Archive for the ‘Prayer’ Category
January 11th, 2008
We cannot overlook the truth that our sin separates us from God. Throughout God’s word, He talks of the continual need to repent, the turning away from our sin and following after Him. Today as we focus on repentance, would you be willing to turn away from everything that is not pleasing to the Father? And follow Him.
Praise…
Read the following Scripture and spend time praising God…
“The LORD is my strength and my song; He has become my salvation.” – Exodus 15:2
Confession…
Read the Scripture and ask God to show you areas of your life where you need to repent and be fully surrendered to Him…
“Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.” – 2 Corinthians 7:10
Thanksgiving…
Spend time thanking God for redeeming you and setting you free…
“In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with His pleasure and will…” – Ephesians 1:7
Petition…
- Pray that we would be willing to turn from our sin and walk in the presence of God continually.“…If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” – 2 Chronicles 7:14)
- Pray that God wold reveal those areas in our lives that are cooling our affections and passion for Jesus and cause us to repent.“There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.” – Proverbs 14:12“Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.” – 1 John 2:15
“Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” – Romans 12:2
“For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say ‘No’ to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope—the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.” – Titus 2:11-14
- Pray that we have a spirit of repentance in our homes, and in our church, in our community.“Not to us, O LORD, not to us but to your name be the glory, because of your love and faithfulness.” – Psalm 115:1“‘Has not my hand made all these things, and so they came into being?’ declares the LORD. ‘This is the one I esteem: he who is humble and contrite in spirit, and trembles at my word.’” – Isaiah 66:2b
“You want something but don’t get it. You kill and covet, but you cannot have what you want. You quarrel and fight. You do not have, because you do not ask God. When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.” – James 4:2-3
“May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.” – Galatians 6:14
“For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin–” – Romans 6:6
- Ask God to revive us and bring us back to our first love, restoring the joy of our salvation.“Oh, that you would rend the heavens and come down, that the mountains would tremble before you! As when fire sets twigs ablaze and causes water to boil, come down to make your name known to your enemies and cause the nations to quake before you! For when you did awesome things that we did not expect, you came down, and the mountains trembled before you. Since ancient times no one has heard, no ear has perceived, no eye has seen any God besides you, who acts on behalf of those who wait for him.” – Isaiah 64:1-4“Will you not revive us again, that your people may rejoice in you?” – Psalm 85:6
“Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love.” – Revelation 2:4
Additional Scripture References
“Have mercy on me, O God,
according to your unfailing love;
according to your great compassion
blot out my transgressions.
Wash away all my iniquity
and cleanse me from my sin.
For I know my transgressions,
and my sin is always before me.
Against you, you only, have I sinned
and done what is evil in your sight,
so that you are proved right when you speak
and justified when you judge.
Surely I was sinful at birth,
sinful from the time my mother conceived me.
Surely you desire truth in the inner parts [a] ;
you teach [b] me wisdom in the inmost place.
Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean;
wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.
Let me hear joy and gladness;
let the bones you have crushed rejoice.
Hide your face from my sins
and blot out all my iniquity.
Create in me a pure heart, O God,
and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Do not cast me from your presence
or take your Holy Spirit from me.
Restore to me the joy of your salvation
and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.
Then I will teach transgressors your ways,
and sinners will turn back to you.
Save me from bloodguilt, O God,
the God who saves me,
and my tongue will sing of your righteousness.
O Lord, open my lips,
and my mouth will declare your praise.
You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it;
you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings.
The sacrifices of God are [c] a broken spirit;
a broken and contrite heart,
O God, you will not despise.
In your good pleasure make Zion prosper;
build up the walls of Jerusalem.
Then there will be righteous sacrifices,
whole burnt offerings to delight you;
then bulls will be offered on your altar.”
-Psalm 51:1-19
“Therefore, O house of Israel, I will judge you, each one according to his ways, declares the Sovereign LORD. Repent! Turn away from all your offenses; then sin will not be your downfall. Rid yourselves of all the offenses you have committed, and get a new heart and a new spirit. Why will you die, O house of Israel? For I take no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Sovereign LORD. Repent and live!” – Ezekiel 18:30-32
“Now the tax collectors and ’sinners’ were all gathering around to hear him. 2But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, ‘This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.’
Then Jesus told them this parable: ‘Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Does he not leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders 6and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, “Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.” I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.’” – Luke 15:1-7
“‘Now, brothers, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did your leaders. But this is how God fulfilled what he had foretold through all the prophets, saying that his Christ would suffer. Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, and that he may send the Christ, who has been appointed for you-even Jesus.’” – Acts 3:17-20
January 11th, 2008
As we pray today, let us consider that God is an All Knowing God, He who formed us knows the depths of our heart. Let us be honest with God and give Him every area of our life.
Praise…
Read the following Scripture and spend time praising God…
“O LORD, You have searched me and You know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; You perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; You are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue, You know it completely. O LORD.” – Psalm 139:1-4
Confession…
As you read the Scripture allow God to search your heart and mind. Ask Him to bring into light any areas of unconfessed sin…
“If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” – 1 John 1:8-9
Thanksgiving…
As you read the Scripture, spend time today thanking God for salvation and redemption…
“But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” – 1 Corinthians 15:57
Petition…
- Pray that we would love the Lord our God with all of our heart, mind and soul in increasing measure.
“Jesus replied: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’” – Matthew 22:37
- Ask God to give us an undivided heart that whatever we do we would do it wholeheartedly unto the Lord.
“Teach me your way, O LORD, and I will walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name.” – Psalm 86:11
“And you, my son Solomon, acknowledge the God of your father, and serve him with wholehearted devotion and with a willing mind, for the LORD searches every heart and understands every motive behind the thoughts. If you seek him, he will be found by you; but if you forsake him, he will reject you forever.” – 1 Chronicles 28:9)
- Ask God to create in us a pure heart that we may see Him more clearly.
“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.” – Matthew 5:8
- Pray that God would give us a willing spirit to confess our sins and have a true spirit of repentance.
“Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.” – Psalm 51:12
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” – 1 John 1:9
- Pray that we would see our great need for Him.
“You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked.” – Revelation 3:17
- Ask God to protect us from any spirit of lukewarmness
“I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! 16So, because you are lukewarm–neither hot nor cold–I am about to spit you out of my mouth.” – Revelation 3:15-16
Additional Scripture References
“Surely you desire truth in the inner parts you teach me wisdom in the inmost place.” – Psalm 51:6
“Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” – Psalm 139:23-24
“Great is our Lord and mighty in power; his understanding has no limit. The LORD sustains the humble but casts the wicked to the ground.” – Psalm 147:5-6
“‘These are the things you are to do: Speak the truth to each other, and render true and sound judgment in your courts; 17 do not plot evil against your neighbor, and do not love to swear falsely. I hate all this,’ declares the LORD.” – Zechariah 8:16-17
“This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth.” – 1 John 1:5-6
January 11th, 2008
When we are humbled before our Creator God, we acknowledge that He is LORD of all and submit to His rule in all areas of our life. Today as we focus on humility, would you consider a posture of kneeling as you pray, allowing God to have His way in every area of your life.
Praise…
Read the following Scripture and spend time praising God…
“You alone are the LORD. You made the heavens, even the highest heavens, and all their starry host, the earth and all that is on it, the seas and all that is in them. You give life to everything and the multitudes of heaven worship You.” – Nehemiah 9:6
Confession…
As you read the Scriptures, allow God to search your heart and mind…
“But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: ‘God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.’ Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.” – James 4:6-8
Thanksgiving…
Thank God for His saving grace…
“You save the humble but bring low those whose eyes are haughty.” – Psalm 18:27
Petition…
- Pray that as God’s people, we would humble ourselves before Him in all our ways acknowledging Him as LORD.
“if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” – 2 Chronicles 7:14
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.” – Proverbs 3:5-6
“The brother in humble circumstances ought to take pride in his high position.” – James 1:9
- Pray that we would act justly, love mercy and walk humbly with the LORD.
“He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” – Micah 6:8
- Pray that we would be clothed in humility and show true humility toward others, considering others before ourselves.
“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.” – Philippians 2:3
“to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and to show true humility toward all men.” – Titus 3:2
“Young men, in the same way be submissive to those who are older. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, ‘God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.’” – 1 Peter 5:5
- Pray that we would have a spirit of humility and a contrite heart which is pleasing to the LORD.
“‘Has not my hand made all these things, and so they came into being?’ declares the LORD. ‘This is the one I esteem: he who is humble and contrite in spirit, and trembles at my word.’” – Isaiah 66:2
Additional Scripture References
“In his pride the wicked does not seek him; in all his thoughts there is no room for God.” – Psalm 10:4
“He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way.” – Psalm 25:9
“Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.” – Proverbs 16:18
“Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and exalt and glorify the King of heaven, because everything he does is right and all his ways are just. And those who walk in pride he is able to humble.” – Daniel 4:37
“‘For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.’” – Luke 14:11
January 11th, 2008
To know the heart of the Father is to know Him and His will for our lives. Today let us focus on seeking to know Him in greater depths of insight.
Praise…
Read the following Scripture and spend time praising God…
“And they were calling to one another: “Holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory.” – Isaiah 6:3
Confession…
Allow God to search your heart and mind asking Him to reveal any area of your life that He is not LORD ALMIGHTY…
“Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” – Psalm 139:23-24
Thanksgiving…
Spend time thanking God for what He is doing in your life…
“I will remember the deeds of the LORD; yes, I will remember Your miracles of long ago. I will meditate on all Your works and consider all Your mighty deeds.” – Psalm 77:11-12
Petition…
- Pray that we will earnestly seek God in fervent prayer, pray that our souls would thirst for Him and be satisfied only with Him.
“Look to the LORD and his strength; seek his face always.” 1 Chronicles 16:11
“He will receive blessing from the LORD and vindication from God his Savior. Such is the generation of those who seek him, who seek your face, O God of Jacob. Selah” – Psalm 24:5-6
“O God, you are my God, earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you, my body longs for you, in a dry and weary land where there is no water.” – Psalm 63:1
“‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the LORD, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.’” – Jeremiah 29:11-13
- Pray God will help us seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness in all areas of our personal life and church ministry and that we would not go ahead of Him in our own plans or agenda.
“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” – Matthew 6:33
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.” – Proverbs 3:5-6
- Pray that God will pour out on us a Spirit of unity and love as we follow Him.
“And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” – Matthew 22:39
“May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.” – Romans 15:5-7
“As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to one hope when you were called – one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.” – Ephesians 4:1-6
“And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.” – Colossians 3:14
“bove all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.” – 1 Peter 4:8
- Pray that God would give us a heart to know Him and that we would have greater revelations of Him daily.
“I will give them a heart to know me, that I am the LORD. They will be my people, and I will be their God, for they will return to me with all their heart.” – Jeremiah 24:7
“…may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19and to know this love that surpasses knowledge–that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.” – Ephesians 3:18-19
“What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith. I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death…” – Philippians 3:8-10
- Pray that God would give us a heart after His heart.
“But the plans of the LORD stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations.” – Psalm 33:11
“If you had responded to my rebuke, I would have poured out my heart to you and made my thoughts known to you.” – Proverbs 1:23
“I will give them an undivided heart and put a new spirit in them; I will remove from them their heart of stone and give them a heart of flesh. Then they will follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws. They will be my people, and I will be their God.” – Ezekiel 11:19-20
Other Scripture References
“One thing I ask of the LORD, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to seek Him in His temple.” – Psalm 27:4
“O God, you are my God, earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you, my body longs for you, in a dry and weary land where there is no water.” – Psalm 63:1
“Seek the LORD while he may be found; call on him while he is near.” – Isaiah 55:6
“‘Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.’” – Matthew 7:7-8
“Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.” – Colossians 3:1-2
January 11th, 2008
As we enter into this time of prayer, let us spend time today praising and acknowledging Him as Sovereign LORD over all.
Praise…
Read the following Scripture and spend time praising God…
“Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is yours. Yours, O LORD, is the kingdom; you are exalted
as head over all.†• 1 Chronicles 29:11
Confession…
Read the Scripture and allow God to search your heart and mind…
“Surely the arm of the LORD is not too short to save, nor His ear too dull to hear. But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden His face from you, so that
He will not hear you.†• Isaiah 59:1-2
Thanksgiving…
Read the Scripture and spend time thanking God for all He is doing in your life…
“I will remember the deeds of the LORD; yes I will remember Your miracles of long ago. I will meditate on all Your works
and consider all Your mighty deeds.†• Psalm 77:11-12
Petition…
- Pray that we will honor the LORD in all we do.
“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.” – Colossians 3:17
- Ask the LORD to help us be devoted to time in prayer.
“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” – Romans 12:12
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” – Philippians 4:6
“I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone…I want men everywhere to lift up holy hands in prayer, without anger or disputing.” – 1 Timothy 2:1,8
- Ask God to increase our faith.
“If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith!” – Luke 12:28
“The apostles said to the Lord, ‘Increase our faith!’” – Luke 17:5
“But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord;” – James 1:6-7
- Ask God to strengthen us with the power of the Holy Spirit to be His witnesses.
“‘Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in] the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.’” Matthew 28:19-20
“‘But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.’” – Acts 1:8
Other References
“Through Jesus, therefore , let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise – the fruit of lips that confess His name.” Hebrews 13:15
“For great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; he is to be feared above all gods.” – Psalm 96:4
“Give thanks to the LORD, call on his name; make known among the nations what he has done. Sing to him, sing praise to him; tell of all his wonderful acts.” – Psalm 105:1-2
” In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of men.” – John 1:1-4
“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.” – Ephesians 1:3
“‘You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being.’” – Revelation 4:11
“Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, singing: ‘To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power,for ever and ever!” – Revelation 5:13
January 11th, 2008
A Note from the Pastor
These are exciting days at Champion Forest Baptist Church. But then again, that’s nothing new. This church has a wonderful history of stepping up when God calls us out. Many of us will remember similar times in our past when God stirred our church with vision, and we responded by faith. God moved, and we were amazed and blessed. Others of us have come to Champion Forest in recent months or years, and we are eager to see God do again what you have already experienced. We are all together on this: we want to see God move and work in wonderful and miraculous ways, and we want to be a part of His great work!
So now it’s time to pray! Numerous teams of our members have worked and prayed over the last year to bring us to this week in our church’s history. The Building Team, along with the Budget and Finance Team, have made their reports and recommendations. It’s our responsibility now to pray and consider what the Lord would have us do both as a Body and individually as members. Pray for unity and harmony, pray for wisdom and discernment, pray for vision and passion, pray for the people we’ll reach as we stretch, pray for God’s will to be done. Use this prayer guide to make an extra special effort this week to pray for our church and for the vote which we will take on Sunday, January 20th. Also, join us on Saturday, January 19th at 9:00 a.m. in the Worship Center for an hour of prayer preceding Sunday. Whatever you do . . . please pray! We can’t do this without the Lord, so let’s take it to Him in prayer.
With You in His Certain Victory!!!
Pastor David
“In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 1:4-6
Seeking the Heart of God: About the Week of Prayer
This week of prayer promises to be a powerful week in the life of Champion Forest Baptist Church! Each day as you begin your prayer time, imagine the whole church family humbled before the Lord, seeking His face and turning from our own ways. He promises that He will hear from Heaven and forgive our sins and heal our land (If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14). He promises that when we seek Him we will find Him when we seek Him with all our heart (You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:13). God’s word is full of promises to those that earnestly seek Him and follow Him. Through united prayer and surrendered people, God is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us (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… Ephesians 3:20).
To God be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen!
“Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, His body, and ince we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water.”
Hebrews 10:19-22
Steps to a Powerful Week of Prayer
1. Commit to set apart time each day to seek the Lord using the prayer guide.
“Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.” – Col. 4:2
2. Spend time at the beginning of each prayer time praising God for who He is. Recognizing who God is and His character brings us humbly before the throne and it causes us to recognize Him as LORD.
“Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness; come before Him with joyful songs. Know that the Lord is God. It is He who made us, and we are His; we are His people, the sheep of His pasture. Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise; give thanks to Him and praise His name. For the Lord is good and His love endures forever; His faithfulness continues through all generations.” – Psalm 100
3. Spend sufficient time silently before the Lord each prayer time asking God to search your heart and reveal to you any area of your life where you need to repent and submit fully to the LORD.
“Who may ascend the hill of the LORD? Who may stand in His holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to an idol or swear by what is false.” – Psalm 24:3-4
4. Spend time each day thanking God. Ask Him to bring to mind all that He has done and is doing in your life and the life of the Church.
“Be joyful always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
5. As we bring our requests to the Lord, we will use the Word of God to guide our prayer points (petitions). When we pray in agreement with the Word of God, we are asking for His will to be done.
“This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us – whatever we ask – we know that we have what we asked of Him.” – 1 John 5:14-15
6. Finally, listen as God speaks and the Holy Spirit leads you. Be encouraged to write down what God is saying to you and spend time meditating on His word to you.
“Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. Go near to listen rather than to offer the sacrifice of fools, who do not know that they do wrong. Do not be quick with your mouth, do not be hasty in your heart to utter anything before God. God is in heaven and you are on earth, so let your words be few.” – Ecclesiastes 5:1-2
“Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.” – Proverbs 16:3