GlobalChristians

Anointed to Pray

A youth camp bible study by John Edmiston
for a deeper treatment of the Christian's anointing see the article The Christian's Anointing

1 John 2:20,21,24-27 But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and all of you know the truth. 21 I do not write to you because you do not know the truth, but because you do know it and because no lie comes from the truth. ... 24 See that what you have heard from the beginning remains in you. If it does, you also will remain in the Son and in the Father. 25 And this is what he promised us--even eternal life. 26 I am writing these things to you about those who are trying to lead you astray. 27 As for you, the anointing you received from him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about all things and as that anointing is real, not counterfeit--just as it has taught you, remain in him.

These verses are the only place in the New Testament where Christians are said to have an anointing.

What does the anointing do?

Who has it?

Why do we need it?

In the Old Testament kings and priests and prophets were anointed. However in the New Testament:

1 Peter 2:9-10 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. 10 Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

We are all priests and kings now because of the grace of God. Because of what Jesus has done for us we now have an
exalted place in the heavenly realms and we are all "anointed ones". Let's look at some more verses, first of all at the mind-blowing Matthew 11:11-13.

Matthew 11:11-13 I tell you the truth: Among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. 12 From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been forcefully advancing, and forceful men lay hold of it. 13 For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John.

Did you know that the least Christian is greater than the Old Testament saints such as John the Baptist, Elijah, and Moses.
Notice I did not say "better" I said "greater" because that's what the Bible says, that's what Jesus said. Greater simply because in Jesus we have a higher place than Old Testament saints. We are not better we have just received more grace.
What is this "high place" I keep talking about? Lets look at a few more verses.

Ephesians 2:6-7 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 7 in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.

Ephesians 1:20-21 which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, 21 far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come.

John 17:22-24 I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: 23 I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. 24 "Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world.

Colossians 3:1-4 Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. 3 For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

We have been admitted into the inner counsels of God. We are seated with Christ at God's right hand far above all power and dominion. We have been given glory from God and our life is hidden with Christ in God.

The great authority and power we now wield goes unappreciated by most Christians. We are generals in God's army - who have forgotten how to use their authority. Paul gives us an interesting glance into the authority of the believer in 1 Corinthians 6:3.

1 Corinthians 6:3 Do you not know that we will judge angels? How much more the things of this life!

We also have the authority to combat and overcome the forces of darkness:

Ephesians 6:12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

2 Corinthians 10:3-5 For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. 4 The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. 5 We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.

Our position "in Christ" gives us cosmic authority. We are greater than kings, Old Testament saints, and will one day judge the angels. We are an anointed people. But what use are we to put this anointing to? We are anointed to pray!

1. Think of three or four situations needing powerful, authoritative prayer. Break into groups of at least three and pray for them.


2. Thank God for placing you with Christ at God's right hand and giving you great glory and authority - just because He wanted to demonstrate His kindness to you. Eph 2:6,7.

3. Write out three ways you intend improving your prayer life when you get back from camp.