DAY 8 HOW TO PRAY “WHERE TO PRAY
Matthew 6:6, “But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.”
You can pray anywhere. You can pray as you walk, as you wait, and as you are going to your next destination. As a children’s book once put it, “You can also pray while upside down.” This may be true, but we cannot forsake spending time in regular solitude with the LORD. Prayer is not just about asking for help, but also a time of praise and communion. Our days should begin with praising the One who gives us breath. He is the sustainer of our souls and the One who gives life.
Prayer Focus: Do you have a place where you can pray to be alone with God? Do you have a place that is distraction free? Find a place today to make your prayer spot. A place where you can go to be with the Lord with no distractions. Turn off your phone and block out time to be alone with the Father. A place where you can vocalize your prayers to your Father in private.
You can pray anywhere. You can pray as you walk, as you wait, and as you are going to your next destination. As a children’s book once put it, “You can also pray while upside down.” This may be true, but we cannot forsake spending time in regular solitude with the LORD. Prayer is not just about asking for help, but also a time of praise and communion. Our days should begin with praising the One who gives us breath. He is the sustainer of our souls and the One who gives life.
Prayer Focus: Do you have a place where you can pray to be alone with God? Do you have a place that is distraction free? Find a place today to make your prayer spot. A place where you can go to be with the Lord with no distractions. Turn off your phone and block out time to be alone with the Father. A place where you can vocalize your prayers to your Father in private.
DAY 9 HOW TO PRAY “ADORATION
Revelation 4:8-11, “And the four living creatures, each of them with six wings, are full of eyes all around and within, and day and night they never cease to say, "Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come!" 9 And whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to him who is seated on the throne, who lives forever and ever, 10 the twenty-four elders fall down before him who is seated on the throne and worship him who lives forever and ever. They cast their crowns before the throne, saying, 11 "Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created."
Often, we forget to adorn God with praise. God’s name is great and worthy of our praise. Luke 11:2, “…Father, hallowed be your name.” Even during times when we have sinned against the Lord, we must not turn from Him as He will not forsake us. He truly is worthy to receive all glory, all honor, and all praise.
Prayer Focus: So, let us serve Him with gladness and praise Him for His steadfast love for us. Although He is far beyond our understanding, He loves us and cares for each one of us. Spend time praising Him today for His greatness. Do not move on to giving Him your requests until you run out of ways to give Him praise.
Often, we forget to adorn God with praise. God’s name is great and worthy of our praise. Luke 11:2, “…Father, hallowed be your name.” Even during times when we have sinned against the Lord, we must not turn from Him as He will not forsake us. He truly is worthy to receive all glory, all honor, and all praise.
Prayer Focus: So, let us serve Him with gladness and praise Him for His steadfast love for us. Although He is far beyond our understanding, He loves us and cares for each one of us. Spend time praising Him today for His greatness. Do not move on to giving Him your requests until you run out of ways to give Him praise.
DAY 10 HOW TO PRAY “CONFESSION & RESTITUTION
Luke 15:7, “Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.”
Sin must be put out of the way for us to follow Jesus. Transgressions must be removed for us to be used. We must repent and humble ourselves before God. He is mighty to save and quick to forgive. God promises that He will forgive the sins of the repentant. Matthew 6:12-15, “And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. 13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. 14 For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, 15 but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” But let us not forget that we have a responsibility to forgive and make things right with others.
Prayer Focus: Humble yourself before the Lord and repent of your sins and trespasses. Ask Him to open the eyes of your heart to identify those who you have not forgiven. Go and make those relationships right.
Sin must be put out of the way for us to follow Jesus. Transgressions must be removed for us to be used. We must repent and humble ourselves before God. He is mighty to save and quick to forgive. God promises that He will forgive the sins of the repentant. Matthew 6:12-15, “And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. 13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. 14 For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, 15 but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” But let us not forget that we have a responsibility to forgive and make things right with others.
Prayer Focus: Humble yourself before the Lord and repent of your sins and trespasses. Ask Him to open the eyes of your heart to identify those who you have not forgiven. Go and make those relationships right.
DAY 11 HOW TO PRAY “THANKSGIVING
Philippians 4:6-7, “do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
There are many things to worry about in life, but do not forget the things God has done for you. Even when all seems dark and hopelessness sets in, remember that God is faithful. Pray to Him and thank Him for the remarkable things He has done. Through prayer, God can provide peace that surpasses our understanding. Through prayer, God can comfort you even in the darkest of times.
Prayer Focus: Thank God today for every breath He has given you. Thank Him for creation. Thank Him for the church and being able to be a part of His magnificent work. Give over to Him the anxieties that you are facing today. Let Him carry those burdens for you.
There are many things to worry about in life, but do not forget the things God has done for you. Even when all seems dark and hopelessness sets in, remember that God is faithful. Pray to Him and thank Him for the remarkable things He has done. Through prayer, God can provide peace that surpasses our understanding. Through prayer, God can comfort you even in the darkest of times.
Prayer Focus: Thank God today for every breath He has given you. Thank Him for creation. Thank Him for the church and being able to be a part of His magnificent work. Give over to Him the anxieties that you are facing today. Let Him carry those burdens for you.
DAY 12 HOW TO PRAY “FORGIVENESS
Ephesians 4:32, “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.”
The spirit of unforgiveness is a poison to the soul. Bitterness is very much like drinking poison and wishing your oppressor will be hurt by it. God is so gracious in our lives. Christ is our measure of grace and forgiveness. Just as He has forgiven you, we must forgive others. This is easier said than done. But following Christ is not always the easy path. Let us then strive to be kind, loving, and forgive others as Christ.
Prayer Focus: Consider those in your life that you need to forgive. Do you have bitterness, anger, or resentment towards another person? Do not let the spirit of unforgiveness destroy you. Do not wait another day to forgive them and make things right.
The spirit of unforgiveness is a poison to the soul. Bitterness is very much like drinking poison and wishing your oppressor will be hurt by it. God is so gracious in our lives. Christ is our measure of grace and forgiveness. Just as He has forgiven you, we must forgive others. This is easier said than done. But following Christ is not always the easy path. Let us then strive to be kind, loving, and forgive others as Christ.
Prayer Focus: Consider those in your life that you need to forgive. Do you have bitterness, anger, or resentment towards another person? Do not let the spirit of unforgiveness destroy you. Do not wait another day to forgive them and make things right.
DAY 13 HOW TO PRAY “UNITY & PETITION”
Psalm 133:1, “Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity!”
God is One. He desires for believers to also be united as one, with Christ as our head. There is beauty in unity. The glory of God is seen through the unity of believers. Let us strive for unity and pray for others that they may be united with Christ. 1 Thessalonians 5:16, “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”
Prayer Focus: How are you pursuing unity with others? Would people characterize you as a peacemaker? Pray for God to help you in promoting peace for His glory. Pray for others that they too may abide as one in the church.
God is One. He desires for believers to also be united as one, with Christ as our head. There is beauty in unity. The glory of God is seen through the unity of believers. Let us strive for unity and pray for others that they may be united with Christ. 1 Thessalonians 5:16, “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”
Prayer Focus: How are you pursuing unity with others? Would people characterize you as a peacemaker? Pray for God to help you in promoting peace for His glory. Pray for others that they too may abide as one in the church.
DAY 14 HOW TO PRAY “FAITH & SUBMISSION”
Matthew 6:10, “Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”
God as a plan for the church. The church is part of God’s kingdom. His desire is that His kingdom penetrates neighborhoods, communities, cities, and ultimately the world with the gospel. Submission to God’s will is often difficult because we do not always get what we want, but God knows what is best for us and for His kingdom. Let us trust in His great plan.
Prayer Focus: Ask God today to reveal to you and other believers His will for the church. Share your willingness to yield to what He wants and be ready to accept His will.
God as a plan for the church. The church is part of God’s kingdom. His desire is that His kingdom penetrates neighborhoods, communities, cities, and ultimately the world with the gospel. Submission to God’s will is often difficult because we do not always get what we want, but God knows what is best for us and for His kingdom. Let us trust in His great plan.
Prayer Focus: Ask God today to reveal to you and other believers His will for the church. Share your willingness to yield to what He wants and be ready to accept His will.