Main Scriptural Reference

Romans 8:12-17

14 – For those who are led by the SPIRIT of GOD are the children of GOD.

15 – The SPIRIT you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the SPIRIT you received brought about your adoption to sonship.

16 – The SPIRIT HIMSELF testifies with our spirit that we are GOD’s children.

17 – Now if we are children, then we are heirs — heirs of GOD and co-heirs with CHRIST, if indeed we share in HIS sufferings in order that we may also share in HIS glory.

Verse 14

Romans 8:14 – For those who are led by the SPIRIT of GOD are the children of GOD.

The process of becoming a child of GOD.

This simply means that not all people, are the children of GOD. For someone to become a child of GOD, that person needs to be led by GOD’s SPIRIT.

This first step is very important for the effectiveness of your prayer. That’s why when others pray, their prayer is effective as compared to others.

James 5:16 – Therefore, confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.

Prayer becomes effective when it is mixed with righteousness.

You cannot divorce prayer from righteousness and think that your prayer will be effective. It doesn’t work like that. Righteousness should be the foundation of our prayer.

Prayers are heard, when we are in good terms with the LORD. Prayers without JESUS, is just wastage of your time.

Prayer is not for everyone. Prayers are not for the Church goers, preachers, Apostles, or Prophets. Prayers are for the children of GOD.

A child – Sense of belonging! Implying that you are not alone. You have Someone above you. You’ve Someone responsible for you.

Galatians 3:26 – So, in CHRIST JESUS you are all children of GOD through faith.

1 John 3:1 – See what great love the FATHER has lavished on us, that we should be called children of GOD!

How does someone become a child of GOD?

John 15:16 – You did not choose ME, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in My Name, He may give it to you.

Yohane 15:16 (3 issues to consider):

1. You did not choose ME – This is where it all starts. Ministry has a starting point, and it starts with calling.
2. but I chose you – We paid nothing, and we did nothing! We were just chosen!

Ephesians 2:8-9 – For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of GOD not by works, so that no one can boast.

John 1:12-13 – Yet to all who did receive HIM, to those who believed in HIS NAME, HE gave the right to become children of GOD, children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of GOD.

You can’t talk to GOD unless you are HIS child. What is very key is to build that FATHER-son relationship. This comes by receiving CHRIST JESUS as your LORD.

3. appointed you – It pleased HIM.

We were taken from nowhere and put somewhere!

This was done for 2 reasons:

• (1) That you should go (Ministry of going)

Genesis 12:1 – Now the Lord had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father’s house, unto a land that I will shew thee)

GOD called Abram and gave him directions. GOD is talking to a 75-year-old man, that he will become the father of nations. This doesn’t make sense. However, Abram is still seeing sense out of this. Sometimes, what GOD tells us may not sound ‘sensible’. But we just need to do it.

Psalms 23:3 – HE refreshes my soul. HE guides me along the right paths for HIS NAME’s sake.

• (2) And bear fruit and that your fruit should abide; so that whatever you ask the FATHER in MY NAME, HE may give it to you.

Going with a vision/goal.

Sustainability.

Having an end in mind.

When going into the Ministry, you are looking at how to sustain it! Having an end in mind – Visionaire.

JESUS is also teaching us on how best to pray. Pray to GOD the FATHER, in the NAME of JESUS!

Understand the OFFICE of GOD, you are dealing with at any particular time!

We serve a very organized GOD!

What is Prayer?

A communication between GOD and HIS children.

A discussion that takes place between GOD and HIS children.

This refers to a 2-way communication.

This shapes how prayer should be conducted.

You are not speaking to the wind. You are talking to GOD.

A prayer should be addressed to GOD. Know the ONE you are talking to. (An important element, when praying)

Prayer is a dialogue that takes place between GOD and HIS children.

Prayer is a conversation with GOD.

Most people do not pray. That’s the plan of the devil for he knows, once people start praying, then he is finished. That’s why most people do not invest quality time in prayer. Check how much time you invest in prayer. The issue is not how we pray. The issue is that we pray.

Prayer is not about how long we pray. Prayer is about making time to meet my GOD! (It’s about having a quality time with GOD!)

Every conversation begins by addressing the person to whom you are speaking to by name. JESUS begins with “Our FATHER in heaven (Matthew 6:9–13).” HE focuses on a distinct person – the Heavenly FATHER, implying a personal relationship.

We share the same right to call GOD “FATHER,” and there are times when we need to talk with our ABBA FATHER, DADDY GOD.

FATHER – Provider, Controller. Someone WHO works for you. Someone WHO provides for you.

HE will provide for us, teach us, discipline us and help us to grow and become mature Christians.

1 Thessalonians 5:17 – Pray without ceasing.

We need to continually be in good terms with our LORD. You talk to someone with whom you’ve a good relationship.

Prayer brings the power and the presence closer to you! Prayer cements your relationship with GOD. Prayer activates the heavenly powers.

Verse 15

Romans 8:15 – The SPIRIT you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the SPIRIT you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by HIM we cry, “Abba, Father.”

Who is a slave? – Someone who lives in fear!

We are no longer afraid! We used to be slaves. But we are no longer slaves.

Romans 6:22 (NIV) – But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of GOD, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life.

Since we’ve become children of GOD, we may now, by the same SPIRIT, cry!!!!! Abba, Father! (Daddy GOD!)

Prayers are not for the un-saved.

Psalms 24:3-4 (NIV) – Who may ascend the mountain of the Lord? Who may stand in HIS Holy place? The one who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not trust in an idol or swear by a false god.

Only children of GOD are worthy to stand and appear before the LORD.

Verse 16

Romans 8:16 – The SPIRIT HIMSELF testifies with our spirit that we are GOD’s children.

The HOLY SPIRIT now becomes our Guider! HE controls our actions, which builds our character! We now stop doing things anyhow! The HOLY SPIRIT keeps on reminding us that we are a new creation!

2 Corinthians 5:17 – Therefore, if anyone is in CHRIST, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!

Places we used to visit, we visit them no more! The food we used to eat, we eat no more! Drinks we used to drink, we drink no more!

Verse 17

Romans 8:17 – Now if we are children, then we are heirs — heirs of GOD and co-heirs with CHRIST, if indeed we share in HIS sufferings in order that we may also share in HIS glory.

An heir is someone who is legally entitled to inherit the property or title.

Being an heir is defined by 3 key scenarios:

• Blood – The Blood shed on Calvary!
• Marriage – We are married to CHRIST – HE is the Bridegroom!
• Adoption – We’ve been adopted to sonship!

We now become legally entitled to GOD’s possessions!

• Sickness doesn’t exist as part of GOD’s possessions → You are legally entitled to good health.
• Poverty doesn’t exist as part of GOD’s possessions → You are legally entitled to prosperity.
• Limitation doesn’t exist as part of GOD’s possessions → You are legally entitled to exploits.
• Sin doesn’t exist as part of GOD’s possessions → You are legally entitled to holiness.

Conclusion

Don’t give up, you were positioned for greatness.

1 Peter 2:9 (NKJV) – … you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, HIS Own special people (possession), that you may proclaim the praises of HIM Who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.