Today, we are continuing to share the keys to a Victorious Life Through Effective Prayer. Join us as we use those keys to unlock the door to living life as a victor instead of as a victim.
Estimated reading time: 5 minutes
Watch the video of this teaching at https://www.celllifechurch.tv/victorious-living-through-effective-prayer-victor-versus-victim/ or on our YouTube channel.
Today we continue our series on prayer Victorious Life Through Effective Prayer. We are focusing on the aspect of being a victor instead of a victim. Last week, we talked about being kingdom-minded in our prayers. Some Christians tend to think of prayer as something unimportant, casual, or only necessary or effective at certain times, when actually, having a conversation with the Creator of the world is the most important thing a person can do.
Today, as we celebrate the resurrection of Christ, we see his example of being crucified and risen on the third day as the ultimate example of victory. We too are victors. We are clothed with victory as we put on the armor of God. We can pray with confidence knowing God fights the battle and equips us for anything that comes our way.
Two thousand years ago was the first Easter. Today is resurrection Sunday when Jesus rose from the grave and walked among people before ascending into Heaven to sit at the right hand of the throne of God. His victory over death, hell, and the grave, paved the way for a victorious life for all who commit their hearts to follow him.
After rising from the dead, he had a conversation with two of his disciples about the purpose he came for and fulfilled here on earth. Let’s read Luke 24:44-53
(44) He said to them, “This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.” (45) Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. (46) He told them, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, (47)and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. (48) You are witnesses of these things. (49)I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.” (50) When he had led them out to the vicinity of Bethany, he lifted up his hands and blessed them. (51) While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up into heaven. (52) Then they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy. (53) And they stayed continually at the temple, praising God.
Jesus was the fulfillment of thousands of years of prophecy about the coming Messiah. His resurrection made the way for us to have forgiveness of sins and be reconciled back to God. It also made it possible for us to be clothed with power from on high. This is the Holy Spirit that lives within us.
1 Corinthians tells us about this victory we have in Christ. Let’s read 1 Corinthians 15:54-56.
(54) When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: “Death has been swallowed up in victory.” (55) “Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?” (56) The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law.
Death was swallowed up in victory, what Christ accomplished on the cross. We too have that same victory through his resurrection. We can pray with confidence knowing who Jesus is and what he accomplished.
The victim says, “Hopefully”, “maybe”, “possibly” or “God would not help me”.
The victor says, “He is for me”, “He has clothed me with righteousness”, and “I am an overcomer by the blood of the Lamb and the word of my testimony”.
Jesus’s accomplishment on the cross makes it so we are victors not victims.
Because Christ overcame sin by the shedding of his blood, we are overcomers too. Jesus encourages us to take heart because of what he has accomplished in the world. Let’s read John 16:33
(33) “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
Through the power of the Holy Spirit, you can overcome anything the enemy throws your way because of the faith you possess in Jesus Christ as Savior. Acts 1:8 talks about this.
(8) But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
The Holy Spirit gives us the power to be witnesses of Jesus Christ in this lost and dying world. He gives you the power to overcome any struggle so you can boldly preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ. As you pray, pray with the authority of an overcomer because you are more than a conqueror. Romans 8:37-39 tells us this:
(37) In all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. (38) For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, (39) neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Notice that the word overcomer is past tense. You are an overcomer because of what Christ has accomplished on the cross. He beat Satan, he beat death, and was raised from the dead. In doing so, he gave us life, forgiveness of sin, and the ability to defeat the enemy. You are more than a conqueror. This is something to praise Him for! You are a victor, not a victim!
During prayer, when we bring an offering of praise, it not only helps us focus on who God is and what he has accomplished, but it also wages war in the spiritual realm. Several stories throughout the Old Testament illustrate when God’s people began to worship him, He moved in mighty ways to accomplish his purpose. One such story is the story of King Jehoshaphat who was at a crossroads in 2 Chronicles 20.
The enemy had surrounded the people of Judah and King Jehoshaphat had a decision to make; do they surrender, or do they fight although woefully outnumbered. He called for a fast of the people of Judah and encouraged the army to put their faith in the Lord. Let’s read what took place in 2 Chronicles 20:21-22
(21) After consulting the people, Jehoshaphat appointed men to sing to the Lord and to praise him for the splendor of his holiness as they went out at the head of the army, saying: “Give thanks to the Lord, for his love endures forever.” (22) As they began to sing and praise, the Lord set ambushes against the men of Ammon and Moab and Mount Seir who were invading Judah, and they were defeated.
After a time of fasting and seeking the Lord in prayer, the people praised God and the enemy was defeated! Living a victorious life through effective prayer is to praise God for his goodness and trust him to do mighty things.
A victor fasts, seeks the Lord, and praises him in the middle of a battle. A victim sits and waits, hoping for God to do something.
Our battle cry as a victor versus a victim is praise.
Church, we are called to action. We are called to live as victors, overcomers, and conquerors. We do this through effective prayer by having the mindset of Christ as overcomers and using praise as our battle cry. You can pray with authority knowing what Christ has accomplished on the cross and having the power of the Holy Spirit in you.
Next time we will continue sharing the keys to a Victorious Life Through Effective Prayer by talking about two-way communication with God. You don’t want to miss it!
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