I was reading through our prayer booklet introduction today and thought it might be good to share it here on our blog, just in case it might be useful to anyone . . . I guess we all need a bit of help from time to time! The intro is the same in all four of the booklets.
Before
you begin . . . Suggestions for Prayer
This
booklet has 30 prayer pointers, one for each day of the month if you
wish.
You
may like to use the prayer pointers for group prayers; there is power
in praying with other Christians (Matthew 18:19). However, if you are
on your own, be encouraged that many other people all over the world
are praying with you, albeit unseen!
Find
a regular time and place for your prayer time, if you can. Guard this
time jealously. Few things are more important than prayer. You may
like to keep a prayer diary, to jot down thoughts, news items,
prayers and answers.
A
'prayer time' is like an arranged meeting with a friend, brother or
boss. It is also good to pray whilst walking with the Lord throughout
the rest of the day.
Try
not to fill your day with unnecessary noise and activities which
hinder communication.
Make
sure that you are right with God before you start to make requests.
Confess and repent of sin, settle unresolved issues and forgive
others. The Lord's prayer is an excellent beginning to any prayer
time.
Rest
assured that it is not the eloquence or length of our prayers which
matter. Our Father delights in answering the simple prayer of faith;
He is not impressed by posh accents and religious words!
Keep
in mind whilst praying that the Lord is powerful and mighty; He is
able to do much more than we can ask for or even imagine (Ephesians
3:20). So let's pray bold prayers, keeping our minds fixed on the
greatness of God rather than on the difficulties. Nothing is
impossible with God!
Prayer
is two way. Pray with God, listening out to what the Holy Spirit is
saying and pray humbly. Keep in mind that our Lord is Almighty God,
not a servant to grant our every request.
Remember
to praise the Lord and thank Him for answered prayer.
God
has chosen, at least in part, to meet the needs of His people through
the prayers of His children. That's an awesome responsibility. So
determine to persevere in prayer, even when you don't feel like it.
Use
prayers from Scripture as part of your prayer time. There is
tremendous power in God's word. If you have the gift of tongues, use
it.
Learn
to pronounce blessings. Read out blessings from the bible or make up
your own, but use this God-given source of power.
Proclaim
verses from Scripture out loud. There are some wonderful promises and
triumphant expressions of faith, which will thrill you, glorify God
and make the enemy flee!
Enjoy
God's company. He's not a big, bad wolf hanging over you, waiting for
you to get it wrong; he's a caring Father who loves being with you!
Copyright: Dernier Publishing.
All our booklets are available from our website:
You can read more about the booklets in a blog post I wrote in January, or if you have any questions or comments, or if there's anything you would like us to pray about, please do contact us :-)
Janet
