THE PROTOCOL OF PRAYER: THE JESUS MODEL AND THE TABERNACLE CEREMONIES

INTRODUCTION

A few days ago, the Holy Spirit began to talk to me about the Protocol of Prayer. Prayer is a legal activity and to every legal process there is an appropriate way of doing things. 

Sadly not many Christians know that there is a biblical protocol to prayer, as a result they sometimes pray right and get answers, while they miss at other times resulting in frustration. 

Prayer is not a random activity. It has a protocol. Prayer is simply the act of having a conversation with God. God is Spirit and He is to be worshipped in spirit and truth. 

John 4:24 (WEB), "God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.”

The Spirit of God responds to us on the basis of praying according to His will and prescribed way. Even unbelievers who make incantations to communicate with spirits have a set protocol they follow so that they may effectively summon the spirits of the idols that they worship. 

1 Corinthians 10:19-20 (WEB), "What am I saying then? That a thing sacrificed to idols is anything, or that an idol is anything? But I say that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to demons, and not to God, and I don’t desire that you would have fellowship with demons."

The word protocol means "the accepted code of conduct or behavior in specific professional situations; a detailed plan or orderly set of instructions, procedures, or standards in a particular field."

The Protocol of Prayer is the biblical order and structure in approaching God the Father through prayer as revealed in the principles of the prayer model taught by Jesus in Matthew, which match with the order of ceremonies by the high priest in the tabernacle of Moses. 

This short but insightful teaching offers a spiritually rich, effective and practical guide for believers to approach God’s presence with reverence, intimacy, and intentionality.

It highlights how The Jesus Prayer Model aligns with the Tabernacle Ceremonies, showing how each step of the Tabernacle corresponds to a part of the prayer Jesus taught His disciples. 

The teaching reveals the progression of prayer, from entering God’s presence with thanksgiving to experiencing deep communion with Him.

The Protocol of Prayer teaches believers to approach God with reverence and intention, acknowledging His holiness and grace while allowing His Spirit to work in their lives. 

You don't have to follow the whole Protocol of Prayer religiously step by step every time you pray, for it is not applicable in its fullness in every situation. Different dimensions and types of prayer may include some components of the protocol and exclude others. 

All you need is to understand the order and sequence of the steps of prayer, so that you always maintain the sequence and order of the Prayer Protocol with the steps you choose to use in prayer as the Holy Spirit leads you. 

It is a powerful tool for spiritual discipline and intimacy with the Lord.

MAIN TEXT 

Matthew 6:9-15 (WEB), "Pray like this: ‘Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy. Let your Kingdom come. Let your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our debts, as we also forgive our debtors. Bring us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. For yours is the Kingdom, the power, and the glory forever. Amen.’ ..."

THE JESUS PRAYER MODEL 

The Jesus Prayer Model in our main text above is the answer that Jesus gave to one of His disciples who had asked for a teaching on prayer. 

Luke 11:1 (WEB) "When he finished praying in a certain place, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John also taught his disciples.” 

In this world, when people want to succeed at what they want to do, they ask for knowledge from those who have already attained success in the same things which they want to do. 

In the Bible, we see that Jesus had a 100 percent success rate in prayer. All of His prayers were answered and none of them failed. 

Hebrews 5:7 (WEB), "He (Jesus), in the days of his flesh, having offered up prayers and petitions with strong crying and tears to him who was able to save him from death, and having been heard for his godly fear."

The disciple had seen Jesus pray for Lazarus to rise from the dead and come back to life. He had seen five loaves of bread and two fish multiplied to feed 5000 men through prayer, and many other miracles. So he knew that if he wanted to pray effectively like Jesus, he had to ask the same Jesus how to pray.

We must not allow anyone other than Jesus to teach us how to pray, for no one knows how to approach the Father better than the Son who came from the Father. 

John 6:45-46 (WEB) "It is written in the prophets, ‘They will all be taught by God.’ Therefore everyone who hears from the Father and has learned, comes to me. Not that anyone has seen the Father, except he who is from God. He has seen the Father."

The Jesus Prayer Model is not a religious prayer to recite; it is a framework for how to approach God effectively in prayer. Jesus taught His disciples to pray in five key parts of His prayer model:

1. Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name. 

2. Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. 

3. Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors

4. And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.

5. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.  

What is most important is not to remember the words of Jesus and be able to recite them, but it is to understand the protocol of prayer revealed in them and follow it using your own words, according to the Scriptures. 

To understand this Jesus Prayer Model and its protocol we have to go back to the order of ceremonies that we're followed by the high priest in the tabernacle of Moses. 

THE TABERNACLE CEREMONIES 

The Jesus Prayer Model is based on the layout and ceremonies of the Old Testament Tabernacle, which served as a physical representation of how to approach God. 

The high priest moved from the Outer Court to the Holy of Holies, symbolizing deeper levels of intimacy and worship.

Outline of the Tabernacle Followed in the Ceremonies 

The Tabernacle, as described in the Bible, particularly in the books of Exodus, Leviticus, and Numbers, served as a portable dwelling place for God's presence among the Israelites during their journey through the wilderness. 

The Tabernacle symbolized God's presence and covenant with His people. It was central to Israelite worship, embodying the relationship between God and His people through ordinances, sacrifices, and the physical manifestation of divine presence. 

Understanding its structure and ceremonies provides insight into the spiritual practices of the new Israel (church) which was established by  Jesus Christ.

Here’s an outline of its structure:

1. The Outer Court 

2. The Brazen Altar: For burnt offerings 

3. The Laver (Washing Basin)

4. The Holy Place:  

   - Golden Lampstand (Menorah)

   - The Table of Showbread

   - The Altar of Incense

5. Most Holy Place (Holy of Holies):

    - Ark of the Covenant

    - Two Golden Cherubim

    - Mercy Seat/ Throne of Grace 

The layout above revealed the holiness of God in its fullness and measures. 

The high priest was the only one who entered the Most Holy Place, while regular priests managed sacrifices and maintained the Tabernacle.

The ceremonies conducted in the Tabernacle symbolize atonement, worship, and community.

Prayer as taught by Jesus, is not a ritual but a pathway to a deeper relationship with God. It, is structured and based on this layout and ceremonies of the Old Testament Tabernacle. 

This outline serves as a guide to draw for believers closer to God by following the spiritual progression outlined in the Tabernacle. 

It is designed to guide worshippers through a process of thanksgiving, surrender, intercession, and communion, ultimately leading to transformation and closeness with God.

By following this pattern, believers can experience spiritual growth, renewal, and a greater awareness of God’s presence in their daily lives. 

THE JESUS PRAYER MODEL AND THE TABERNACLE CEREMONIES: A UNIFIED FRAMEWORK 

Prayer symbolizes the believer's journey into God's presence through specific steps, starting from the outer court and moving into the Holy of Holies. 

Each part of the Tabernacle Ceremonies in the outline above corresponds to a phase in the prayer model of Jesus Christ for the believer.

Below is a comprehensive teaching showing how The Jesus Prayer Model aligns with the Tabernacle Ceremonies, revealing the believer's protocol for prayer.

STEPS IN THE PROTOCOL OF PRAYER:

1. Thanksgiving and Praise in the Outer Court

Prayer should start with thanksgiving and praise. The high priest led Israel into the Tabernacle and started by entering the into Outer Court through the gates with thanksgiving and praise. 

Psalms 100:4 (WEB), "Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise. Give thanks to him, and bless his name." 

In the Jesus Prayer Model, the Lord taught us to start praying by praising and honoring our heavenly Father. This is how we enter the heavenly Outer Court in prayer. 

Matthew 6:9 (WEB), "Pray like this: ‘Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy."  

Always begin to pray by acknowledging God as your Father and worshiping His holy name. Don't start your prayer by focusing on yourself, start by focusing on Him.

Start your prayer by praising God for who He is and thanking Him for His blessings in your life. Count your blessings and praise Him for them.

Psalm 103:2 (NIV), "Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits."

Many times we fail to thank God for what He has done because we focus on what He has not done yet.

But this verse encourages believers to remember and give thanks for the blessings they have received.

This establishes a heart of gratitude and prepares you to enter His presence.

2. Surrender to God's Leading/Will at The Brazen Altar  

The second step in prayer is to submit your own will to His will and allow Him to lead you in what to pray for. In the Tabernacle the high priest moved to the Brazen Altar soon after entering the Outer Court. 

They Brazen Altar was where sacrifices were made for the forgiveness of sins. It symbolizes Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross.  

When Jesus was faced with going to the cross, He had a difficult choice to make and He had to pray in the garden of Gethsemane. 

He desired to avoid the cross, but decided to surrender His will to the Father's will at the Brazen Altar. 

Matthew 26:38-39 (WEB) "Then he said to them, “My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here, and watch with me.” He went forward a little, fell on his face, and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass away from me; nevertheless, not what I desire, but what you desire.”

If Jesus had not submitted His will to the Father's will in His prayer at the Brazen Altar, that would have been the first time His prayer would fail to get an answer. 

In the Jesus Prayer Model, the Lord taught us to surrender to the will of the Father during prayer at the Brazen Altar by asking Him to manifest His heavenly kingdom and will as it is in heaven. 

Matthew 6:10-11 (WEB), "Let your Kingdom come. Let your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread." 

Many of our prayers do not get answered because we are not surrendered to God's will at the Brazen Altar of the cross, but we pray for the carnal desires of our will. 

James 4:3 (WEB), "You ask, and don’t receive, because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your pleasures." 

Our motives in prayer must always be to establish the will and build the kingdom of the Father, and not to build our own little kingdoms.

Matthew 6:33 (WEB), "But seek first God’s Kingdom, and his righteousness; and all these things will be given to you as well."

We must pray for our needs to be met in line with God's will. The Jesus Prayer Model teaches us to ask for our daily bread after seeking God's will and kingdom first. 

3. Confession of Sins at The Laver/Washing Basin 

The third step in prayer is to confess your sins and receive God's forgiveness. The third step the high priest took in the Tabernacle after offering burnt sacrifices at the Brazen Altar was to wash at the Laver or Washing Basin. 

The Laver, filled with water and sometimes the blood of the Passover Lamb, was used by priests for washing and symbolizes the sanctification and purification that the believer experiences through the confession of sins.  

Ephesians 5:25-26 (WEB), "Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the assembly, and gave himself up for it; that he might sanctify it, having cleansed it by the washing of water with the word."

Hebrews 9:14 (WEB),  "How much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without defect to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?"

1 John 1:7, 9 (WEB), "But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ, his Son, cleanses us from all sin. 

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us the sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."

At this stage, confess your sins and receive forgiveness through the blood of Jesus. Reflect on His atoning work on the cross and extend forgiveness to others. 

In the Jesus Prayer Model, the third thing that the Lord taught us is to ask for forgiveness from our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. 

Matthew 6:12 (WEB), "Forgive us our debts, as we also forgive our debtors." 

Again Jesus had to repeat this to give emphasis, after He had just finished giving His model of prayer. 

Matthew 6:14-15 (WEB) “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you don’t forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses."

All our sins have been paid for and forgiven by Jesus in the cross, but we can only receive that forgiveness when we confess our sins, and we receive God's forgiveness to the degree that we forgive others.

Ask God to forgive those who wronged you as Jesus prayed for His persecutors on the cross. They don't know what they are doing. 

Luke 23:34 (WEB), "Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.” ..."

Many Christians are wrongly being taught to pray without confession of sins and they skip washing at the Laver. 

This disqualifies them from making progress in the spirit during prayer just as the high priest could not move further in the Tabernacle without washing himself at the Laver. 

Confession of sin washes you unto the standard of righteousness required in God's presence and makes your prayer effective. 

James 5:16 (WEB), "Confess your offenses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The insistent prayer of a righteous person is powerfully effective." 

4. Consecration for Deeper Fellowship with God in The Holy Place 

The fourth step involves praying in the Spirit, and praying according to the Scriptures in order for prayer to be accepted as a memorial before God's throne. 

The fourth thing the high priest came to as he moved and ministered in the Tabernacle was the Holy Place. The Holy Place contains three key items, the Golden Lampstand, the Table of Showbread and the Altar of Incense. 

Each of these represents an aspect of consecration (separation unto God) for fellowship with God at the fourth stage of prayer:

a. Praying in Spirit at the Golden Lampstand (Menorah)

The Golden Lampstand, or Menorah, is a significant symbol in the Tabernacle. Crafted from pure gold, it consists of seven branches with twenty two almond cups, each branch holding a lamp that was lit daily to provide light; and it is shaped as the biblical tree of life (Exodus 25:31-40). 

The Menorah represents divine light and wisdom, serving as a reminder of the illumination of the Holy Spirit that guides the believer during prayer. 

Most of the time we don't know what to pray for according the will of the Father, so we always need to pray in the Spirit which may involve speaking in tongues.

Romans 8:26 (WEB), "In the same way, the Spirit also helps our weaknesses, for we don’t know how to pray as we ought. But the Spirit himself makes intercession for us with groanings which can’t be uttered."

The design and function of the Golden Lampstand reflects the twenty two measures of the Holy Spirit by which the believer bears the twelve manner of the fruits of the Spirit.

Revelation 22:2 (WEB), "In the middle of its street. On this side of the river and on that was the tree of life, bearing twelve kinds of fruits, yielding its fruit every month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations."  

The part of the Jesus Prayer Model that matches to the Golden Lampstand is where He taught us the Father not to bring us into temptation. 

Matthew 6:13 (WEB), "Bring us not into temptation...’”  

Here Jesus does mean that God brings temptations to us or that we should pray to avoid temptation when it comes, but we are to pray so we may not enter into temptation when it comes.  

God doesn't bring temptation to anyone, but we are tempted by yielding to our own fleshly desires.

James 1:13-15 (WEB,  "Let no man say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God,” for God can’t be tempted by evil, and he himself tempts no one. But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own lust and enticed. Then the lust, when it has conceived, bears sin. The sin, when it is full grown, produces death."

Temptation is allowed by God to test us on whether we have produced the fruits of the Spirit or not. And with each temptation God provides a way out, but we are the ones who choose to obey God or the flesh. 

1 Corinthians 10:13 (WEB), "No temptation has taken you except what is common to man. God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted above what you are able, but will with the temptation also make the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it."

Pray in the Spirit always so that you may bear His fruits in your life. I recommend that you speak in tongues from your spirit for as long as He carries you along. 

b. Praying Prophetically according to Scriptures at the Table of Showbread  

On the opposite side of the Golden Lampstand was the Table of Showbread or the Table of Presence. The Table of Showbread was a holy furniture piece in the Tabernacle made of acacia wood and overlaid with gold. 

It held twelve loaves of unleavened bread, representing the twelve tribes of Israel, which were replaced weekly (Exodus 25:23-30, 37:10-16, Leviticus 24:5-9 & Hebrews 13:10). 

The table symbolized God's presence and provision for His people, and the bread represented the covenant relationship between God and Israel.

The twelve loaves of unleavened bread on the Table of Showbread represent the twelve measures of the unadulterated Word of God to the church and New Israel of God which were symbolized by the twelve baskets of bread by which Jesus fed the five thousand (Matthew 14:13-21). 

The twelve measures of the Word of God are the twelve foundational doctrines that the twelve foundational apostles represent to the church. 

Revelation 21:14 (WEB), "The wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them twelve names of the twelve Apostles of the Lamb." 

On the twelve foundations of the apostles in the New Jerusalem are twelve precious stones. 

Revelation 21:19-20 (WEB), "The foundations of the city’s wall were adorned with all kinds of precious stones. The first foundation was jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, chalcedony; the fourth, emerald; the fifth, sardonyx; the sixth, sardius; the seventh, chrysolite; the eighth, beryl; the ninth, topaz; the tenth, chrysoprase; the eleventh, jacinth; and the twelfth, amethyst."

The twelve stones on the foundations of the apostles are first mentioned on the breastplate of judgment worn on the chest of the high priest with which he entered into the Tabernacle. 

Exodus 28:15-20 (LXX), "And thou shalt make a breastplate of judgment... And thou shalt fill it with stones, four rows of stones: the first row, a sardius, and a topaz, and an emerald. And the second row, a carbuncle, and a sapphire, and a jasper. And the third row, a ligure, and an agate, and an amethyst. And the fourth row, a chrysolite, and an onyx, and a beryl; they shall be set in gold in their fillings."

The breastplate represents the high priest's role as mediator or intercessor between God and the people. The stones on the breastplate of the high priest are the twelve measures of the Word in the heart, and the twelve tribes of the church, emphasizing the believer's priestly role to intercede for the entire body of Christ according to the Scriptures.

The breastplate's placement over the high priest's heart signifies the importance of meditation and memorization of scriptures to be recited prophetically in prayer.

A picture of this is when Jacob prophetically blessed each of his twelve sons and tribes according to their proper blessing. 

Genesis 49:28 (LOT), "All these are the tribes of Israel, twelve in number; and this is what their father spoke unto them, and wherewith he blessed them; every one according to his proper blessing blessed he them."

It is not just a matter of randomly picking up Scriptures and saying them as a duty. It is prophetic or Spirit-led intercession since one has already passed by the Golden Lampstand before coming to the Table of Showbread.

The Jesus Prayer Model aligns with the Table of Showbread where He taught us to ask the Father to 'deliver us from the evil one.'

Matthew 6:13 (WEB), "...deliver us from the evil one..."

When Satan came with the three temptations based on perverting Scriptures to Jesus, the Lord Himself overcame the evil one at the Table of Showbread by rightly quoting the Scriptures to counter each of the three temptations of Jesus (Matthew 4:1-11).

It is in this passage that Jesus gave the link between the twelve loaves of unleavened bread on the Table and the prophetic Word that proceeds from the Mouth of God. 

Matthew 4:4 (WEB), "But he answered, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.’”"

David and his men ate the Showbread which was for priests in the Tabernacle which was unlawful but nothing happened, because praying prophetic words from Scriptures is the priestly ministry of every believer. 

Matthew 12:3-4 (WEB), "But he said to them, “Haven’t you read what David did, when he was hungry, and those who were with him; how he entered into God’s house, and ate the show bread, which was not lawful for him to eat, neither for those who were with him, but only for the priests?"

Unleavened Showbread is the symbol of the undiluted truth of God's Word in the Scriptures, and leaven is the symbol of man's teachings contrary to the Word.

Matthew 16:6, 12 (LITV), "And Jesus said to them, Watch and take heed from the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.

Then they knew that He did not say to take heed from the leaven of bread, but from the doctrine of the Pharisees and Sadducees."

Eating the Showbread is equal to understanding the truth of God's Word by studying the Bible. 

1 Corinthians 5:8 (WEB), "Therefore let’s keep the feast, not with old yeast, neither with the yeast of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth." 

2 Timothy 2:15, "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."

c. Prayer at the Altar of Incense 

The Altar of Incense, also known as the Golden Altar, was a holy furniture piece in the Tabernacle that was used for offering incense to God, symbolizing the prayers of the people rising to heaven.

It was made of acacia wood, overlaid with gold. The Altar of Incense was placed in front of the veil that separated the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place in the Tabernacle (Exodus 30:1-10, 37:25-29, Leviticus 16:12-13).

Both the Golden Lampstand and the Table of Showbread are before the Altar of Incense in the Holy Place to signify how praying in the Spirit by speaking in tongues, and praying according to the Scriptures (in understanding) are the two ways by which believers can offer prayers that are sweet smelling and acceptable unto the Father. 

1 Corinthians 14:14-15 (WEB), "For if I pray in another language, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful. What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also. I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also."

The Altar of Incense symbolizes the prayers of the saints ascending to God like sweet-smelling incense.  

Revelation 5:8 (WEB), "Now when he had taken the book, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each one having a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints."

5. Intimate Worship and Ultimate Surrender in the Holy of Holies  

The fifth and final step of prayer is intimate worship and final surrender in the Holy of Holies.

The Holy of Holies, also known as the Most Holy Place, was a holy chamber in the Tabernacle considered the most holy place on earth, where God's presence dwelled.

It contained the Ark of the Covenant, which held the Ten Commandments, Aaron's rod that budded, and a pot of manna.

The Holy of Holies was located at the western end of the Tabernacle and Temple, separated from the Holy Place by a thick veil.

Only the High Priest was allowed to enter the Holy of Holies, and only once a year, on the Day of Atonement (Exodus 25:10-22, 26:31-33, Leviticus 16:1-34 & Hebrews 9:1-10).

The Holy of Holies was the innermost place where God’s presence dwelled. It symbolizes the ultimate surrender and intimate communion with God.  

In the New Testament, the Holy of Holies and its contents hold significant meaning for the prayer life of believers, who are considered priests. 

1 Peter 2:9 (WEB), "But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, that you may proclaim the excellence of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light." 

Revelation 1:6 (KJV), "And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen."

The tearing of the veil symbolizes direct access to God's presence for believers, enabling them to pray and worship without intermediaries (Matthew 27:51, Mark 15:38, Luke 23:45).

The New Testament encourages all believers to draw near to God in the Holy of Holies with confidence, boldness, and sincerity.

Hebrews 10:19-22 (AMP), "Therefore, brethren, since we have full freedom and confidence to enter the Holy of Holies [by the power and virtue] in the blood of Jesus, By this fresh (new) and living way which He initiated and dedicated and made known for us through the veil, that is, through His flesh, And since we have a great High Priest Who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession [of faith in Him]. Let us approach [God] with a true and sincere heart, in the assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled and purified from a guilty (evil) conscience and our bodies washed with clean water.""

Devotion at the Ark of the Covenant 

The Ark of the Covenant is a holy chest with the tablets of the Ten Commandments, Aaron's rod, and manna representing God's covenant with the Israelites and His divine presence and rulership (kingdom) among them.

The believer must express total devotion to the commandments of Jesus in the four Gospels represented by the Law of Moses, present himself to be used of God inspite of rejection from people as happened to Aaron when God responded by the budding of his rod overnight, and listen to God's continuous instruction and guidance represented by the manna that fell from heaven daily every morning.

The Ark of the Covenant is the symbol of the presence of God as King among men, and if anyone mishandled it even with good intentions they died instantly like Uzzah.

2 Samuel 6:6-7 (WEB), "When they came to the threshing floor of Nacon, Uzzah reached for God’s ark, and took hold of it; for the cattle stumbled. Yahweh’s anger burned against Uzzah; and God struck him there for his error; and he died there by God’s ark."

The Ark is the place of total surrender and submission to the kingship or rulership of the Father without trying to help Him to be God. This matches with part of the last statement in the Jesus Prayer Model where Christ taught His disciples to say, "Yours is the kingdom."

Matthew 6:13 (WEB), "...For yours is the Kingdom..."

Acknowledging God's Power at the Mercy Seat/Throne of Grace 

The Mercy Seat is the golden lid and throne of the Ark of the Covenant, symbolizing God's power and mercy, where the high priest would sprinkle blood on the Day of Atonement to atone for the sins of the people (Romans 3:25, Hebrews 9:5).

The Mercy Seat symbolizes God’s presence, power, and mercy, ultimately fulfilled through Jesus’ sacrifice. 

In the Old Testament, the high priest would sprinkle the blood of a sacrificial animal on the Mercy Seat on the Day of Atonement to atone for Israel’s sins (Leviticus 16:15-16). 

This foreshadowed Jesus, whose blood was shed to provide eternal redemption for humanity. As Paul writes, “God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of His blood—to be received by faith” (Romans 3:25, NIV). 

Through Jesus, the Mercy Seat becomes a powerful sign of God’s grace and the reconciliation of sinners to Him. Believers, as priests, can now approach God's throne with prayers and intercessions, knowing that Jesus is their High Priest and Intercessor (Hebrews 7:25, Romans 8:34).

Believers can pray with confidence, knowing that Jesus' blood has secured their forgiveness and redemption.

Having already confessed your sins at the Laver, you now need to acknowledge God's power in your prayer and life through the forgiveness of your sins.

Jesus demonstrated His power and healed the sick through the forgiveness of sins. 

Matthew 9:6 (NKJV), "But that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins”—then He said to the paralytic, “Arise, take up your bed, and go to your house.” 

The apostle James shows us that the power of prayer is unlocked when we are forgiven by God in response to the confession of our sins. 

James 5:16 (WEB), "Confess your offenses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The insistent prayer of a righteous person is powerfully effective." 

The part where Jesus taught us to acknowledge the power of God is when He instructed us to say, "Yours is the power."

Matthew 6:13 (WEB), "For yours is ...the power..."

Giving Glory at the Two Golden Cherubim

The two cherubim were placed on the cover of the Ark, facing each other and looking into the mercy seat with their wings extended, as they sought to see the sacrifice and the glory (fire) of God that would descend upon it as a sign that the Lord had received the offering.

This is what the apostle Peter talks about revealing that the two angels were looking into the sacrifice of Jesus Christ to see how God's glory descended upon Him in the resurrection as a sign that the Father had accepted Christ's sacrifice. 

1 Peter 1:11-12 (NKJV), "Searching what, or what manner of time, the Spirit of Christ who was in them was indicating when He testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow. To them it was revealed that, not to themselves, but to us they were ministering the things which now have been reported to you through those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven—things which angels desire to look into."

This is where we must give all the glory to God during prayer for what He has done in our lives through the sacrifice of Christ Jesus. 

The part that matches to this stage in the Jesus Prayer Model is where the Lord taught us to say, "Yours is the glory."

Matthew 6:13 (WEB), "For yours is ...the glory forever. Amen.’"

When you get to the most holy place in prayer you will feel that if you continue praying you might die at any moment, because your body will no longer be able to contain the intensity of the presence and power of God. The glory of God will be visible on the countenance of your face to the people who see you. 

2 Corinthians 3:7-8 (NET), "But if the ministry that produced death – carved in letters on stone tablets – came with glory, so that the Israelites could not keep their eyes fixed on the face of Moses because of the glory of his face (a glory which was made ineffective), how much more glorious will the ministry of the Spirit be?"

Acts 6:15 (NET), "All who were sitting in the council looked intently at Stephen and saw his face was like the face of an angel."

Always end your prayer by surrendering to God’s sovereignty (kingdom), power, and glory. Shalom.

THE TRUTH ABOUT GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST AND PROSPERITY

INTRODUCTION 

The relationship between the Gospel of Jesus Christ and prosperity is a topic of much debate and discussion on social media and in churches these days.

In following the discussion two doctrinal positions are evident: the pro-wealth view and the anti-prosperity view. 

》The more popular pro-wealth view suggests that the gospel is all about material prosperity in this earthly, and places little or no value on eternal salvation. All bible verses and are interpreted to mean physical or financial blessings. 

》The less popular anti-prosperity view says the gospel is all about Jesus Christ and has nothing to do with any material prosperity or blessings. It suggests that all of the bible verses about riches refer to spiritual and eternal things, and that Christians do not need Jesus to prosper materially. 

Both of these views have an unbalanced mix of truth and error and they both end up destroying the lives of believers who adhere to either one of them. 

The pro-wealth view results in carnal materialism (the belief that physical possessions and wealth are the most important or valuable aspects of life), lack of spiritual fruit and disappointment. 

On the other hand, the anti-prosperity view results in spiritual elitism (the belief that a select group of people based on their beliefs; are better than others and exclusively deserve access to God and to heaven), self righteousness and religious radicalism or aggression. 

It's important to understand what the Bible says about prosperity and how it fits into the life of a believer from a balanced perspective.

In this teaching we are going to see the actual meaning of prosperity and how it is appropriated to the believers according to the scriptures. 

We will see from the Bible how prosperity is holistic (both spiritual and physical), how the spiritual forms the foundation of the physical, how the physical reveals the spiritual, and how both work together to glorify God. 

In laying a foundation for understanding the balanced truth about prosperity and the gospel of Jesus Christ in the Bible,  we need to first understand the balanced meaning of the gospel itself...

WHAT IS THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST - A BALANCED VIEW 

The word "gospel" has its roots in the Greek "euangelion" (good news or glad tidings) as derived from "eu" - "good" or "well," and "angelos" - "messenger" or "angel."

In the Bible, the term "gospel" refers to the good news of Jesus Christ which is summed up in two words: grace and truth, and it contrasted with the law of Moses by which men are condemned in sin to death.

John 1:17 "For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ."

Grace and truth are the two branches that make the complete gospel. Grace is known as the gospel of grace, and truth is known as the gospel of the kingdom of God. Paul presented the 'whole counsel of God' by preaching these two kinds of the gospel. 

Acts 20:24-27 (WEB) "But these things don’t count; nor do I hold my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to fully testify to the Good News of the grace of God. “Now, behold, I know that you all, among whom I went about preaching God’s Kingdom, will see my face no more. Therefore I testify to you today that I am clean from the blood of all men, for I didn’t shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God." 

The truth and gospel of the kingdom of God is the gospel of the circumcision that was revealed to the Jews through the ministry of Peter and the twelve apostles. The gospel of grace is the gospel of the uncircumcision given to the Gentiles through the ministry of Paul the apostle. 

Galatians 2:7-8 (KJV) "But contrariwise, when they saw that the gospel of the uncircumcision was committed unto me, as the gospel of the circumcision was unto Peter; (For he that wrought effectually in Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision, the same was mighty in me toward the Gentiles:)."

The foundation of the truth and gospel of the kingdom of God is the revelation of WHO JESUS IS (Christ/Messiah the Son of the living God),  and that revelation was given to Peter.

Matthew 16:15-17 (WEB) "He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven." 

The foundation of the grace or gospel of grace of is the revelation of WHAT JESUS DID (the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ), and that revelation was given to Paul. He writes... 

1 Corinthians 15:1-4 (WEB)  "Now I declare to you, brothers, the Good News which I preached to you, which also you received, in which you also stand, by which also you are saved, if you hold firmly the word which I preached to you—unless you believed in vain. For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures."

The gospel of the kingdom of God reveals His image and the gospel of grace reveals His likeness. The image of God is His righteous nature and character as revealed in the fruit of the Spirit, and the likeness of God is revealed in the gifts of the Spirit. 

Man was created to reflect both the image and the likeness of God and the two bring the complete reflection of God's glory. 

Genesis 1:26 (WEB) "God said, “Let’s make man in our IMAGE, after our LIKENESS...” 

The complete glory of God is what Christ reflected as grace and truth in His earthly life. 

John 1:14 (WEB)  "The Word became flesh, and lived among us. We saw his glory, such glory as of the one and only Son of the Father, full of GRACE  and TRUTH." 

Sadly the church is split on two extremes of the gospel of the kingdom versus the gospel of grace, and this leads to the two extreme views of interpretation in relation to prosperity...

 

》The extreme biased on the truth of God's kingdom gave birth to the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR) movement in the United States of America which teaches the following extreme views:

> Prosperity Gospel: Beyond the scriptures, the NAR emphasizes material wealth and health as divine rights tied to donations and "seed faith" (giving to receive more). Leaders promise financial blessings, healing, and success in exchange for loyalty and financial support.

> Dominionism: The NAR seeks to establish a theocratic government on earth in this age, where "apostles" and "prophets" rule society, influencing politics, economy, and culture. NAR leaders claim divine authority, promoting authoritarianism, suppression of different views, and unaccountable leadership.

These extremes deviate from biblical teachings, prioritizing power, wealth, and manipulative control over humility, love, and servitude.

》The other extreme biased on the gospel of God's grace gave birth to the Mid-Acts Dispensation (MAD) or 'Rightly Dividing' movement in the United States of America which teaches the following extreme views:

> Ultra-literalism: The MAD rejects biblical application beyond historical and spiritual contexts. To them prosperity and riches in the Bible are limited only to the spiritual realm. 

> Radical separation from "false" ministers, churches and believers: The MAD exhibit a harsh, critical, and condemning attitude towards other Christians outside their circle. MAD rejects mainstream Christianity, labeling it "apostate." They see themselves as the remnant as all other churches are 'lost'.

> Elitism: The MAD claiming exclusive understanding of the bible and spiritual superiority. They have a rigid view of the bible and are not open to correction or any interpretation different from their own. They feel more spiritually correct and always seek to teach others who are certainly 'lost.'

> Rejection of all biblical faith teachings related to healing and prosperity, labeling them "prosperity gospel" or "Word of Faith."

> 'Right Division': The MAD teach man made dispensational boundaries in the Bible, creating a "us vs. them" mentality. Most of them reject the four Gospels and the letters of Peter, James and John. They only acknowledge the 13 letters of Paul whom they selectively misinterpret. 

> Denial of biblical prosperity and Overemphasis on suffering, as spiritual virtues: The MAD claim that material prosperity is only for Israel or the future kingdom. They believe it is carnal or fleshly to desire financial blessings, which they claim not to be applicable to the Church Age, and praying for riches of this life is seen as a sign of spiritual immaturity and worldliness. Financial lack, poverty, and hardship is seen as "suffering with Christ" or "dying to self."

> Hypocrisy: The MAD disregard for biblical stewardship and responsible financial management. Often they lack accountability and transparency in financial dealings.

These extremes lead to spiritual pride, poverty, legalism, and isolationism, deviating from biblical teachings on faith, stewardship, love, humility, unity, and God's goodness.

While many innocent belivers especially in the third world nations not directly identify with these two extreme Gospel movements, they have been influenced by their views and practices in one way or another. 

Both the evangelical pentecostal church and the false 'modern day prophetic movement' in Africa have been deeply influenced by the NAR teachings, and the materialistic teachings of financial prosperity have replaced the cross for salvation. 

In this teaching we will see how prosperity is revealed from the balanced perspective of the whole counsel of God.  

WHAT IS PROSPERITY IN THE BIBLE - A BALANCED VIEW 

What is the exact meaning of prosperity, blessing, blessings, riches and wealth in the Bible, and how do they apply to the New Testament Christian?

A foundation for correct understanding:

There is a need for us to understand the scriptures from the perspective of how God speaks or does NOT speak, and move away from the human views which partly correct and partly wrong. 

God does not speak words from limited compartments of interpretation, but He speaks holistic words whose meaning cuts across all layers of reality and existence. When God speaks His voice affects everything.

This is important to understand because scriptures are not written from the manner in which men speak, but they are written from the way God speaks. 

For example, when God warned Adam saying, "You shall not eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil; for in the day that you eat of it, you will surely die” (Genesis 2:17); both the words day and die here are holistic and not limited to one plane of reality. 

The word 'day' refers both to the twenty-four hour period marked by evening and morning, and to the millenial period of one thousand years. The day is not limited to just one of the two meanings, and each one of them helps us to understand the 'day' in different forms.

Genesis 1:5 (WEB) "God called the light “day”, and the darkness he called “night”. There was evening and there was morning, the first day."

2 Peter 3:8 (WEB)  "But don’t forget this one thing, beloved, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day." 

Within the twenty-four hour period of day, Adam experienced spiritual death as God's glory departed from him, and a deposit of his physical death manifested in his vulnerability, fear, nakedness and shame (Genesis 3:6-10). But it took nine hundred and thirty for death to manifest fully in his physical life, which is within the millenial day. 

Genesis 5:5 (WEB) "All the days that Adam lived were nine hundred thirty years, then he died." 

So then, death is not limited to either the spiritual or natural aspect only, but  refers to both. It is holistic, covering the spiritual and physical person in its fullness. So also is life. This helps us understand how Jesus came to restore life in either the spirit only or the flesh only, but in it's fullness. 

John 10:10 (BSB) "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I have come that they may have LIFE and have it in all its FULLNESS." 

Just as Adam instantly died in the moment that he ate of the fruit of the knowledge of good and evil, and the death matured in his body of flesh in 930 years; man receives eternal life instantly in his renewed spirit in the regeneration, and will be given an eternal body at the end of this age (millenial day of the church).

Having laid this foundation, and having taken off the limited lenses with which men see things, now let us go on to the meaning of prosperity and its other related words from the balanced view of how God speaks. 

The Biblical Meaning of Prosperity: 

Prosperity in the Old Testament Hebrew is "tsalach" which means "to prosper," "to succeed," "to thrive," "to rush, to throw oneself forcefully," often describing a sudden and powerful action of progress, such as the Spirit of God coming upon someone (Judges 14:6, 14:19; 1 Samuel 10:6, 10:10, 11:6, 16:13, 18:10).

Tsalach means "to prosper, to succeed," used to describe a person's or a venture's success, with God as the one who causes this prosperity (Genesis 24:21, 39:3, 39:23; Nehemiah 1:11, 2:20).

It also means to be profitable, to be advantageous" when referring to things (Jeremiah 13:7, 13:10; Ezekiel 15:4).

Tsalach expresses both the idea of a sudden, powerful action and the concepts of prosperity, success, and achievement, often with God as the source of this blessing. It is holistic prosperity covering all aspects of human life that those who meditate on the Word of God are guaranteed to enjoy. 

Joshua 1:8 (WEB) "This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it; for then you shall make your way prosperous (tsalach), and then you shall have good success." 

Psalms 1:1-3 (WEB) "Blessed is the man who doesn’t walk in the counsel of the wicked, nor stand on the path of sinners, nor sit in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in Yahweh’s law. On his law he meditates day and night. He will be like a tree planted by the streams of water, that produces its fruit in its season, whose leaf also does not wither. Whatever he does shall prosper (tsalach)." 

Another Hebrew word for prosperity connected with meditation is 'shalom' (prosperity, peace), comes from the root 'shalam' meaning 'complete, whole.' 

Isaiah 26:3 (WEB) "You will keep whoever’s mind is steadfast in perfect peace (shalom shalom), because he trusts in you." 

By nature, shalom is a holistic word covering all aspects of human life and can not be restricted to mean either the spiritual or the natural only. 

The Greek New Testament word matching to the Hebrew tsalach is 'euodoo' (prosper), which comes from 'eu' (to be well) and 'hodos' (way or progress), and according to Strong's Concordance, it means 'to help on the road, that is, succeed in reaching; to succeed in business affairs; to have a prosperous journey.'

Just like the Hebrew shalom, the Greek eudoo is a holistic word covering prosperity from the spirit and also manifesting in the natural. 

3 John 1:2 (WEB) "Beloved, I pray that you may PROSPER (eudoo) in ALL THINGS and be healthy, even as your SOUL PROSPERS (eudoo)."

This verse provides insight into God's desire for our well-being. God is expressing through the apostle John that He wants us to succeed, flourish, or have good success in ALL THINGS. 

This is all-inclusive prosperity, encompassing emotional, physical, and material aspects; which must manifest as our souls prosper. The prosperity of the soul is spiritual health, growth, life, and fitness.

John's prayer to Gaius encompasses three aspects: material prosperity (success in daily life, finances, and endeavors), physical health (wholeness and well-being in body and mind), and spiritual prosperity (growth in the fruit of the Spirit).

Jesus came that we may have life in its fullness from the spiritual to the physical realm, and the manifestation of that life at all levels is prosperity. This shows God's concern for our total well-being, and the biblical principle of balance between spiritual, mental, and material prosperity.

The Balanced Understanding of Blessing(s), Riches and Wealth 

Blessing is both a verb and a noun. A verb expresses action, occurrence, or state (e.g., "running"), whereas a noun represents a person, place, thing, or concept (e.g., "runner").

The word "blessing" as a verb originates from the Old English "blēdsian," meaning "to consecrate" or "to make holy," which is related to the act of invoking divine favor or approval upon someone or something by speaking words. The Hebrew 'brakha' or 'barak' means 'to kneel,' or to 'speak well of.' 

The act of blessing was normally practiced by the fathers as they spoke well over their children to empower them for their life-purposes. Jacob for example, spoke words prophetically over his twelve sons to bless them appropriately according to God's will over their lives.

Genesis 49:28 (NET) "These are the twelve tribes of Israel. This is what their father SAID to them when he BLESSED them. He gave each of them an appropriate blessing."

The Greek  "eulogia" for blessing comes from "eu" - well, and "logos" - speak, which also means to speak well of. The first thing God ever did after making man was to bless him for the dominion mandate. With God, there is no assignment without empowerment. 

Genesis 1:28 (WEB) "God BLESSED them. God SAID to them, “Be fruitful, multiply, fill the earth, and subdue it. Have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the sky, and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”" 

In the Bible, "blessing" as a noun refers to the endowment of divine favor and protection bestowed by God, associated with happiness, prosperity, and enrichment. It is the supernatural empowerment to prosper for God's purposes that is released by speaking words upon a person or a thing. 

Blessing is 'the power to get wealth' that comes from God. Not all who have wealth in this world are blessed. It is only those who have accessed wealth by God's power who are truly blessed. 

Deuteronomy 8:18 (WEB) "But you shall remember Yahweh your God, for it is he who gives you power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he swore to your fathers, as it is today." 

God's blessing is released by words in the Spirit, but manifests in physical form of riches (blessings) that comes with no sorrow attached to them. 

Proverbs 10:22 (NET) "The blessing from the Lord makes a person RICH, and he adds no sorrow to it."

The Hebrew "osher" for riches comes from "ashar" which means 'to be blessed.' So, when the Bible says that God's blessing makes rich here, what riches are being referred to? 

In the context of this particular scripture the blessing takes the essence of the spiritual riches that form the basis for the manifestation of material riches, without any problems attached.

The Greek "ploutos" for riches in the New Testament means plenty, abundant or much. The idea of plenty here has to do with having a surplus beyond what is required of everything. In other words it means being fully supplied without lack.

Ephesians 3:20 "Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us."

As with everything else, God does not speak of riches generally in a restricted sense as either spiritual or material, except when He is putting emphasis on the spiritual and also when He is making a distinction of the two. 

God puts emphasis on the spiritual blessings we have received in Christ are, for they are the heavenly basis and reality of the glory of God that material riches picture on earth.

Ephesians 1:3 (NET) "Blessed is the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms in Christ."

Both spiritual and material benefits of the blessing of the Lord come through the obedience of faith to His Word. They come as cumulative benefits of faithfulness to believers. 

Psalm 103:2-5 (AMP) "Bless (affectionately, gratefully praise) the Lord, O my soul, and forget not [one of] all His benefits. Who forgives [every one of] all your iniquities, Who heals [each one of] all your diseases, Who redeems your life from the pit and corruption, Who beautifies, dignifies, and crowns you with loving-kindness and tender mercy; Who satisfies your mouth [your necessity and desire at your personal age and situation] with good so that your youth, renewed, is like the eagle 's [strong, overcoming, soaring]!" 

In the Law of Moses were the blessings of the Abrahamic covenant were listed as rewards for obedience to the Law.

Deuteronomy 28:1-14 (WEB) "It shall happen, if you shall listen diligently to Yahweh your God’s voice, to observe to do all his commandments which I command you today, that Yahweh your God will set you high above all the nations of the earth. All these blessings will come upon you, and overtake you, if you listen to Yahweh your God’s voice. You shall be blessed in the city, and you shall be blessed in the field. You shall be blessed in the fruit of your body, the fruit of your ground, the fruit of your animals, the increase of your livestock, and the young of your flock. Your basket and your kneading trough shall be blessed. You shall be blessed when you come in, and you shall be blessed when you go out. Yahweh will cause your enemies who rise up against you to be struck before you. They will come out against you one way, and will flee before you seven ways. Yahweh will command the blessing on you in your barns, and in all that you put your hand to. He will bless you in the land which Yahweh your God gives you. Yahweh will establish you for a holy people to himself, as he has sworn to you, if you shall keep the commandments of Yahweh your God, and walk in his ways. All the peoples of the earth shall see that you are called by Yahweh’s name, and they will be afraid of you. Yahweh will grant you abundant prosperity in the fruit of your body, in the fruit of your livestock, and in the fruit of your ground, in the land which Yahweh swore to your fathers to give you. Yahweh will open to you his good treasure in the sky, to give the rain of your land in its season, and to bless all the work of your hand. You will lend to many nations, and you will not borrow. Yahweh will make you the head, and not the tail. You will be above only, and you will not be beneath, if you listen to the commandments of Yahweh your God which I command you today, to observe and to do, and shall not turn away from any of the words which I command you today, to the right hand or to the left, to go after other gods to serve them." 

All the spiritual and material benefits of prosperity are wealth. Wealth and riches are closely related words in the Bible.The Hebrew "hon" for wealth comes from "havon" (rich); and the Greek "plousios" for wealthy comes from "ploutos" (rich).

To be wealthy is to have more than enough spiritual possessions and material and resources. The purpose of material prosperity is to serve God and to distribute to the needy as stewards of material wealth.

1 Timothy 6:17-19 (WEB) "Charge those who are rich in this present world that they not be arrogant, nor have their hope set on the uncertainty of riches, but on the living God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy; that they do good, that they be rich in good works, that they be ready to distribute, willing to share; laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold of eternal life." 

It is wrong to confine the words prosperity, blessing, riches and wealth to material things of this world which will soon pass away. And it is equally wrong to limit the same words to the spiritual realm as if the earth is the devil's when it belongs to God. 

Psalms 24:1 (WEB) "The earth is Yahweh’s, with its fullness; the world, and those who dwell in it." 

Christ Jesus who is the Seed of Abraham, inherited the holistic blessing of the Abrahamic covenant, for Abraham was blessed by God Most High, possessor of both the spiritual (heaven) and the material (earth).

Genesis 14:18-19 (WEB) "Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. He was priest of God Most High. He blessed him, and said, “Blessed be Abram of God Most High, possessor of heaven and earth." 

Galatians 3:16 "Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ."

So Christ took upon Himself the curse of the Law so that we could receive the blessing of Abraham along with the Holy Spirit through faith. 

Galatians 3:13-14 (WEB) "Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us. For it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree,” that the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith."

By taking the curse of the Law upon Himself, Christ became poor so that we may have access to His riches. 

2 Corinthians 8:9 (WEB) "For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that you through his poverty might become rich." 

In the Bible verse above Paul is teaching the Corinthians to give their material possessions to those in need, and is reminding them that their material prosperity is a result of the grace of God and part of the riches of Christ. 

Paul goes on to tell them that they are to share with others from their excess wealth without putting themselves in lack either. 

2 Corinthians 8:13-14 (WEB) "For this is not that others may be eased and you distressed, but for equality. Your abundance at this present time supplies their lack, that their abundance also may become a supply for your lack; that there may be equality." 

God's desire is a shalom community of people with nothing lacking. Christ became poor in every sense of poverty, from the spiritual to the physical. 

He emptied Himself of His glory as God to become a needy son of a poor carpenter born in a smelly manger, took the nature of a slave without rights or human dignity, and died on the cross as a criminal of criminals. 

Philippians 2:5-8 (WEB) "Have this in your mind, which was also in Christ Jesus, who, existing in the form of God, didn’t consider equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself, becoming obedient to the point of death, yes, the death of the cross."

There is no poverty worse than what Christ endured. He was sold by Judas as a cheap slave for 33 pieces of silver for our prosperity. Let's not try to cheapen His sacrifice by limiting the meaning of prosperity to a thin veil of understanding. 

If God gave us Jesus Christ, He will also give us all things freely together with Him. Let us not cheapen the grace of God through a materialism that attaches some extra biblical charges of giving for prosperity outside of biblical justification. 

Romans 8:32-33 (WEB)  "He who didn’t spare his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how would he not also with him freely give us all things? Who could bring a charge against God’s chosen ones? It is God who justifies."

After all, prosperity isn't limited to material wealth. It includes spiritual well-being, peace, and fulfillment in life. The key is to view prosperity as holistic.

CONCLUSION 

The Proper Attitude Towards Prosperity 

The Gospel of Jesus Christ teaches us that true prosperity is found in a relationship with God, characterized by spiritual growth, contentment, and generosity. 

Material wealth is not the ultimate goal, but is a means to attain a higher and eternal purpose. By prioritizing our spiritual well-being and trusting God’s provision, we experience true prosperity that goes beyond material wealth.

True prosperity is a balanced life of total freedom and well-being, including fulfillment, peace, provision and contentment, which Jesus offers through a relationship with Him.

Sadly a lot of preachers have turned the gospel into a message of material wealth and to them Christianity is a means to gain wealth. The Bible warns us to withdraw ourselves from such.  

1 Timothy 6:5-8 (WEB) "Constant friction of people of corrupt minds and destitute of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain. Withdraw yourself from such. But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we certainly can’t carry anything out. But having food and clothing, we will be content with that."

The Christian must not be driven by the love of money to pursue wealth. This is the snare that the devil is using to draw people away from God.

1 Timothy 6:9-10 (WEB)  "But those who are determined to be rich fall into a temptation, a snare, and many foolish and harmful lusts, such as drown men in ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some have been led astray from the faith in their greed, and have pierced themselves through with many sorrows."

Paul teaches the importance of being content and finding strength in Christ, regardless of having or not having  material wealth.

Philippians 4:11-13 (WEB) "Not that I speak because of lack, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content in it. I know how to be humbled, and I also know how to abound. In everything and in all things I have learned the secret both to be filled and to be hungry, both to abound and to be in need. I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me." 

This does not mean that we must not seek the blessing of God either, it simply means that our hearts must be devoted to God and not to money in the process. It's impossible to love both God and money at the same time. 

Matthew 6:24 (NET) “No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money."

We must first seek the will of God according to the Gospel of the kingdom, but His righteousness, and God Himself will add the riches of this life to us.

Matthew 6:33, "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."  

Seeking God's kingdom is the priority. Spiritual growth and a relationship with God bring true fulfillment. God promises to provide for our needs, when we align with His purpose. Giving our worldly riches to God's purposes gives them an eternal value beyond this world.

Matthew 6:19-20 (NET) “Do not accumulate for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal. But accumulate for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal."

Luke 16:9 (NET) "And I tell you, make friends for yourselves by how you use worldly wealth, so that when it runs out you will be welcomed into the eternal homes."

The spiritual kingdom of God has the capacity to supply natural blessings from the invisible riches of His glory. Paul was sure that God would supply the Philippians who supported his ministry financially according to His riches in glory. 

Philippians 4:18-19 (NET) "For I have received everything, and I have plenty. I have all I need because I received from Epaphroditus what you sent – a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, very pleasing to God. And my God will supply your every need according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus."  

Generosity in the kingdom reflects trust in God and leads to proportionate blessings beyond material wealth.  

2 Corinthians 9:6-8 (NET) "My point is this: The person who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and the person who sows generously will also reap generously. Each one of you should give just as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, because God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace overflow to you so that because you have enough of everything in every way at all times, you will overflow in every good work."  

Does one need Jesus to prosper materially?

If a person is seeking to prosper materially without added sorrows, yes, they need Jesus because He alone does offer that kind of material wealth. 

In reality, the devil does not make anybody prosper materially. He only uses the material wealth in his custody as bait to hook souls away from God and then kills them. Satan is a thief.

John 10:10 (NET) "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come so that they may have life, and may have it abundantly."

The ability to enjoy wealth from your work without stress only comes from God as a blessing,  and is a gift that the devil does not have to give his worshippers. 

Ecclesiastes 3:12-13 (NET) "I have concluded that there is nothing better for people than to be happy and to enjoy themselves as long as they live, and also that everyone should eat and drink, and find enjoyment in all his toil, for these things are a gift from God."

Ecclesiastes 5:19 (NET) "To every man whom God has given wealth, and possessions, he has also given him the ability to eat from them, to receive his reward and to find enjoyment in his toil; these things are the gift of God."

Many people who seem to achieve material success without a relationship with Jesus do not even have the freedom to enjoy that wealth. 

Ecclesiastes 5:13-17 (WEB) "There is a grievous evil which I have seen under the sun: wealth kept by its owner to his harm. Those riches perish by misfortune, and if he has fathered a son, there is nothing in his hand. As he came out of his mother’s womb, naked shall he go again as he came, and shall take nothing for his labor, which he may carry away in his hand. This also is a grievous evil, that in all points as he came, so shall he go. And what profit does he have who labors for the wind? All his days he also eats in darkness, he is frustrated, and has sickness and wrath."

Just as we need Jesus to breathe, walk or wake up in the morning, we need Him to experience prosperity in it's fullness, including material wealth. 

But it goes without saying material wealth alone does not equate to true prosperity.

Mark 8:36, "What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?"  

True prosperity focuses more on eternal values rather than temporary earthly riches. When Satan tempted Jesus with food, Jesus did not utterly deny His need for bread, but He simply highlighted the importance of the Word of God (spiritual food) above natural food. 

Matthew 4:3-4 (WEB) "The tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.” But he answered, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.’”

Many pulpits are turning stones into bread to draw crowds. Satan offers shortcuts that cut people short of the real blessing. He wants to be worshipped through money just the same way he wanted Jesus to worship him for wealth. 

Matthew 4:8-10 (WEB) "Again, the devil took him to an exceedingly high mountain, and showed him all the kingdoms of the world, and their glory. He said to him, “I will give you all of these things, if you will fall down and worship me.” Then Jesus said to him, “Get behind me,Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and you shall serve him only.’”

On the other hand, God is looking for someone to bless with balanced prosperity in the spirit, mind, and body.

1 Thessalonians 5:23 (WEB) "May the God of peace himself sanctify you completely. May your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ." 

Every natural blessing is found in the spiritual. Once you pursue the spiritual you get everything. Solomon asked for the spiritual blessing of wisdom and was blessed wisdom for the spirit, honor for the mind, and riches for body.

2 Chronicles 1:11-12 (NIV) "God said to Solomon, 'Since this is your heart’s desire and you have not asked for wealth, possessions or honor, nor for the death of your enemies, and since you have not asked for a long life but for wisdom and knowledge to govern my people over whom I have made you king, therefore wisdom and knowledge will be given you. And I will also give you wealth, possessions and honor, such as no king who was before you ever had and none after you will have.'"

Remembering God as the source of all blessings helps maintain a balanced view of prosperity. Shalom.