NHOP School of Prayer – Session 2: Pray the Word

NHOP 2026 | NHOP School of Prayer | Session 2: Pray the Word | Chris Byberg & Brad Fidler

I. Spirit vs. Soul

A. Jesus succeeded where Adam failed because He submitted His will to the will of the Father, both in His earthly ministry and in His death. He only did what the Father was doing and said what the Father was saying; He didn't act in His own will.

"Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of his own accord, but only what he sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father does, that the Son does likewise…I can do nothing on my own. As I hear, I judge, and my judgment is just, because I seek not my own will but the will of him who sent me…" (Jn. 5:19,30)

"For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me…" (Jn. 6:38)

"My teaching is not mine, but his who sent me. If anyone's will is to do God's will, he will know whether the teaching is from God or whether I am speaking on my own authority. The one who speaks on his own authority seeks his own glory; but the one who seeks the glory of him who sent him is true, and in him there is no falsehood." (Jn. 7:16-18)

Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name… (Phil. 2:5-9)

…Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to him who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverence. Although he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered, and being made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him, being designated by God a high priest after the order of Melchizedek. (Heb. 5:7-10)

"My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will"…"My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done"…he went away and prayed for the third time, saying the same words again. (Mt. 26:39,42,44)

B. One of our most basic instincts is to do our will. That shows up even in prayer. It's easy for us to pray from our own will and emotions; we pray for the things we want. What if, like Jesus, we prioritized knowing and praying from the Father's will?

C. How do we know what the will of God is in prayer? We look to and pray the Word.

All Scripture is breathed out [inspired] by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. (2 Tim. 3:16-17)

II. Apostolic Prayers

A. These New Testament prayers have all been inspired by God. Therefore, we can know with confidence that this is how God would have us pray.

B. In these prayers, there is a very interesting pattern at work: they all focus on praying for the release of good things, never against bad things. Focus on praying for the Kingdom of God to come (Mt. 6:10), not against the darkness we see advancing (see 2 Thess. 3, Acts 4).

I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him, having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead… (Eph. 1:16-20)

…that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith – that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and heigh and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. (Eph. 3:16-19)

Finally, brothers, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may speed ahead and be honored, as happened among you, and that we may be delivered from wicked and evil men. For not all have faith. But the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one…May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and to the steadfastness of Christ. (2 Thess. 3:1-3,5)

…pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison – that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak. (Col. 4:3-4)

And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness, while you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus. And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness. (Acts 4:29-31)

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. (Rom. 15:13)

And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God. (Phil. 1:9-11)

May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. (Rom. 15:5-6)

…asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; being strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy; giving thanks to the Father… (Col. 1:9-12a)

Brothers, my heart's desire and prayer to God for them [Israel] is that they may be saved. (Rom. 10:1)

Now may our God and Father himself, and our Lord Jesus, direct our way to you, and may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, as we do for you, so that he may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints. (1 Thess. 3:11-13)

III. Suggestions

A. Start with the Word. Understand what is being prayed for in these prayers. Pray them word-for-word, or pray them in your own language.

B. Pray according to the same principles: pray for the advancement of the Kingdom of God and for the release of good things (love, hope, boldness, protection, open door for the gospel, etc.). Do not spend the majority of your attention on praying against bad things.