HOW TO HAVE AN EXTRAORDINARY PRAYER LIFE
HOW TO HAVE AN EXTRAORDINARY PRAYER LIFE
I'm not sure I'm the person to speak about having an extraordinary prayer life. I do have a prayer life and sometimes it feels extraordinary and other times it feels blah or lacking.
The not-so-secret secret for it to be extraordinary would be to pray without ceasing. When I'm in constant conversation with God all day long, those are the times when I would say it feels extraordinary. That's not easy to do (for me).
Does anyone do that all the time though?
We know what to do, but do we do it?
“Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise….This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of Him…Look to the LORD and His strength; seek His face always… And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.” James 5:13; 1 John 5:14-15; 1 Chronicles 16:11; Ephesians 6:18 HOW TO HAVE AN EXTRAORDINARY PRAYER LIFE HOW’S YOUR PRAYER LIFE? Yes, go to church and have fellowship. Yes, read and study the Word. And, go out and serve and build God’s kingdom as He leads you. Yes, share your faith with others. But God wants you at His feet telling Him everything. He never tires of hearing from you – ever! The Father wants to hear from you. Tell Him all your hopes and dreams and fears and worries. Speak straight from your heart. Share your happiness and your sadness – your peace and what frustrates and makes you angry. But don’t just talk, say Amen, then go your way. Listen and receive His response. So many talk and talk and talk but never listen. Then they wonder why circumstances turn a wrong way. Talk to God … then listen for His response. After all, He already knows all you have to say to Him, but you don’t yet know for sure everything He has to share with you. And I promise it is worth your time. It is all good…all good for you and all good for all those you love. YOUR TURN … Beginning today, set aside as much time to listen as you do to talk when you pray – not just for God but for others also. List all you want for others and for yourself and take to the Father. Don’t forget all you are thankful for, also. Ask God all your questions? Make all your confessions. Tell Him everything! Do it now and every day and every moment it crosses your mind. Fall asleep visiting with Him and wake up visiting with Him. RIGHT NOW, PRAY… “I call on You, my God, for You will answer me; turn Your ear to me and hear my prayer…May my prayer be set before You like incense; may the lifting up of my hands be like the evening sacrifice…Answer me when I call to You, my righteous God. Give me relief from my distress; have mercy on me and hear my prayer.” Psalm 17:6, 141:2, 4:1 “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak… The LORD detests the sacrifice of the wicked, but the prayer of the upright pleases Him… Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful… Therefore I want the men everywhere to pray, lifting up holy hands without anger or disputing… The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.” Matthew 26:41; Proverbs 15:8; Colossians 4:2; 1
Timothy 2:8; James 5:16 God the Father is always available to hear from you and talk with you! HOW TO DO THIS AS A WEEKLY BIBLE STUDY Day One: Experience Read the entire devotion. Do any verses stand out to you? If so, write it down and work on memorizing it over the week. I personally love the app “Scripture Typer.” Day Two: Observe & Read Chain. Look up and chain verses (For example on how to chain verses, see this video). Day Three: Interpret Read through the chain of verses starting with the first one. What do they say? Do you notice when it says “never” or “always” or “If, but, however, therefore, all…..” Day Four: Application Do “Your turn” and make a list of people that God has put on your heart when you read this. Day Five: Testify Who in your life, right now, can you share this with? There is somebody in your life that needs to hear this. Close your eyes. What name came to mind?
