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On Sunday I declared a three day prayer and fast for New Life. We are praying for a spiritual awakening in our region and world. Tonight we are coming together for an all-church “Concert of Prayer” at our Simply Worship. This will be a powerful time for congregational praise, repentance and intercession.

Prayer is not about you getting your way…prayer is about you getting to know God.  As you know God–you will know how to pray.  Your request will be God-centered, not self-centered. Your desires will align with God, not your flesh.   Understanding the purpose of prayer is essential to spiritual transformation. Prayer is not some magical trick or genie bottle…you rub the bottle and God does tricks for you…prayer is about you and I getting to know God.

For over 20 years I have used a simple prayer model that helps keeps my prayer life alive and fresh.  I taught this prayer model on Sunday to the church. People loved it. Tonight we will use this prayer model to guide our prayer time together.

Let me warn you–this is only a model to strengthen your prayer time.  Don’t get legalistic about this. Some days I will go through all four dynamics of prayer and some days I will stop and just focus on one or two of these….this is a kindle to get the fire burning.

This prayer acronym is based on the Lord’s prayer…the disciples said to Jesus, “Teach us to pray.”  Jesus taught us the Lord’s prayer….Let me challenge you–stop right now and spend a few moments getting to know your Father in heaven..spend a few moments on each of these four dynamics…watch Jesus transform your life.

Four Dynamics of Prayer (Prayer Acronym)

Praise:  “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name”

  • Put some worship music on
  • Pray Psalm 8
  • Journal your praise to God
  • Prayer Walk

Repent: “Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors,”,  “And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.”

  • Confess your sins by name
  • Pray Psalm 51 out loud
  • Journal your confession
  • Confess your sins to someone

Ask: “Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is heaven.”

  • Pray for your family and church
  • Pray for 10/40 Missionaries
  • Pray for people far from God by name
  • Pray through your day

Yield: “For yours is the kingdom, and the power and the glory forever. Amen”

  • Shut up and listen to God
  • Journal what God is saying
  • Listen to God’s gentle whisper
  • Pray in the Spirit
  • Read Scripture
What would happen in your life if you spent a few moments everyday talking to your Heavenly Father?  Often men will talk about having a “man cave”. I believe we need to find a “God Cave”. A place where I can open my Bible, grab my journal and turn on some worship music and spend time with my God.

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Jan
11
2012

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