A Guide To Intercessory Prayer
by Rev. Richard W. LaFountain

Step Five: Clothe Yourself

What is the first thing you do after taking a bath? Get dressed! I am so glad provision has been made for our nakedness! God commands us to "Put on", as elect of God. We are commanded to "put on the Lord Jesus," "Put on the new man," and to "Put on the whole armor of God." So put it on! That means dress in it. Reckon it to be so before the throne. Stand in Him complete.

Abraham believed God and it was "imputed" to him as righteousness. That word imputed means it was credited to his account. Though he was bankrupt himself, God applied it to his account because of his faith. Believe God and apply His provision for your nakedness.

The Old Testament book of Zechariah, chapter three contains a wonderful example of the need to put on, or to reckon ourselves clothed in the righteousness of God, and in the armor of the Lord. Joshua, the high priest, was standing before the Lord and Satan was at his right hand accusing him before the throne of God. Everything Satan brought against him was true except for one thing - God said, "I forgave him. I clothed him. Leave him alone!" Therefore God commanded the angel of the Lord to take off Joshua’s dirty tattered garments and give him a robe of pure white, a turban on his head, and a scepter in his hand. Then God looks at him and says, "Is not this the brand plucked out of the fire?"

There Are Two Parts to Reckoning

1. Principle of Position - seeing yourself in heavenly places as God sees you.
2. Principle of Practice - exercising authority in Christ in heavenly places


Principle of Position

There is a "Principle of Position" that we all need to learn. It is the principle that though we all fall far short of the glory of God, God himself has made provision for us. His provision is that we can put on Christ. We wear his righteousness, his white robe, his crown, his authority. As God sees us in heaven he sees us through his perfect sacrifice, Jesus Christ his Son. We are brands plucked out of the fire. Reckon it to be so! See yourself as God sees you… "and you are complete in him."(Colossians 2:10)

"To Reckon" is to appropriate God’s invisible truth as our visible reality.

"To Believe" is to see the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

Faith applies to our hearts the heavenly realities that God already sees.

  • Put on the Lord Jesus Christ
  • Put on His Righteousness
  • Put on the Whole Armor of God

Principle of Practice

Using Your Authority
How do we exercise our God-given authority in Christ? How do we address the devil in our prayers? (We certainly don’t pray to him.)

Weapons
God has clearly given us "Weapons of our Warfare" for the pulling down of strongholds. Our weapons (the word literally is "strategies") are mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds, casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalts itself above the knowledge of God, and brings every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ." (2 Corinthians 10:4-6)

Words
The sword of the Spirit, is the Word of God. God’s word is that which we use as our offense. It cuts, penetrates, convicts, declares, exposes, and casts out the enemies of God. Jesus said, "All authority is given unto me in heaven and in earth." That is why whatever we bind on earth will be bound in heaven. (Matt. 16:19, 18:18) That authority is in his word, his ultimate authoritative command. We simply wield the sword. Just point it in the right direction.

Prayers

  • "Be strong" or be bold, boldfaced, courageous, aggressive, un-intimidated - Eph 6:10
  • "A hand upon the throne" - Exodus 17:16
  • "A hedge of protection" - Ezekiel 22:30
  • "Boldly to the throne of grace" - Hebrews 4:16

Helpful Hints

SPIRITUAL WARFARE


1.  PUT ON THE ARMOR OF GOD     Ephesians 6:11-18
2.  BE STRONG IN THE LORD!      Ephesians 6:10
3.  BIND THE ENEMY              Matthew 18:18-20
4.  RESIST THE DEVIL            James 4:7
5.  CLAIM THE BLOOD             Revelation 12:11
6.  LOOSE THE CAPTIVES          Luke 4:18
7.  PULL DOWN STRONGHOLDS       II Corinthians. 10:3-5
8.  PUT A HEDGE OF PROTECTION   Ezekiel 22:30
9.  COMMAND HIM TO LEAVE        Matthew 10:1
10. REBUKE HIM IN JESUS         Matthew 17:18

It is only when we stand in our own righteousness that we should be afraid to stand before the enemy, for our righteousnesses are as "filthy rags" but the righteousness of Christ is called the armor of God.


Practical Disciplines Workbook


BELIEVE GOD FOR YOUR POSITION IN CHRIST

I Am…                                  I Have Been …                        
1.  _______________________________    1.  _______________________________   
2.  _______________________________    2.  _______________________________   
3.  _______________________________    3.  _______________________________   
4.  _______________________________    4.  _______________________________   
5.  _______________________________    5.  _______________________________   
                                                                             
I Can…                                 I Have…                               
1.  _______________________________    1.  _______________________________   
2.  _______________________________    2.  _______________________________   
3.  _______________________________    3.  _______________________________   
4.  _______________________________    4.  _______________________________   
5.  _______________________________    5.  _______________________________   
                                                                             
I Cannot…                              My Sins Have Been…                    
1.  _______________________________    1.  _______________________________   
2.  _______________________________    2.  _______________________________   
3.  _______________________________    3.  _______________________________   
4.  _______________________________    4.  _______________________________   
5.  _______________________________    5.  _______________________________   
                                                                             

(Now that you have confessed it, do you believe it?)



SPIRITUAL WARFARE CHECKLIST 
(DO IT ! Check when you have done it)

1.  PUT ON THE ARMOR OF GOD     ____  Eph. 6:11-18
2.  BE STRONG IN THE LORD!      ____  Eph. 6:10
3.  BIND THE ENEMY              ____  Matt. 18:18-20
4.  RESIST THE DEVIL            ____  James 4:7
5.  CLAIM THE BLOOD             ____  Rev. 12:11
6.  LOOSE THE CAPTIVES          ____  Luke 4:18
7.  PULL DOWN STRONGHOLDS       ____  II Cor. 10:3-5
8.  PUT A HEDGE OF PROTECTION   ____  Ezekiel 22:30
9.  COMMAND HIM TO LEAVE        ____  Matt. 10:1
10. REBUKE HIM IN JESUS         ____  Matt. 17:18



IDENTIFY THE ENEMY'S STRONGHOLDS 
(Obstacles, hindrances, sicknesses, oppression, fears, torments, etc.)

1.  ________________________________________

2.  ________________________________________

3.  ________________________________________

4.  ________________________________________

5.  ________________________________________





Who I Am In Christ Biblical Truths to "Practice Believing" I AM GOD’S… · possession Genesis 17:8/ 1Cor 6:20 · child John 1:12 · workmanship Ephesians 2:10 · friend James 2:23 · temple 1 Corinthians 3:16/ 6:16 · vessel 2 Timothy 2:2 · co-laborer 1 Timothy 5:18 · witness Acts 1:8 · soldier 2 Timothy 2:3 · ambassador 2 Corinthians 5:20 · building 1 Corinthians 3:9 · husbandry 1 Corinthians 3:9 · minister/instrument Acts 26:16 / 1 Tim 4:6 · chosen Ephesians 1:4 · beloved Romans 1:7/ 2 Thess 2:13 · precious jewel Malachi 3:17 · heritage 1 Peter 5:3 I HAVE BEEN… · redeemed by the blood Rev 5:9 · set free from sin /condemnation Rom 8:1-2 · set free from Satan’s control Col 1:13 · set free from Satan’s kingdom Eph 2 · chosen before foundation of world Eph 1:4 · predestined to be like Jesus Ephesians 1:11 · forgiven of all my trespasses Col 2:13 · washed in the blood of the Lamb Rev 1:5 · given a sound mind 2 Timothy 1:7 · given the Holy Spirit 2 Corinthians 1:22 · adopted into God’s family Romans 8:15 · justified freely by his grace Romans 3:24 · given all things pertaining to life 2 Pet 1:3 · given great and precious promises 2 Pet 1:4 · given ministry of reconciliation 2 Cor 1:22 · authority over the power of enemy Lk 10:19 · access to God Ephesians 3:12 · been given wisdom Ephesians 1:8 I AM… · complete in him Colossians 2:10 · free forever from sin’s power Romans 6:14 · sanctified 1 Corinthians 6:11 · meet for the Master’s use 2 Timothy 2:21 · loved eternally 1 Peter 1:5 / · eternally kept in the palm of his hand · kept from falling Jude 1:24 · kept by the power of God 1 Peter 1:5 · not condemned Romans 8:1-2 · one with the Lord · on my way to heaven John 14:6 · quickened by his mighty power Eph 2:1 · seated in heavenly places Eph 1:3 · the head and not the tail Deut 28:13 · light in the darkness Matthew 5:14 · candle in a dark place Matthew 5:15 · city set on a hill Matthew 5:14 · salt of the earth Matthew 5:13 · his sheep Ps 23 / Psalms 100:3/ John 10:14 · a citizen of heaven 1 Peter 2:11 · hidden with Christ in God Psalms 32:7 · protected from the evil one 1 John 5:18 · kept by the power of God 1 Peter 1:5 · secure in Christ Jn 10:28-29 · set upon a Rock Psalms 40:2 · more-than-a-conqueror Romans 8:37 · a victor 1 John 5:4 · healed by his strips Is 53:6 · covered by the blood of Jesus · sheltered under his wing Psalms 91:4 · hidden in the secret place of the Almighty Psalms 91:1 I HAVE… · access to the Father Romans 5:2 · a home in heaven waiting for me Jn 14:1-2 · all things in Christ 2 Corinthians 5:17 · a living hope 1 Peter 1:3 · an anchor to my soul Hebrews 6:19 · a hope that is sure and steadfast Heb 6:19 · authority to tread on serpents Luke 10:19 · power to witness Acts 1:8 · the tongue of the learned Isaiah 50:4 · the mind of Christ 1 Corinthians 2:16 · boldness and access Hebrews 10:19 · peace with God Romans 5:1 · faith as a grain of mustard seed Luke 17:6 I CAN… · do all things through Christ Philp 4:13 · find mercy and grace to help Heb 4:16 · come boldly to the throne of grace Heb 4:16 · quench all the firey darts Eph 6:16 · tread on the serpent Luke 10:19 · declare liberty to captives Isaiah 61:1 · pray always and everywhere Luke 21:36 · chase a thousand Joshua 23:10 · defeat the enemy I CANNOT… · be separated from God’s love Rom 8:35-39 · be lost John 10:28 · be moved Psalms 16:8 · taken out of the Father’s hand John 10:29