Rules of Engagement

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I want to speak to you today about the rules of engagement in spiritual warfare and prayer.

[Matthew 6:5-18 KJV] “And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are : for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward”. [6] “But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly”.

[7] “But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do : for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking”. [8] “Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him”.

[9] “After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. [10] Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. [11] Give us this day our daily bread. [12] And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. [13] And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

[14] For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: [15] But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

[16] Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. [17] But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face; [18] That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.

The Lord taught His disciples on some simple things that increase the power of prayer and makes it effective;

Don’t be as the hypocrites who love the praise of men.
Don’t use vain repetition as the heathen do.
Pray after a manner.
Forgive all men who trespass against you.
Be not as the hypocrite when you fast, but anoint yourself and wash your face.

Four key things that fight prayer are hypocrisy, heathenism, ambiguity, and unforgiveness.

Sincerity

Whenever we pray, the Lord wants us to be sincere and honest with our prayer. We should not pray because we want men to see us. We should not pray because we want the praise of men. Such prayers do not yield any benefits or results. We must learn to pray with sincerity.

Heart Attitude

In much that same way, when you fast, don’t keep long sad faces as the heathen do; rather wash your face and anoint yourselves. The Lord is interested in the state of our hearts and not the appearances we put up. God looks at the heart, but men look on the outward appearance. God does not see as a man sees. I pray that all of us will be sincere in our hearts towards God. I pray that you will be sincere in your quest to find God and be endued with power from on high.

Manner

Prayer must have a manner, a protocol, a structure, and details. Inasmuch as prayer is talking to our Heavenly Father, it must be clear and straightforward about what we want. God wants our prayers to have a manner. God wants us to pay after a manner. I decree that as you lift up prayer in this season, you shall have answers. May the Lord respect the cry of your voice! Receive the boldness to ask for whatsoever thing you desire. May you receive the help of the Holy Spirit to make your request know unto God! You will know what to say and how to say it from today!

Forgiveness

The last key factor in effective prayer is forgiveness. What you have done will not stop your prayer as much as you holding grudges against others. God may not be able to forgive people you have not forgiven, especially people who sinned against you. To forgive is divine, and the same manner in which you forgive, you shall be forgiven.

These are the rules of engagement. These are the factors that govern the encounter with God in prayer and fasting. I decree that the Lord will answer each of us speedily. May this season of waiting bring goodness and mercy and grace! May we rise to the heights!