Understanding Prayer by Apostle Johnson Suleman: MP3 Download & Sermon Notes

Prayer Is a Platform and a Weapon

Prayer is a platform for fellowship with God. Prayer is a weapon for engagement. Every religion prays — but the prayer of the believer is fundamentally different from every other religious practice.

Jesus emphasized the importance of prayer all through his life on earth. Luke 18:1 — he spoke a parable to this end, saying men ought always to pray. Those who pray are men.

Prayer matures the believer. In Luke 11:1, the disciples asked, "Teach us to pray." Jesus said, "When you pray, say..." The best way to learn prayer is by praying prayer. When you pray, say: Our Father.

In Revelation 5:8 and Revelation 8:3-4, the prayers of the saints go up to God like sweet-smelling incense. Any time you enter the place of prayer, incense goes to God. You are generating an aroma. You are creating a fragrance before the Father.

Elijah Was a Man of Like Passion

James 5:17 — Elijah was a man of like passion, but he prayed. Elijah had the limitations we have, the restrictions we have, the capacity to be weary, to fail, to faint. But what stood him out was that he prayed. He prayed until prayer could testify that he had prayed.

One of the great problems today is that many Christians keep praying over a particular subject and they don't see answers. They become weary and begin to question. But James 4:3 says: you ask and receive not because you ask amiss. It is possible for a man to ask and receive nothing. When that happens, it is not because prayer is not potent. Something is wrong with the concept and your understanding of prayer.

Prayer is when you uphold the interest of God. Prayer is not a monologue — it is a dialogue. When you go to the place of prayer, you don't just talk to God. You wait till he talks back to you.

Mighty men are men of mighty prayer. You become a product of your prayer life. You cannot grow higher than your prayer life.

Three Keys to Effective Prayer

1. Picture

   To see answers to your prayer, you must have pictures. You must have a mental image of what you are asking God for. Genesis 11:6 — God said, "Nothing can be restrained from man which they have imagined to do." You cannot ask God for health while thinking sickness. Your mind must align with your mouth.

   

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   Apostle Johnson Suleman

   Omega Fire Ministries International

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   • Prayer and thought have the same potency. Ephesians 3:20 — God is able to do exceeding abundantly above all we ask or think. God qualifies asking and thinking as the same.
   • The weapons of our warfare are always against thoughts — bringing into captivity every thought. You must guard your mind, because it is the platform for answers. Mark 11:24 — whatsoever things you desire when you pray, believe that you receive them.
   • Every thought of failure is a mental suggestion looking for your verbal agreement. As the thought comes, reject it. The doctor gives a report — you say: I am the righteousness of God. By his stripes, I am healed. I am the head and not the tail. I am what God says I am.
   • Mental labor is stronger than manual labor. There are Christians who scream and shout, but an anointed ignorant man is a powerful fool. Build your mind with positivity. Guard it, because your mind is where prayer is won or lost.

2. Scripture

   You must have a scripture for that prayer. When a lawyer goes to court, he doesn't stand on his own technicalities — he stands on the constitution. The Bible is our constitution. Anything God will do for you must be within its ambit.

   • Whenever you pray, say: Lord, according to your word in Jeremiah 30:17, you will restore health to me. In Hosea 14:2, God said take words with you as you come.
   • Daniel 10:12 — the angel said, "From the first day you set your heart to seek God, your words were heard and I have come down for your word."
   • God has exalted his word above his name. Psalm 138:2. He upholds all things by the word of his power. Hebrews 1:3. Heaven and earth shall pass away but his word shall not. Matthew 24:35.
   • Engaging scripture is making the Creator bow to the voice of the Creator. When you give God back his word, it is like a child reminding a parent of a promise. God said and said and said — until he saw. Keep saying and you will soon start seeing.
   • In engaging the word, there are two dynamics: first, you must hear it. Read it back to your spirit man. That's why repetition matters in prayer — so that your spirit man comes alive and is aware. Paul said when he prays, it is his spirit that prays. Second, you must do the word. The word you don't practice cannot produce for you. James 1:22 — don't be a hearer only, deceiving yourself. Hearing without doing is self-deceit.

3. God Factor

   If you must see answers, prayer must be about God. Until your prayers are God-centered, results are limited.

   • Heal me that I might go and win souls for your kingdom. Bless me that I might help the poor. It has to be God.
   • You are going to reestablish your commitment to him. Tell the Lord how sold out you are.

   Lord, I know I am expecting you to do something in me or for me, but I'm dedicating myself to you. My life is all about you. I commit my life, my home, my family, my education to you. Everything you've given me belongs to you.

One Sign That You Believe Your Prayer

When you are expecting answers from heaven, first you must receive before you have. Think possibility. "I have called upon God and I believe it is settled. I have asked God for a testimony. I believe it is settled."

One of the signs that you believe in your prayer is that you have peace. Be still and know that I am the Lord.