Point of Grace Worship 2.23.25 Sermon Notes – “Show Up to Armor Up – And Pray “I love You” Prayers
Ephesians 6 18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.
Ephesians 3:16-19 16 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
“Prayer (I include worship as prayer) is such a wonderful tool to celebrate, contemplate and receive Jesus as lover of our souls. Prayer is also the vital means for returning and reciprocating loving affections back to Him. The quality of my prayer life deepened when I learned to say “I love you” back to Jesus …… to adore Him as lover of my soul and let His love for me, when contemplated, draw out and ignite from within me deep affection for Him. This living in an affectionate, reciprocating, communicative love relationship with Jesus is a powerful defense and offense in spiritual warfare with the enemy. Satan does not “get love” it flabbergasts him. That is why the scriptures say that Jesus triumphed over the enemy through the cross. The cross is the ultimate love expression.”
John 21:15-19 15 When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.” 16 Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.” 17 The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my sheep.
Jesus is not only assuring Peter of His love for him. Jesus is discipling Peter in expressing love back to Jesus. Life with Jesus is not a one-way love. His incredible sacrificial love for us makes possible a love relationship which we are fully engaged in expressing love back to Him.
“The quality of my prayer life deepened when I learned to say “I love you” back to Jesus …… to adore Him as lover of my soul and let His love for me, when contemplated, draw out and ignite from within me deep affection for Him.”
More words that matter as we pray with authority against evil.
“Jesus, I love you … … …” (then let expressions of affectionate love just flow from your lips)
Luke 7:36-50 36 When one of the Pharisees invited Jesus to have dinner with him, he went to the Pharisee’s house and reclined at the table. 37 A woman in that town who lived a sinful life learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee’s house, so she came there with an alabaster jar of perfume. 38 As she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them. 39 When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would know who is touching him and what kind of woman she is—that she is a sinner.” 40 Jesus answered him, “Simon, I have something to tell you.” “Tell me, teacher,” he said. 41 “Two people owed money to a certain moneylender. One owed him five hundred denarii,[c] and the other fifty. 42 Neither of them had the money to pay him back, so he forgave the debts of both. Now which of them will love him more?” 43 Simon replied, “I suppose the one who had the bigger debt forgiven.”
“You have judged correctly,” Jesus said.
44 Then he turned toward the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. 45 You did not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet. 46 You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet. 47 Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—as her great love has shown. But whoever has been forgiven little loves little.” 48 Then Jesus said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” 49 The other guests began to say among themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?” 50 Jesus said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”
“Moving Mountains – Praying with Passion, Confidence and Authority” by John Eldridge
Some Words that Matter as we Pray with Authority “in Jesus name”.
- proclaiming and declaring what is true over ourselves and others
- I confess (sin, weakness, reality)
- I receive (forgiveness, truth, grace)
- I renounce … (sin, evil’s lies, demonic claims and strongholds, agreements with untruth)
- I now bring the Kingdom of God, the authority rule and dominion of the Lord Jesus Christ, the fulness of the work of Christ, His Life, Death, Resurrection and Ascension against satan and against his kingdom, against every force presence of evil coming against me, my family, my kingdom and domain today I bind, banish and cut them off from me and mine in the Mighty Name of Jesus. Amen
- “Jesus, I love you … … …” (then let expressions of affectionate love flow from your lips)
A Daily Prayer for Putting on the Armor of God
My dear Lord Jesus Christ, I come to You now to be restored in You, to be renewed In You. All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to You – You alone are worthy to receive all glory, honor, thanks and praise. Today, I renew my allegiance to You as my Savior, Friend, Lord and King and take my place alongside You as a Beloved Son/Daughter of our Heavenly Father. I love you and thank You for saving me and for the forgiveness of sins through the victory of the cross and resurrection. Thank You, that You triumphed over all principalities and powers and I stand in that victory today believing that no weapon formed against me can prosper.
(Note: Here, you might also want to declare this over your family /friends /church – name them before the Lord)
In the Mighty Name of Jesus, I put on the full armor of God today.
I buckle on the belt of truth. I believe You are the Truth, Jesus. I renounce the devil as a liar and surrender to You as Truth and your word as the truth. I confess I am vulnerable to believing lies from the devil, myself and the world around me. I repent and ask You to purge my mind and heart of all untruths. You are truth and I am in You.
I put on the breastplate of righteousness. I am a new creation, and I have received the righteousness of Christ. I renounce all my attempts to prove my self-worth, validate the value of my existence and author my own version of rightness. Jesus, I receive afresh your righteous sacrifice for me as an unmerited gift – a covering of value, worth and righteousness found only in You which protects my vulnerable heart as a breastplate. Therefore, no claim can be made against me this day.
I put on the shoes of the gospel of peace. By faith I stand, firm-footed, in Your ‘Calvary-love’ that forgives my sins and grants me perfect peace with God. I walk forward today in confidence ready to join You, Jesus, in Your Mission to share this good news with others.
I put on the Helmet of Salvation. Renew my mind afresh. I confess my thinking can be deceived. I renounce the mental influences of my own sinfulness, the enemy’s deceptions and the world’s perspectives and declare my mind set apart for You, Holy Spirit to govern. You have not given me a spirit of fear, but of power, of love and a sound mind. I entrust my mind to You.
I lift up the shield of faith to resist the fiery darts of the enemy. My faith is in You and You alone—I trust in Your Pardon, Your Promises, Your Power, Your Presence! Help me to stay close, locking shields with my fellow soldiers in Your family of faith. Anoint me with Your Holy Spirit. Soak my heart, my mind and my life in the living water of Your faith-building Word. I turn from every fear, anxiety and doubt as I lift up the Shield of Faith to declare, “I trust You Jesus… help me trust You more.”
I take up the sword of the Spirit, the word of God. Jesus, You said “the word of God lives in you, and you have overcome the evil one.” Holy Spirit, bring to my memory and to my mouth specific Scriptures, and help me to wield Your powerful Word skillfully against every scheme and attack of the enemy. When it comes to Your Word, I will soak it in, store it up, speak it forth, pray it over, and sing it out—trusting in Your promise that “the words I have spoken to you are Spirit and Life.”
In the victory of Jesus I advance today knowing that the weapons of my warfare are not human, but mighty in God to pull down strongholds, to cast down imaginations and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God bringing every thought captive making it obedient to Christ. In Jesus name, I break the strongholds of Satan formed against me today, and choose to make Godly decisions this day, by the grace of God. I rejoice in You today, Jesus; may Your joy be my strength as Your grace and mercy follow my life.
Amen
A Bedtime Prayer (Enforcing the Kingdom of God Against Evil)
My dear Lord Jesus, I come to you now to be restored in you, to be renewed in you, to take refuge in you. I honor you as my sovereign Lord, and I surrender every aspect of my life totally and completely to you. I give you my spirit, soul, and body, my heart, mind, and will. I cover myself with your blood, and I ask your Holy Spirit to restore me in you, renew me in you, and lead this time of prayer.
I proclaim the kingdom of God and the authority of the Lord Jesus Christ over my home and all things in it. [If you live in an apartment, use “apartment.” If you have only a room under your authority in someone else’s home, use “my room.” If you share a room, use “my bunk” or “my side of the room.”] I consecrate and sanctify my home and everything in it to the Lord Jesus Christ and to the Kingdom of God. I bring the cross, resurrection, and ascension of the Lord Jesus Christ throughout my home tonight—through every object and furnishing, bed and bedding, all media and icons, all books and magazines, movies and music, toys and games, through the atmosphere in every room, throughout the ceilings, walls, floors, and all places in them, from the land beneath to the roof above and all around this home tonight.
I take my place in the cross, resurrection, and ascension of the Lord Jesus Christ. I now bring the authority of the Lord Jesus Christ and the fullness of the work of Christ against Satan and his kingdom. I bring the cross, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ against every foul and unclean spirit—every ruler, power, authority, and spiritual force of wickedness [you might need to get specific: “Including all spirits of fear, death, torment, accusation,” etc. You know what’s been attacking you. It has more power if you name them specifically.] I command every foul and unclean spirit bound and banished from my home and from my household, with every backup and replacement, every weapon and device, in the authority of the Lord Jesus Christ and in his name.
I now bring the authority of the Lord Jesus Christ and the fullness of the work of Christ—his cross, resurrection, and ascension—against every foul power, witchcraft, and black art. I cut them off in the name of the Lord. No weapon forged against me shall prosper (Isaiah 54:17). I bring the cross and blood of Jesus Christ against every form of hex, vex, and incantation; against every spell, ritual, vow, dedication, and sacrifice; against every word, judgment, and curse. I command them broken and bound from my home this night in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.
I now bring the authority of the Lord Jesus Christ and the fullness of the work of Christ between me and all people—their spirit, soul, and body, their sin, warfare, and corruption. [It may help to name those people now—extended family, folks you have been ministering to, anyone you know is judging you.] I send every human spirit bound back to their body; I command all of their sin, warfare, and corruption bound back to the work of Christ in their life, and I forbid it to transfer to me.
I summon the angels of the Lord Jesus Christ and instruct them to build a shield of protection around me and my home (Hebrews 1:14). I ask your Holy Spirit to fill my home with your presence, with the peace of God and the love of Christ. I ask you to send forth your Spirit to raise up prayer and intercession for me this night. I now call forth and command the Kingdom of God and the authority, rule, and dominion of the Lord Jesus Christ throughout my home and throughout my household, all through the hours of this night and through the new day, in the authority of the Lord Jesus Christ and in his name.
Amen