We have no real, direct power over outer things, because those outer things are the consequences, manifestations, resultant pictures of the heart.
James 3 talks about the tongue, and how evil and out of control it is.
James 3:6-8: And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell. For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind: But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.
Since the tongue is so evil and untamable when dealt with directly, how do we control it? Again, we must change the cause, the heart. Remember Matthew 15:18?
Matthew 15:18
But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man.
We really do not have control over the outer without controlling the heart. If we could possibly affect outer things directly without changing our heart, then we could think one thing in our hearts and produce another in our lives. This is impossible.
What you think in your heart, you produce in your experiences, as within, so without.
You cannot think one thing and produce another. We should consider and pray this prayer from II Thessalonians.
II Thessalonians 3:1-5:
Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you: And that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men: for all men have not faith. But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil. And we have confidence in the Lord touching you, that ye both do and will do the things which we command you. And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ.
Heb 5:7 GNB
(7) In his life on earth Jesus made his prayers and requests with loud cries and tears to God, who could save him from death. Because he was humble and devoted, God heard him.
Matthew 5:8:
Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.