Jesus Teaches Us How to Pray for Deliverance

Posted on by Keith Haney Posted in Prayer

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Mr. Spurgeon, many years ago, made a parable. He thought he had a right to make one, and he did it. He said: “There was once a tyrant who ordered one of his subjects into his presence, and ordered him to make a chain. The poor blacksmith—that was his occupation—had to go to work and forge the chain. When it was done, he brought it into the presence of the tyrant, and he was ordered to take it away and make it twice the length. He brought it again to the tyrant, and again he was ordered to double it. Back he came when he had obeyed the order, and the tyrant looked at it, and then commanded the servants to bind the man hand and foot with the chain he had made and cast him into prison. And,” Mr. Spurgeon said, “that is what the devil does with man. He makes them forge their chain, and then binds them hand and foot with it, and casts them into outer darkness.” My friends that are just what these drunkards, these gamblers, these blasphemers—that is just what every sinner is doing. But, thank God, we can tell you of a deliverer. The Son of God has the power to break every one of these fetters if you will only come to Him. – Source Unknown

This post on prayer is critical for the Christian trying to find his or her place in this world. During times of trials and persecution, it is tempting to pray “Lord take us out of this situation and bring us all home to be with you”. Notice though that was not what Jesus prayed. He did not pray to God to put a fence around us, or for a big Chariot of fire to carry us all up to heaven. Instead, he prayed, “I have given them your word. And the world hates them because they do not belong to the world, just as I do not. I’m not asking you to take them out of the world, but to keep them safe from the evil one. They are not part of this world any more than I am.” John 17:14-16

A Prayer for Deliverance

Twice in this prayer, Jesus reminds the Father, “They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.” Jesus’ prayer is asking the Father to “keep them from the evil one (Satan).”

Satan is the prince of this world. To illustrate: as parents, one of the fears we are faced with is, keeping our children safe from evil. We are aware of temptations in the world. When they were little, you kept a careful watch at the park, warning your kids never to talk to strangers. As they grew up the threats never lessened, they just changed. Now the warning is from strangers offering you things that would hurt you. Our concern was simple; we don’t want our kids to be exposed to the sickness that is lurking out there in the world. Once Christians have left the protective eyesight of the Savior we are exposed then to all the trappings the world has to offer. Our Lord prays for our deliverance.

A Prayer for Christians to be Pure and Holy

“Make them pure and holy by teaching them your words of truth. As you sent me into the world, I am sending them into the world. And I give myself entirely to you so they also might be entirely yours.” John 17:17-19

This idea of holiness is often a confusing concept. Allow me to introduce this section with a bit of humor.

An old deacon used to pray every Wednesday night at the prayer meeting for his shortcomings in his Christian walk. Once the prayer was over he always ended the same way: “And, Lord, clean all the cobwebs out of my life. The things that are gathered there that ought not to have been there. O Lord, clean all the cobwebs out of my life.” It got too much for one fellow in the prayer meeting after hearing the deacon once too often; so when the old deacon said the same prayer the next time, the fellow jumped to his feet and shouted: “Lord, Lord, don’t clean the cobwebs. Kill the spider, kill the spider.”- Source Unknown

The lure of the world.

The weakness of the sinful flesh and the constant onslaught of the devil are daily battles. In the Old Testament, this concept of holiness is often carried out with the burning of a sacrifice. But that sacrifice was not able to purify from sin. Jesus cleansed Himself even though He had no sin by setting Himself apart. He was made separate (purified) as the sacrificial offering to God so that we, His followers, might also be pure and holy.

The key lesson this prayer is: “sanctification (purification) is not about avoiding or escaping the world but yielding and surrendering to God.” The word “world” is prominent in Jesus’ prayer, it occurs an astonishing 20 times in John 17.

Our weapons in this fight against the world’s beliefs, its value systems, and its destructive attitudes are prayer to God.  (Jn 17:9) It is obedience to the word of God (Jn 17: 6, 8, 14).  And the power of His name (Jn 17:11).

Being set apart does not mean we are hiding away waiting for Christ to return. God will allow you to be scraped and to be sore but not to be stabbed. You will be hated and hurt but not harmed. Jesus said, “I have overcome the world.” For the Christian as the Apostle Paul reminds us, we are more than conquerors.

Other blogs in this series on Prayer:
https://revheadpin.org/2016/07/13/how-prayer-can-be-like-eating-healthy
https://revheadpin.org/2016/07/20/how-to-pray-with-a-thankful-spirit
https://revheadpin.org/2016/07/27/learning-to-pray-for-others-from-jesus

27 thoughts on “Jesus Teaches Us How to Pray for Deliverance”

  2. Reply
    Mrs. Lady Renaissance says:

    Keith, this is so beautiful and something I needed in order to strengthen my prayer over my kids. The fact that we need to be diligent and wise in the waybthatbwe pray and not go for the obvious, but something thorough and deeper. It can be quite easy to simply pray for a removal o a situation, but it is definitely more than that. Thank you for this post!

    Like

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  10. Reply
    emotionsoflife2016 says:

    I really like this post. I do agree with you on a lot of things and issues and if people feel the peace while praying then I can support that, but we have to remember that prayer has to be done without fear; faith must be present in every word we speak, for in the beginning there was the word, right?

    Liked by 1 person

  11. Reply
    Freedomborn ... Aussie Christian Focus says:

    A powerful Message with great Truth , Thank you Keith, God tells us as we Think so we do , if we believe we will go on sinning until we die or making cobwebs we will instead of aiming to be Perfected in Love, putting our Carnal flesh to death by The Spirit, being Born Again.

    Romans 6:11 Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto Sin but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.

    John 8:34-36 Jesus replied, “I tell you the Truth, everyone who Sins is a slave to Sin. Now a slave has no permanent place in the Family but a son belongs to it forever. So if the Son sets you free you will be free indeed.

    Romans 6:18-20 Being then made free from Sin, ye became the servants of Righteousness.

    1 John 3:9 No one who is Born of God will continue to Sin because God’s seed remains in him he cannot go on Sinning because he has been Born of God.

    1 John 5:18-20 We know that no one who is Born of God Sins but He who was Born of God keeps him and the evil one does not touch him.

    1 John 3: 1-11 ( 6-7 ) Whosoever abideth in Him Sinneth not: whosoever Sinneth hath not seen Him neither known Him. Little children let no Man deceive you he that doeth Righteousness is Righteous, even as He is Righteous.

    1 John 2:28-29 And now, little children, abide in Him; that, when He shall appear we may have confidence and not be ashamed before Him at His coming. If ye know that He is Righteous ye know that every one that doeth Righteousness is Born of Him.

    Romans 8 :12-15 Therefore, brothers, we have an obligation but it is not to the Sinful nature to live according to it or if you live according to the Sinful nature you will die but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.

    Romans 6 :1- 2 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in Sin that grace may abound? God forbid how shall we that are dead to Sin live any longer therein?

    2 Timothy 2:19-21 Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are His. And let every one that nameth the Name of Christ depart from iniquity. But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver but also of wood and of earth and some to honour, and some to dishonour. If a man therefore purge himself from these he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified and meet for the Master’s use and prepared unto every good work.

    2 Timothy 4:1- 4 I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and His Kingdom; Preach the word be instant in season, out of season reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers having itching ears; For the grace of God that bringeth Salvation hath appeared to all Men Teaching us that denying ungodliness and worldly lusts we should live soberly, righteously and godly in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave Himself for us that He might redeem us from all iniquity and purify unto Himself a peculiar people zealous of good works. These things speak and exhort and rebuke with all Authority. Let no man despise thee.(KJV)

    Romans 6:5-7 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of His death we shall be also in the likeness of His resurrection. Knowing this that our old man is crucified with Him that the body of Sin might be destroyed that henceforth we should not serve Sin. For he that is dead is freed from Sin.

    John 8:11 She said, No man Lord. And Jesus said unto her Neither do I condemn thee go and Sin no more.

    Romans 8: 8 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus who walk not after the flesh but after the Spirit.

    1 John 2:4-6 He that saith I know Him and keepeth not His Commandments is a liar and the truth is not in him. But whoso keepeth His word in him verily is the Love of God perfected hereby know we that we are in Him. He that saith he abideth in Him ought himself also so to walk even as He walked.

    Ephesians 4:23-24 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind and that ye put on the new man which after God is created in Righteousness and true Holiness.

    1 John 4:17-19 Herein is our Love made Perfect that we may have boldness in the day of judgment because as He is so are we in this world. There is no fear in Love but Perfect Love casteth out fear because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made Perfect in Love. We Love Him because He first Loved us.

    2 Corinthians 7:1 Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit Perfecting Holiness in the fear of God.

    Titus 2:13-15 Looking for that blessed Hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ who gave Himself for us that He might redeem us from all iniquity and purify unto Himself a peculiar people zealous of good works. These things speak and exhort and rebuke with all Authority. Let no man despise thee.

    Colossians 3:4-6 When Christ who is your life appears then you also will appear with Him in glory. Put to death therefore whatever belongs to your earthly nature sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. Because of these the wrath of God is coming.

    1 Peter 1:21-23 . Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the Truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned Love of the brethren see that ye Love one another with a pure heart fervently: Being Born again not of corruptible seed but of incorruptible by the Word of God which liveth and abideth for ever.

    1 Thessalonians 5:22-24 Abstain from all appearance of evil. And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful is He that calleth you, who also will do it.

    Daniel 12:10 Many shall be Purified and made White and tried but the wicked shall do wickedly and none of the wicked shall understand but the wise shall understand.

    2Corinthians 13:11 Finally, brethren, farewell. Be Perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in Peace and the God of Love and Peace shall be with you.

    Christian Love Always -Anne.

    Liked by 1 person

  12. Reply
    avillamo says:

    One thing I truely enjoy about prayer is that we can talk to God wherver and whenever. I dont have to be in a church to talk to god. The relationship that Jesus has given me with God is incredible and the Holy Spirit is a master truthseeker. Anything asked in Jesus name will be delivered. Thank you for your post.

    Liked by 1 person

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