This article aims to address a growing challenge related to prayer in the contemporary church. This challenge has been influenced by the teachings of movements such as the Word of Faith and the New Apostolic Reformation, among others. It is essential to understand and cultivate the proper attitude toward prayer, as our spiritual growth and the answers to our prayers are tied to it.
The central question is: What produces results in our prayers? Do our prayers work through God to fulfill our desires, or does God work through our prayers to accomplish His will? Our beliefs and opinions on this matter shape our different approaches to and practices of prayer.
Contemporary movements within the church, especially the Word of Faith movement, emphasize the powerful relationship between prayer and faith in bringing about our desired outcomes. Practitioners believe that our prayers, when infused with faith and articulated with conviction, can effectively lead to the fulfillment of our petitions and supplications. The idea is that words spoken in faith have the potential to manifest the results of our prayers. Kenneth Copeland, a key figure in this movement, offers valuable insights on the transformative power of faith:
Faith is a power force. It is a tangible force. It is a conductive force. It will move things. Faith will change things. Faith will change the human body. It will change the human mind. It will change the human heart. Faith will change circumstances.
Another major promoter of this teachings, Charlse Capp, says this about the Word of God:
You can speak God’s Word after him and they will work for you. But, they must be formed in your spirit. they must become part of you. They must abide in you continually.
The perspective on prayer highlights its role as a means of expressing one’s desires with faith rather than holding God accountable. In this view, prayer affirms one’s intentions, where words and faith are perceived as the driving forces behind its efficacy. Pastor Chris Oyakhilome, a well-known Nigerian Word of Faith preacher, has presented arguments supporting this understanding:
Through the epistles, which actually are the revelation of the new creation, you’ll never find a place where the Holy Spirit expressly instructs the Christian to have faith in God. The reason is quite simple: The just shall live by faith. To the Christian, faith is a lifestyle. It is the New Testament principle of life for the believer. We are never told to have faith in God, because our very life is by faith. God already dealt to every man, according to the Scriptures, the measure of faith. In other words, you already have faith as a Christian.
It's very disheartening to see how people can take a single verse and distort such a fundamental theology from it. In Romans 1:17b, the passage cited by Pastor Chris, Paul does not suggest that people should live by faith as a standalone concept—there is no such thing as a "faith entity." Faith must be directed towards someone or something. In context, the apostle is implying that the righteous will live by faith in God's atoning work through Christ. Additionally, the type of prayer promoted by Word of Faith teachers is unbiblical. It resembles nothing more than incantation and enchantment. Just one of the 20th century insightful christian leader, A.w. Tozer has rightly pointed out about this game of words in the church:
We imagine that if we say certain words, we will have power to bring good. If we say certain other words, they have power to fend off the devil, and there is safety in mumbling those words. If we fail to mumble the words, we are in for it, and if we remember to mumble the words, we are all right. That is just paganism under another form. It's just a religious veneer at best.
It’s important to recognize that a significant portion of the church, including many evangelicals—both members and leaders—has embraced certain principles of prayer, particularly from the Word of Faith movement. Phrases like “I declare and decree,” “name it and claim it,” and “confess it and possess it” have become commonplace. While the intention behind these phrases is often to encourage faith, this approach to prayer can sometimes lead to impatience, making it easy to lose sight of the value of waiting patiently on God.
To cultivate a deeper prayer life, we might consider embracing a variety of approaches that include patience and trust in God’s timing. By doing so, we can enhance our spiritual practice and create a more grounded experience of prayer, which can ultimately lead to greater peace and fulfillment in our lives. It’s beneficial to explore diverse forms of prayer that foster a sense of calm and reliance on God, rather than striving for immediate results.
The Bible conveys that prayer serves as a vital communication between two distinct personalities: God, who is the recipient of our prayers, and us. When we pray, we recognize God's sovereignty and express our dependence on Him. Our faith is anchored solely in His greatness. Approaching God with humility, we submit to His divine will, trusting that He knows what is best for us. Ultimately, our prayers aim to glorify God's name and align with His will, fostering a deeper connection between us and the divine.
References
1. Kenneth Copeland, The Force of Faith (Kennet Copeland Publications, 1983).
2. Charlse Capps, The Tongue: A Creative Force (Tulsa, Oklahoma: Harrison House, 1976).
3. Chris Oyakhilome, How to Make Your Faith Work (Springfield, Love World Publication, 2005).
A. W. Tozer, (Benin City, Beulah land Publications, 2014)