearful to step out in faith even though we know we have the power and the authority to do so. Sometimes we are fearful of the persecution that will arise, or the fact that persons won’t understand us.
If this is you today, I implore you to pray with authority. Pray with the power to influence or command thought, opinion, or behavior!
Our prayer today comes from Acts 4:24-26, 29-30 HCSB.
Prayer: When they heard this, they all raised their voices to God and said,
“Master, You are the One who made the heaven, the earth, and the sea, and everything in them. You said through the Holy Spirit, by the mouth of our father David Your servant: Why did the Gentiles rage and the peoples plot futile things? The kings of the earth took their stand and the rulers assembled together against the Lord and against His Messiah.
And now, Lord, consider their threats, and grant that Your slaves may speak Your message with complete boldness, while You stretch out Your hand for healing, signs, and wonders to be performed through the name of Your holy Servant Jesus.”
Amen.