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Petition & Supplication: The Difference!
Mike Murdock: "The price for God's presence is time spent in it!"
We cannot lay down our lives for others as Christ did on the cross, but we CAN lay down our lives for others by sacrificing our time and faith to pray for them!
Praying for another is the supreme act of love!
There is no higher privilege on this earth than standing between God and another person in prayer, in effect joining the Father's hands to theirs.
Petition & Supplication: The Difference!
1. PETITION
Mark 11:22-24 (KJV) - And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God. 23 For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith. 24 Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.
I gotta believe I got it before I get it!
I POSSESS WHAT I CONFESS!
FATHER, RIGHT NOW I BELIEVE I RECEIVE (fill in the blank) in Jesus name!
You and I have been given a BLANK CHECK from the Father! "Ask and Ye shall receive!" Wow!
I gotta believe I got it before I get it!
1 John 5:14-15 (AMP) - And this is the confidence (the assurance, the privilege of boldness) which we have in Him: [we are sure] that if we ask anything (make any request) according to His will (in agreement with His own plan), He listens to and hears us. 15. And if (since) we [positively] know that He listens to us in whatever we ask, we also know [with settled and absolute knowledge] that we have [granted us as our present possessions] the requests made of Him.
I gotta believe I got it before I get it!
2. SUPPLICATION
SUPPLICATE or SUFFOCATE!
Hebrews 5:7-9 (KJV) - Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared; 8 Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; 9 And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;
THE BIBLE GIVES US NUMEROUS SNAPSHOTS OF SUPPLICATION SO THAT WE UNDERSTAND WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE:
- Jacob wrestling with an angel all night long.
- Jesus praying in the Garden of Gethsemmane in earnest with sweat mixed with blood.
- Hannah praying for a child with tears and passion.
- Hezekiah praying not to die and for a longer life.
- I HAVE HEARD THY PRAYERS AND SEEN THY TEARS.
- If Jesus Himself had to supplicate on occasion to get delivered, how much more will we!
Supplication is petition mixed with intensity and tears. The situation is so urgent or the pressure is so great that mere requests (petition) is not enough for a breakthrough. In a sense it is warfare with one's own heart and the evil that surrounds us. To supplicate is to rend one's heart before the Lord. It's getting real and transparent by pressing through all the obstacles inside us until real relief comes to our heart and a sense of assurance is gained. It's intense. It's strong. It lays everything on the table before the Lord and holds nothing back. Brutal honesty with God is required. Reminding God of His covenant promises is necessary. Pressing through negative emotions and pain is necessary.
I gotta believe I got it before I get it!
In some matters of prayer, I simply cannot BELIEVE I GOT IT BEFORE I GET IT without some serious supplication. In other matters, my heart is able to believe I got it before I get it after a simple petition spoken to God. Depending on the situation and depending on the condition of my own heart determines whether petition or supplication is necessary. If I am honest with myself, I KNOW WHEN I HAVE FAITH FOR SOMETHING OR NOT. No need to lie to myself. Instead I must supplicate until I sense genuine faith rising in my heart!
There are dark forces arrayed against us that fight to hinder our prayers. This is another reason that intense supplication is sometimes necessary. We have to PIERCE THE DARKNESS! Supplication is DRILLING THROUGH!
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