Dynamic Power Through Prayer: A Solution-Focused Prayer Manual

By Dr.Pierre Noel Dutes Sr.

DYNAMIC POWER THROUGH PRAYER
A Solution- focused Prayer Manual

Should I use a tallit, prayer beads, statues or oil etc. when Im praying?
What causes God to reject certain prayers?
If married, what does my relationship with my wife have to do with prayer?
Should I have a good relationship with others for God to answer my prayer?

Not all prayer is effective! Dynamic power through prayer taps into more than just the act of praying. It attempts to answer some of the most controversial issues that deal with prayer.

Filled with scriptural prayers for diverse situations, it may be used for personal devotions, instruction, meditation, and family prayer. Most of the topical prayers contain a power verse, a power definition with the etymology of the word in Hebrew or Greek, as well as detailed explanations with supporting Biblical verses. Therefore, some leaders or lay persons will find it useful in directing services, in preparing sermons and even giving on the spot sermons.

It contains such topics as:
Prayer For Time Management
Prayer For a Wife,
Prayer for Sexual Potency,
Prayer In time of opposition
Prayer To Be Released From Prison
Prayer For Someone Who Committed a Murder

The solution to any situation may be found in prayer! Pray Away!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Sep 17, 2010
• ISBN: 9781453569948

Book preview

Copyright © 2010 by Pierre Noel Dutes Sr.

ISBN:          Softcover                                 978-1-4535-6993-1

                   Ebook                                      978-1-4535-6994-8

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

This book was printed in the United States of America.

To order additional copies of this book, contact:

Xlibris Corporation

1-888-795-4274

www.Xlibris.com

[e-mail]

81554

This book is dedicated to

God, the father, God the son and God the Holy Spirit

And My loving wife, Yanick Dutes and all of our wonderful Children

Joshua and Marie, Nathanielle and Jonathan, Honoree and Woodoph

Pierre-Noel Jr., Nikki, Angie, and Danielle;

And My darling grandchildren,

Jonathan Jr. (Jayjay), Michael, and Sarah

¹⁰ But the LORD is the true God;

He is the living God and the everlasting King.

At His wrath the earth will tremble,

And the nations will not be able to endure His indignation.

¹¹ Thus you shall say to them: The gods that have not made the heavens and the earth shall perish from the earth and from under these heavens.

He has made the earth by His power, ¹²

He has made the earth by His power,

He has established the world by His wisdom,

And has stretched out the heavens at His discretion.

¹³ When He utters His voice,

There is a multitude of waters in the heavens:

"And He causes the vapors to ascend from the ends of the earth.

He makes lightning for the rain,

He brings the wind out of His treasuries."

¹⁴ Everyone is dull-hearted, without knowledge;

Every metalsmith is put to shame by an image;

For his molded image is falsehood,

And there is no breath in them.

¹⁵ They are futile, a work of errors;

In the time of their punishment they shall perish.

¹⁶ The Portion of Jacob is not like them,

For He is the Maker of all things,

And Israel is the tribe of His inheritance;

The LORD of hosts is His name.

FOREWORD

And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint.

—Luke 18:1

Dynamic Power through Prayer by Dr. Pierre-Noel Dutes Sr. is a compelling exposition on the power of God that is released in the life of the believer through the act of prayer. This book was birth out of a heart fashioned by a devotion to a lifestyle of prayer. Dr. Dutes has been actively involved in ministry for many years, and this manuscript is a continuation of his commitment to encourage and challenge the Body of Christ to the priority of prayer. This treatise on prayer is grounded theologically and beautifully illustrated in its practicality. Pulling on a range of biblical and contemporary spiritual models, the writer weaves together a simple yet profound tapestry of inspiration undergirded by faith-building suggestions.

Dr. Dutes offers, as the foundation of his efforts, the dynamic linkage between spiritual power and prayer. He challenges the reader to consider prayer as essential to his very being and functioning. He cites the prayer life of Christ in sharp contradiction to the lifestyle of believers today. The contemporary church has become inundated with church activities that keep the saints entertained while the priority of evangelism and discipleship remains unattended. Jesus served as an example in that he retreated quite often from the crowds to spend time in prayer. Prayer was not a sporadic or infrequent activity for Jesus. He made time with his Heavenly Father a priority and did not allow the busyness of ministry to short circuit this vital connection. Matthew 14:23 reminds us, And when He had sent the multitudes away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. This scripture reference confirms the need for believers and especially spiritual leaders to discern when to disconnect from the crowds in order to connect with our Heavenly Father.

Satan’s most effective weapon against the church is not an all-out onslaught, but to do everything within his power to disconnect the saints from their power source. He accomplishes this by downplaying the vital practice of prayer. It is no wonder it is said that the devil trembles when he sees the weakest saint upon his knees. Keeping us off our knees is his simple yet effective strategy. Our pews are filled for religious celebrations and concerts, yet sparse when it comes to prayer gatherings. Somehow, the church has lost the connection between prayer and power. Dr. Dutes calls the church to once again discern the vital connection of prayer and spiritual power. A prayerless church may be well structured and bears all the trappings of success yet lacking in spiritual power and vitality. While we attempt to measure and compare the spiritual significance of ministries by the three Bs—bodies, buildings, and budget—Satan is wreaking havoc in our homes, churches, and communities. Second Corinthians 10:4 states, For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds. Within the pages of this book is a clarion call to resurrect the ministry of prayer so that divine power can be released upon the church once again.

By connecting the reader with biblical narratives and contemporary examples, the writer makes a compelling argument in favor of the power of prayer to impact our well-being and circumstances. Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened (Luke 11:9). Dr. Dutes explores, in broad strokes, the varied religious worldviews and gently guides his readers to the one true God who is the creator of the universe. To him is ascribed all power for he designed the whole world by the creative power of his words, and each of us stand as a unique element within this massive design. He is personal and invites us into a personal relationship through his Son, Jesus Christ. When we pray in faith, this omnipotent God moves in our behalf. Through the act of prayer, this personal God exercises his ability to shape and reshape our circumstances.

As a young boy in Sunday school, I recall having this spiritual awakening as my teacher tried her best to explain Ephesians 3:20 and 21: Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly, abundantly, above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen. The context of these verses is a prayer for God’s highest purposes for all believers. Paul’s prayer is that every believer be filled up to all the fullness of God (Ephesians 3:19). Prayer connects believers with the vast divine resources of heaven. Human capability fails in its efforts to comprehend such divine provisions. As frail creatures subject to personal weaknesses and adversities, it is refreshing to know that we can find refuge in God’s protection and provision. Prayer refreshes our spirits, defines our relationships, and shapes our decisions. This book is a timely challenge to the church today and should be read diligently and prayerfully.

Bishop Dr. R. C. Hugh Nelson

PREFACE

And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible.

—Mr 10:27

We often do not associate power with prayer. How could power, an abstract concept, be obtained by prayer?

To many, prayer is just a sigh, a vain hope, an expression of desire, and the list goes on. Prayer means so many different things to so many people. Some will tell you that they have never ever prayed. But a simple saying as Oh, please let me find my keys constitutes a prayer. As defined in the dictionary, prayer is a plea, a complaint that specifies a relief sought. It is a devout petition to God or an object of worship. To some, prayer is the spiritual communion with God or an object of worship as in supplication, thanksgiving, adoration, or confession. Moreover, it is a formula or sequence of words used in or appointed for praying such as the Lord’s Prayer. Sometimes prayer is a public or private religious observance. It is an entreaty and the complaint of a desired action.

Whereas, power is defined as the ability to act—the capability of doing or accomplishing something—it is strength, might, and force. It is the possession of control or command over others, authority and ascendancy, legal ability, energy force or momentum to inspire, to spur, or sustain. Power is also relayed as the magnifying capacity of a microscope. So how are prayer and power related?

Power, though abstract, is very concrete in its manifestations. Powerful people have moved individuals to act. Mother Teresa, a female humanitarian, won the Nobel Peace Prize and India’s highest civilian honor, the Bharat Ratna, in 1980 for her humanitarian work in India where women are belittled, devalued, and overlooked. Her Missionaries of Charity expanded and, at the time of her death, boasted 610 missions in 123 countries including soup kitchens, children and family counseling programs, orphanages, schools, and hospices and homes for people with HIV or AIDS, leprosy, and tuberculosis. Power surges cause our incandescent lightbulbs to shine. An animal cell features specific, functioning organelles, such as cytoplasm, under the power exerted through the magnifying lens of a microscope. Therefore, power may be a concrete abstraction. If such a thing exists!

The power of which we speak in this book is causal. It is possible to glean all the manifestations of the former definitions of power mentioned above through prayer. It has the power to effect change of people, situations, objects, diseases, events, and so much more.

The secret is that power is always transmitted from a well-defined source. The character of Mother Teresa (her compassion, endurance, determination, and zeal) is the light that reflects through the magnifying lens of the microscope and the power plant that sends electricity through the wires to the filament in the bulb. So who is the source of power through prayer?

Different cultures, people, traditions, or schools of thought have various sources of power. Many people are polytheist. They worship many gods. The Hindus have over three hundred million gods. Their gods take on human characteristics and perform particular functions. They also take on the form and characteristics of animals, trees, and other substances in nature. These belief systems are akin to totenism, ancestor worship, and animism. Both the Greeks and Egyptians had fascinating myths.

These multiple deities provided much needed explanation of natural phenomena. To explain away the fated suffering of mankind, who could forget the mythological Pandora—the first woman created—who, upon Zeus’ orders as a punishment for mankind, opened up a box full of toil, illness, and despair?

One of the reasons to become a polytheist is that they may live as they wish. According to research, polytheism offered curious prospects to create their own heavens or hells. There is no purpose in living. There is no absolute truth: Relativism abounds. Morality would be defined by warped minds and erroneous judgments. How could intellectual reasoning beings worship lower, finite, and natural forms of life? Some polytheists are pantheistic as well.

Pantheism means all is God. The trees, stones, birds, the grass, the stars—everything—is God. The pantheists embrace, and revere, the universe and shun the idea of any supernatural entities, deities, or power. According to pantheists, the earth was created from the universe and will be reabsorbed into the universe. The pantheist claims to be free from guilt because of sin and to be free of anxiety about death and the possibility of life beyond death.

One of the problems with the pantheist is that his or her own innate conscience testifies against his or her inability to feel guilt. According to the pantheist, the body is sacred, and all its pleasures are good and never evil as long as it does not harm the world and other human beings. Yet many pantheists, in seeking their pleasure, have hurt others and felt guilty about it. Moreover, it is hard to believe that any pantheist has never felt anxious about death. We must wonder how the pantheist, who believes that everything must be explained by modern science, could possibly believe that the cell, with its microscopic organelles well designed to fulfill the purpose of giving life, could simply arise out of an unintended blob. How could scientists, such as Einstein, not see that there is definitely a designer, a creator, a supernatural being who purposely designed and paid attention to the minute details of this universe as opposed to us arising out of a chemical soup of sorts that can never again be reproduced? The scriptures in Romans 1 states,

Because, knowing God, they did not glorify Him as God, neither were thankful. But they became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man, and birds, and four-footed animals, and creeping things. Therefore, God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their own bodies between themselves. For they changed the truth of God into a lie, and they worshiped and served the created thing more than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.

In this book, we will concentrate on the Creator, the Most High God, the Eternal One, who is the source of omnipotence (all-power). He is the source of power. We are monotheist. We believe in God. Through general revelation—in other words, by looking at nature and delving into scientific facts not theories such as evolution, which has absolutely no basis—we see that there is one God. John M. Frey, a professor, said, All reality reveals God. One designer who created all the living creatures and the various species placed and established them to survive in habitats that are conducive to them. They did not have to adapt to their environment, but rather, they were placed by God in environments that suited them.

We believe in intelligent design. How preposterous of anyone to believe that the specialized, highly complex, scientific, reproducible laws could come from a random combination of events. Think about how precise everything in the universe is. The sun has been placed at exactly the right extent in the universe to provide enough heat to warm us without scorching us. If the sun was placed farther away, the earth would be covered in glaciers. Moreover, the sun is essential for vitamin D absorption and conversion in the skin. It provides vitamin D absorbed by human skin. Without enough vitamin D, bones cannot be strong. Is it possible that the subject of prayer has been forgotten? Definitely not! It was simply important to establish the connection between the source of power and prayer. So who is our source of power?

He who designed, planned, and executed this world around us. God fashioned humans and all the creatures for his glory. The pantheists and polytheists worship the creatures rather than the creator. Yes, all must revere nature, but in its proper context.

The source of power we ascribe to—God—is the infinite source of power who is infinite, precise, who is all knowing, whose intelligence knows no limits, who is imminent (completely involved in human affairs, who lives and dwells within us, who cares about what happens to us) as opposed to being transcendent (a God who is so mysterious, so exalted that he does not interact in human affairs). God is omnipotent as evidenced in everything around us. God cares about us. In Hebrews 4:15-16, it states,

For we do not have a high priest who cannot be touched with the feelings of our infirmities, but was in all points tempted just as we are, yet without sin. Therefore let us come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

This is God’s covenant of solidarity with us. The one true God, to whom we will address our prayers to in this book, wants us to come boldly, not in cowardly fashion, because he is an absolute being—powerful, capable, able, skillful, competent, accurate, precise, immutable, loving, kind, and merciful. He is the all and all! God is omnipotent! He is all-powerful. He wants us to come confidently to him!

Therefore, he has the ability to deform, transform, and reform our situation. We are not praying to an immobile tree that has no power to even hear us. We cannot even look into ourselves to find the answers to our issues because, at times, we find that we are unable to change ourselves. We are limited. It is important to tap into God’s power through prayer! Plugs are powerless unless they are plugged into the power lines.

Many of the brilliant minds of the world are on the sidewalks—homeless, defeated, and lost. Others are in mental institutions and other parts of society. Why? Because they have fallen prey to outside forces such as drug addiction, alcoholism, sex addiction, gambling, and other vices. I can almost hear some of us self-righteously saying to ourselves, They did not exercise self-control, but I have. However, we all fall prey to deceitful behavior, immoral conduct, selfish impulses, and other unique weaknesses. Oh, how we fight and struggle to keep ourselves in line. We find it very hard to change ourselves. How then are we to be our own source of power?

God is the source of all power. His Words are in this book. We revere him. Jesus said in John 15:6, For without me you can do nothing. He is the God to whom we will pray. He is the ultimate power source, our minds and bodies are storehouses. We are the product of what we eat. The Super Size Me guy, Morgan Spurlock, who ate three meals a day at McDonald’s for a month, ended up twenty-five pounds overweight with deteriorating health. It is GIGO—garbage in, garbage out, good in, good out. Even when we have genetic illnesses, if given proper medicine, it can prolong life or cure us. In other words, if we connect to God through prayer, we will reap the benefits of spending time with him.

God may be likened to a generator, an engine who converts energy. In its simplest form, the way a generator works is its magnets within it apply pressure to electrons to push them, and this creates a flow or current of electricity the same way God converts our energy, and we who were lifeless produce electricity. We produce a charge where we can infuse everything in our lives with God’s power.

Our overall life is a result of all the decisions we make every second. Dependence upon God is established when we constantly seek his input in the most banal decisions of our lives. We need God to make the right decisions in order to have a fruitful, successful, and wonderful life. When we plug into God’s power line, we become powerful. We are full of life. My best days were when I started out on my knees. The scriptures affirm,

Thou wilt show me the path of life: In thy presence is fullness of joy; In thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore. (Ps 16:11)

This relationship was described by Jesus himself.

I am the True Vine, and My Father is the Vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away. And every one that bears fruit, He prunes it so that it may bring forth more fruit. Now you are clean through the Word which I have spoken to you. Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it remains in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me. I am the Vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, the same brings forth much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. (John 15:1-5)

Instead of living on the highs and lows of our ever-changing emotions or being moved to and fro by the events in our lives, we could take it all to God in prayer. God is all-powerful; he is in control. He is unchanging and stable. He invites us to abide in him in order to bring forth much fruit.

Moreover, we must complete the cycle of power as spoken of by our beloved televangelist, Joyce Meyers. Once we have received power, we must, in turn, empower others and enrich their lives. This book seeks to do precisely that.

Yanick Dutes

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I thank my Lord, my Father in heaven for inspiring me to write this book. Without Him, my life would have been in shambles. I thank God, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit for his compassion and his infinite and unconditional love for saving my soul and restoring me. My life will forever be dedicated to his glory.

It is with great help from my loving family that this work finally came to fruition. I want to thank my darling, beloved wife, Yanick Dutes, a true prayer warrior who carried me on her knees and helped me to stay on my knees. I also appreciate her tireless effort and input by counseling, researching, editing, typing, and formatting this book. After God, I don’t know what I would do without her. I love dearly and want to thank my apprentice prayer warriors, my children, for their numerous hugs, humor, words of love, and encouragement. This endeavor is dedicated to them.

I also wish to extend a special note of thanks