Victory in Prayer

Victory in Prayer

Putting Faith into Action

Written by Kimberly McRae

Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; Hebrews 12:2

Copyright 2013 Kimberly McRae

All Rights Reserved Worldwide

Smashwords Edition

This book is available in print. Visit http://www.kimberlymcrae.com for more information.

No part of this publication may be reproduced, changed or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, eBook, audio, or any information storage retrieval system, without permission in writing from the author.

Permission is granted to give this book in its current form without changes to anyone free of charge. It may NOT be sold, included as part of a sale package, or placed on a website selling goods without prior permission.

Request for permission to use any portion of this publication should be submitted to info@kimberlymcrae.com.

All Scripture references used in this book are from the King James Version and are not under copyright restrictions.

A Note on Royalties

Freely ye have received, freely give – Matthew 10:8

This book is being offering in eBook form free of charge to anyone. For links to additional eBook formats, visit http://www.kimberlymcrae.com.

Acknowledgements

I would like to thank my Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, for the death He paid on the cross for me and for His guidance throughout the writing of this book. He is the light in my life and the rock beneath my feet.

In loving memory of my sister-in-law, Wendi McRae, whose strong faith in the power of prayer had always been an encouragement.

To my dear friends and prayer warriors, Charlie and Tammy Tyree, our continued prayers for one another mean a great deal to me. May God continue to bless you and keep your faith strong!

To Tessa

For encouraging me during a time of need with your wonderful testament of answered prayer. May the Lord continue to increase your faith and bless you for your kindness.

Table of Contents

Are You Living in Defeat?

Does God Have Time for Me?

Approaching God

The Repentant Heart

Becoming Dependent on God

Discerning the Will of God

Gaining Godly Wisdom

Seeking God’s Protection

Praying for God’s Mercy

Intercessory Prayer

Fasting Prayer

Key to Victorious Prayer

How Does God Answer Prayer?

Praise and Thanksgiving

Afterword: When Minions Attack

Appendices

Why We Use the King James Version

What is Salvation?

About the Author

Are You Living in Defeat?

What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?

Romans 8:31-32

Christians all around the world are living in defeat; beaten down by circumstances within their life and allowing their joy to be stolen in an instant. Every Christian will face this feeling of discouragement at some point in their life. The difference between living in defeat and suffering a momentary setback can be seen in how the child of God approaches these times of trial.

Victory in Prayer is a call to action for all Christians. As I write this book a storm rages overhead while sirens are ringing in the distance. Our emergency workers have been called into action to assist those that have been affected by the storm. Are we not living in stormy times today? Souls need salvation, the sick need healing, people need jobs, the afflicted need deliverance, the homeless need shelter, and we need victory over circumstances.

Will you walk with me on a journey of discovery in the Bible to learn how others throughout history have communed with God in prayer to bring about a change in their lives? Many have had true victorious battles where the odds were against them and God brought the victory. Others have sought complete recovery from afflictions or deliverance from difficult circumstances. We have a prescription for good health, financial stability, wisdom, protection, and guidance all within our grasp.

God’s Resources to His Children

When I look around me I see sadness and suffering in the lives of my Christian brethren. I am grieved that they are not experiencing the peace and joy that comes from our faith in Christ. While we have not been promised a life that will be easy we do have a wonderful place where we can receive comfort through any trial we face. We can rest within the loving arms of our blessed Saviour knowing that He understands our circumstances. He is no stranger to suffering. He bore pain for our sins and experienced persecution for His proclamation that He is God the Son.

He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not. - Isaiah 53:3

The Lord has provided us with three tremendous resources to help us throughout our Christian walk. Our first resource abides within the body of every believer. Our Father has given us the Holy Spirit to teach and guide us. He brings to remembrance the things we have learned in God’s Word. He also brings the power to overcome temptation and conviction when we are living in sin. If you have accepted Christ as your Saviour you can take comfort in knowing that the Holy Spirit lives within you and will never depart from you.

And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. - John 14:16-17 (Words of Jesus)

But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. - John 14:26 (Words of Jesus)

Do you remember reading stories as a young child where the hero would find a giant chest filled with great riches? You may have daydreamed of all the wonderful things you could do with such a treasure trove. Every one of us has something far more valuable that fits within our hands. It is the blessed Word of God.

Through His Word all of us have found our dear Lord and Saviour and then continued to find an abundance of knowledge and wise instructions to guide us through all of life’s pathways. Studying God’s Word can help us to discern false doctrines, make better decisions, and encourage us in our daily walk. The Bible equips us to handle any situation that we may be facing and guides us through all of life’s uncertainties.

As for God, his way is perfect: the word of the LORD is tried: he is a buckler to all those that trust in him. - Psalm 18:30

All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works. - 2 Timothy 3:16-17

This resource is not just available to Christians. The lost will find the gospel message within Scripture when they earnestly seek the truth. While the Holy Spirit does not dwell within the unbeliever, He does bring about conviction that they are separated by God as a result of sin and need for salvation. This can lead to repentance of sin and a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. Each man, woman and child is responsible for their decision to accept or reject Christ. When you accept Christ you become a child of God.

But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. - John 1:12-13

A great resource that all children of God have to help them gain victory over the trials of life is an intercessor, our Lord Jesus, sitting at the right hand of the Father. What a tremendous promise this is to every believer.

For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; - 1 Timothy 2:5

Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. - Hebrews 4:14-16

We can take great comfort in knowing that we need only go to the Father in prayer in the name of Jesus and He will hear us. We could not ask for a better ally to speak to God the Father on our behalf.

God Can Bring Victory over Circumstances

We are very blessed to have these three wonderful resources available to us to help us through difficult times. Many Christians believe that if we are being obedient in all aspects of our walk with Christ that our life will be free from adversity. We have not been promised that our life will be an easy one. In fact, we are told just the opposite in God’s Word.

Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. - 2 Timothy 3:12

There is no denying that the child of God will suffer some form of persecution, suffer afflictions, and be subjected to trials -- but there is hope. God does not want us to be filled with emotional turmoil. He wants us to anchor ourselves to our faith in Christ and in our relationship with Him. We strengthen that anchor through the reading of God’s Word and spending time with Him in prayer.

Around the world there are some Christians that have suffered physical harm or had to worship in secret for fear of a violent outcome. In countries that allow Christians to worship freely they may suffer other forms of persecution such as ridicule, loss of a job, division of family, or legal action for speaking the truth. Regardless of the degree of persecution that a Christian may be experiencing it can be a discouragement which can hinder their service and walk with Christ. God can carry you through these difficult trials. We can have victory over persecution today!

As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. - Romans 8:36-39

Church prayer lists are filled with Christians in great need. Chronic health conditions and cancers afflict many, often accompanied with uncertain outcomes. The majority of these lists include the names of many who have not yet accepted Christ. The children of God are grieved by the spiritual state of their loved ones who are suffering without the peace that only Jesus brings. The Lord can deliver you from these circumstances and can bring about change for those that you love. We can have victory over afflictions!

Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all. - Psalm 34:19

Economic hardships have befallen cities, businesses, families and individuals. People have lost their homes and jobs. Many have chosen to cling to despair or depression instead of turning to God for the help they need. We are promised that God will provide for His children but that does not mean that we will be living on easy street. We need to take a step back from our financial condition and reevaluate our lives from God’s perspective. We can have victory over lost jobs and economic trouble!

Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. - Matthew 6:31-33

Now is the time for the children of God to take up the shield of faith and believe that He is able to bring us victory over all our trials and troubles. We can triumph through prayer and unwavering faith in Christ Jesus. With a mighty Father watching over us and hearing our petitions do we need to fear what is to come tomorrow? Christians should not be embracing anxiety, fear or depression. God can bring you peace and joy while giving you courage to face each day. Our Heavenly Father gives us a wonderful promise of love, protection, and provision in Romans 8.

What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? - Romans 8:31-32

One of the beautiful traits of our Father is that He is unchanging. The same God that used Moses to part the Red Sea and who brought down the walls of Jericho can tend to our needs today. He has already fulfilled our greatest need by sending His Son, Jesus Christ, to die for our sin.

… It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? - Romans 8:34–35

A Biblical Example of Victory through Prayer

With such tremendous promises why is it that Christians are accepting defeat? Is not our Father greater than any trial we are facing? Let us look to Scripture for guidance on how to handle adversity.

There are many examples of God’s people triumphing during times of trouble. Scripture shows us that men of faith sought His counsel and intervention in times of need. Let us examine the petition of Asa, king of Judah, to see the victorious wonder of answered prayer when one of God’s children turns their eyes to Him and Him alone.

Before we look at the prayer of Asa we need to take a brief walk in history to be reminded of the one great commandment given to God’s Chosen People in Deuteronomy. They were commanded to love the Lord God with all of their heart.

And now, Israel, what doth the LORD thy God require of thee, but to fear the LORD thy God, to walk in all his ways, and to love him, and to serve the LORD thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul, - Deuteronomy 10:12

One of the kings of Judah that truly loved God and followed His commandment was David, the great-great-grandfather of Asa. This king was not perfect but