By His design, God has appointed leaders (Ephesians 4:11) to equip His people in revelation, maturity, spiritual gifts, understanding, identity, and more (Ephesians 4:12-13). Scripture instructs us, in the book of Philippians, to be anxious for nothing but in everything by prayer and supplication (asking or begging). However, as prophetic people, I believe that every Holy Spirit-filled follower of Jesus Christ has been given the ability to access and utilize all the nine spiritual gifts listed in 1 Corinthians 14, with an emphasis on the gift of prophecy. I believe that hearing God’s voice is fundamental Christianity. It’s a promise made by Jesus Christ that His sheep (His followers) are given the innate ability to hear and follow His voice and His voice alone. Although prophets still exist, the availability of the Holy Spirit, through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, gives every believer the responsibility to hear God’s voice for themselves. Although some followers may naturally function stronger in one or more gifts than the other gifts, the ability of the Holy Spirit to utilize these gifts through each believer is a promise made by Jesus Christ in John 14:12.
As a one-year-old believer in 2004, I remember reading John 14:12 for the first time and erupting out of my seat to find the nearest Christian to confirm that this scripture was true. Before my salvation in 2003, I was a devout Buddhist who had never read the Bible or heard the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The Christian I found after reading the verse was my best friend DJ, my business partner, who stated that not only was the scripture true, but that the red words within my version of the Bible were, in fact, the exact words spoken by Jesus Christ and that He never ever spoke a lie. As a newly converted Christian who was never taught how to utilize the Bible, learning that the red letters in my Bible represented the Words of Jesus Christ revolutionized how I studied. When you evangelize people who have never picked up the Bible, it’s essential to teach them how to use it. After a brief chat with DJ, I asked him what all Jesus did that we were called to do. He responded, “Great question, Jonnathan. You should Google it.” I rushed back into my office and did exactly as I was instructed. I found what I sought and attempted to do everything I read, starting with “heal the sick.”
Today, life is much different from the first few years of my journey with Jesus. However, my hunger has never depleted, and my fire for more of Jesus has never burned hotter. Life is all about Him!
If you’ve navigated to this blog today, you’re probably seeking insight and/or revelation into the differences between decreeing, declaring, and praying. In the sections below, I will attempt to explain their differences simply and as clearly as possible.
PRAYING
For most people, praying looks like making a petition or a request to God. Believers and nonbelievers have the ability to pray to God. I did it as a Buddhist just before attempting to take my own life, and He faithfully responded to my prayer. For believers, praying is a conversation that we initiate with God with the hopes of a response from Him. Also, praying allows us to commune with or provide thanksgiving to God. Lastly, praying can also look like intercession a believer makes on behalf of another individual, saved or unsaved, a people group, situation, etc.
A strong prayer life is the foundation of intimacy with the Lord for those who profess to follow Him. We are instructed in God’s Word to pray without ceasing, which means that our dialog with God should never ever stop or be hindered. Below are some simple examples of prayers someone may pray.
Examples:
- Lord, save me.
- Lord, I love you.
- Lord, thank you for never leaving me or forsaking me.
- Lord, please save my family.
- Lord, please dispatch your angels to help us during this ministry time.
- Lord, strengthen me to be a better witness to those around me.
- Lord, may Your extravagant Love shine through me.
- Lord, please open doors no man can open and close the doors no man can close.
- Lord, please fill me fresh with Your Holy Spirit.
- Lord, please guide me through my journey with You.
One important key to remember when praying, nothing you ever pray should ever contradict the written Word of God, God’s character, come against Godly covenants and unions (i.e., marriages), or be used to pray something against someone’s own will, which not even God does. May God bless you as your prayer life sprouts and produces fruit.
DECLARING
A Biblical declaration is the announcement of something that has already been established, decreed, or promised by God. It is a different level of faith required. Instead of asking God, we are hearing what He is saying and partnering with God to release it into the earth. For example, when we fly, the airline requires us to declare the items already in our possession. Likewise, as Christians, we have the authority to declare the things which God has already given or promised us over ourselves and other believers. In declaring, we can remind the Lord of His Word and promises (see Psalm 119:49). One of the most significant ways to understand declarations is through searching the Bible for God’s promises. Another way is to declare the things you hear prophetically over a situation, a person, or a group, with the understanding that God’s prophetic Word will never contradict the His written Word, His character, come against covenants and unions (i.e., marriages) He has made, or been used to pray something against someone’s own will, which not even He does. Below are some powerful, Biblically-based examples of declarations, with scriptural references, that someone may declare.
Examples:
- I declare that the Kingdom of God is at hand. (Matthew 4:17)
- I declare that Jesus Christ is the only way, the only truth, and the only source of life. (John 14:6)
- I declare that, since I am a Spirit-filled follower of Jesus Christ, I will do the same mighty works He has done and even greater. (John 14:12)
- I declare that I am the light of the world as Jesus spoke, and His light in me will bring glory to our Heavenly Father. (Matthew 5:14-16)
- I declare that no weapons forged against will ever prosper. (Isaiah 54:17)
- I declare that I will run and not grow weary. (Isaiah 40:31)
- I declare that I will not grow weary when I am doing good. (Galatians 6:9)
- I declare that Jesus Christ is the good Shepherd (John 10:11), and He leads me to green pastures and still waters. (Psalms 23:2)
- I declare that I have the life that Jesus promised and have it more abundantly (John 10:10)
- I declare that I am strong and courageous. (Joshua 1:9)
- I declare that because I believe and follow the Lord, my household will be saved. (Acts 16:31)
Again, similar to praying, it is important to remember when declaring, nothing you ever declare contradicts the written Word of God, God’s character, or comes against Godly covenants and unions (i.e., marriages), or is used to declare something against someone’s own will, which not even God does. May God bless you as you grow in prophecy in your life and learn the powerful fruit that is produced through making Biblically-based and Holy Spirit-led declarations.
DECREEING
A decree is a legal term made by a person or persons in authority, such as a King, a government, a judge, a group of jurors, or elected officials over the region. At home, a decree can be established through a parent, homeowner, or caretaker over their property that does not conflict against decrees made by individuals with greater authority. For a person to establish a decree, the person must first have the authority (the legal right) to do so. Any decree made outside of a person’s authority is witchcraft because it is done without the permission of the individual(s)’s will and/or against the authority(ies)’s will.
A person can also use a decree in authority to establish others into authority, such as officials who are appointed positions instead of elected into it. The persons in authority have the legal right to influence and make decrees over the region, people, and areas in which they have been given authority or oversight. For example, the mayor of a city only has influence and authority over that particular city, and a governor of a state only has influence and authority over that particular state, so on and so forth. A church example is a lead pastor having the authority to ordain other pastors or appoint leaders into positions of influence.
Some Examples of BAD DECREES Are:
- A person decreeing that the highway speed limit increases from 65 mph to 75 mph, but since they don’t have the authority, their decree is void and nullified.
- A person has the authority to make declarations over their family but no authority to pray over my neighbors’ families unless specifically given authority.
- I only have limited authority to declare things at The Abode Church, which is the church my wife and I attend and are leaders at unless Austin Rumpel (the senior pastor) explicitly gives me greater authority to do so.
Job 22:28 NASB
You will also decree a thing, and it will be established for you; and light will shine on your ways.
If you do not have the authority to change the rules and laws for a person, a group, or a region, your decrees will be seen as void, nullified, or witchcraft if your decrees are against a person’s will. Throughout the Bible, you will find that decrees are made by individuals who are Kings, in the office of a Prophet (under authority), or a government official with authority given to them by someone in authority. If you’re looking for an example of a powerful person in authority who is submitted under authority, look no further than our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He had all the power to do whatever He desired, even avoid the cross. However, He meekly submitted His power and will to His Father. Only doing what His Father was doing and only saying what His Father was speaking. (selah)
SUMMARY:
- Praying is a petition or request made to God, requesting His intervention.
- Declaring is an announcement or declaration of something we already possess from God, typically found in the Bible or prophetically received.
- Decreeing is establishing something completely new by God or to someone to whom God has delegated authority.
Each of these power tools is activated through a person’s level of faith, intimacy, and understanding of God’s Word. For example, if you’re familiar with God’s written word, you can shift your prayer into a declaration by declaring something God has already promised or given us in the Bible. Declaring allows you to establish things that are already made available in your own life, even if it’s not already present with your natural eyes.
In closing, please remember that whether praying, decreeing, or declaring, nothing you speak out should ever contradict the Word of God, God’s character, come against Godly covenants and unions (i.e., marriages), or speak against someone’s will, which, again, not even God does.
I hope this blog provided you with a deeper understanding of the differences in the three unique ways you can communicate with God, and He with and through you. I pray that your prayer life, intimacy with God, gift of prophecy and understanding of His written Word increases exponentially.
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