Prayer is essential to intimacy with God. Can you imagine a relationship with someone you never talk to? Especially with someone that you can’t see in the flesh? **crickets**
Not only does God delight in your communion with Him, but it also works to bring your heart and mind into alignment with His. It’s not a one-way street, it’s an exchange.
Incessant prayer can be as simple as remembering God throughout the day, thanking him throughout the day, and finding different ways to acknowledge Him in things that you do.
“In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans” – Romans 8:26
But there are levels to this. And if you’re looking for more, more you will receive.
I copied the below prayer format from Pastor Jide Lawore of Agape House of Worship’s 21-Day Challenge a few years ago. Having a format makes it easy to press in longer, taking me to a deeper, more secret place with Yahweh – a beautiful place overflowing with good gifts and messages just for me. I would get to a point in prayer where I was no longer thinking about the words to say - they would just flow from the spirit - powerful declarations and beautiful requests from a place of pure confidence in Christ. I know it can do the same for you!
Step 1: Meditation
Read and meditate on a Bible passage and/or devotional. If you have the Bible app on your phone, you can simply use the verse of the day for this. Pulling up the chapter and reading the surrounding verses may also speak life into you.
Tip: Say a short prayer before you read scripture. Asking God to bless the reading of his word, to make you receptive to it, and thanking Him for the access you have to Him. Life is full of distractions, and this can help you focus spiritually by putting a little respect on the fact that you are about to tune in to the Holy Spirit.
Step 2: Adoration
Spend some time in thanksgiving, praise, and worship to God.
You can enhance your worship using:
The Book of Psalms
The different names of God (E.g., Jehovah Jireh, Most High God, Alpha and Omega, etc.)
Use worship songs from YouTube, Spotify, etc.
Step 3: Petitioning
Your own personal prayer needs and requests. If you are doing a devotional that comes with prayer points, this is a good time to include those as well.
Step 4: Intercession
Pray for friends or other families in need. This is very important.
Pray for your church, pastor, ministry etc.
Pray for your city, nations etc.
Answers to your secret questions and thoughts
Prayer should just flow, there shouldn't be a format or formula
100%. This is a guide for those who don't know what to pray for or for those who feel like they should be spending more time in prayer. Unlike reciting a prayer or reading prayer points, this guide gives you ideas of things to pray about. As you move through the guide, each topic should flow naturally until you're finished to move on to the next. By the end of it you will have spent significantly more time in prayer and the more you practice it, the easier it will be to enter into a supernatural flow and the more confident you will become in your connection to God and the body of Christ.
Hmmm, I should try this
You think? You should! I challenge you to plan to try it for the next 4 days. Screenshot the guide above, then dust off that devotional you bought that you never read, select a reading plan on the YouVersion Bible app, or search for Bible passages on an area of your life that you want God's help with. Pick a time and place where you will be alone over the next 4 days and just do it.
God barely answers my prayers, will praying for the world make a difference?
If you're waiting on God to move in your own life, it can make you feel powerless. It's said that God works in mysterious ways but so much is revealed when we do what He tells us to do. His word guides us in the ways He works in us, through us, and for us. When we pray for one another, for cities, for nations even, we stand with Him alongside others in Him in a battle we can't see and that few comprehend. But what will be evident is the effect on your life, your heart, and your mind, when you align yourself with Him and the body of Christ at large. There is a supernatural work that God wants to do in you, and it requires your trust and obedience, especially when it doesn't make sense.
Prayer for Confidence in Christ
Jesus, am I yours? I want to be. I want to know that my connection to you is unbreakable. I crave the blessed assurance that you are mine. That you hear every prayer and feel every care. I want to know your presence like I know my own breath. I'm tired of questioning my steps. Why are my insecurities louder than your voice? You fought for me and I know you won't leave me. You are still fighting for me. I trust you totally. Give me your hand and embolden me. Teach me how to fight alongside you. Equip me to overcome doubts and any hurdle on my path to being one with you. I am yours. Be mine. From now to forever. Amen.
.png)