2 Corinthians 1:10-11 – “He has rescued us from terrifying encounters with death. And now we fasten our hopes on him to continue to deliver us from death yet again, ¹¹ as you labor together with us through prayer. Because there are so many interceding for us, our deliverance will cause even more people to give thanks to God. What a gracious gift of mercy surrounds us because of your prayers!” TPT 

Paul was addressing the Power of Group, Corporate, or Congregational Prayer!  In Chapter 1, he detailed some of the afflictions he had endured and testified that God had delivered him through the prayers of many.  He spoke not only of the necessity but also of the power of forgiveness.   In contrast, he reminded them of the peril and prison of unforgiveness.

In 2 Corinthians 2:10-11, he said that forgiveness prevented the devil from gaining an advantage over them.  Pure hearts are God’s field, but corrupt hearts are the devil’s.   Imagine being a sweet aroma to God.  That is what we are when we walk in purity and obedience to Him.

As I examine this truth and reality, I want to avoid being helter-skelter.  In 2 Corinthians 3:15- 17, the apostle presents a powerful revelation. Revelation or illumination comes after conversion, not before.  When we come to Christ, the veil is removed.  Conviction brings us to Christ; then, as new creations, the veil is removed, and we grow in grace!   The lost do not need revelatory teaching; they need the Cross.  The saved need tutoring, not the lost. 

The process is detailed in 2 Corinthians 3:18. When we are saved, the veil is taken away, and we can see the Lord (as we see ourselves in a mirror).  As we “See” Him, enlightenment comes, and we move from glory to glory.  Transformation begins, and we experience daily growth in Him.

As we are enlightened, we manifest Him to the world.  We have new minds because our minds are unveiled, and we learn to think and talk differently.  We believe and speak what we believe.  Our hearts overflow with Him and His Word. We understand that what we see is not actual reality, it is temporary.   What is unseen is actual reality; it is eternal.    We walk by faith, not sight.

2 Corinthians 3:17 speaks of us being New Creations.   New creations who have new and unveiled hearts and minds.  Jesus in us enables us to see with spiritual eyes, hear with spiritual ears, and talk with spiritual mouths. Praying for others and others praying for us brings deliverance and victory that we cannot achieve alone.  Forgiveness prevents the devil from gaining an advantage.   It liberates us.

As we behold Him and are transformed from glory to glory, we become powerful vessels in God’s hands, and the love of God becomes our helmsman in life. We need to become earnest in our commitment to and confident in the power of prayer.   We must immediately cleanse our hearts of unforgiveness, All Unforgiveness!  God is speaking to us, and as the veil is removed, we begin to understand how He is speaking.  It is more than verbal.

The bottom line is we have the weapon of prayer. We need to begin using it.  We have the promised tool to prevent the devil from gaining an advantage over us or our house.  What is that?  Forgiveness!   We have the Spirit’s presence to enlighten us.  Seek enlightenment.   It will not be some supernatural deposit that requires no effort from us.  We open our hearts and consume the Word.  We must become students of the Word.

Remember, you are Victorious; Jesus won the victory for us!   We are overcomers because we are In Christ! Jesus.  Today, I see victory, revelation, and enlightenment for you.  Do not miss it by making it mysterious.

May the immeasurable Grace of God cover you and enable you to receive His fullness!