1. Apostolic prayers are prayers that the apostle prayed in the NT. The chief apostle is Jesus & the 12 apostles have prayers recorded in the NT. These apostolic prayers are God’s very prayers.
2. Apostolic prayers focus on releasing God’s grace instead of hindering or removing negative realities like sin or demons. There is a positive focus on the impartation of good instead of a negative focus on removing the realities of sin.
3. There is a place for “negative” dimensions of prayer that target confessing, resisting & renouncing the realities of the world, flesh & devil. But they are not the major focus of the NT model of praying.
- We embrace the negative dimension of confronting sin as based on the confession model of identification repentance used in Scripture by Daniel, Ezra, Nehemiah, etc.
- Corporate confession of our fathers’ historical sin is a part of biblical praying, but we must employ this dimension of prayer with Holy Spirit sensitivity instead of just doing it automatically by routine.
4. There are about 25 – 30 NT apostolic prayers. Example of apostolic prayer:
Acts 4:24-31; Rom. 10:1; Rom. 15:5 – 7; Rom. 15:13; 1 Cor. 1:4-8; Eph. 1:17-19; Eph. 3:16-19; Phil. 1:9-11; Col. 1:9-12; 1 Thes. 3:9-13; 2 Thes. 1:11-12; 2 Thes. 3:1-5
5. Characteristics of the apostolic prayers
a. Apostolic prayers are God-ward prayers. Essentially, it is God-centered spiritual warfare.
b. Apostolic prayers are focused prayers for the Body of Christ in the city.
c. Apostolic prayers awaken love – loving the LORD, loving the Church, loving the harvest. We fall in love with whoever we pray for.
d. Apostolic prayers are essential in helping us to be grounded in the truth so as to operate in faith.
e. Apostolic prayers are guaranteed prayers. They are prayers that burn in the heart of God! They are like checks that are already signed. They are waiting for a co-signer on the earth.
Outline & Principles for Apostolic Intercession
1. Corporate worship (15min)
a. Using songs that direct us to sing to God, not just about God.
b. Leading all in the room to experience God.
c. Spontaneous worship.
2. Intercession with apostolic prayer (10min)
a. Praying through a biblical passage.
b. Develop a theme through a biblical text – i.e. praying for the Church, nations, etc.
c. Spontaneous singing.
d. Praying in the spirit.
3. Repeat worship cycle
4. Intercession for the nation
5. Intercession for the sick
6. Small group prayer
