Power To Rule

By Pastor Juliana T Akinbami

The concept of rulership in the Bible
The concept of rulership in the Bible is a fundamental principle that every Christian needs to understand. God created man to have dominion over the earth and everything in it (Genesis 1:26). This means that we have been given the authority to rule and reign as kings on this earth. However, this rulership is not just limited to the physical realm. As believers, we have also been called to exercise rulership in the spiritual realm.

The Bible teaches that there is a spiritual battle going on around us (Ephesians 6:12). The devil and his demons are constantly seeking to steal, kill and destroy (John 10:10). But as children of God, we have been given the Power and authority to overcome the enemy (Luke 10:19). This Power is not based on our own strength, but on the Power of the Holy Spirit that dwells within us.

We must first understand our identity in Christ to exercise rulership in the Spirit. We have been made righteous through faith in Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 5:21). This means that we have been given the same authority that Jesus had when he walked the earth (Matthew 28:18). We have been given the Power to cast out demons, heal the sick and perform miracles (Mark 16:17-18).

However, this Power is not just for our own benefit. God has called us to be His ambassadors on this earth (2 Corinthians 5:20). We have been given the responsibility to bring God’s kingdom to earth and impact the lives of those around us. This means we must intentionally exercise our rulership in the Spirit.

Prayer is one of the most powerful ways to exercise rulership in the Spirit. When we pray, we align ourselves with God’s will and invite His Power to work in our lives.

Declare – I must intentionally exercise rulership in the Spirit. (5 minutes)

1. Pray for Power to rule.
Luke 24: 49 Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with Power from on high.”

Matthew 28: 18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.

Jesus has endued us with the power to rule through the workings of the Holy Spirit. The kingdom of Heaven is in power. 1 Corinthians 4:20. 

Pray
For the next 10 minutes, pray for the power to rule.

YOUR SPHERE OF RULERSHIP
Having obtained power through the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, we can rule and reign on the earth.

Revelation 5: 10 And have made us kings and priests to our God;
And we shall reign on the earth.”

God created us for dominion. God created us to rule. There are many spheres we are empowered to rule, and as we rule over these spheres, we will experience the change we desire.

2. PERSONAL SPHERE

We must have self-control and care for our own lives, including our physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being. We must govern ourselves and rule over our spiritual, physical and emotional state.

3. FINANCIAL SPHERE 
We must be good stewards of the resources that God has given to us, to be generous and to live debt free. We must rule over money.

4. CAREER SPHERE
We must work diligently and with excellence in our vocations, using our skills and abilities to glorify God and serve others, being a witness for Christ in our workplaces and living out our faith in practical ways.
We are called to dominate in our sphere and demonstrate the manifold wisdom of God in every place.

5. PERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS SPHERE
We should lead our families with love, humility, and servanthood, providing for and protecting our family members, teaching them about God’s ways, and living as examples of Christ-likeness. In addition, we must have charge over the affairs of the home and not allow the enemy to have a foothold.

1. Personal sphere
We are called to have self-control and care for our own lives, including our spiritual, physical, and emotional well-being.
As Christians, we are to exercise rulership in the Spirit. This means that we have been given the authority to rule over our circumstances and situations.

Proverbs 27: 28 Whoever has no rule over his own spirit
Is like a city broken down, without walls 

We have authority over our bodies. For example, we should not eat as though we have no control. We must honour our bodies. It is the temple of the Holy Spirit.

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 says, “Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore, honor God with your bodies.”

We can rule over our emotions too. We can master anger, fear, doubts, anxiety and any emotional stressors, if it was not possible, God would not have told Cain to master his anger.

Genesis 4: So the Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen? If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin lies at the door. And its desire is for you, but you should rule over it.”

2 Timothy 1:7 says, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.”

Pray
Heavenly Father, I come to You today asking for Your help to rule over my spirit. I recognize that I am weak and in need of Your strength and guidance to live a life of self-control and discipline. Please help me to develop a deeper relationship with You, to make seeking You a priority, and to love Your presence.
Help me to be more self-aware by examining my thoughts, emotions and behaviours. Reveal any areas of weakness or temptation in my life, and give me the grace to work on developing self-control in those areas.
Your Word is truth, may my mind be renewed with Your truth. Transform me by the truth of Your Word.
Give me the strength to practice self-discipline and to seek accountability from others who can support me on this journey. Please help me to guard my heart and to reject negative and ungodly thoughts that would lead me astray.
Thank You for Your love and grace and for the promise that You are always with me. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.

Now, take authority over slothfulness in spiritual matters, and reject every form of complacency. Rebuke distractions and negative and ungodly thoughts that lead one astray.

To attain personal rulership, we should also pray for wisdom, strength and guidance.

Proverbs 8: 14 Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom;
am understanding, I have strength.
15 By me kings reign,
And rulers decree justice.
16 By me princes rule, and nobles,
All the judges of the earth.

Wisdom is an essential element of rulership, as it allows us to make wise decisions and exercise good judgment. When we pray for wisdom, we ask God to give us the insight and knowledge we need to make the right choices. Remember, wisdom is a person. Jesus is our wisdom. When we pray for wisdom, we are praying for

Rulership requires strength and courage, as we must be willing to take action and stand firm in the face of opposition. When we pray for strength, we ask God to give us the courage and fortitude to overcome our challenges. Psalm 18:38-40Psalm 20:1-3.

Finally, rulership is a journey, and we need guidance along the way. When we pray for guidance, we ask God to show us the way and lead us on the path to victory. Pray that you will not stumble because He is leading you.

Pray
Heavenly Father, I pray for wisdom that You would give me the insight and knowledge I need to make wise decisions and exercise good judgment. Help me to remember that Jesus is our wisdom and that I can rely on Him for guidance.
I also pray for strength, that You would give me the courage and fortitude to overcome the challenges I face. Please help me to stand firm in the face of opposition and to take action when needed. I know that You are my source of strength and that I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
Father, I pray for guidance that you would show me the way and lead me on the path to victory. Help me to follow your guidance and not stumble, knowing that you are always with me. Lord Jesus, thank You for Your light that shines in my pathway.
Thank You for Your love and grace and the promise that You will never leave or forsake me.
In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.

2. Financial Sphere 
As us, as believers, it is important to understand that God wants us to prosper in every area of our lives, including our finances.
Jesus Christ became poor so that through His poverty, we might be rich. Therefore, we must boldly and daily declare that we are financially empowered.  For God has given us the power to create wealth, and we are equipped with the skills and abilities necessary to achieve financial success.

When we make the declaration of abundance and prosperity, we are acknowledging that we are co-creators with God and that we have the ability to manifest our desires in the physical world. This declaration is a statement of faith that affirms our belief in the power of God to provide for our needs and to bless us with abundance.
In order to make the declaration of abundance and prosperity, it is important to first visualize the life that you want to create for yourself. This may include financial goals such as paying off debt, saving for retirement, or starting a business. Once you have a clear vision of what you want to achieve, you can begin to declare your intentions and affirm your belief in your ability to achieve your goals.

Let us Pray 
First, give thanks to God, who has blessed you and empowered you financially.
Now, declare:
– I am financially empowered and equipped to create wealth and abundance in my life.
– I attract abundance and prosperity into my life with ease and joy.
– I am blessed with the resources and opportunities I need to achieve my financial goals.
– I am a good steward of my finances and use my resources wisely.
– I am grateful for the abundance that flows into my life, and I share my blessings with others.

By making these declarations and affirming your belief in God’s ability to bless you with abundance and prosperity, you can begin to attract the resources and opportunities you need to achieve your financial goals. With faith, persistence, and a willingness to take action, you can experience the financial freedom and fulfillment that God desires for you.

Debt Cancellation
The enemy of wealth is debt. Debt must end. This is not the forum to discuss debt management etc., but as we pray may God grant us the wisdom to be debt free both in our personal finances and business. Amen.

As a Christian, you have the power to declare your financial freedom and cancel any debt that may be holding you back from living a fulfilled life. The Bible says in Romans 13:8, “Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law.” This means that God’s desire for you is to be debt-free and live a life of financial rulership on earth.
May God grant you revelation and insight as you pray in Jesus’ name.

Pray 
I declare that any debt that has been weighing me down is cancelled in the name of Jesus. I am no longer bound by the chains of debt, but I am free to live a life of abundance and prosperity. I am a child of God, and my inheritance is not debt but wealth and prosperity.

I declare that every financial burden that has been causing me stress and anxiety is lifted off my shoulders. I am not alone in this journey, for God is with me every step of the way. He will provide for all my needs and more, for He is a God of abundance and overflow.

I declare that I have the wisdom and knowledge to manage my finances wisely. I am not ignorant of financial matters, but I have the ability to make wise decisions that will lead me to financial freedom. I have the power to create wealth and multiply my resources, for I am a steward of God’s blessings.

I declare that I will walk in financial rulership on earth. You will not be a borrower, but a lender to many. I will not be in debt but debt-free. I will not be a slave to money but a master over your finances. I will use my resources to bless others and advance the kingdom of God.

Amen in Jesus’ name Amen.