Welcome back to part 4 of our series How to see His miracles of power, release through you !
Before we start let’s recap from our last part !
Last time we looked at
Mark 9:28
And when He had come into the house, His disciples asked Him privately, “Why could we not cast it out?”
At this moment in scripture the disciples had realised that although they had been anointed by Jesus to do incredible miracles. There was still a lot they, needed to know about, how miracles happen.
They had seen an area of their ministry that was not working. Then they had seen a person in this case ‘Jesus’ who did something they could not do. So rather than try to solve the problem themself or be hurt by the experience. They went straight to the person, who was able to do what the could not. They asked them or in this case Jesus, why it did not work for them.
I proposed a thought how this can so often happen to us ! At these points in our life’s and ministries. This can lead us to bitterness,resentment or breakthrough the choice is ours !
I shared that I believe the Spirit of the Lord has distributed gifts, talents at varies levels across the body of Christ. I believe we are called to give. What He has given to us, hence equipping others for their ministries. Then in turn receive from others, gifts or talents that they carry of the Lord. So that we also grow and are equipped to be more effective in our ministries. So hence we all become mature and effective servants of the Lord. This is what I believe Jesus’s life modelled and His last message ‘The great commission’ (Matthew 28:16-20) truly means.
Today we are going to look at Jesus response or answer to the question the disciples asked him. “Why could we not cast it out?”
So He said to them, “This kind can come out by nothing but prayer and fasting.” Mark 9:29
Today we will look at the first of the list ‘Prayer’
I believe Jesus purposely started the list with prayer as it was something the scripture say He did regularly. Taking time to slip away and spend time with His Father ! It was and had become Jesus key to why His ministry was growing and becoming so powerful and successful. Jesus knew that without an understanding of this, His disciples would and could not be effective when He left them. I believe He was planting a seed here, that would one day be fully understood and become clear for the disciples and it did ! So when did the importance of prayer become fully understood.
Lets read
Now it came to pass, as He was praying in a certain place, when He ceased, that one of His disciples said to Him, “Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.” (Luke 11:1)
I think the last few words of this scripture are very ‘ interesting as John also taught his disciples’
This is very fascinating as scriptures don’t say how John taught his disciples to pray. Some Theologians, say that John taught His disciples the Jewish prayer called Kaddish, also translated as Qaddish. It was a hymn praising God that’s recited during Jewish prayer services.
But is this what the disciples are meaning here ?
Maybe they could’ve be referring to John life message and prayer “He must increase, but I must decrease” (John 3:30)
Or was it simply, that the disciples were now witnessing Jesus praying and did not have words to describe what they had just seen. So had simply added their last understanding of prayer onto the end of their request.
After all a few verses before the same thing had happen when Peter James and John saw Jesus’s transfiguration on the mountain when He was praying.
Luke 9:28
Now it came to pass, about eight days after these sayings, that He took Peter, John, and James and went up on the mountain to pray.
Luke 9:33
Then it happened, as they were parting from Him, that Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it is good for us to be here; and let us make three tabernacles: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah”—not knowing what he said.
Were the disciples having another moment like this ! Were they suddenly again not knowing what they were saying ?
This sounds more feasible and in turn with the nature of the disciples.
The main thing here is that the disciples recognised that praying like Jesus did, was humanly impossible.
As it was intimately one on one with God. Jesus was actually sitting with the Father and talking directly with Him in these times ! Wow
I am sure if I saw this, I would be loss for words too.
I believe this was what Jesus was trying to describe as the prayer needed to heal the boy.
He had sat with the Father and heard His voice repeatedly, taking time to know His Father and His nature. Jesus also continually spent time with the Father, listening to His wisdom, revelation, learning about the Fathers will for His life on earth. Jesus grew so intimate with the Father, the scriptures say they became one. When this happened, it did not matter what was happening around Him or how noisey it was !
When the Father spoke, That was all JESUS heard.
I believe this is possible for us to achieve too, through our relationship with Jesus ! Now thats something to look forward to and work towards.
I truly believe that the level of ministry, miracles and power realeased through you, by the Father through Jesus and the Holy Spirit. Is in the direct proportion to how much you know Him and His goodness ! This can only be done and cultivated, in the secret place, with Him, which is called prayer.
Challenge Time
- Spend more time with Him they before. In these times be quiet,learn to hear His voice, taking time to know Him, His goodness and His nature. Also listening to His wisdom, revelation and experience His Love and goodness !
- Now when you’re out in the crowds, listen and see if you can hear Him.
- Do what He says ! Now you are beginning to do what Jesus did.
- Give Him thanks
Father I ask that you would meet your children face to face, Jesus that you would truly meet with us in our time of prayer in person. Holy Spirit that You would share with us Jesus and take us into the Kingdom ! Amen
For those your would like to place a seed at the alter or plant a seed finically to the Lord to 2024. Or maybe contribute towards His House, we are currently building. To equip the saints for ministry and release His word in a variety of ways from.
Below is a link so you can do this online.
https://give.tithe.ly/?formId=87bf3759-ef4a-4ae2-ac5d-902b82587e44
Or our bank account details for New Zealand memebers,
Encounter Centre – 03-0481-0007448-000
If you require a receipt for tax purposes please email to info@ecounterministries.org.nz
Craig Patten
Founding Pastor/Prophet
Encounter Centre and Ministries