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What do we mean by victorious prayer?

Victorious prayer is not just having good and pure desires; neither does it equal expressed desires. There is more to it.

Victorious prayer is the prayer that God has made powerful and effective. (James 5:16)

Victorious prayer is the prayer that receives the blessing, which was prayed for. Promises become reality.

What are the characteristics of victorious prayer?

It is specific

We cannot expect victory when we pray in a haphazard kind of way. We should be clear in our minds about what we want to pray for and not pray for everything at the same time. There are many examples of victorious prayer in the Bible, and in each case, people had a specific goal in mind.

It is according to God’s will

Victorious prayer is prayer that expresses God’s will. Prayers which are not in accordance with God’s will do not bring victory. We can discover God’s will for our prayers through:

  • Specific and clear promises in God’s Word. These may be promises for something specific as well as general promises which we may claim in particular cases. (1 Tim 2:3, 4; 1 John 5:15)
  • Specific events in everyday life. In that way, God may warn us or point out something which is going to happen. He makes this clear to those who have spiritual discernment. (Acts 16:1-10)
  • The Holy Spirit. When we do not know how to pray the Holy Spirit will teach us (Romans 8:26,27). That is why it is so important to be filled with the Holy Spirit. The Spirit will lead us into praying for the things God wants to answer.

It flows from a humble heart

Being submissive does not mean being indifferent, or having a general kind of confidence that God is going to do what is best anyway. What it does mean, is that we receive and accept the will of God. As long as we are not clear about God’s will we should not give up praying. We only can be submission to the revealed will of God. Submission to an assumed will of God is not submission at all. David’s prayer in 2 Samuel 12:16-23 is an example of this. Therefore, it is important that we do not assume facts beforehand. If we do, how can we be sure that God will be merciful to us?

It flows from pure motives

Do we pray for selfish reasons, or because we feel sorry for people? Instead of praying because God’s Name is being dishonoured, we could be praying for the lost just because we feel sorry for them. The highest motive we must have is God’s honour and His Kingdom, and this brings victory (James 4:1-4).

It is under the guidance of the Holy Spirit

Without the Holy Spirit’s intervention we will not be able to pray effectively. We need the Holy Spirit, for example:

  • To pray in accordance with God’s will. It is the Spirit who reveals God’s will to us. Only the Spirit knows the thoughts of God and wants to reveal them to us (1 Corinthians 2:10-16). To sense God’s will does not mean having a fictitious desire; rather, it is an inward assurance because God’s Spirit testifies with our spirit that this is God’s will. This creates assurance and faith.
  • To pray persistently. To discover God’s will is the first step, but then we must pray with perseverance (Hebrews 10:35, 36). This is where our problem lies, not because we do not know this bur because we fail to do it; or we stop praying too early, without having received the blessing.

It is by faith

We need faith to have victory in prayer (Mark 11:22-24; 1 John 5:4). Faith is a gift of the Holy Spirit. It is not an imagined assurance, but it rests on the revealed will of God. Faith is more than just hoping, it is the inner assurance of things hoped for. Prayer makes the invisible visible (Hebrews 11:1-3). We do not only believe something will happen, we believe that the specific things we asked for in faith will happen (Luke 11:1-13).

It is persistent

It is quite hard not to be distracted, to keep our minds on the things we pray for. Through the Spirit of prayer our hearts must become heavy with the burden and the vision God gives us, so that we are determined to continue in prayer until we have received victory (Zechariah 12:10; Luke 18:1-8; 22:39-46; Acts 4:23-31). This does not mean that we always receive the victory after praying just once, sometimes we need to pray for a longer period of time.

It is empowered with the authority of Jesus

Victorious prayer must be offered in the name of Jesus Christ. Jesus made available to us the authority of His name. This does not mean that we just automatically close a prayer with: ‘In Jesus’ name. Amen.’ It implies that we will remain in Him, obey Him and follow Him (John 15:1-17).

Hindrances to Victorious Prayer

We know that prayer is very important, and yet in practice we experience many hindrances. Some of these hindrances have to do with ourselves:

  • Not paying attention to the Word (Proverbs 28:9)
  • Unconfessed sins (Isaiah 59:1-2)
  • Worry, fear (Matthew 6:25-34)
  • No unity (Matthew 18:19-20)
  • Unforgiveness (Mark 11:25)
  • Living unholy lives (1 Timothy 2:8)
  • Doubt/unbelief (James 4:3)
  • Marriage problems (1 Peter 3:7)
  • Lack of insight regarding the times in which we live (1 Peter 4:7)
  • Not praying according to God’s will (1 John 5:14-15)

Personal guilt as well as collective guilt can be a hindrance. Nehemiah not only confessed his own sins, but also those of the entire nation (Nehemiah 1:6-7).

How to Grow in Leading a Victorious Christian Life

Spiritual warfare is a daily ingredient of the circumstances in which we live. We still live in occupied territory, so how can we learn to lead a constant life of victory over the enemy? Below are a few practical tips:

  • Know and live in Jesus’ authority. We have been redeemed out of satan’s hand. We stand in the total victory of Jesus (Revelation 12:11).
  • Be constantly filled with the Holy Spirit and walk in the Spirit, not after the lusts of the flesh (Galatians 5:16; Ephesians 5:18).
  • Stay away from occult practices. If you have already dabbled in these, then renounce them and ask God to forgive you for each thing you have done that has dishonoured God.
  • Keep the sinful nature crucified with Christ (Galatians 2:20). This we do by having faith in Christ.
  • Wear a garment of praise (Isaiah 61:3); be joyful always, pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18).
  • Fellowship with other Christians regularly (Hebrews 10:25).
  • Cut any association with those who would draw you back into sinful or occult activities (2 Thessalonians 3:6; 1 Corinthians 5:9; Ephesians 5:11).
  • Actively resist satan and whatever he tries to get you to do, e. reject his influence (James 4:7; Colossians 3:8). This is particularly true for your mind.
  • Wear the whole armour of God (Ephesians 6:10-18).
  • Live in freedom. Your salvation and redemption are complete (2 Corinthians 3:17).
  • Be clear in your communication.
  • Deal with frustrations.