We all pray out of our concerns, wishes, and burdens, yet as disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ -and as church leaders, in particular, we are summoned by Christ Himself and vested with His authority in prayer.
God has been speaking to me privately about this lately – that I don’t need to just pray my will or wish for the church and its people; I can pray with the authority that God has given to me as the shepherd on behalf of the need presented.
This would be the same for us as a Board, when we pray over people in the services, or pray in our respective ministries, responsibilities. For instance, since you’ve been called by God to minister to children, you have a unique authority in prayer for them. You can pray your desire for them, but more importantly, God can enable you to pray in His stead.
In Mark 3, we find Jesus on the mountain, which is where the bulk of the important events occur in the Bible (Ten Commandments, offering of Isaac, Beatitudes, Transfiguration, Calvary, the Ascension). This reminds us that God speaks from the higher place, so we should always look upward from His vantage point.
Verse 13 says Jesus summoned His disciples. The word “summoned” is the Greek word “proskaleo”, meaning “to call to” Christ. A summons is a legal term in a legal process of calling one to court, and that summons cannot be refused. Notice that it says “Jesus called who He wanted”. Of course Jesus loves everyone and wants all saved, but for those who will be ministering on His behalf, He summons those He wants. It’s great to be wanted by the Savior.
Verse 14 says that Jesus “appointed” the Twelve Apostles (now they are not only disciples – disciplined learners after the Lordship of Christ, they are apostles – sent out ones as envoys for the master). The word “appointed” is the Greek word “poieo”, meaning “to make, do, construct, make a different thing into two (that multiplying creation of God), and to change into another.” Those whom God appoints for service should first be touched by the message that they share. We should be living testimonies of the very words we present, for if it doesn’t touch us, how will it touch others?
Verse 15 highlights the first tri-purpose of Christ’s declaration of their apostleship: 1) to preach, which is the Greek word “kerusso”, meaning “herald, proclaim, announced” (it wasn’t to do fundraising or even evangelism, per say). We first preach the resurrected and sovereign Christ in the vertical part of the cross and then focus on the horizontal bar of reaching out (my added comment); 2) to have authority to cast out devils. The term “authority” is the Greek word “exousia” and means “power to act, moral authority”. It is the Power of Attorney on behalf of those who are bondage,
Fetters and chains. There are people who cannot pray for themselves; just as Lazarus needed others to take off his grave clothes (I added that). I was the medical Power of Attorney for my cousin because she could make a decision, but not recall it. According to the law, one needs to be able to reference their legal choices. Remember that in prayer we ask God and tell the devil. We never say: “demon, would you leave, please?” We don’t request; we command on Christ’s authority, although we must be careful to pray in a humble, contrite manner; 3) we add Matthew 10:1 here, since it is relayed there – Jesus adds “to heal every kind of sickness”. How much of sickness is demonic sourced? It seems there is connection here, but as the late Dr. Adrian Rogers said: “People are praying Christians out of Heaven (meaning praying for healing as their only focus), as opposed to praying sinners out of hell”. While we do believe and trust God for healing –
And will continue to take authority over illness, infirmities, etc., we know the balance of God’s word would remind us to pray for lost souls, as well.
The term “cast out” is the Greek word “ekballo”. “ek” means “out of” and “ballo” means “to cast, throw, banish”. When we are faced with casting out demons – which Jesus knew these apostles would be facing shortly, we cast, throw them away from that individual and in Jesus’ name, send them away. Let Jesus handle their new address.
The interesting contrast here are the “sent ones” or apostles, summoned by Christ to act on His behalf, versus the demons who are sent packing by the authority in Christ (I added that, too).
Please keep in mind that we all have our hearts of prayer and that is wonderful. Just be ready to sense that power from the Author and pray His authority through His word.