Prayer

Prayer: Before Your Pray . . .

1. Here are some suggestions to help you in achieving the most effective prayer time:
   
   No Interruptions:
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   We live in a world that uses technology to ensure that someone can be contacted virtually anywhere they may be. Cellphones, email, faxes, telephones ... the list goes on, but you have to turn off these devices of convenience, at least long enough to ensure a meaningful, uninterrupted time with God. Close the door behind you, turn off the phone ringer, turn the answering machine on in silent mode.
   
   No Distractions:
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   Ask your family to honor this time you have set aside for the Lord. Turn off the TV, etc. Whatever you do, try to get away from anything that is a potential distraction to you.
   
   Focus:
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   Have a pad to write down things that are preoccupying you or keep on popping up in your mind. Then set them aside. Give your time of prayer your total attention!
   
   List Your Prayer Concerns And Praise Items
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   In MyPrayerPartner, you have several areas to list the names of people you are praying for, the issues you are praying for this week and the areas in which you need to change personally. As issues come up, write them down in the spaces provided and bring them to the Lord in prayer. Also, never neglect to write down things you are grateful and thankful for. Praise the Lord for His mercy and kindness in your life and the lives of those you care for!
   
   Once you hace made sure that you will be able to maximize your prayer time by following the suggestions above, be aware of the twelve basic prayer requirements.
   
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Prayer: 10 Things You Can Include In Your Prayer Times

• 1. Rejoicing:
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  Start your prayer time by rejoicing in the Lord's goodness and mercy in your life. Thank Him for a new opportunity to praise Him for His mercy and grace in your life. Here are some scriptures to help you rejoice in the Lord:
  
  Psalms 100:4-5
  Philippians 4:4
  Psalms 27:6
  Nehemiah 8:10
  Psalms 85:6
  Psalms 63:5
  John 16:24
  
  2. Repenting:
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  Ask the Lord to help you as you search your heart for any sin that you may need to ask His forgiveness for. Here are some scriptures to help you:
  
  Acts 24:16
  Psalms 139:23-24
  Psalms 26:2
  
  Ask yourself if you have missed God's standard in these areas:
  
  Idolatry
  Unforgiveness
  Pride
  Anxiety and fear
  Speech (what you have said to others)
  Immorality, etc.
  
  3. Dressing:
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  The Bible talks about putting certain things and attitudes off, and putting other things and attitudes on. This way we come before the Lord and others "clothed" the right way. Read the suggested scriptures and pray accordingly:
  
  Colossians 3:8 (putting off)
  Ephesians 6:11 (putting on)
  Colossians 3:12
  Romans 13:14
  
  4. Reading:
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  Read the Bible, God's Word. It is life to your soul and strength to your body. Follow a Bible reading program to read through the Bible in a year. Write down the references of the passages you have read at the top left of the weekly segment in myPrayerPartner. Here are some scritures regarding the importance of reading the Word:
  
  Deuteronomy 8:3
  Psalms 37:30-31
  Proverbs 4:20-23
  
  5. Reflecting:
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  Meditate on what you have read and the implications of God's revealed will (The Word) for your life. What should you do diffently in the light of what you have read? What is God teaching you?
  
  Read these scriptures regarding meditating on the Word of God:
  
  Psalms 1:1-2
  Colossians 3:2
  Ephesians 1:17-19
  Ecclesiastes 8:5
  Proverbs 24:6
  
  6. Thanksgiving:
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  What are you grateful for? Write down some things and people you are grateful for. Also, write down the answered prayers from this week and the previous week and thank the Lord for His faithfulness. The folowing scriptures will help you as you express your gratitude unto the Lord:
  
  Philippians 4:4-8
  I Thessalonians 1:2-6
  Psalms 100:4-5
  
  7. Petitions & Supplications:
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  Write down all your cares and concern items and present them to the Lord. Remember to be specific in your petitions and supplications. Ask the Lord to help you and your loved ones in the following areas:
  
  Provision
  Guidance
  Health
  Power/Influence
  Protection
  Favor
  Purpose
  Career
  Family
  Marriage
  Mental, etc.
  
  The following scriptures will help you in presenting your petitions and supplications to the Lord:
  
  I Timothy 2:1a
  Philippians 4:6
  Psalms 119:170
  Psalms 30:8-12
  Psalms 28:2
  
  8. Intercession:
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  Go to your list and pray very specifically or generally for the people on your lists of names. Stand in the gap for them before the throne of God. Ask the Lord to intervene on their behalf.
  
  Here are some scriptures that clarify the concept of intercession:
  
  Job 42:10
  Hebrews 7:25
  Ezekiel 22:30-31
  Ephesians 1:15-19
  Philippians 1:3-11
  Romans 15:30
  
  9. Declarations:
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  This is the moment in your prayer time where you verbally agree with what the Lord wrote about you in scripture. For instance, say aloud: "The Lord is my shepherd and I shall not want. No weapon formed against me shall prosper. I have been redeemed by the blood of the Lamb. My God shall supply all my needs according to His riches in Christ Jesus."
  
  Find scriptures that will remind you of God's faithfulness and care for you, and make them personal as you speak them out loud. This will fortify your faith for the challenges you face that day, or the next day. Here are some scriptures you can start with . . .
  
  Psalm 23
  Psalm 91
  I Corinthians 4:10, etc.
  
  10. Review:
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  In the morning, review your . . .
  
  To do list
  Goals
  Appointments
  What is the Lord saying to me by His Word and by His Spirit
  
  In the evenings, review . . .
  
  What happened today?
  What did not happen today? Why?
  What did I learn? What should I do next?
  What should I do differently? What should I keep on doing?
  
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Prayer: Six Basic Requirements

1. Simplicity:
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   Come like a little child. You don't need to be an expert to have an audience with God. Just show up and talk!
   
   2. Intimacy:
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   Be transparent, real and loving in your approach to God.
   
   3. Humility:
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   Know who you are in relationship to God and act accordingly. It says in the Word that when we humble ourselves before the Lord, He will lift us up. When He lifts you up, nobody can bring you down!
   
   4. Honesty:
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   God knows everything. Confess your weaknesses and sins. Confession is good for the soul and it opens up God's forgiveness and mercy in your life. (See David's Psalms for examples of honesty in prayer)
   
   5. Brevity:
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   You don't need to use many and fancy words to touch God's heart. God is not impressed with the number of words. Say it plain and simple, and believe that He will answer your prayers.
   
   6. Fervency:
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   Put your heart into your prayers, not just your head. Be passionate and sincere. The passionate, heartfelt prayer will accomplish much more than the heartless recital of a formula prayer.
   
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