I have revelation knowledge on the gift of discernment. Discerning prayer is a method which pulls down thoughts, attitudes, and feelings that are not of God. Since we have authority over all the works of the enemy, it provides a way of delivering ourselves or others of ungodly characteristics; we identify them, bind them and cast them out.
I have been praying this way for myself and for others since 1986 with excellent results.
The Basis
Everyone discerns (1 Corinthians 12:10), but few use this gift to help themselves or help others. We discern what is wrong with each other all the time. My husband is “close mouthed,” “tightfisted.” My wife is a “blabbermouth,” “she never shuts up,” “she gives me grief.”
God has given us the power over principalities and powers and spiritual wickedness in high places. He has given us dominion over darkness. These expressions point to darkness in another person (or in ourselves).
When the thoughts, feelings or traits come from the enemy, we are to pull them down. According to 2 Corinthians 10:3-6, we are to pull down the strongholds in our minds, cast down imaginations, bring into captivity thoughts that are not of God.
After we identify them, we need to bind them, and cast them out in the name of Jesus. I cast them into the abyss, because that is where Jesus cast the legion of “devils.” (Luke 8:31 NIV). Then I loose God’s Holy Spirit and God’s angels into the situation.
It doesn’t matter whether the person you are praying for is a Christian or not. In fact, if we don’t pull down the strongholds that are holding them back, they will never become Christians!
Our Words Condemn Us
Matthew 12:34 indicates that what is in our hearts comes out of our mouths. And Matthew 12:37 says that the words of our mouths condemn us. Don’t just stifle the negative thoughts but get rid of them by casting them out. Then instead of returning again and again, they will be removed permanently from our hearts.
I pray with pen in hand. In the quiet of the morning with no disturbances, I pray for that person, group, or situation. I write down the expressions they used and the impressions I got when I observed the person or situation. Here is a typical short list on a fictitious person.
“dark and gloomy”
“totally downcast”
“shrouded in mystery”
“heavy hearted”
“worries and stews”
“fatalistic”
“troubled”
“sounds discouraged”
“whines and complains”
These are the impressions I get from the other person and they are definitely not from God, so I bind them and cast them out.
When you do this, you will observe that people change. Faces change, speech changes, attitudes change, situations change. People are healed and delivered while you are quietly praying in your prayer closet.
The more you know about a person or situation, the easier it is to discern the problems and hear from God as to what to pray. We are on earth to help each other. God shows us how.
Divesting ourselves and others of our carnality is a gradual process. As you practice, God will show you what needs to be prayed in or out of yourself or others.
Before I pray for people, I say the Lord’s prayer and put on the whole armor of God. I cover myself and my family with the blood of Jesus. When I travel I cover the road “there and back” with the blood of Jesus. (others ask for traveling mercies). I preface each prayer with thanks and praise.
God Hates Complaining
God hates it when people complain, murmur, criticize, or gossip. He has given us the power over the enemy. Instead of complaining, we need to seek God for answers, discern the spirits that are causing them problems and get rid of them. In addition, we should pray in the Spirit.
We are shown things about people, so we can understand their motives and our own, and eliminate the motives and thoughts that are not of God.
Unforgiveness
Have you noticed that forgiving someone is not just a matter of saying or praying “I forgive ____.” If when you think of that person, your blood still boils, or you feel distant, or estranged in any way, you really haven’t forgiven them. You are still harboring resentment.
When you have truly forgiven the person, you don’t dwell on what happened and hardly remember it. You may even be reconciled. (Except in cases of abuse.) You may not even be able to remember why you were mad. You feel love and compassion again for that person. If you still feel anxious or upset, you still have unforgiveness.
Why is unforgiveness so hard to get rid of? Because it is made up of a number of thoughts and feelings.
“She insulted me in front of the family”
“I was so embarrassed”
“I hate her for that”
“I almost started crying”
“She had no right to do that”
“I never want to see her again”
“She was like that when she was a child”
“Hateful”
“She insulted me then and I let her get away with it”
Write down all the thoughts associated with the person or situation. Then bind them and cast them out. These thoughts have been “plaguing us” and holding us in bondage. The other person may or may not even be aware that they hurt us.
Hurt – unless it is physical hurt – is really hurt pride. Embarrassment is hurt pride. When we get rid of our pride, others won’t be able to hurt us. Instead, we will be looking to see what caused them to say or do what they did and praying for them. We will be on the offensive, not on the defensive.
If you discern unforgiveness in another person and God shows you how to pray, that person can be delivered. You will see a change in their face and attitude as they are released from their bondage.
DLH – 1991