In many religious traditions, prayer is seen as an exercise in persuasion. Believers approach God as if He is reluctant to help, hoping that if they cry loud enough, fast long enough, or act humble enough, they might move His heart to act. This “beggar-prayer” model is a direct result of an Old Covenant mindset that views God as a distant Judge rather than a loving Father who has already provided everything through His Son.
Under the New Covenant, your prayer life should not be a struggle to get God to do something; it should be an enforcement of what He has already done. To reign in life, you must learn the difference between petitioning a Judge and decreeing as a king.
The Legal Standing of a King
The reason you have the right to decree is because of your identity. You are not a servant pleading for a favor; you are a son who has been made a king. Revelation 1-6 (NKJV) says that Jesus has “made us kings and priests to His God and Father.”
- A Word of Power: Ecclesiastes 8-4 (NKJV) declares: “Where the word of a king is, there is power.”
- Seated Authority: You are currently seated in heavenly places with Christ. Authority does not flow from the floor looking up; it flows from the throne looking down.
- The Power of Attorney: When you pray in the Name of Jesus, you are using His legal authority to enforce His will on the earth.
Moving from Petition to Decree
In the Gospels, Jesus never “prayed” for the sick in the way we often do. He didn’t ask the Father if it was His will to heal them; He commanded the blind eyes to open and the dead to rise. He was demonstrating the “ruler anointing” that we now possess.
- Don’t Talk to God About the Mountain: Jesus said in Mark 11-23 that you should “say to this mountain, ‘Be removed.'” Begging is talking to God about your mountain; decreeing is talking to the mountain about your God.
- Enforcing the Covenant: If the Word says “by His stripes you were healed,” you don’t need to ask God to heal you. You decree that healing is your current reality and command sickness to leave your body.
- The Command of Faith: Faith does not ask; faith takes. Decree that your needs are met and that the “wealth of the sinner” is finding its way into your hands to finance the Kingdom.
The Difference in Atmosphere
Begging creates an atmosphere of anxiety, lack, and doubt. It reinforces the idea that you are “without” and that God is holding out on you. Decreeing creates an atmosphere of rest, confidence, and victory.
- Restful Increase: When you decree, you are operating from the Finished Work. You are at rest because you know the result is already secured by the Blood.
- The Sound of Victory: There is a specific “sound” to the voice of a ruler. It is steady, bold, and clear. It doesn’t need to scream to be heard by the spirit realm; it simply needs to be aligned with the Truth.
Conclusion
The shift from begging to decreeing is the hallmark of a mature son of God. Stop approaching the throne as if you are on probation and start approaching it as a joint-heir with Christ. God is not looking for more beggars; He is looking for kings who will use their mouths to establish His Kingdom on the earth. Open your mouth today and start decreeing the abundance of grace over your life, your family, and your finances.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it disrespectful to decree instead of asking?
Not at all. It is actually an act of honor to God because it shows you believe what He said in His Word. A father is more honored by a son who knows his inheritance than by a son who acts like he’s still a stranger.
What if I don’t see results immediately?
A king’s decree is a legal fact the moment it is spoken, but it may take time for the “news” to reach the physical realm. Keep your decree consistent and do not cancel it with words of doubt or toiling.
Can I decree whatever I want?
Your decrees must be in alignment with the Finished Work and the nature of God. You cannot decree something that violates the character of the Father or the principles of the New Covenant.
How do I start?
Start by finding a promise in the Word that addresses your situation. Instead of asking God to fulfill it, thank Him that it is already done and command your circumstances to align with that promise in the Name of Jesus.
This article is part of a series answering difficult questions about grace and the New Covenant.