How to get answered prayers Part 2
Here is a follow-up to the first part of this message – How to get answered Prayers – Part 1. It’s a quick guide on how to spend your time within prayer, beginning with step 1. Most of this was taken from a book, One Hour of Prayer – highly recommended:
1 Praise
Spend the first couple of minutes Praising the Lord for His character and for who He is. Use His names to praise Him. Praise Him
for His acts, for His creation, for Providing a job, car, food, clothing, home, family, health, a beautiful day, etc. Names such as our Creator, Provider, Protector, Helper, Guide, Lover, Most High, Savior, etc. I recommend a book called: “The Names of God” by Ann Spangler. This is a very good way to get to know who God is.
2 The Word
Read a Psalm of praise to the Lord, or, if in a group, have the people quote a Psalm or verse of praise to the Lord. This can also be an opportunity to pray through a Psalm. We can speak His Word back to Him. Read one of His promises to us, i.e. “Lord, you say that you draw near to those that draw near to you. I know you are here with me because you have promised it.” We can always read His Word back to Him. Many of our blessed brothers within the bible have done this throughout history. We can do it too.
3 Meditation
Take the time to meditate silently on the Scripture that has been read or on other passages that come to mind. This is just a quiet time to reflect on Him, what we have read, what it means, how we can relate it to our lives, how wonderful He is, etc.
4 Confession
This is very very important. We must confess and truly desire to repent of our sins. We have to bring these things to the Cross and have Jesus intercede on our behalf in order to become as white as snow – Once we are clean, then we are joined together again with God, Spirit to Spirit, as Adam and Eve were before the fall in the garden. Without confession and a true desire/intention to repent and without the belief that the Blood of Jesus is our atonement, we come to the Father unclean. Confess sins to the Lord and ask for forgiveness. If in a group, confess sins appropriately in group prayer (I.e. Lord, you know my sins, and I confess them). Confess corporate sins of our nation, the church, family, our generation, etc. Individually, nothing needs to be hidden as He sees all (El Roi). We may have had thoughts we shouldn’t have had, we may have put other things in our day before Him (Idols), we may have coveted someone’s belongings, we may have complained against a blessing from the Lord, i.e. our job, people, etc.
5 Intercession
Beseach the Lord on the behalf of others. Pray for revival and the salvation of those who do not know the Lord. For those going through trials and tribulations, ask for the Father to show them His Will in the situation. Is it a consequence of sin? Let them see it. Is it an opportunity for growth? Pray that the area of growth is recognized. What we pray in accordance to His Will, will be done. He wants us to grow, learn from our mistakes, be comforted, be with peace, and most of all, He wants our salvation and wants us to draw near to Him. Basically, we should always (not only in prayer), place other people before ourselves. This is an act of humility, unselfishness, etc. Many Christians only go to God in prayer when they want something or when they are in desparate need, which it is always good, regardless, if someone is going ot the Lord. He desires much more than receiving our selfishness. He desires to receive our hearts and compassion for Him and others as well.
6 Listening
Ask the Lord to speak to you and if in corporate prayer, ask that He speaks to those who are present. Listen for His promptings and anything He may bring to mind such as words/phrases from His Word, specifically rhemas: A rhema is a verse or portion of Scripture that the Holy Spirit brings to our attention with application to a current situation or need for direction.. It is recommended that we watch and examine closely to ensure they are not thoughts derived from the flesh/self. Write them down in a journal. We should always have a pen/paper when studying, praying, in fellowship, etc.
7 The Word
Reread the rhemas/promptings that the Lord has given. Confirm all His promptings with the Word. If they do not align with the Word, they are most likely from the self/flesh/satan. As with all things we hear from God, they will align with His Word. If we don’t know Him via His Word, we will assume it’s from Him when it’s really from a selfish desire. Also, when we hear from other people or see situations develop in the world, and we think they are from God, keep in mind that these will only be confirmations from something you have already been told from the Word. Or, He will guide you through your normal readings of His Word and show His Will in accordance to these things that materialized from the world. Normal readings: meaning your current studies, your normal Church attendance,your currently bookmarked place in the bible, etc. Be careful… A lot of people (I have done this too), will flip/thumb through the bible, seeking a confirmation. We will always find a confirmation for the self when we do this, always. I challenge you this: If you are thumbing and you think you heard from God… Find out what your personal desire is on that situation, then flip that personal desire around, a complete 180. Now start flipping/thumbing through scritpure again. You will find that we will always find in His Word what our motives are seeking. I.e. Seeking guidance on buying that new car that you really want? Flip through the bible and you’ll find an answer guiding you to buying the car. Now, set your mind on something like “I really really really should not buy this car. I can’t afford it. I really don’t need it. My money is not being well spent here. I don’t need the debt” – Now flip/thumb through the bible with that mindset andyou will find what your self is seeking. If we guide it, we will find it, and then say “Aha! Cool! Praise God!” – and it very well may have not been from Him.. Satan tricks, deceives, confuses, distracts, etc. Be very careful. We must examine ourselves at all times to see who is guiding our mind, Satan or the Holy Spirit. These things also happen when we take something out of the contextual meaning. If in a group, share the rhemas that the Lord has given. Share these verses as promises to stand upon.
8 Petition
Give to God your specific needs and wants according to His will. Want that new car? Let Him know that you want it, but only if it’s in accordance to His will, for Him to show you (again, via His Word, fellowship, sermons at Church, etc). He may want you to be thankful for what you have and spend HIS money on better things like tithing, helping others, etc. If in a group setting, pray for the needs of the group. Petitions, in accordance to His Will, from my experience, are always answered. He wants us to learn and grow – So ask: “Lord, please seek me and show me any hidden wickedness. Lord, please teach me on <x> topic within myself, so that I may grow more into the likeness of your Son. Lord, please protect me. Lord, I am feeling worried/anxious, I need your peace and comforting. Lord, please use me to help bring your children to you. Lord, I am worrying a lot and am stressed, please teach me how to Trust you. Lord, my Faith is weak, please strengthen me. Lord, I am having difficulties with <x> sin, please continue to convict me, increase your conviction, please have the Helper rise up to help me truly repent. Lord, as my Guide, my Protector, my Helper, please clear my paths ahead of me and prevent me from entering areas of temptation. Lord, if I fall into sin, please be gentle with the consequences, forgive me, I desire to grow. Lord, Father me with loving corrections, a gentle hand and constant counsel” As one can see, these are prayers that are of good, righeousness, and of His Will. Many Christians pray for things that derive from self and desires of this world, which is why many do not see answered prayers. Ask in accordance to His Will… in the Name of Yoshua (Jesus, the Lord Saves), and ask with the complete release of all selfish motives, and then sit back and watch.
9 Family
Pray for the family as a unit. For unity in marriages, and that the hearts of fathers would be turned to their children and the hearts of children to their fathers. Pray for personal family needs. Pray that marriages focus on Him first and that in trials and tribulations, they seek Him. Pray that failies pray together, worship together and go to Church together. Pray that He encamps around them, protects them from the evil one, and always directs them down the path of righeousness.
10 Church
Pray for the Body of Christ as a whole. Pray for repentance and revival. Pray for your Pastors, that the Holy Spirit rises up and speaks through your Pastor’s mind, heart and lips. Pray for the pulpits and that they preach only Truth. Pray that tongues, in which are not in accordance to the Truth, are bridled. Pray that your Pastors are continually revived, and do not tire. To continue to give blessed messages that will help the Body. And finally, to remove all scales from the eyes and ears of the people attending.. that He prepares their hearts and all of His messages are written on their hearts and minds, forever and ever… not just on Sundays.
11 Government Leaders
“I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; for kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour . . .” (1 Timothy 2:1-3)
12 Thanksgiving
Give thanks to the Lord for who He is, for what He has done, is doing and will do. Thank Him for hearing your prayer, spending the time with you, for teaching you, showing HImself to you, for answering your prayers, and for already working on the prayers you have just asked and are going to ask in the future. Thank Him for your day, for your job, your home, your family, His Providences, His Son, His Everlasting Covenant, His Plan for your life, your family’s health, your good running vehicle, the food in your stomach, the clothes on your back, the air you breath, the songs of the birds you hear, the sunlight He Provides, the rain for the plants that He sends to the earth, the Protection He has Provided for you and your loved ones, the Holy Spirit that convicts you, the people you have experienced, the trials and tribulations you are going through because they are providing you with growth, etc..etc. “In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” (1 Thessalonians 5:18)
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