Published by God Encounters Ministries P.O. Box 1653Franklin, TN

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2 Published by God Encounters Ministries P.O. Box 1653Franklin, TN Copyright 2015 James W. Goll All rights reserved

3 Unless otherwise indicated, scripture is taken from the New American Standard Bible, Copyright 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation Used by permission. ( As noted, scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION (NIV) Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations marked (AMP) are taken from the Amplified Bible, Copyright 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. As noted, scripture taken from the King James Version (KJV) The KJV is public domain in the United States. All scripture is indicated by italics.

4 Classes and Other Resources The following Prayers that Strike the Mark Study Guide is great for individual study in your own home, with a small group, or in a classroom setting. It also serves as part of a class by the same title at God Encounters Ministries, with its corresponding book, Intercession: The Power and Passion to Shape History and 12 Sessions taught by James W. Goll. Visit for more information about this and many other life-changing classes. At the end of each detailed lesson are simple questions for your reflection and review. In the back of this study guide, you will find the answers to these questions to aid in your learning. James W. Goll has many other resources available. They may be purchased at or by calling For more information, visit our website or info@godencounters.com.

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6 Acknowledgements Statement of Gratitude This study guide and the corresponding class in the God Encounters Training eschool of the Heart comes forth from the gleanings of various teachers, pastors, leaders and authors from over the years. This content has a breadth and length that is far reaching. I want to acknowledge and give thanks to the Lord for the impact on my life of a few of these prayer voices by name: Dick Simmons of Men for Nations, Beth Alves of Increase International, Mike Bickle of IHOP - KC, Cindy Jacobs of Generals International, and Dick Eastman of Every Home for Christ. I owe a great deal to the foundational teaching and spirit of prayer that rests on these men and women of God. Thank you, Lord, that You let their shadows cross my life. Now, I in turn, combine my personal history and research and add it to that of others. May this study be used to release Prayers that Strike the Mark for JESUS Christ s sake. With Gratitude, Dr. James W. Goll

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8 Table of Contents Preface: Prayers that Strike the Mark... 9 SECTION ONE: OVERVIEW OF PRAYER MODELS Lesson One: The Orchestra of Prayer Lesson Two: Coming into Agreement Lesson Three: The Many Faces of Prayer Lesson Four: Reminding God of His Word SECTION TWO: APPROACHES TO CLEANSING PRAYER Lesson Five: Removing the Obstacles Lesson Six: Exposing Doorways to Darkness Lesson Seven: Confessing Generational Sins Lesson Eight: Praying On-Site with Insight Lesson Nine: No Common Ground Allowed Lesson Ten: The Guardian of Intercession SECTION THREE: VICTORIOUS PRAYER Lesson Eleven: The Power of the Blood of the Lamb Lesson Twelve: Praying from a Victorious Perspective Answers to the Reflection Questions Resource Materials End Notes

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10 Preface: Prayers that Strike the Mark I am so excited about the content of this Study Guide and the corresponding course in the God Encounters Training eschool. We each need and want our prayers to be answered. Right? Therefore, we must to learn to lean into the heart of God and His Word to be able to launch Prayers that Strike the Mark. I originally composed some of these materials in a study guide called Strategies of Intercession. Upon review, I found that I needed to refresh the series and update it with additional understandings. When I put my hand to that plow, out came this composition that blends the best of the previous materials mingled with a victorious mind set after all in the New Covenant we are working towards victory we are working from victory! Section One lays the foundation with an Overview of Prayer Models. Section Two moves into insightful and in-depth study on Cleansing Prayer. Section Three closes out with Victorious Prayer. Now this sounds like something that I would like to study! How about You? BUILDING FROM A REFORMER S MINDSET The priesthood of all believers was a foundational truth that had been lost to the church for centuries leading up to the Great Reformation. The restoration of that single concept radically changed the understanding and expression of Christianity in its day. In this hour, again, the Holy Spirit is blowing upon these truths. Out of this fresh gust of wind has emerged a worldwide prayer movement unprecedented in church history. We, the Body of Christ, stand collectively at the altar of incense in this hour. We are not our own. We are His possession. This is our destiny. We are His! But we are possessed for a purpose. We are called, according to I Peter 2:5-9, to be a holy priesthood, a holy nation, a chosen people of His own possession. We are possessed for the purpose of being a perpetual priesthood releasing passionate praise and incense of intercession unto the Lord! We are called as a New Testament priesthood to offer up continual sacrifices to God. Hebrews 13:15 tells us what those sacrifices look like today: Through Him, let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is the fruit of our lips that give thanks to His name. This is reminiscent of Psalms 100:4 which plainly tell us, We are to enter His gates with thanksgiving and into His courts with praise. What a blessed privilege we have been given to freely release from the overflow of our hearts an offering, or sacrifice, or praise and thanksgiving. But is there more? Definitely! Revelation 5:8 describes yet another aspect of sacrifices made to God. And when He had taken the book, the four living creatures and the

11 twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, having each one a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. The Lord wants to be apprehended with a heavenly vision of humility, worship, and abandonment, such as is portrayed here. The four and twenty elders cast their crowns before Him who alone is worthy. Let us enter into this divine worship and begin to cry out with the angels as we join these heavenly choirs in radical praise and worship. We too have the ministry of the harp. Was there something else upon the altar besides the harp? Yes, the golden bowls full of incense. Once more, incense becomes our theme. But in this passage of scripture, the meaning of the incense is interpreted for us. It is the prayers of the saints. Our continual sacrifices of the harp of praise and the bowls of incense arise as an acceptable offering before our wonderful God. ENFORCING THE VICTORY OF CALVARY That is the purpose of this study guide. We are called to enforce the victory of Christ Jesus on Calvary! Remember, in the New Covenant, we do not work towards victory, we pray from the completed work of the cross of Jesus! It is finished! It is time for a whole generation of priests and kings to arise and offer up the sacrifices of praise and prayer. Prayers that Strike the Mark Study Guide has been designed to help broaden your understanding of the many different valid, biblical expressions of this priestly life and ministry. As you study these twelve detailed lessons, may the spirit of prayer fall on you and may you fill heaven s bowls to the brim and overflowing! May this study guide and the related audio and or video class be an inspiration and tool of equipping in your life! Dr. James W. Goll Encounters Network GET eschool Prayer Storm 10

12 Section One Overview of Prayer Models

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14 Lesson One: The Orchestra of Prayer I. A FRESH LOOK AT THE HIGH CALLING OF INTERCESSION A. Webster s Dictionary Definitions 1. Intercede (Latin intercedo: inter between; ado to go; literally, to pass between) to act between parties with a view to reconcile those who differ or contend; to plead in favor of another; to interpose, to mediate or make intercession. 2. Mediate being between two extremes; to interpose between parties at variance with a view to reconciliation; to mediate a peace. 3. Mediation entreaty for another intercession. B. Hebrew Definition: The Hebrew word for intercession is paga, which is only translated a few times as intercession in the Old Testament. Yet, when you compare the many different pictures, words, and interpretations of the word paga, you can glean many wonderful understandings of what it means to intercede. Paga to meet, to light upon (by chance), to fall upon, attack, strike down, cut down, to strike the mark, laid upon. 1. To meet Isaiah 64:5. A meeting with God for the purpose of reconciliation. 2. To light upon Genesis 28: By God s working of grace, our divine Helper is standing by, ready to aid us in our intercession, moving us from the natural to the supernatural, from finite ability to infinite ability, taking hold of situations with us so as to accomplish the will of God. 3. To fall upon, attack, strike down, cut down I Samuel 22:11-19; II Samuel 1: Intercession is the readiness of a soldier to fall upon or attack the enemy at the command of his lord, striking and cutting him down! 4. To strike the mark Job 36:32. Intercession releases the flashing forth of His glory/lightening, directing it to the desired situation and allowing it to strike the mark. 5. Laid upon Isaiah 53:12 (intercession); Isaiah 53:6 (laid upon). Intercession reached its fullest and most profound expression when our sins were laid upon Jesus. Jesus was able to fully identify with us, having the totality of our condition placed upon 13

15 Prayers that Strike the Mark Lesson One: The Orchestra of Prayer Himself; then as the scapegoat, He carried it far away. There is an aspect of this form of intercession into which we, as His Body, can enter. Colossians 1:24 calls us to share on behalf of His body, which is the Church, in filling up that which is lacking in Christ s afflictions. C. We Paint the Targets for God s Glorious Intervention! According to these understandings, praying believer s in the earth realm paint targets for the Holy Spirit to take a measure of the glory of God surrounding His hands in the heavenly realm and send it forth striking the mark. This becomes Prayers that Strike the Mark! What an invitation! II. PRAYER IS THE HARMONY OF MANY DIFFERENT INSTRUMENTS A. Key Scriptures 1. Matthew 18: Truly I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall have been loosed in heaven. Again I say to you, that if two of you agree on earth about anything that they may ask, it shall be done for them by My Father who is in heaven. For where two or three have gathered together in My name, there I am in their midst. 2. Ephesians 6:18... all kinds of prayers. (NIV) and...praying always with all prayer (NKJ). 3. Philippians 4:6 In everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God (KJV). B. Similarity of an Orchestra and an Effective Prayer Gathering 1. The score the Word of God. 2. The tempo set by the Holy Spirit. 3. The conductor Jesus Christ Himself. 4. The Instruments Who are the instruments? C. Many Different Sounds In an orchestra there are numerous instruments that each bring forth a distinct sound, and each require specific lessons in order to play skillfully. There can be the percussion, woodwinds, strings, or brass sections. Take your place in the orchestra of prayer for the glory of God and learn to play your distinct instrument. In a symphony, there are normally three distinct movements. So it is with the symphony of praise, prayer weaved with worship and finally 14

16 Prayers that Strike the Mark Lesson One: The Orchestra of Prayer true intercession. It is a concert of sounds blended together to bring God s glorious intrusion into His creation by the invitation of man! III. TWELVE TYPES OF SOUNDS OF PRAYER A. Thanksgiving 1. Psalms 100:4a Enter into His gates with thanksgiving... (NKJ). 2. Ten lepers cried at a distance, Lord, have mercy! They were all healed. Only one returned and thanked God. This one was made whole. Direct access to Jesus came through thanksgiving. B. High Praise 1. Psalms 100:4b... and into His courts with praise... (NKJ). 2. We thank God for His goodness what He has done; and we praise God for His greatness Who He is! 3. Psalms 48:1a Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised! (NKJ) C. Worship unto the Lamb 1. Worship is an attitude bowing the head, prostrating, kneeling. 2. Psalms 95:1-7a Oh come, let us sing to the Lord! Let us shout joyfully to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving; Let us shout joyfully to Him with psalms. For the Lord is the great God, and the great King above all gods. In His hand are the deep places of the earth; the heights of the hills are His also. The sea is His, for He made it; and His hands formed the dry land. Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the Lord our Maker. For He is our God, and we are the people of His pasture, and the sheep of His hand (NKJ). 3. We begin with shouting joyfully, for He is a great God! All of this leads to worship, which is our chief end. Worship is the ultimate expression of totally giving yourself to God. Who or what you worship is your God/god. Whatever you worship has power over you. D. Dedication or Consecration 1. John 17:19 Enter into the High Priestly prayer of Jesus. Be sanctified set apart unto the Lord. 2. Romans 12:1-3 We are to present (dedicate) our body as a spiritual service of worship. 15

17 Prayers that Strike the Mark Lesson One: The Orchestra of Prayer E. Prayer of Commitment 1. Psalms 31:5a Into Your hand I commit my spirit... (NKJ). 2. Psalms 37:5 Commit your way to the Lord, trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass (NKJ). 3. Committing is an act. Trust is an attitude. When you commit to something, you roll your way onto the Lord. When your way becomes too heavy, you roll it off onto another (the Lord). The order is commit and then trust give it and then leave it. F. Petitioning Just Ask! 1. I John 5:14 we must ask according to the will of God. 2. Bob Mumford noted Bible teacher said: Am I to give them a nugget out of my mind or teach them how to get it for themselves? 3. When you pray, do you ask the Bible way? 4. Mark 11:24... whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them (NKJ). When it becomes settled in you, you will know it and then experience it. G. Intercession Standing in the Gap 1. Ezekiel 22:30-31 And I sought for a man among them that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none. Therefore have I poured out mine indignation upon them; I have consumed them with the fire of my wrath: their own way have I recompensed upon their heads, saith the Lord God (KJV). 2. This is not devotional prayer. This should have already been covered in your own time of communion with the Lord. You now take your position before the Lord on behalf of others! 3. From Isaiah 59: a) Isaiah 59:2-8 A list or catalog of sins is stated. b) Isaiah 59:9-15 Then we are given God s reaction. 4. To stand in the gap between God and man is one of the highest honors given to a believer. (For more detail on this see my book The Lost Art of Intercession and the Watchmen on the Walls Study Guide.) H. Supplication with a Revelation of God s Heart 1. This is a cry for one main thing mercy. James 4:13 tells us that mercy triumphs over judgment! 2. Zechariah 12:10 You cannot lift the cry without the grace to do it. Ask for the spirit of grace and supplication. 16

18 Prayers that Strike the Mark Lesson One: The Orchestra of Prayer 3. Hebrews 4:16 the only ones who don t receive mercy are those who don t come. What blinds us is self-righteousness (religiosity). I. Prayer of Command 1. This is a command of faith where the Lord heeds the voice of a man. This could be a gift of faith as listed in 1 Corinthians 12 and other scriptural references. 2. Joshua 10:12-15 Joshua spoke to the Lord and then released a command to the sun and the moon. The sun stood still for an entire day. J. Decreeing a Blessing 1. Numbers 6:23-26: a) The Lord bless you... b)...and keep you... c) The Lord make His face shine on you. d)...and be gracious to you. e) The Lord lift up His countenance on you. f)...and give you peace. 2. Numbers 6:27 So they shall put My name on the children of Israel, and I will bless them (NKJ). K. Releasing a Curse 1. Matthew 21:21 The fig tree with no fruit was cursed at its roots and withered and died. 2. This is like the prayer of command coupled with a gift of faith. 3. Exercise great caution in this area. This is the one specific area that needs the greatest discernment and should be left to the experienced with confirmation. L. Persistence Matters 1. Luke 11:5-10 We are to ask, and keep on asking... seeking... knocking. 2. The game isn t over until you give up! So don t! Persist! Pray from a winning mindset. We are called to be enforcers of the Kingdom of Light over the temporary kingdom of darkness. 17

19 Prayers that Strike the Mark Lesson One: The Orchestra of Prayer IV. A CLOSING COMMENTS FOR THE PRAYER ORCHESTRA A. Five Aspects of Intercessory Prayer 1. Personal petition Asking for circumstances in your life to change. 2. Personal devotion Asking for spiritual growth, communion with God, and worship. 3. Meditation on God s Word Turning God s Word into conversation with Jesus. 4. Intercession for God s corporate purpose I Thessalonians 3:10; Isaiah 62:6-7; Luke 18: Intercession for specific individuals II Corinthians 1:11; Ephesians 6:19; Philippians 1:19. B. Ten Conditions Necessary for Effective Prayer 1. Faith Mark 11:23-24; Mathew 21:21-22; I John 5: Persistence Luke 18:1-8; Matthew 7:7-11; Isaiah 30:18-19; 62:6-7; Luke 11: Holy Life Psalms 66:18; Isaiah 59:1-2; I John 3: Honor Wife (spouse) I Peter 3:7. 5. Will of God I John 5: Name of Jesus John 14:13-14, 26; 16: Pure Motives James 4: Boldness Hebrews 4: Forgiveness Matthew 6: Unity Matthew 18:19-20; 5: C. Scriptural Characteristics of Ongoing Intercession Read Luke 11: Urgency Relating to an urgent need, (vs. 5) 2. Protection Prayer on behalf of others, (vs. 6) 3. Humility Open acknowledgment of helplessness, (vs. 6) 4. Confidence Knowing that God will answer, (vs. 8) 5. Patience Involves a period of delay, (vs. 8) 6. Perseverance Is not deterred by delay, (vs. 9-10) 7. Blessing Completed intercession involves reward, (vs. 13) SUMMARY: Holy, believing, persevering prayer are three qualities that are essential for obtaining God s divine answer. Let s combine all these elements and release Prayers that Strike the Mark in Jesus Name! 18

20 Reflection Questions Lesson One: The Orchestra of Prayer Answers to these questions can be found in the back of the study guide. Fill in the Blank 1. List three types of instruments in prayer: a. b. c. 2. In everything by and supplication, with let your requests be made known to God (Philippians 4:6, KJV). 3. To surrender your will to God and obey His command, trusting He will bring His will to pass, is to pray the prayer of. Multiple Choice Choose the best answer from the list below: A. Dedicate C. Blessing B. Persevere D. Supplication 4. To persist in prayer without wavering until the answer comes is to in prayer. 5. In the book of Nehemiah, 1:1-11, we find an example of which type of prayer? Continued on the next page. 19

21 True or False 6. Unlike an orchestra, prayer is a group of people with singularity in gifts and style. 7. Psalms 95:1-7 tells us to approach God with stillness and fasting. 8. Before praying a curse on a situation, extreme caution should be taken to ensure you are being led by the Spirit of God and not your own feelings. Scripture Memorization 9. Write out Philippians 4:6 and memorize it. 10. What was the primary insight you gained from this lesson, and how will you apply it to your life? 20

22 About the Author Dr. James W. Goll is the President of God Encounters Ministries, formerly known as Encounters Network, and has founded numerous ministries including Prayer Storm and Women on the Frontlines. He is a member of the Harvest International Ministries apostolic team and an instructor in the Wagner Leadership Institute and Christian Leadership University. With great joy James has shared Jesus in more than 50 nations teaching and imparting the power of intercession, prophetic ministry, and life in the Spirit. James is the prolific author of numerous books including The Seer, The Lost Art of Intercession, The Coming Israel Awakening, Finding Hope, and the award winning The Lifestyle of a Prophet. He has recorded multiple classes with corresponding study guides and full curriculum kits. In the spirit of revival and reformation, James desires to facilitate unity in body of Christ by relationally networking with leaders of various denominational streams. His passion is to win for the Lamb the rewards of His suffering. Praying for Israel is a burden of his heart, as Israel fulfills her role in the consummation of the ages. James and Michal Ann were married for 32 years before her graduation to heaven in the fall of James has four adult children who are all married: Justin, GraceAnn, Tyler, and Rachel and a growing number of grandchildren. James makes his home in the rolling hills of Franklin, TN. For More Information & Additional Resources: James W. Goll God Encounters Ministries P.O. Box 1653 Franklin, TN Visit: or info@godencounters.com Speaking Invitations: InviteJames@godencounters.com

23 Other Books by James W. and Michal Ann Goll God Encounters Prayer Storm Intercession: The Power and Passion to Shape History A Radical Faith Women on the Frontlines Series The Lost Art of Intercession The Lost Art of Practicing His Presence The Lost Art of Pure Worship The Coming Israel Awakening The Lifestyle of a Prophet The Call of the Elijah Revolution The Prophetic Intercessor The Seer Expanded Shifting Shadows of Supernatural Experiences Empowered Prayer Empowered Women Dream Language Angelic Encounters Adventures in the Prophetic Praying for Israel s Destiny Living a Supernatural Life Deliverance from Darkness Exploring Your Dreams and Visions God s Supernatural Power in You The Reformer s Pledge Prayer Changes Things Passionate Pursuit: Getting to Know God and His Word Finding Hope Rediscovering Life after Tragedy Releasing Spiritual Gifts Today Hearing God s Voice Today In addition, there are numerous study guides including: Discovering the Seer in You, Exploring the Gift and Nature of Dreams, Prayer Storm, A Radical Faith, Deliverance from Darkness, Walking in the Supernatural Life, Finding Hope for Your Life and many others with corresponding classes and curriculum kits.

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