Maximising your time in the prayer room

Transcription

1 Maximising your time in the prayer room It is a privilege and blessing to be able to freely come before the Lord in a prayer room, public or private. We want to make the most of this time. In this booklet you will find a number of ideas for how to focus your time of prayer and how to engage with the Word in a deeper way. We hope it is a blessing to you! Scripture taken from the New King James Version (NKJV) by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

2 for Prayer You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. Matthew 22:37 Intentionally ordering our lives to give God our best is our necessary pleasure and love s only response. It is our best work that God wants, not the dregs of our exhaustion. I think He must prefer quality to quantity -. George MacDonald An eternal mindset and heavenward gaze should determine our actions and set our hearts for conversation with God. Practical application In every season of life have a set time to meet with God. Distraction comes easy; intimacy comes at a great cost. Quiet your soul before you go to sleep by meditating on a verse, singing a worship song, reading the Bible, or praying. Be sure to get enough sleep. Worshipping and tongues are great ways to engage your spirit at the beginning of your prayer time. Watching too many movies, too much internet time, and idle talk can dull your soul.

3 Soaking Prayer Sometimes we tend to think of prayer as a one-way phone call. We talk to God and once we ve said everything we wanted to say we just hang up and hardly ever allow God to actually speak back to us. John 5:39-40 tells us that the only way we can grow in maturity is by us coming to God and letting His Words transform us! You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; it is these that testify about Me; and you are unwilling to come to Me so that you may have life. (John 5:39-40) Be still in the Lord and wait patiently for Him (Psalm 37:4) It is important that we set time apart to listen to His voice and to rest in His presence. Some people call this soaking prayer. It s when we listen way more than we talk. Our heavenly Father is so kind and He loves us dearly. We are His delight. He is not mostly disappointed or angry with us, but He enjoys us even in our weak attempts to love Him. God loves to take weak and broken people and transform them by speaking words of truth that shatter the lies of the enemy. Let Him tell you how much He loves you. Let Him tell you what He thinks about you and how He sees certain circumstances in your life. Receive those life-giving words from our Father that are filled with encouragement, affirmation, comfort and wisdom. It takes practice and focus to set your gaze upon Jesus and not to do anything, but listen and receive. Keep in mind that God s voice is often those simple thoughts that cross your mind. What we hear Him say will be verified by what He says about Himself in the Word. God is not complicated. You can hear Him (John 10:4). Be patient with yourself. When your thoughts wander off to other things don t condemn yourself. Simply focus back on Jesus and listen. Watch how He will change your heart over time!

4 Benefits of Praying in the Spirit Praying in the Spirit (praying in tongues) is a powerful way to pray. But you, beloved, building yourselves up on the most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit. Jude 20:21 Benefits of praying in the Spirit Praying in tongues brings you closer to God in a variety of ways including: Speaking and understanding divine mysteries of God (1 Cor. 14:2) Edification and the building up of our inner man (Eph 3:16) Building a capacity for God Successful spiritual warfare (1 Cor. 14:2) Unifying believers in prayer rather than isolating them in individual prayer Gives us the ability to continue long hours in prayer without being limited by our own human language It is a springboard into other spiritual gifts. Practical Tips Drink Water while praying in tongues. Focus on Scripture - choose one or two and come back to these when your mind begins to wander Write down any distractions such as things to do as they come to mind. Also write down anything you feel the Lord speaking to you Say out loud the short phrases that come into your mind - they are usually praise to God Pray out loud in tongues as it helps to keep you focused Don t give up! Over time you will feel stronger. Spend time everyday praying in tongues. Begin with 10 minutes and increase a little each week.

5 Exploring a Scripture Write one or two scriptures on a page. Take different coloured pens and circle, underline, highlight: Repetition of words Names of God Verbs (action/doing words) Concrete words like: is, shall, will Write questions out to the side Write other related scriptures that come to mind Write other words that mean the same (synonyms) When you are done, talk to God about the picture. Say the scripture out loud, interchanging some of the additional meaning/words you have drawn out of it.

6 Choose a Bible verse. Read Write Say Sing Pray READ IT: Read the verse several times. Look for key phrases or words. Focus on what you read and what it may mean in its context. Think of other ways to say the words. Notice which words may be emphasised and how that affects the meaning of the verse. WRITE IT: Write the verse exactly as it is written one time. Close your Bible, and set it aside because once you have the verse, you don t want another verse pulling your attention away from this one. Write any insights and thoughts that you get. Write the phrase over and over again. Writing opens something that reading doesn t always open in our understanding. SAY IT: Say the verse or the phrase out loud. Most things that you believe are things that you have heard over and over again. As you repeat the verse or the phrase, certain words will leap out at you. These words should be repeated over and over again. SING IT: Singing is a means to unlocking the heart. Take the verse and sing it over and over again. When we sing, our voices function in a way distinct from any other musical instrument. No other musical instrument carries both a flow of thoughts and a melody at the same time. Declaring a Bible verse in a song impacts our spirit, soul, and body in a dynamic way. PRAY IT: Prayer is a divine means of communication with God. When you repeat a phrase and believe it, you re speaking it to God, which is prayer. All scripture phrases are invitations to believe and/or have faith to walk it out. While you are praying, ask the Lord to help you believe the verse. If the phrase is inviting faith to walk it out, then ask God to help you live in the verse.

7 Prayer reading the word Believe Scriptures We give our hearts to God and receive from Him as we read His Word. We allow it to create an active dialogue with God as it gives us the conversational material. We talk to God about the Word. While meditating on Scriptures, we can focus on those that exhort us to believe God s Word. Use Scriptures that declare that God loves, forgives, leads, protects, or provides for us. WE THANK GOD FOR A PARTICULAR TRUTH. We turn these truths into simple declarations of thanksgiving or trust. Thank you that You love me. I trust that You will lead me. WE ASK GOD TO REVEAL TRUTHS TO US. Father, reveal to me the certainty of Your provision, how much You love me., forgive me Father, I ask You to release Your promised guidance, provision, protection If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new For He (Father) made Him (Jesus) who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. (2 Corinthians 5:17-21) Pray: I thank You and declare my trust that you have given me the righteousness of God, please reveal it to me more by the spirit of revelation. I declare that all things are new and the old things of my guilt have passed away in Your sight. Linger in God s presence by pray-reading the Word. Take time to linger as you speak slowly to God (include declaring your love and praise, praying with your spirit and being quiet).

8 Exploring the Psalms ABC s of God s nature and character. Who He is and what He does Take 10 chapters of the book of Psalms. As you read through, look for the words or phrases that describe God. Use an ABC list to record them. Record the scripture reference so you can refer to it later. This helps to give us a picture of what the writer of Psalms says about God and what God says about Himself. F - He fills the hungry soul with goodness - Psalm 107:9 M - His mercy endures forever Psalm 106:1 S - He satisfies the longing soul - Psalm 107:9 Then THANK Look over your list and talk to God about it. THANK God for being who He is. As we agree with the Word it renews our mind. Over time we begin to believe what we are praying. Thank you that you fill the hungry with goodness. Thank you that you promise to fill those who hunger and thirst and as I read the Word it feeds me. ASK If you come to a word or phrase about who God is or what He does that you do not understand or have not experienced ask God to give you understanding. God I ASK you to give me understanding of mercy and how You are merciful. TEACH me what it means for me to be merciful to others. SHOW me the times You Have shown mercy in the Word and in my own life. COMMIT If you come to a description of God that involves His response to us, like a promise, then respond to this by making a COMMITMENT. God I commit to seeking You to fulfil my longings. I believe that You are the great satisfier and even though I don t experience that right now, I commit to agreeing with this promise. God, increase my hunger for You and for the Word. Take your time as you pray the Word. Over time you will see the difference!

9 READ 10 CHAPTERS EACH DAY Reading 10 chapters a day in the Bible will give you a general overview of the Word. Try starting in Genesis and end in the book of Revelation (you would read through the entire Bible in about 5 months). Or you could start in Matthew and end in the book Revelation (which takes only about a month). Read slowly and take in what you are reading. If you find you are at the end of the page and don t remember reading it, then go back to the last part you do remember reading. This will help train your mind to pay attention to every word you read. After you finish reading your 10 chapters for the day, pick 1-3 verses that you especially enjoyed and have a conversation with God about them. Take a verse and say it back to God in your own words (paraphrase it). For example: The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. You might say something like: Lord, You are the one who takes care of me. I can trust You. You do not withhold any good thing from me ' After you have declared those truths back to the Lord, wait and listen to what God wants to say to you about this verse. Ask for more understanding about this particular truth you are meditating on. You can journal about the verse, if you want to. It is important not to skip this step. The purpose of meditation is to encounter God through pray-reading the Word. The bible was never meant to just give us intellectual information. You search the Scriptures (bible study), for in them you think you have life; these are they which testify of Me. You are not willing to come to Me that you may have life. John 5:39-40 He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. - Hebrews 11:6

10 In the following pages you will find 9 different meditation topics to focus your prayers on.

11 //He is like a tree planted by streams of water FELLOWSHIP F Fear of God FOUNDATION The Fear of the Lord (that is to have honour, respect and allegiance to the Lord) is what keeps us following God s commandments even when it s difficult. It is based in who God is (holy, powerful, Almighty God) and not having fear because of something we have done (guilt, condemnation). SCRIPTURE Jeremiah 32:40 I will put My fear in their hearts so that they will not depart from Me. Psalm 86:11 Unite my heart to fear Your name. Psalm 19:9 The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever. Proverbs 1:7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction. Isaiah 8:13 The Lord you shall hallow; let Him be your fear, and let Him be your dread. Isaiah 11:3 His delight is in the fear of the Lord. PRAYER Father, release the fear of God into my heart. Release the lightning and thunder from Your throne (Revelation 4) to strike my heart with a revelation of Your majesty so that I might live in awe before You. Release Your presence and holy dread that makes me tremble before You. Unite my heart to Your heart and cause me to delight in the fear of God.

12 //who, for the joy set before Him, endured the cross FELLOWSHIP E Endurance FOUNDATION We need endurance (patience, long suffering) to continue in the faith year after year. We ask the Lord to help us to press on when our circumstances are difficult and when we are waiting for those things the Lord has promised us. SCRIPTURE Acts 20:24 - But none of these things move me, nor do I count my life dear to myself, that I might finish the race with joy. Colossians 1:11 - Being strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and long-suffering with joy. 2 Thessalonians 3:5 - May the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and the patience of Christ. Hebrews 10:36; 12:1 - For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us. PRAYER Father, strengthen my spirit with endurance that I may do Your will with zeal and diligence and that I would not quit pursuing the deep things of God. Impart endurance for fasting. Direct my heart into the endurance in which Jesus walked. Give me strength to follow through in my commandments to You and to fulfill my calling to love You with all my heart, soul, mind and strength, even when it is difficult.

13 //greater love knows know one than this FELLOWSHIP L Love FOUNDATION We want God to encounter us with His love so that we may enjoy and love Him more and fulfil the greatest commandment to love Him with all our heart, soul, mind and strength (Mark 12:29; 1 John 4:19). SCRIPTURE Deuteronomy 6:4/ Matthew 22: Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is One. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. Song of Songs 8:6-7 - Set me as a seal on your heart, upon your arm; for love is as strong as death, jealousy as cruel as the grave; its flames are flames of fire, a most vehement flame. Many waters cannot quench love, nor can the floods drown it. If a man would give for love all the wealth of his house, it would be utterly despised. 2 Thessalonians 3:5 - May the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and the patience of Christ. PRAYER Father, pour out Your love (affection, devotion) into my heart by releasing Your Spirit to give me the revelation (understanding, experience) of Your love for me, that it may overflow back to You and to others. Grant me Your likeness, that I would love You with all my heart, soul, mind and strength even as You loved me with all Your heart, soul, mind and strength.

14 //doves eyes FELLOWSHIP O One Thing Focus FOUNDATION In a world of distraction we have to ask God to help us to stay focused on what matters in His eyes and to keep our eyes focused on Him. SCRIPTURE Psalm 16:8 - I have set the Lord always before me; because He is at my right hand, I shall not be moved. Psalm 27:4 - One thing I have desired, that I may seek; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life; to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in His temple. Luke 10:42 - But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part. PRAYER Father, strengthen me to maintain a life in Your Word - with desire for it. When I lose this focus, send Your Word to deliver me as You did for the saints in Ephesus, Sardis and Laodicea (Revelation 2:4-5; 3:1-3, 15-20). Alert me when I need to recommit my schedule and priorities to live as a person of one thing who regularly sits at Your feet, as Mary of Bethany did.

15 //they shall walk with Me in white FELLOWSHIP W Walking Worthy FOUNDATION We want to live lives that declare the worth of Jesus and walk in the manner that is worthy of all that God has for us. SCRIPTURE 2 Corinthians 6:1 - not to receive the grace of God in vain. Ephesians 4:1 - Therefore I, prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called. Colossians 1:10 - that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God. 1 Thessalonians 2:12 - that you would walk worthy of God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory. PRAYER Father, strengthen me to walk in a way that You would consider me worthy to walk in my highest calling and escape all compromise that I might stand before you victorious in full obedience.

16 //a fire no man can tame FELLOWSHIP S Speech FOUNDATION Life and death can be released by the power of the tongue. We need to ask God to help us to speak like Jesus did, with words of grace and truth. Holy speech (encouragement, truth, edification, purity) is an integral part of Christlike character (James 1:26; 3:1-12). SCRIPTURE Psalm 19:14 - Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable. Psalm 141:3 - Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips. Proverbs 26:18 - Like a madman who throws firebrands, arrows and death is the man who deceives his neighbour and says, I was only joking!. Ephesians 4:29 - Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers. Hebrews 3:13 - But encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called Today, so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. PRAYER Father, set a guard over my lips. Free me from destructive, defensive, angry and foolish speech. Help me sustain communion with You by restraining my conversations with man. Empower me to encourage others with my words.

17 //but whoever wants to be first among you FELLOWSHIP H Humility FOUNDATION To be humble is to agree with the truth about who we are. We are God s children who are in great need of His help every day. Pride, selfish ambition and empty conceit cause God to oppose us but He gives grace to the humble. It is important for us to pursue humility in every area of our life. (Psalm 113:4-6/John 1:1-5,14;13:12-17/Philippians 2:5-11). SCRIPTURE Matthew 11:29 - Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, an you will find rest for your souls. Proverbs 15:33 - The fear of the Lord is the instruction of wisdom, and before honour is humility. Zephaniah 2:3 - Seek the Lord, all you meek of the earth, who have upheld His justice. Seek righteousness, seek humility. PRAYER Jesus, I want to learn from You how to walk in lowliness. I commit to take Your yoke of humility (lowliness of heart) on my life in my attitudes, speech and actions. Give me wisdom on how to carry my heart in humility.

18 //my soul follows close behind You FELLOWSHIP I Insight unto Intimacy FOUNDATION We need insight from the Holy Spirit to help us go deeper in our relationship with God, God can give us insight into how to live fully pleasing to Him in every area of our lives so that we can partner with Him in what He is doing (Galatians 5:16-26/Psalm 139:13-16/Jeremiah 1:5/John 10:10). SCRIPTURE Psalm 25:4-5,14 - Show me Your ways, O Lord; teach me Your paths. Lead me in Your truth and teach me the secret of the Lord is with those who fear Him. Ephesians 1:17 - may [He] give you the spirit of wisdom and relation in the knowledge of Him. Colossians 1: Ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and understanding, that you may walk worthy of the Lord. John 16:13 - When the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all truth and He will declare to you the things that are to come. PRAYER Father, give me insight into Your Word, will and ways. Give me wisdom on how to live before You that I may walk in intimacy (union, friendship, relationship, communion) with You. Give me grace and insight under the Spirit s leadership to fully partner with You in every issue of my life. Share with me the secrets of Your hear and give me insight into Your end-time purposes.

19 //the hope of salvation FELLOWSHIP P Peace and Joy FOUNDATION Joy and Peace are the portion of every believer. We come and ask Him for peace and joy that comes from the Spirit and is not based in circumstance (John 14:26;17:24/Romans 8:28). SCRIPTURE Philippians 4:7 - The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Romans 15:13 - Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. John 14:27 - Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, nor let it be afraid. II Thessalonians 3:16 - Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace always in every way. PRAYER Father, strengthen my heart with supernatural peace and joy that overpowers fear and anxiety. Give me grace to trust You above circumstances, that I would be unmoved by neither pain nor promotion, and stand firm on the rock higher than I (Psalm 61:1-2).