Feb 7, 2016 - thanks for His SPIRITUAL blessings (what God has been doing in your heart), His MATERIAL blessings. (what
The Prayer Experience The Prayer Experience The Prayer Experience
Dr. Brandon Park | February 7, 2016
Have you ever spent an entire hour with God in prayer? Matthew 26:40 Have you ever spent an entire hour with God in prayer? Matthew 26:40-41 says, “And He came to Have you ever spent an entire hour with God in prayer? Matthew 26:40-41 says, “And He came to Have you ever spent an entire hour with God in prayer? Matthew 26:40-41 says, “And He came to the disciples and found them sleeping. And He said to Peter, ‘So, could you not watch with me one the disciples and found them sleeping. And He said to Peter, ‘So, could you the disciples and found them sleeping. And He said to Peter, ‘So, could you not watch with me one hour? Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the hour? Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.’” flesh is weak.’” flesh is weak.’” The context of this Scripture is when Jesus was in the Garden of Gethsemane in His final hours. At a The context of this Scripture is when Jesus was in the Garden of Gethsemane in His final hours. At a The context of this Scripture is when Jesus was in the Garden of Gethsemane in His final hours. At a time when Jesus needed His disciples the most, they were there for Him the least. The disciples’ sus needed His disciples the most, they were there for Him the least. The disciples’ time when Jesus needed His disciples the most, they were there for Him the least. The disciples’ worship and passion for the Lord wasn’t sufficient enough to pray for even one hour. worship and passion for the Lord wasn’t sufficient enough to pray for even one hour. worship and passion for the Lord wasn’t sufficient enough to pray for even one hour. How much of God do you want? Do you want to see God move mightily in your life? If you want to How much of God do you want? Do you want to see God move mightily in your life? If you want to experience a true spiritual breakthrough, try spending an hour with God in prayer. In his book, The experience a true spiritual breakthrough, try spending an hour with God in prayer. In his book, The Hour that Changed the World, Dick Eastman provides a model for how you can spend an hour in Hour that Changed the World, Dick Eastman provides a model for how you can spend an hour in prayer by breaking it down into 12 five-minute segments. prayer by breaking it down into 12 five-minute segments. Why is it important to have a strong prayer life? Why is it important to have a strong prayer life? Prayer is the _________________ of the believer. It gives eyes to our faith. In prayer, we • • Prayer is the _________________ of the believer. It gives eyes to our faith. In prayer, we see beyond ourselves and focus spiritual eyes on God’s infinite power. see beyond ourselves and focus spiritual eyes on God’s infinite power. Prayer is our ultimate indication of ________________ in our Heavenly Father. What • • Prayer is our ultimate indication of ________________ in our Heavenly Father. What level of dependency upon God does your prayer life reflect? level of dependency upon God does your prayer life reflect? Where there is an absence of prayer, there will be an absence of __________________. • • Where there is an absence of prayer, there will be an absence of __________________. What we do for the Lord is dependent upon what we are in the Lord. What we do for the Lord is dependent upon what we are in the Lord. Did you know that there are twelve different ways you can pray that are mentioned in the Bible? Did you know that there are twelve different ways you can pray that are mentioned in the Bible? Paul told the church at Ephesus, “Pray…with all kinds of prayers” (Ephesians 6:18). Spend just five Paul told the church at Ephesus, “Pray…with all kinds of prayers” (Ephesians 6:18). Spend just five minutes on each one and you will not only have a well-rounded prayer life that draws you closer to minutes on each one and you will not only have a well-rounded prayer life that draws you closer to God, but you will also have spent an entire hour in prayer. God, but you will also have spent an entire hour in prayer.
1. Praise
When Jesus gave us the model prayer (the Lord’s Prayer in Matthew 6) the first 10 words are devoted to praise: “Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.” The word “hallowed” means “to revere or to sanctify.” Praise simply means to bring ______________ to God with our words. It is the vocal adoration of God. Psalm 50:23 says, “Whoever offers praise glorifies me.” Why should we put praise first in our prayers? Because only praise puts God in His rightful position at the very beginning of our praying. Paul Billheimer says, “Here is one of the greatest values of praise: it decentralizes self. The worship and praise of God demands a shift of center from self to God. One cannot praise God without relinquishing occupation with self.” What one aspect of God’s nature do you feel led to praise Him for? (i.e. His righteousness, His Word, His creative acts). Declare vocally all that God is. Expand that one aspect as much as possible.
2. Waiting on the Lord
To be complete, prayer needs an early, significant dose of spiritual silence. Psalm 52:9 says, “I will wait for your name…” Psalm 62:1, “For God alone, my soul waits in silence.” Psalm 130:6, “My soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen for the morning.” Isaiah 40:31, “They that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength.” Waiting on the Lord is basically the silent _________________________ of your soul to God. In a sense, it is “wordless worship.” We must take time to wait. The Bible says that before Moses spoke to God “face to face as a man speaks to his friend” (Exodus 33:11), he first waited decades in a barren wilderness before catching a glimpse of the glory of God. After your moments of praise, bring your mind and spirit into a time of complete silence to the world. Think no thoughts but thoughts of God the Father, His Son Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. Ask God to speak to you during your time in prayer.
3. Confession
Andrew Murray said, “God cannot hear the prayers on our lips often because the desires of our heart after the world cry out to Him much more strongly and loudly than our desires for Him.” I John 1:9 says, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” Confession is your _______ _____________ __________ into the very near presence of God. The word “confess” means to “agree with God” in admitting your guilt. Confession is to verbalize our spiritual shortcomings and admit that we have sinned. If my personal life touches too much of this world, my prayer life suffers. “If I regard iniquity in my heart, the LORD will not hear me” (Psalm 66:18). According to Scripture, there can be no effective prayer life where sin maintains its grip in the life of the believer. Confession is the most difficult and painful part of prayer because the moment we admit that a particular act displeases God, we recognize our responsibility to change it. Immediately, an inner battle of the will begins to take place. Ask God to search your heart for any unconfessed sin. Review your recent activities. Are there any areas of spiritual failure that need confessing? As the Holy Spirit brings thoughts to your mind, ask God to forgive you and cleanse you by His blood. When confessing your sin, be as specific as possible. Here is a list of common sins we must confess: addictions, breaking promises, bringing dishonor to others, believing God will refuse to forgive you, disobedience towards those in authority, telling unkind truths about another, gossip, materialism, gluttony, hatred, impure thoughts, indifference toward good and evil, ingratitude, jealousy, laziness, lying, lack of prayer, not obeying God in your giving, pre-marital sex or extra-marital sex, pride, rudeness, selfishness, stealing, anger, using others for your own personal gain, viewing pornography, etc.
4. Praying Scripture
The degree to which we believe in God’s Word and apply it to prayer is the degree to which God will pour out His power during our prayer. Romans 10:17 says, “Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.” By bringing God’s Word directly into our praying, we are bringing God’s _________________ directly into our praying. As you read Scripture, does this verse prompt you to pray for something specific? How can you take the Scripture you’re reading and turn it into a prayer back to God? Try visiting www.TheVersesProject.com for memorizing and meditating on Scriptures put to song.
5. Worship
Praise is the joyful recounting of who God is; but worship comes from a different place in our spirits. Worship should be reserved for God alone (Luke 4:8). Worship is the art of ______________ ____________ in the adoration of another. It involves giving all that I am to all that He is. Worship gets to the heart of who we are. To truly worship God, we must let go of our self-worship. We must be willing to humble ourselves before God, surrender every part of our lives to His control, and adore Him for who He is, not just what He has done. Worship is a lifestyle, not just an occasional activity. Jesus said the Father is seeking those who will worship Him "in spirit and in truth" (John 4:23). Use this opportunity in your prayer time to listen to or sing a worship song that reflects what you want to say to God.
6. Intercession for Others
Intercession is God’s method for involving His followers more completely in His work in the lives of others. To intercede means to ____________________. It is to stand between an individual and Almighty God and asking for God to accomplish something in their life. Colossians 1:9 says, “For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you.” Edward Bauman says, “When we pray for others we do not stand with outstretched hands hoping to receive something for ourselves. We stand at God’s side, working together with Him, in the task of redeeming others.” Ask the Holy Spirit who you need to pray for. Be as specific as possible in your prayers for them. You may want to send them a text or an email and let them know that you are praying specifically for them. Make sure you are including in your times of intercession prayer for specific individuals who have not yet turned to Christ for salvation. Who are you praying for today and what specifically are you praying for? ________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________
7. Petitions for Yourself
E. Stanley Jones says, “Asking is the symbol of our desire. Some things God will not give until we want them enough to ask.” Petitions in prayer means that we are to express our dependence on Christ for every ______________. Read some of the most powerful prayer promises in the Bible to give you confidence in your praying: Matthew 7:7-11; Matthew 21:22; Mark 11:24; John 14:13-14. Begin your petitions by asking the Holy Spirit to help you claim only those desires that will bring special honor to the Lord. Make a list of specific needs you have for that very day and offer each need to God. Take time to explain to God why you desire an answer for that request. Make sure you examine your motives for claiming a petition. Be certain they are pure in the sight of God. Write down some petitions you are asking God for today: ________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________
8. Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving is the act of expressing specific gratitude to God for the blessings He has given us. Thanksgiving is similar to praise but different. Praise focuses on _________ God is; thanksgiving focuses on ______________ God has specifically done for us. Colossians 4:2 says, “Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving.” Thanksgiving helps me focus on God’s faithfulness. It has also been called “a confession of blessings.” It is during this aspect of prayer that we recognize all of life’s blessings and confess them before God. Thanksgiving begins when you mentally catalog the specific things God has done for you so you can put these blessings into words. Begin thanksgiving by thinking about all God has given you in recent days. Offer to God specific thanks for His SPIRITUAL blessings (what God has been doing in your heart), His MATERIAL blessings (what God has provided for you), His PHYSICAL blessings (your health), and His EXTERNAL blessings (what He has done for your friends, community, church, or nation). What are you specifically thanking God for today? _______________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________
9. Singing
Martin Luther said, “The gift of language combined with the gift of song was given to man that he should proclaim the Word of God through music.” Psalm 100:2 says, “Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing.” While many believers participate in congregational singing, few have discovered the joy of singing songs to the Lord during prayer. On different occasions, Paul spoke of “making melody” in our hearts to the Lord with “spiritual songs” (Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16). When Paul spoke of a spiritual song, he was speaking of a song that originated in the believers heart. The word “spiritual” as used in these verses means “inspired by the Spirit.” Pause in your prayer time to sing a specific song to the Lord. Don’t hesitate to sing “songs of thanksgiving” for specific blessings or victories you believe God will give you in the days ahead.
10. Meditation
Meditation helps us apply all the truths God has revealed during our prayer time and through His Word. The Old Testament definition for the word meditation is “to mutter” or “to muse.” Joshua 1:8 says, “This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.” Find a Scripture verse that speaks to your heart. Allow your mind to wander within the framework of that verse of Scripture. Ponder all the aspects of that verse in reference to God. Ask questions about it that might lead you into an even deeper study of the subject. Pick a Scripture and jot down what God is saying to you through that verse: __________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________
11. Listening
To listen in prayer is to mentally absorb divine instructions from God concerning specific matters for that day. We need to learn to recognize the whisperings of God. Often His whisperings come in the form of a quiet ________________________ on the heart. Sometimes God gives us something specific to do; other times we may sense God’s presence leading gently. We know that to move in a certain direction will please Him and so we follow that quiet leading. In your “listening” time of prayer, ask God very specific questions about difficult problems or situations. Search Scripture for answers to your questions. (God most often speaks through His Word.) Mentally evaluate all of the circumstances that relate to a problem. Ask God to show you His plan through those circumstances. What is God saying to you? Write down any ideas God may share concerning the details of solving that particular problem:________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________
12. Praise
Prayer has now come full circle and we find ourselves again at praise. Praise to God should be the bookends of our prayer time. We begin with an act of adoration and we end with an act of magnification. In the Lord’s Prayer, Jesus not only taught us to begin our prayer with praise (“Our Father, which art in Heaven, Hallowed by thy name”) but to also end our prayer in praise (“For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.”). Jesus taught us to conclude our prayer with a strong expression: “Amen.” That word means “so be it” or “it is done.” In Greek, “Amen” could actually be translated, “God, our King, is trustworthy.” To say “amen” in prayer is to express confidence that God has heard our prayers. Martin Luther said, “Mark this! Make your amen strong, never doubting that God is surely listening to you. This is what amen means: That I know with certainty that this prayer has been heard by God.” End your prayer time with specific praise concerning God’s greatness. Focus your praise on His omnipotence (power), His omniscience (knowledge), and His omnipresence (presence). Look back over your prayer time and praise God for hearing each of your requests. Make your “amen” strong! Confess with authority that you believe God is trustworthy!
The Prayer Experience The Prayer Experience The Prayer Experience
Dr. Brandon Park | February 7, 2016
Have you ever spent an entire hour with God in prayer? Matthew 26:40 Have you ever spent an entire hour with God in prayer? Matthew 26:40-41 says, “And He came to Have you ever spent an entire hour with God in prayer? Matthew 26:40-41 says, “And He came to Have you ever spent an entire hour with God in prayer? Matthew 26:40-41 says, “And He came to the disciples and found them sleeping. And He said to Peter, ‘So, could you not watch with me one the disciples and found them sleeping. And He said to Peter, ‘So, could you the disciples and found them sleeping. And He said to Peter, ‘So, could you not watch with me one hour? Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the hour? Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.’” flesh is weak.’” flesh is weak.’” The context of this Scripture is when Jesus was in the Garden of Gethsemane in His final hours. At a The context of this Scripture is when Jesus was in the Garden of Gethsemane in His final hours. At a The context of this Scripture is when Jesus was in the Garden of Gethsemane in His final hours. At a time when Jesus needed His disciples the most, they were there for Him the least. The disciples’ sus needed His disciples the most, they were there for Him the least. The disciples’ time when Jesus needed His disciples the most, they were there for Him the least. The disciples’ worship and passion for the Lord wasn’t sufficient enough to pray for even one hour. worship and passion for the Lord wasn’t sufficient enough to pray for even one hour. worship and passion for the Lord wasn’t sufficient enough to pray for even one hour. How much of God do you want? Do you want to see God move mightily in your life? If you want to How much of God do you want? Do you want to see God move mightily in your life? If you want to experience a true spiritual breakthrough, try spending an hour with God in prayer. In his book, The experience a true spiritual breakthrough, try spending an hour with God in prayer. In his book, The Hour that Changed the World, Dick Eastman provides a model for how you can spend an hour in Hour that Changed the World, Dick Eastman provides a model for how you can spend an hour in prayer by breaking it down into 12 five-minute segments. prayer by breaking it down into 12 five-minute segments. Why is it important to have a strong prayer life? Why is it important to have a strong prayer life? vision Prayer is the _________________ of the believer. It gives eyes to our faith. In prayer, we • • Prayer is the _________________ of the believer. It gives eyes to our faith. In prayer, we see beyond ourselves and focus spiritual eyes on God’s infinite power. see beyond ourselves and focus spiritual eyes on God’s infinite power. Prayer is our ultimate indication of ________________ in our Heavenly Father. What trust • • Prayer is our ultimate indication of ________________ in our Heavenly Father. What level of dependency upon God does your prayer life reflect? level of dependency upon God does your prayer life reflect? Where there is an absence of prayer, there will be an absence of __________________. power • • Where there is an absence of prayer, there will be an absence of __________________. What we do for the Lord is dependent upon what we are in the Lord. What we do for the Lord is dependent upon what we are in the Lord. Did you know that there are twelve different ways you can pray that are mentioned in the Bible? Did you know that there are twelve different ways you can pray that are mentioned in the Bible? Paul told the church at Ephesus, “Pray…with all kinds of prayers” (Ephesians 6:18). Spend just five Paul told the church at Ephesus, “Pray…with all kinds of prayers” (Ephesians 6:18). Spend just five minutes on each one and you will not only have a well-rounded prayer life that draws you closer to minutes on each one and you will not only have a well-rounded prayer life that draws you closer to God, but you will also have spent an entire hour in prayer. God, but you will also have spent an entire hour in prayer.
1. Praise
When Jesus gave us the model prayer (the Lord’s Prayer in Matthew 6) the first 10 words are devoted to praise: “Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.” The word “hallowed” means “to revere or to sanctify.” glory Praise simply means to bring ______________ to God with our words. It is the vocal adoration of God. Psalm 50:23 says, “Whoever offers praise glorifies me.” Why should we put praise first in our prayers? Because only praise puts God in His rightful position at the very beginning of our praying. Paul Billheimer says, “Here is one of the greatest values of praise: it decentralizes self. The worship and praise of God demands a shift of center from self to God. One cannot praise God without relinquishing occupation with self.” What one aspect of God’s nature do you feel led to praise Him for? (i.e. His righteousness, His Word, His creative acts). Declare vocally all that God is. Expand that one aspect as much as possible.
2. Waiting on the Lord
To be complete, prayer needs an early, significant dose of spiritual silence. Psalm 52:9 says, “I will wait for your name…” Psalm 62:1, “For God alone, my soul waits in silence.” Psalm 130:6, “My soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen for the morning.” Isaiah 40:31, “They that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength.” surrender Waiting on the Lord is basically the silent _________________________ of your soul to God. In a sense, it is “wordless worship.” We must take time to wait. The Bible says that before Moses spoke to God “face to face as a man speaks to his friend” (Exodus 33:11), he first waited decades in a barren wilderness before catching a glimpse of the glory of God. After your moments of praise, bring your mind and spirit into a time of complete silence to the world. Think no thoughts but thoughts of God the Father, His Son Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. Ask God to speak to you during your time in prayer.
3. Confession
Andrew Murray said, “God cannot hear the prayers on our lips often because the desires of our heart after the world cry out to Him much more strongly and loudly than our desires for Him.” I John 1:9 says, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse all access pass us from all unrighteousness.” Confession is your _______ _____________ __________ into the very near presence of God. The word “confess” means to “agree with God” in admitting your guilt. Confession is to verbalize our spiritual shortcomings and admit that we have sinned. If my personal life touches too much of this world, my prayer life suffers. “If I regard iniquity in my heart, the LORD will not hear me” (Psalm 66:18). According to Scripture, there can be no effective prayer life where sin maintains its grip in the life of the believer. Confession is the most difficult and painful part of prayer because the moment we admit that a particular act displeases God, we recognize our responsibility to change it. Immediately, an inner battle of the will begins to take place. Ask God to search your heart for any unconfessed sin. Review your recent activities. Are there any areas of spiritual failure that need confessing? As the Holy Spirit brings thoughts to your mind, ask God to forgive you and cleanse you by His blood. When confessing your sin, be as specific as possible. Here is a list of common sins we must confess: addictions, breaking promises, bringing dishonor to others, believing God will refuse to forgive you, disobedience towards those in authority, telling unkind truths about another, gossip, materialism, gluttony, hatred, impure thoughts, indifference toward good and evil, ingratitude, jealousy, laziness, lying, lack of prayer, not obeying God in your giving, pre-marital sex or extra-marital sex, pride, rudeness, selfishness, stealing, anger, using others for your own personal gain, viewing pornography, etc.
4. Praying Scripture
The degree to which we believe in God’s Word and apply it to prayer is the degree to which God will pour out His power during our prayer. Romans 10:17 says, “Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.” By bringing God’s Word directly into our praying, we are bringing God’s power _________________ directly into our praying. As you read Scripture, does this verse prompt you to pray for something specific? How can you take the Scripture you’re reading and turn it into a prayer back to God? Try visiting www.TheVersesProject.com for memorizing and meditating on Scriptures put to song.
5. Worship
Praise is the joyful recounting of who God is; but worship comes from a different place in our losing spirits. Worship should be reserved for God alone (Luke 4:8). Worship is the art of ______________ ____________ in the adoration of another. It involves giving all that I am to all that He is. Worship oneself gets to the heart of who we are. To truly worship God, we must let go of our self-worship. We must be willing to humble ourselves before God, surrender every part of our lives to His control, and adore Him for who He is, not just what He has done. Worship is a lifestyle, not just an occasional activity. Jesus said the Father is seeking those who will worship Him "in spirit and in truth" (John 4:23). Use this opportunity in your prayer time to listen to or sing a worship song that reflects what you want to say to God.
6. Intercession for Others
Intercession is God’s method for involving His followers more completely in His work in the lives of mediate others. To intercede means to ____________________. It is to stand between an individual and Almighty God and asking for God to accomplish something in their life. Colossians 1:9 says, “For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you.” Edward Bauman says, “When we pray for others we do not stand with outstretched hands hoping to receive something for ourselves. We stand at God’s side, working together with Him, in the task of redeeming others.” Ask the Holy Spirit who you need to pray for. Be as specific as possible in your prayers for them. You may want to send them a text or an email and let them know that you are praying specifically for them. Make sure you are including in your times of intercession prayer for specific individuals who have not yet turned to Christ for salvation. Who are you praying for today and what specifically are you praying for? ________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________
7. Petitions for Yourself
E. Stanley Jones says, “Asking is the symbol of our desire. Some things God will not give until we want them enough to ask.” Petitions in prayer means that we are to express our dependence on Christ for every ______________. Read some of the most powerful prayer promises in the Bible to need give you confidence in your praying: Matthew 7:7-11; Matthew 21:22; Mark 11:24; John 14:13-14. Begin your petitions by asking the Holy Spirit to help you claim only those desires that will bring special honor to the Lord. Make a list of specific needs you have for that very day and offer each need to God. Take time to explain to God why you desire an answer for that request. Make sure you examine your motives for claiming a petition. Be certain they are pure in the sight of God. Write down some petitions you are asking God for today: ________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________
8. Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving is the act of expressing specific gratitude to God for the blessings He has given us. Thanksgiving is similar to praise but different. Praise focuses on _________ God is; thanksgiving losing focuses on ______________ God has specifically done for us. oneself Colossians 4:2 says, “Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving.” Thanksgiving helps me focus on God’s faithfulness. It has also been called “a confession of blessings.” It is during this aspect of prayer that we recognize all of life’s blessings and confess them before God. Thanksgiving begins when you mentally catalog the specific things God has done for you so you can put these blessings into words. Begin thanksgiving by thinking about all God has given you in recent days. Offer to God specific thanks for His SPIRITUAL blessings (what God has been doing in your heart), His MATERIAL blessings (what God has provided for you), His PHYSICAL blessings (your health), and His EXTERNAL blessings (what He has done for your friends, community, church, or nation). What are you specifically thanking God for today? _______________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________
9. Singing
Martin Luther said, “The gift of language combined with the gift of song was given to man that he should proclaim the Word of God through music.” Psalm 100:2 says, “Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing.” While many believers participate in congregational singing, few have discovered the joy of singing songs to the Lord during prayer. On different occasions, Paul spoke of “making melody” in our hearts to the Lord with “spiritual songs” (Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16). When Paul spoke of a spiritual song, he was speaking of a song that originated in the believers heart. The word “spiritual” as used in these verses means “inspired by the Spirit.” Pause in your prayer time to sing a specific song to the Lord. Don’t hesitate to sing “songs of thanksgiving” for specific blessings or victories you believe God will give you in the days ahead.
10. Meditation
Meditation helps us apply all the truths God has revealed during our prayer time and through His Word. The Old Testament definition for the word meditation is “to mutter” or “to muse.” Joshua 1:8 says, “This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.” Find a Scripture verse that speaks to your heart. Allow your mind to wander within the framework of that verse of Scripture. Ponder all the aspects of that verse in reference to God. Ask questions about it that might lead you into an even deeper study of the subject. Pick a Scripture and jot down what God is saying to you through that verse: __________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________
11. Listening
To listen in prayer is to mentally absorb divine instructions from God concerning specific matters for that day. We need to learn to recognize the whisperings of God. Often His whisperings come in impressions the form of a quiet ________________________ on the heart. Sometimes God gives us something specific to do; other times we may sense God’s presence leading gently. We know that to move in a certain direction will please Him and so we follow that quiet leading. In your “listening” time of prayer, ask God very specific questions about difficult problems or situations. Search Scripture for answers to your questions. (God most often speaks through His Word.) Mentally evaluate all of the circumstances that relate to a problem. Ask God to show you His plan through those circumstances. What is God saying to you? Write down any ideas God may share concerning the details of solving that particular problem:________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________
12. Praise
Prayer has now come full circle and we find ourselves again at praise. Praise to God should be the bookends of our prayer time. We begin with an act of adoration and we end with an act of magnification. In the Lord’s Prayer, Jesus not only taught us to begin our prayer with praise (“Our Father, which art in Heaven, Hallowed by thy name”) but to also end our prayer in praise (“For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.”). Jesus taught us to conclude our prayer with a strong expression: “Amen.” That word means “so be it” or “it is done.” In Greek, “Amen” could actually be translated, “God, our King, is trustworthy.” To say “amen” in prayer is to express confidence that God has heard our prayers. Martin Luther said, “Mark this! Make your amen strong, never doubting that God is surely listening to you. This is what amen means: That I know with certainty that this prayer has been heard by God.” End your prayer time with specific praise concerning God’s greatness. Focus your praise on His omnipotence (power), His omniscience (knowledge), and His omnipresence (presence). Look back over your prayer time and praise God for hearing each of your requests. Make your “amen” strong! Confess with authority that you believe God is trustworthy!
