Paul Billheimer, in his book Destined for the Throne, states that “Through the use of our weapons of prayer and faith, the church holds in this moment the balance of power opposing Satan in world affairs. The church is the mightiest force for civilization and enlightened social consciousness in the world today. The only force that is contesting Satan’s total rule in human affairs is the Church of the Living God…The church, even now by virtue of the weapons of prayer and faith are engaged in on-the-job training for her place as the bride of Christ, as joint heirs with Christ, over the entire universe following Satan’s final destruction.

The church, by virtue of her faithful use of prayer wields the balance of power not only in world affairs but also in the salvation of individual souls. …the church, by means of persistent, believing intercession, may so release the Spirit of God upon a soul (and on the affairs of a family, a church and a nation) sic the these people will find it easier to yield to the Spirit’s tender wooing and be saved than to continue in rebellion.

God will not go over the church’s head to do things in spite of her because this would abort His plan to bring her to full stature as the perfect and spotless bride of Christ. As John Wesley said, “God will do nothing but in answer to prayer of His people.”

Prayer is not begging God to do something which He is loath to do. It is not overcoming reluctance in God. It is enforcing Christ’s victory over Satan. It is implementing upon earth Heaven’s decisions concerning the affairs of men. God placed the enforcement of Calvary’s victory in the hands of the church. Matt 18:18, Luke 10:17-19. The church has “power of attorney”, the delegated authority operative through prayer of a believing church. Without a well-organized and systematic prayer program, any church is simply operating as a religious treadmill.”