Prayer That Advances | Advancing Week 2| Pastor Candace Cortez

Proverbs 4:18 ESV

But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, which shines and until full day.

Psalm 84:5-7 NIV

5 Blessed are those whose strength is in you, whose hearts are set on .

6 As they pass through the Valley of Baka, they make it a place of springs; the autumn rains also cover it with pools. 7 They go from to , till each appears before God in Zion.

• Prayer is not about informing God of your needs. It is about aligning your life with His purposes so that His power can flow.
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1. Prayer Advances Your Life By Your

Matthew 6:9–10 (NIV):

“Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”

Matthew 26:39 (NIV):

“My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.”

• Prayer advances your life when you stop praying, “God bless my plans,” and begin praying, “God help me know your will and give me the strength to submit to it.”
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2. Prayer Advances Your Life By God’s

James 5:16 (NIV):

“The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.”

• We pray with humbled authority.
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3. Prayer Advances Your Life By

Ephesians 6:12 (NIV):

“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”

• Prayer is not passive. It pushes.
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4. Prayer Advances Your Life By Your

1 Chronicles 4:10 (NIV):

“Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory!”

2 Corinthians 12:9 (NIV):

“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”

• Prayer does not always remove resistance, but it always has the power to redefine your capacity to advance.
• How To Pray Powerful Prophetic Prayers Over Your Life And Family

 

Start with God’s will as revealed in Scripture.

• Speak God’s Word aloud with faith.
• Name the resistance clearly and honestly.
• Declare the future God desires, not just the problem you see.
• Homework- Answer this: What area of my life or family needs to advance, and how will I pray differently about it

 

Today’s Declaration

“I will no longer pray small prayers to a big God.

I will pray powerful prayers that align with His will,

release His power,

confront resistance,

and advance my life and my family.

Prayer is advancing my life.”

 

Psalm 84:5-7 NIV
5 Blessed are those whose strength is in you,

    whose hearts are set on pilgrimage.

6 As they pass through the Valley of Baka,

    they make it a place of springs;

    the autumn rains also cover it with pools.

7 They go from strength to strength,

    till each appears before God in Zion.

 

Proverbs 4:18 ESV
But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, which shines brighter and brighter until full day.

 

3 John 2 NKJV

Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.

 

Psalm 84:7 NIV
They go from strength to strength,

    till each appears before God in Zion.

 

God’s design for the believer is not maintenance—it is movement.

 

You never rise above the condition of your soul.

 

Proverbs 18:14 ESV

A man’s spirit will endure sickness, but a crushed spirit who can bear?

 

3 John 2 NKJV

 

Three Areas Where God Calls Us to Advance

 

1. Advance in your Spiritual Life

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Key Question: Am I growing or coasting?

2. Advance in Your Personal Life

 

Key Question: Where have I settled when God is calling me forward?

 

Proverbs 4:18 ESV
But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, which shines brighter and brighter until full day.

 

3. Advance in Your Purpose

 

Key Question: Am I moving toward what God has called me to—or merely maintaining comfort?

 

Zechariah 4:10 NLT
Do not despise these small beginnings, for the LORD rejoices to see the work begin…

 

 

 

 

2 Chronicles 29:5-11 NKJV
3 In the first year of his reign, in the first month, he of the house of the Lord and . 4 Then he brought in the priests and the Levites, and gathered them in the East Square, 5 and said to them: “Hear me, Levites! Now , sanctify the house of the Lord God of your fathers, and from the holy place.6 For our fathers have trespassed and done evil in the eyes of the Lord our God; they have forsaken Him, have turned their faces away from the dwelling place of the Lord, and turned their backs on Him.7 They have also shut up the doors of the vestibule, put out the lamps, and have not burned incense or offered burnt offerings in the holy place to the God of Israel. 8 Therefore the wrath of the Lord fell upon Judah and Jerusalem, and He has given them up to trouble, to desolation, and to jeering, as you see with your eyes. 9 For indeed, because of this our fathers have fallen by the sword; and our sons, our daughters, and our wives are in captivity.

10 “Now it is in my heart to with the Lord God of Israel, that His fierce wrath may turn away from us. 11 My sons, do not be negligent now, for the Lord has chosen you to stand before Him, to serve Him, and that you should minister to Him and burn incense.”

2 Chronicles 29:3

In the first year of his reign, in the first month, he of the house of the Lord and .

 

 

1. : Reflect and Evaluate

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2 Chronicles 29:6–7

6 For our fathers have trespassed and done evil in the eyes of the Lord our God; they have forsaken Him, have turned their faces away from the dwelling place of the Lord, and turned their backs on Him.7 They have also shut up the doors of the vestibule, put out the lamps, and have not burned incense or offered burnt offerings in the holy place to the God of Israel.

 

2. Look Within: Personal Examination

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2 Chronicles 29:5

and said to them: “Hear me, Levites! Now, sanctify the house of the Lord God of your fathers, and from the holy place.

 

3. Look Up: Worship and Praise

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2 Chronicles 29:25–30

25 And he stationed the Levites in the house of the Lord with cymbals, with stringed instruments, and with harps, according to the commandment of David, of Gad the king’s seer, and of Nathan the prophet; for thus was the commandment of the Lord by His prophets. 26 The Levites stood with the instruments of David, and the priests with the trumpets. 27 Then Hezekiah commanded them to offer the burnt offering on the altar. And when the burnt offering began, the song of the Lordalso began, with the trumpets and with the instruments of David king of Israel. 28 So all the assembly worshiped, the singers sang, and the trumpeters sounded; all this continued until the burnt offering was finished. 29 And when they had finished offering, the king and all who were present with him bowed and worshiped. 30 Moreover King Hezekiah and the leaders commanded the Levites to sing praise to the Lord with the words of David and of Asaph the seer. So they sang praises with gladness, and they bowed their heads and worshiped.

 

4. Look Forward: Expectation and Anticipation

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Galatians 3:28 NKJV: There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

 

 

 

 

1. Mary first.

 

Luke 1:38: Mary responded, “I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come true.” And then the angel left her.

 

2. Elizabeth first.

 

Luke 1:42–45: Elizabeth gave a glad cry and exclaimed to Mary, “God has blessed you above all women, and your child is blessed. Why am I so honored, that the mother of my Lord should visit me? When I heard your greeting, the baby in my womb jumped for joy. You are blessed because you believed that the Lord would do what he said.”

 

3. Mary Magdalene first.

John 20:18: Mary Magdalene found the disciples and told them, “I have seen the Lord!” Then she gave them his message.

Galatians 3:28: In Christ, there is neither Jew nor Greek, neither slave nor free, neither male nor female…

 

Matthew 2 MSG: After Jesus was born in Bethlehem village, Judah territory—this was during Herod’s kingship—a band of scholars arrived in Jerusalem from the East. They asked around, “Where can we find and pay homage to the newborn King of the Jews? We observed a star in the eastern sky that signaled his birth. We’re on pilgrimage to worship him.”

 

When word of their inquiry got to Herod, he was terrified—and not Herod alone, but most of Jerusalem as well. Herod lost no time. He gathered all the high priests and religion scholars in the city together and asked, “Where is the Messiah supposed to be born?”

 

They told him, “Bethlehem, Judah territory. The prophet Micah wrote it plainly: It’s you, Bethlehem, in Judah’s land, no longer bringing up the rear. From you will come the leader who will shepherd-rule my people, my Israel.”

 

Herod then arranged a secret meeting with the scholars from the East. Pretending to be as devout as they were, he got them to tell him exactly when the birth-announcement star appeared. Then he told them the prophecy about Bethlehem, and said, “Go find this child. Leave no stone unturned. As soon as you find him, send word and I’ll join you at once in your worship.”

 

Instructed by the king, they set off. Then the star appeared again, the same star they had seen in the eastern skies. It led them on until it hovered over the place of the child. They could hardly contain themselves: They were in the right place! They had arrived at the right time!

 

They entered the house and saw the child in the arms of Mary, his mother. Overcome, they kneeled and worshiped him. Then they opened their luggage and presented gifts: gold, frankincense, myrrh.

 

In a dream, they were warned not to report back to Herod. So they worked out another route, left the territory without being seen, and returned to their own country.

 

 

Matthew 2:1-2 MSG: After Jesus was born in Bethlehem village, Judah territory—this was during Herod’s kingship—a band of scholars arrived in Jerusalem from the East. They asked around, “Where can we find and pay homage to the newborn King of the Jews? We observed a star in the eastern sky that signaled his birth. We’re on pilgrimage to worship him.”

• • • The Magi are pagans, astrologers, foreigners—yet they see what Jerusalem misses.

• • • God speaks in their language

• • • The Jew and Greek division collapses at the cradle.

 

Galatians 3:28: In Christ, there is neither Jew nor Greek, neither slave nor free, neither male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

 

 

Matthew 2:3-8 MSG: When word of their inquiry got to Herod, he was terrified—and not Herod alone, but most of Jerusalem as well. Herod lost no time. He gathered all the high priests and religion scholars in the city together and asked, “Where is the Messiah supposed to be born?”

They told him, “Bethlehem, Judah territory. The prophet Micah wrote it plainly: It’s you, Bethlehem, in Judah’s land, no longer bringing up the rear. From you will come the leader who will shepherd-rule my people, my Israel.”

Herod then arranged a secret meeting with the scholars from the East. Pretending to be as devout as they were, he got them to tell him exactly when the birth-announcement star appeared. Then he told them the prophecy about Bethlehem, and said, “Go find this child. Leave no stone unturned. As soon as you find him, send word and I’ll join you at once in your worship.”

• • • Religious Leaders know the prophecy, but don’t make the journey.

• • • Outsiders welcomed what insiders resisted.

• • • Information without pursuit never leads to transformation.

 

 

Matthew 2:11 MSG: They entered the house and saw the child in the arms of Mary, his mother. Overcome, they kneeled and worshiped him. Then they opened their luggage and presented gifts: gold, frankincense, myrrh.

• • • Costly gifts: gold, frankincense, myrrh.

• • • Worship expands the heart.

• • • Their gifts reveal who He is—King, God, Sacrifice.

Luke 2:8–20: And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

“Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

 

Galatians 3:28: In Christ, there is neither Jew nor Greek, neither slave nor free, neither male nor female…

 

 

1. God Meets Us in the Low Places

 

• • Shepherds were the bottom of society: poor, untrusted, ceremonially unclean.
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• • Heaven breaks open over the forgotten fields, not the palace or the temple.
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• • This is the gospel before the gospel: Jesus comes to the ones the world overlooks.
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God is not afraid of your low place. He steps into it.

 

2. The Poor Become the First Witnesses

 

• • They “hurried”. Faith moves!
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• • They speak what they’ve seen—poor men become the first evangelists of the New Covenant.
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3. Jesus Continues to Lift Up the Lowly

Luke 4:18: The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.

• • Luke 6:20 — “Blessed are the poor.”

“Looking at his disciples, he said: “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.”‘

• • Mark 12:42–44 — The widow’s mite.

“But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents. Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.”‘

 

Jesus didn’t just come to the poor—He kept coming for them.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18: Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

 

The Greek word for “thanks” is eucharisteo (Holy Communion).

 

1. When should we be thankful: .

 

2. What should we be thankful for: .

 

3. Why should we be thankful: It is God’s .

 

• • When seeking God’s direction for ministry.

• • • Paul’s second letter to the church in Corinth.

2 Corinthians: But thanks be to God, who always leads us as captives in Christ’s triumphal procession and uses us to spread the aroma of the knowledge of him everywhere. For we are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing.

 

• • When in difficult or life-threatening situations.

 

• • • Paul on his journey to Rome is shipwrecked on the island of Malta.

 

Acts 27:35-36: After he said this, he took some bread and gave thanks to God in front of them all. Then he broke it and began to eat. They were all encouraged and ate some food themselves.

 

 

• • His leading and His ministry through us.

 

Colossians 3:17: And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

 

• • The faith in others to do the work of the ministry.

 

Ephesians 1:15-18: For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all God’s people, I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people.

 

• • Everything.

 

Philippians 4:6-7: Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

 

 

• • Because we have received a kingdom that cannot be shaken.

 

Hebrews 12:28-29: Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire.

 

• • Because He can do more through us than we can imagine.

 

Ephesians 3:20: Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever! Amen.

 

How can you show the true meaning of Thanksgiving in your life?

Philippians 4:19: And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

 

 

• Surrender — He gets everything.
• Stewardship — It’s all His anyway.
• Seed — What leaves your hand never leaves your life.
• Supply — You can give because He never runs out.

 

2 Kings 4:1–7 NLT: One day the widow of a member of the group of prophets came to Elisha and cried out, “My husband who served you is dead, and you know how he feared the Lord. But now a creditor has come, threatening to take my two sons as slaves.”

“What can I do to help you?” Elisha asked. “Tell me, what do you have in the house?”

“Nothing at all, except a flask of olive oil,” she replied.

And Elisha said, “Borrow as many empty jars as you can from your friends and neighbors. Then go into your house with your sons and shut the door behind you. Pour olive oil from your flask into the jars, setting each one aside when it is filled.”

So she did as she was told. Her sons kept bringing jars to her, and she filled one after another. 

Soon every container was full to the brim!

“Bring me another jar,” she said to one of her sons.

“There aren’t any more!” he told her. And then the olive oil stopped flowing.

When she told the man of God what had happened, he said to her, “Now sell the olive oil and pay your debts, and you and your sons can live on what is left over.”

 

1. God often starts with what you .

 

2 Kings 4:2 NLT: Elisha asked. “Tell me, what do you have in the house?”

 

2. Obedience supply.

 

2 Kings 4:3 NLT: And Elisha said, “Borrow as many empty jars as you can from your friends and neighbors.

 

3. The oil didn’t stop until she .

 

2 Kings 4:6 NLT: Soon every container was full to the brim!

“Bring me another jar,” she said to one of her sons.

“There aren’t any more!” he told her. And then the olive oil stopped flowing.

 

4. God’s supply is for your and His .

 

2 Kings 4:7 NLT: When she told the man of God what had happened, he said to her, “Now sell the olive oil and pay your debts, and you and your sons can live on what is left over.”

 

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Isaiah 30:23: He will send rain for the seed you sow in the ground…

Genesis 26:12-13 NLT: When Isaac planted his crops that year, he harvested a hundred times more grain than he planted, for the Lord blessed him. 13 He became a very rich man, and his wealth continued to grow.

2 Corinthians 9:6-11 NLT: Remember this—a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop. You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.” And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others. As the Scriptures say, “They share freely and give generously to the poor. Their good deeds will be remembered forever.”

 

For God is the one who provides seed for the farmer and then bread to eat. In the same way, he will provide and increase your resources and then produce a great harvest of generosity in you. Yes, you will be enriched in every way so that you can always be generous. And when we take your gifts to those who need them, they will thank God.

 

1 Kings 17:7-16 NLT: But after a while the brook dried up, for there was no rainfall anywhere in the land. Then the Lord said to Elijah, “Go and live in the village of Zarephath, near the city of Sidon. I have instructed a widow there to feed you.”

 

So he went to Zarephath. As he arrived at the gates of the village, he saw a widow gathering sticks, and he asked her, “Would you please bring me a little water in a cup?” As she was going to get it, he called to her, “Bring me a bite of bread, too.”

 

But she said, “I swear by the Lord your God that I don’t have a single piece of bread in the house. And I have only a handful of flour left in the jar and a little cooking oil in the bottom of the jug. I was just gathering a few sticks to cook this last meal, and then my son and I will die.”

 

But Elijah said to her, “Don’t be afraid! Go ahead and do just what you’ve said, but make a little bread for me first. Then use what’s left to prepare a meal for yourself and your son. For this is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: There will always be flour and olive oil left in your containers until the time when the Lord sends rain and the crops grow again!”

 

So she did as Elijah said, and she and Elijah and her family continued to eat for many days. There was always enough flour and olive oil left in the containers, just as the Lord had promised through Elijah.

 

 

1. The Law of : You have to sow if you’re going to reap.

 

2. The Law of : How you sow matters!

 

3. The Law of : You care for what you sow.

 

4. The Law of : You wait for what you sow.

 

5. The Law of : You reap what you sow.

 

 

Tithe: the first tenth of all that we earn, returned to God as an act of worship and trust.

 

Offering: anything we give beyond the tithe.

 

Genesis 28:20-22 NIV: Then Jacob made a vow, saying, “If God will be with me and will watch over me on this journey…then the Lord will be my God and this stone that I have set up as a pillar will be God’s house, and of all that you give me I will give you a tenth.”

 

Matthew 23:23 NLT: You should tithe, yes, but do not neglect the more important things.

 

Living as His Favorite: Am I Really?

 

 

1 Peter 1:2: God the Father knew you and chose you long ago, and His Spirit has made you holy. As a result, you have obeyed Him and have been cleansed by the blood of Jesus Christ.

 

May God give you more and more grace (favor) and peace.

 

Favor = God’s divine blessing, protection, and empowerment.

It is the expression of Heaven on you and through you.

 

 

1 Peter 1:17–18: And remember that the Heavenly Father to whom you pray has no favorites. He will judge or reward according to what you do. So, you must live in reverent fear of Him during your time here as temporary residents. For you know that God paid a ransom to save you from the empty life you inherited from your ancestors.

 

 

Favor is not automatic; it flows where God’s character is mirrored.

 

Holiness is the soil where favor grows.

 

God’s love draws us into transformation.

His Spirit makes us holy.

Holiness positions us to carry His favor to others.

 

 

Do I truly believe God loves me?

• John 3:16 – Love gives.

God so LOVED the world that He gave His son.

• John 13:34 – Love multiplies.

So now I am giving you a new commandment: LOVE each other. Just as I have LOVED you, you should LOVE each other.

 

There is a divine progression:

God’s Love → Holiness → Favor

 

 

Humility = God-centered perspective + accurate self-worth.

 

False Humility = Self-centered perspective + insincere actions for personal gain

 

False humility looks quiet but is loud in motive.

 

False Humility ≠ Favor

 

 

 

1. chosenness through self-doubt
2. affirmation with self-degrading comments
3. Serving publicly while privately
4. help to appear strong
5. Constantly for existing or succeeding
6. Mistaking and for holiness
7. Masking with spiritual language

 

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Ask your heart:

• • Am I celebrating others or shrinking because of comparison?

• • Do I confuse insecurity with humility?

• • Do I shrink back to seem “humble” rather than a steward opportunity?

• • Can I receive affirmation without deflecting?

• • Do I hide jealousy behind spiritual language?

 

When His love transforms you, His holiness shapes you, and His favor flows through you… other people experience Heaven because you showed up.