It is our opinion – more than ever – that the great need of the Church is God’s sovereign power. We believe this power will come to the degree the Word and Spirit are simultaneously combined.  (R.T. Kendall, Jack Taylor, and Charles Carrin)

Intercessors in every community are praying for greater unity in the Church. What does that look like? What does it mean to be “one”? In recognizing the wide diversity of faith practices and expressions in the broader evangelical church, how do we come together in order for God’s power to be released in the greatest measure?

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Christ is the center. He is the full expression of both the Spirit and the Word. Rather than seeing these two aspects of His nature as differences, they are actually distinctions of His character. Both are necessary in order for us to pray effectively.

God is Spirit and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and in truth (John 4:24 NIV).

Prayer is a form of worship. When we pray “in truth” we are using Scripture as the foundation for everything that is eternal and right. When we pray “in spirit” we are listening for the revelatory voice of the Father in how we apply those truths to our current situation. Both are needed to receive the full counsel of heaven.

In many communities where intercessors are seeking the Lord for greater understanding in how to pray, the work of the Holy Spirit is essential in identifying specific roots of iniquity or patterns of sin on the land. In listening to the promptings of the Spirit, intercessors are given keys in bringing freedom to their cities.

Where the Holy Spirit may speak a spontaneous rhema word for the moment, God’s written Word is His covenant. (The Greek rhema also refers to the Word of God; it is usually employed where a specific Scripture is quickened to a believer’s heart and mind for immediate application.) God’s written Word is His established and unchanging promises that are guaranteed to us as His children. This is powerful when confronting strongholds and opposition. Notice what Jesus did when He faced the devil in the wilderness:

The tempter came to him and said, ‘If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread’. Jesus answered, ‘It is written: ‘Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God’ (Matthew 4:2-4 NIV).

Jesus specifically spoke the written Word because it represented God’s covenant and promise. He was not using his own voice or paraphrase; He said exactly what His Father said. The enemy has no power where God’s covenant is concerned.

Consider the power of the Spirit and the Word combined and thankfully embrace both distinctions and purposes. This can be the first step intercessors take in seeing the fullness of God’s power released in their communities.

• Wanda Alger, IFA Field Correspondent