Put the Enemy in its Place

There are those today progressing in an Apostolic call with an increasing anointing and authority. And it is only the increasing experiential dimension of that manifested jurisdiction which will result in the establishment of the church in the way originally intended (Eph.2:20; 3:3-5; 4:11-16). But this will not take place for those cruising on "automatic." This is because the foundation does not consist of simply adhering to a doctrine of Apostleship, or by confessing that Christ still calls men and women to be Apostles today, or even by calling them all together to gather to network and encourage one another.

Since this process of foundational restoration is surely available to us, how does its emergence take place? The "now" dimension of the Kingdom manifests and expands in our midst through Apostolic preaching and demonstration of the Gospel. Apostolic foundational restoration of the church cannot be separated from a signs, wonders and miracles Jesus who is "the same yesterday, and today, and forever" (Heb.13:8; 2Cor.12:12). Intercession which is authentically Apostolic and Prophetic will increase the felt presence of the Lord for all those who participate in this type of warfaring advance. This is especially true for Apostles and Prophets who release themselves in prayer with Christ. And it will lead to the whole body being raised into activation of the graces of God and Christ through the Holy Spirit (Eph.2:19-22).

If truly Apostolic ministry, the restoration and establishment of it among us releases the overcoming nature of Christ in the Church and throughout the Earth. The question before us however, is this: "Is Christ functioning through us by the Spirit, or are we functioning in the religious hope of establishing ourselves or pleasing Him through natural means or Bible-logic which is convincing to self and others?" If we are truly interceding, we will move far beyond religious hopes and Bible-logic by flowing with Christ, becoming privy to the desire expressed in His own prayer. If we will truly intercede with Him, we shall become aligned with His ongoing request- living out the answer as we walk in the grace provided by the Father (Psa.110:1-3). From this we see the extent to which Apostolic/Prophetic intercession is a life giving encounter which joins with both Christ's prayer and the Father's plan- advancing through the power of the Holy Spirit.

As Christ increases the church in an Apostolic authority by the people receiving and applying the revelation of His desire, the Body will come to stand aligned within God-ordained "spheres" (2Cor.10:8-18). It is in and through "spheres" that the church is Apostolically effective. This calls for a redefinition of our efforts at unity in cities, regions and states to move beyond ministerial gatherings and cross denominational shows of force. This instead requires us to move into relationships which are first and foremost a matter of kindredness, common calling and mutually beneficial function. Real relationships work for everyone involved, making each and everyone involved stronger, increasing the greater presence of Christ throughout the totality of the "sphere." Only when such relationships are built and functioning will the Devil have to back off of what Hell illegally squats, retreating before the authority of the King administered by a pervasive release of Apostolic function through the church.

What are the ramifications of this eternal reality about intercession for us? Whether Apostle, Prophet, other ministry gift or one gifted by the Spirit in the body of Christ, interceding is done in private, often going unnoticed, and by remaining hidden with Him. But this is not to anyone's shame. It is instead so that the reward will come from the Lord, not from those who would congratulate anyone for being effective (Mt.6:6). Such praise would probably result in becoming promoted into public prayer leadership, frequently for those God did not call to function as such (Mt.6:5-7). This may sound harsh or unfair, yet it is not only Christ's teaching but also the example throughout the New Testament.

Many have placed what they call "intercession" out front with the gifts of Christ. Some have even put intercession ahead of the governing functions of Christ's grace- meaning that Prophets and Apostles have looked to those praying for guidance rather than to the Lord Himself. This not only gives exposes those who faithfully pray to a responsibility that is not Christ's blueprint, but it also opens them to attacks and dangers they are not equipped to face. Others have either made "intercessors" the means of moving forward (by number & support), or the scapegoat for not advancing (by their lack of diligence or difficulty in leading them).

The New Testament clearly shows that it is the Apostolic preaching of the Gospel which advances the Church. It also examples that this assault on the enemy comes from a one-two foundational Apostolic/Prophetic 'punch' through prayer which leads to war (Acts 1:12-14; 6:4; 13:1-3). But in many instances today, Apostles and Prophets have excused themselves from their responsibility to intercede with Christ by making it the responsibility of others.

Everyone has a part in what God is doing, but the result of prayerlessness among ministers is that many function totally dependent on the spiritual diligence of others. In such cases the only time they experience the presence of God is when they are before the people to publicly minister. Such a lifestyle makes it impossible to Prophetically perceive and receive the Apostolic priority and purpose of Christ by the Holy Spirit. Therefore, Christ's will cannot take place in the Earth. The Church fails whenever those called to be Apostles and Prophets neglect to enter into the ongoing prayer of Jesus.

The omission of Apostles and Prophets to pray and preach has also resulted in the development of many substitutional emphases by both them and others as well. Christians have become involved with intercessory programs and pursuits when they are otherwise not a part of the church through the en masse pooling of intercessory resources. Countless Christians who call themselves "intercessors" have no relationship to any spiritual authority whatsoever apart from intermingling with Christians of various leadership structures during such intercessory gatherings or in intercession "houses."

To combat this para-mania, more than a few congregations have made intercession the church's most visible public gathering and emphasis beyond that of regular worship. Countless parachurch ministries have been formed, many of which are exclusively devoted to intercession as well. While good purposes have been served by these and other similar structures and efforts, this is not God's best. And all of this has its roots in the breakdown of the Apostolic function, priority and form of advance which puts and keeps the preaching of the Gospel and demonstration of the Kingdom out front where Christ put it (Acts 1:8; Mt.28:18-20; 1Cor.12:28). 

Because of this lack of prayer and preaching with demonstration there is a dearth of perceiving what God wants accomplished as well as how it is to be achieved. All of us need to face and remain aware that many times intercessory prayer (in particular) is used as the means for supporting agendas that establish and protect self more than advance the Name, purpose and plan of Jesus Christ.

Simply put, the agenda has not often enough been God's. Marching orders have not often enough come from Heaven. Instead, more often these "orders" have come from within the natural understanding of what is culturally understood as what God cares about. But these are often nothing really nothing more than thinly veiled, barely disguised efforts to convince others through religious talk which sounds so spiritual. Christ is not concerned with quests and causes which arise out of a self-righteousness inundated with the spirit of the world. Such "calls" seek to further or protect the visible form of "who we are" financially, personally, organizationally and even nationally (Ja.4:3). But these cries will neither be heard nor answered (Isa.59:1-2; 1Jn.5:14-15).

Apostle Bill & Prophet Nancy Click
RIVER OF POWER MINISTRIES
rpmclicks@juno.com
www.riverofpower.org