We know that prayer is the most important way we communicate with God, but why can that feel so hard? Why is it hard to stay connected to Him and even more challenging to listen for answers? All of us have a “Prayer Pulse.” Your pulse is the vital sign that tells if you’re dead or alive. Prayer functions as that same pulse. Prayer is a weapon… a sword…that keeps us protected and alive in our relationship with the Lord. Sadly, most of us are fighting the devil with the wrong sword. Prayer is a sword, and in this episode, you’ll see why using the right sword changes the way we pray and believe.

In Luke 22:35-38 Jesus shifts the way He instructs the disciples. He reverses His advice regarding how to travel and minister the Gospel of truth. He knew they would be facing new opposition and circumstances after the crucifixion, and His message changed.

Prayer Pulse #1: There will be times when Jesus shifts your life message. Don’t be afraid and don’t ignore it. Lean into it. He’s bringing something new from the shift.

In Luke 22:39-46 we see Jesus instructing the disciples to PRAY (more than once!) He tells them to pray so they won’t enter into temptation.

Prayer Pulse #2: If we’re not careful we’ll sleep right through the opportunities we long to understand if we’d simply pray.

The disciple’s temptation wasn’t what we’d typically think of when we think of being tempted, it was centered on the temptation to run away when things would get hard, to deny their relationship with Jesus, or to think that perhaps God deceived them, or let them down.

In Acts 1:14 we see things shift when the disciples DEVOTE themselves to prayer.

Prayer Pulse #3: When we devote ourselves to prayer, God has room to do the miraculous.

In Acts 4:29-31 we see the disciples pray for three powerful things:

1. To speak the word of God with confidence.

2. To see God’s hand bring healing.

3. To experience signs and wonders through Jesus.

This type of prayer is a sword because it focuses on God’s kingdom not merely our own needs. Today’s church is confused about signs and wonders, but a clear understanding can bring revival and new hope to our lives.

Why do signs and wonders matter? According to author Bill Johnson in When Heaven Invades Earth:

· Signs and wonders reveal the nature of God.

· They expose sin and bring to a decision.

· Signs and wonders bring courage.

· They unify generations.

Ask Gutsy Faith believers, what would happen if we prayed the way the disciples prayed in Acts, and lived expectant of signs and wonders?

GUTSY FAITH RESOURCES:

To schedule a FREE CONSULTATION with Amanda Moore, visit wonderchristiancounseling.com. Needing some additional resources after listening to today’s episode? We got you covered! Visit wonderchristiancounseling.com/resources for more helpful content.

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Episode 107: Fighting with the Wrong Sword