#1 Two Kinds of Prayer
“If we ask anything according to His will, He hears us—and we know we have what we asked.”
Prayer is one of the most vital aspects of our walk with the Lord. It's multifaceted—where we interact with Him, where we listen, where we ask, and where we declare. Today, I want to focus on how to ask in faith, and what that looks like in light of the finished work of Jesus Christ. Over the next few weeks, we’ll be diving into this theme of prayer leading up to Easter, but this message sets the foundation by tackling our mindset and heart posture when we pray. When we truly understand what Christ has already accomplished, it transforms how we pray—shifting us from pleading to confident expectation.
Declaring vs. Asking in Prayer
To begin, it's helpful to categorize two basic types of prayer: declaring and asking. While there are many forms of prayer, these two give us a foundational framework. Declaring is when you speak what is already true in Christ—what He has finished, what He has given, what He has promised. Asking is when you request something, often needing wisdom or insight, or drawing from what Jesus has already made available. These are not mutually exclusive forms but work together.
We are not trying to twist God's arm or convince Him to act. As I put it, “We have a unique presentation of the gospel here in that we just really focus on the finished work. We focus on who we are in Christ. We focus on the effects of the death, burial, and resurrection. And we look at the idea that as we behold Him, we become like Him.”
So much of prayer is about reframing. It’s about holding up our situations in the light of what Christ has already done. It’s less about asking God to come down and intervene, and more about learning to see our reality through the lens of our union with Christ.
You Are Already Perfect in Spirit
Before we were in Christ, we were spiritually dead—cut off from God, alienated, lost. But something miraculous happened when we placed our faith in Jesus. “We were dead in our sin… But then when we put our faith in Him, He gives us a new heart. He resurrects our spirit.”
So many believers struggle with the concept of being “perfect in spirit,” but the reality is, “You could say you’re perfect in spirit right now. Say it: ‘I’m perfect.’ And if you think that you're not, then quit being self-righteous.” This kind of bold language may make some uncomfortable, but it’s key to understanding our identity. We’re not saying our flesh is perfect. We’re saying our spirit has been made new—righteous, holy, blameless in Him.
2 Peter 1:3-4 tells us that God “has given us all things that pertain to life and godliness,” and through His great and precious promises, we become partakers of the divine nature. That’s not future-tense—it’s now. This is why we can approach God with confidence. We are not unworthy beggars. We are beloved sons and daughters, qualified by Christ Himself.
The Legal Battle Is Over
Sometimes when we pray and we don't see immediate results, doubt creeps in. We start making lists in our heads—maybe I didn’t give enough, maybe I brought something cursed into my home, maybe I’m disqualified. But these thoughts are rooted in law-based thinking.
As I said during the message, “You start thinking, ‘Maybe I brought some Masonic coins into my home and there's a demon robbing my blessing’… and it’s like, if you start thinking that way, then you get into this legal battle that has already been dealt with.”
Colossians 2:14 is clear: the law that stood against us has been nailed to the cross. That means there's no longer any accusation that has legal standing. “Everything past, present, and future—He nailed it to His cross.” That’s not permission to sin. It’s an invitation to live in freedom, knowing our righteousness is a gift. “I want to live in a way that reflects the holiness He’s done on the inside of me… I say no to sin—not to be accepted, but because I already am.”
Asking According to His Will
When we ask in prayer, we ask according to His will. But what does that mean?
Let’s look again at these anchor scriptures:
1 John 5:14-15 – “Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him.”
Mark 11:24 – “Whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.” (KJV: “believe that ye have received them”)
Philippians 4:6-7 – “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God…”
John 14:13-14 – “Whatever you ask in My name, that I will do… If you ask anything in My name, I will do it.”
Asking “in His name” means in line with His nature, His character, His authority. “We’re not naming it and claiming it. We’re not calling Bugattis into our lives,” I joked—but the truth is, God isn’t withholding things from us. He wants us to know His will so we can ask with confidence.
And how do we know His will? Scripture, His character, our identity in Him, His promises—and most of all, the finished work of the cross.
Prayer in Light of the Cross
Our model for prayer must be shaped by what Jesus accomplished at the cross. Isaiah 53 gives us a prophetic glimpse into this great exchange:
“Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows… the chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed.”
So what do we do when we’re depressed, anxious, or overwhelmed? We look to the cross. “You may feel like a loser. But what did He do that I can ask for? He carried my sorrows. He bore my griefs. He felt the shame, the condemnation, the rejection. So now, I can expect healing. I can expect peace. I can expect joy.”
This is not wishful thinking. This is a legal transaction. “It’s yours now. The timing was 2,000 years ago.”
Faith Is Not a Bribe
It’s important to remember that faith doesn’t get God to move. God has already moved. Faith is not leverage; it’s a response. James 1:5-8 tells us to ask for wisdom in faith, “with no doubting.” God gives “liberally and without reproach.”
We don’t go to Him and get reminded of our failures. We go to Him and get reminded of His provision. “He’s not going to say, ‘Well, you haven’t been to church in a while.’ He’s going to remind you, ‘Remember the cross. I dealt with that.’”
Double-mindedness is a battle most Christians face. The Greek word dipsychos means “two-souled”—split between faith and doubt. As I said plainly, “Most of our prayer is doubt-driven and lack-focused.” But that’s not who we are. We can learn to bring our hearts into alignment with truth.
Capturing Every Thought
This leads us into true spiritual warfare. It’s not about chasing demons; it’s about stewarding our inner world. 2 Corinthians 10:4-5 says:
“The weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds… bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.”
You’re not trying to get demons to obey Jesus. “You’re wrestling your thoughts into captivity until your thoughts are in agreement with what Jesus accomplished on the cross.”
That’s the battle. And you do it not just until your thoughts agree mentally, but until your emotions and mental pictures shift too. “Think, feel, and see the truth when you pray.” That’s transformation.
Transformation Through Mind Renewal
Romans 12:2 tells us to be transformed by the renewing of our mind. That’s how you prove what God’s will is. It’s not about striving—it’s about being renewed.
And when it comes to sin? “Stop it. It’s killing you.” Not because God is angry, but because it’s harming your ability to walk in what God has for you. “It’s damaging your capacity to be shaped and molded and transformed by the Spirit of the living God.”
The blood of bulls and goats couldn’t cleanse your conscience. But the blood of Jesus does. He cleanses your heart so you can approach Him boldly, not weighed down by guilt or shame. And when that happens? “You are unstoppable.” Not because of your strength, but because of what you’re letting God do in you.
Practical Application
Let me leave you with something to do:
Pick an area in your life that you want to see transformed.
Read Isaiah 53.
Ask yourself: What did Jesus do on the cross that applies to this?
Meditate on that truth until it brings hope and changes how you see the situation.
“Host the word.” That’s what we do. We don’t strive. We plant the seed, and the seed grows. We stay in faith. We think, feel, and see the truth.
The transformation doesn’t come from trying harder. It comes from beholding Him.
So let me ask you: Are you ready to ask in faith?
Then declare what’s true. Ask boldly. And renew your mind until you’re fully persuaded of what Jesus has already given you.
“Peace, joy, righteousness, healing, provision—rightfully, legally, yours. Now. Say ‘Now.’”
