“…he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion…And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms”
— Ephesians 1:20-21; 2:6
In your life and ministry, do you minister from above or below? It seems that all too often our prayers are postured from a place other than where we are seated with Christ, far above all else, from the very throne room that possesses the riches of our glorious inheritance.
When our prayers emerge from below, far from our seated position with Christ, they are characterized by a sense of scarcity, helpless desperation, and a lack of faith and expectancy. When our place of prayer and ministry emerges from the very presence of Christ, we experience abundance, spiritual authority, anointing, and faith. So in your mind’s eye, do you envision the matters for which you pray (the challenges and difficulties) as things that are over your head or under your feet?
Christ is supreme over all things. His ascension is now our ascension and we are seated with Him. Living from this geographic locale is the key to living with the power and authority that every believer already has in Christ. Even the Lord’s Prayer demonstrates this kind of authority. Rather than asking, it declares, “…thy Kingdom come, thy will be done.” Jesus has given us not only His mission, but His authority.
Prayer from above, and ministry from above, move His Kingdom forward in power and authority. Like any spiritual discipline, the practice of ministering from above needs to be developed.
Further Scripture Reflection: Ephesians 1:18; Ephesians 3:12
REFLECTION
1. Ask Jesus to enlighten the eyes of your heart to know this reality (Ephesians 1:18).
2. Approach God with freedom and confidence in your prayers (Ephesians 3:12).
Doug Balzer serves in the C&MA’s Western Canadian District Office in Church-Planting and Leader Development. He also serves to advance a movement of renewal through leading others in personal encounter with the Holy Spirit.
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