Prayer
Here's the story, short and sweet. Prayer is important. You may add your own lengthy dissertations to support that statement. Prayer is powerful. You may add your own lengthy dissertations to support that statement. There are many Bible passages that command and example prayer. You may add your own lengthy dissertations to support that statement. Many books have been written, instructing us on how to pray. You may add your own lengthy dissertations to support that statement.
I like this one.
Got it?
Now let's do it!
Source: "The Hour That Changes The World."
By:
This is not THE way to pray, but it works for me. Minimum, bare minimum, time required to get through this "formula" is ONE HOUR! However, once you get started on this, you are easily swept up into it. You may find yourself very late for your afternoon appointments if you have started praying after 8:00 a.m.!
Best of all is that this is chore-less praying, joyous praying!
Praise
Waiting
Worship
Confession
Scripture
Watching
Intercession
Petition
Thanksgiving
Singing
Meditation
Listening
Praise
Praise
Matthew 6:9-13
After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
"Hallowed" means "to revere, sanctify". We begin our prayer by recognizing, and declaring, God's uniquely supreme holiness and power and love and mercy. We begin with praise!
Many people begin their prayer with confession of their sins. If we begin by praising God for His mercy, love, forgiveness, and personal sacrifice to pay for our sins; we are more likely to believe HE will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness ( 1 John 1:9)
PRAISE God for His name!
Psalm 115:1
Not unto us, O LORD, not unto us, but unto thy name give glory, for thy mercy, [and] for thy truth's sake.
Isaiah 9:6
For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
PRAISE God for His Righteousness!
Psalm 35:28
And my tongue shall speak of thy righteousness [and] of thy praise all the day long.
PRAISE God for His Power!
Psalm 150:1&2
Praise ye the LORD. Praise God in his sanctuary: praise him in the firmament of his power.
Praise him for his mighty acts: praise him according to his excellent greatness.
PRAISE God for His Word!
Psalm 56:10
In God will I praise [his] word: in the LORD will I praise [his] word.
OK! Try this right now! Just start speaking, listing, ALL the praise-worthiness of our Lord! These and many other scripture verses are the source that guides your praise.
"Lord, I praise you for you are holy. Your perfections are beautiful! You are perfect in..."
Go ahead! Get carried away! Praise God!
Waiting
My personal experience has been that an inner warmth, a hush, a wordless glow brings a calmness over my emotions. Yes, praising God for who He is moves my emotions! I don't think it is good to praise God in order to excite your emotions. Nor is it good to require an emotional excitement in order to praise God. Emotions do not replace nor initiate nor verify the praise of God. However, when my mind works to uncover, and my mouth speaks, the glory and praiseworthiness of God, my emotions definitely respond!
Waiting is the act of "Soul-Surrender".
Focus your keenest attention on God Himself. It should be very easy to do, as you have just been praising God's Name, Righteousness, Word, Power, and so much more.
Isaiah 40:31
But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew [their] strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; [and] they shall walk, and not faint.
Focus on seeking God Himself, rather than anything He can do for you!
Psalm 46:10
Be still, and know that I [am] God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.
Focus on seeing God as both Almighty, and as your friend.
Exodus 33:11
And the LORD spake unto Moses face to face, as a man speaketh unto his friend.
Worship
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