When Not To Pray
Matthew 10:1
And when He had called His twelve disciples to Him, He gave them power over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease.
Power - ability
Luke 9:1
Then He called His twelve disciples together and gave them power and authority over all demons, and to cure diseases.
Authority - the permission to use the power; delegated power
The right to command, the right to have dominion over.
1 John 3:8
For this purpose, the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil.
Destroy: dissolve; to put an end to.
Jesus is determined to bring an end to the enemy’s work in your life!
On earth, our participation is necessary to enforce Jesus’ destruction of the devil's works.
Luke 10:19
Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you.
God has granted us authority and power.
Authority - to make use of the power
Duke Energy Illustration - Duke Energy supplies the power, and we have the authority to make use of the power.
Luke 10:19 AMP
Listen carefully: I have given you authority [that you now possess] to tread on serpents and scorpions, and [the ability to exercise authority] over all the power of the enemy (Satan); and nothing will [in any way] harm you.
Jesus is saying, “I permit you to use my power over all the ability of the enemy.”
John 14:12
Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father.
John 14:12 MSG
The person who trusts me will not only do what I’m doing but even greater things, because I, on my way to the Father, am giving you the same work to do that I’ve been doing.
You can do what Jesus did
You will face physical challenges from the enemy, and you cannot wait for God to intervene.
You must take command of those situations.
While prayer is essential, there is also a time to speak and act.
In Jesus' life, we see both prayer and decisive action against the enemy.
There is a time to ask of the Father, and there is also a time to demand of the situation.
People are trying to get results from prayer that only rebuking can get.
Rebuke Fever:
Luke 4:38-39
Now He arose from the synagogue and entered Simon’s house. But Simon’s wife’s mother was sick with a high fever, and they made request of Him concerning her. So He stood over her and rebuked the fever, and it left her. And immediately she arose and served them.
Rebuke - to command to stop; to demand to stop; to express sharp, stern disapproval of.
Rebuked fever - didn't pray, spoke
Learn when to pray and when to say!
Rebuke Storm:
Matthew 8:26
But He said to them, “Why are you fearful, O you of little faith?” Then He arose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm.
Luke 8:24
And they came to Him and awoke Him, saying, “Master, Master, we are perishing!” Then He arose and rebuked the wind and the raging of the water. And they ceased, and there was a calm.
Speak to the Rock:
Numbers 20:8
Take the rod; you and your brother Aaron gather the congregation together. Speak to the rock before their eyes, and it will yield its water; thus you shall bring water for them out of the rock, and give drink to the congregation and their animals.
Say to the Mulberry tree:
Luke 17:6
So the Lord said, “If you have faith as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be pulled up by the roots and be planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you.
Say to the Fig Tree:
Mark 11:12-14
Now the next day, when they had come out from Bethany, He was hungry. And seeing from afar a fig tree having leaves, He went to see if perhaps He would find something on it. When He came to it, He found nothing but leaves, for it was not the season for figs. In response Jesus said to it, “Let no one eat fruit from you ever again.” And His disciples heard it.
Say to the Mountain:
Mark 11:22-23
So Jesus answered and said to them, “Have faith in God. For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says.
Rebuke Demons:
Mark 9:25
When Jesus saw that the people came running together, He rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it, “Deaf and dumb spirit, I command you, come out of him and enter him no more!”
Matthew 17:18
And Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of him, and the child was cured from that very hour.
Luke 4:41
And demons also came out of many, crying out and saying, “You are the Christ, the Son of God!” And He, rebuking them, did not allow them to speak, for they knew that He was the Christ.
Mark 1:25
But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be quiet, and come out of him!”
Declare A Thing
Job 22:28
You will also declare a thing, And it will be established for you; So light will shine on your ways.