Individual Prayer

I have enjoyed Don Merritt’s blog so much I am starting to check out his earlier blogs before I started following him. This is often a very worthwhile activity with good blogs. Here is one I found from some of his very earliest blogs. –  Comments 

Prayer: The Fundamental Activity of the Christian Life

Important Note: This is a discussion of individual prayer only. This is not intended to imply that corporate prayer (prayer with others such as in church services or small groups) is not also very important.  This is also not a description of family prayer.  This is for individual prayer!

Biblical basis for prayer

In General:

The LORD detests the sacrifice of the wicked, but the prayer of the upright pleases him. (Proverbs 15:80

But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. (Matthew 6:6)

And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. (Matthew 6:7)

But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed (Luke 5:16)

Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. (Luke 18:1)

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. (Romans 12:12)

Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. (Colossians 4:2)

Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray. Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise. Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven. Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.

Elijah was a man just like us. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops. My brothers, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring him back, remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of his way will save him from death and cover over a multitude of sins. (James 5:13-20)

Giving Thanks

I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. (Ephesians 1:16)

Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)

Intercession (praying for others)

And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.” (Mark 11:25)

bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. (Luke 6:28)

I urge you, brothers, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to join me in my struggle by praying to God for me. (Romans 15:30)

He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us, as you help us by your prayers. Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many. (2Cor 1:10-11)

I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, (Ephesians 1:18)

Supplication (Prayer for yourself; asking for things)

The LORD is far from the wicked but he hears the prayer of the righteous. ( Proverbs15:29)

If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer. (Matthew 21:22)

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. (Philippians 4:6)

Pray in the Morning

Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. (Mark 1:35)

How long will you lie there, you sluggard?

When will you get up from your sleep?

A little sleep, a little slumber,

a little folding of the hands to rest-

and poverty will come on you like a bandit

and scarcity like an armed man. (Proverbs 6:9-11)

Get Started!

Action steps:

1. Take a piece of paper and label it “Things I’m thankful for”.  Then list everything you can think of that you are thankful for… don’t leave anything out, no matter how small it may seem.

2. Take another sheet and label it “Things I want to praise God for” and list everything that you can think of to praise God for.

3. On a third sheet label it “People I need to pray for” and list everyone you can think of who needs prayer.

4. Label a fourth sheet “Things I need to pray for” and list anything that you need prayer for in your life.

5. Select a book of the Bible that you either are currently reading or one that you would like to read.  If you can’t think of anything, pick Matthew, starting with chapter one.

6. Make time the following morning for prayer, and then pray through your lists in the order from above: Do not deviate from that order, this is important! When you are finished with that, turn to your selected Bible reading and slowly, prayerfully go through it, asking God to open your eyes to see the riches that it has for you.

7. Do this every day from now on; force yourself if necessary!

8. As your prayers for yourself or others are answered, take them off of those lists and add them to your thanksgiving or praise lists.  In a few months, you will have a documented record of the amazing things God is doing in your life, and you will never view life the same again.

Kick it up a notch!

Intermediate prayer…

Action Steps:

1. Pick another book of the Bible.  If you don’t have any ideas, use the Psalms.

2. At lunch time, take a quiet break and prayerfully and slowly read a Psalm each day at lunch, ask God to guide you through the rest of your day and any other requests or intercessions that are appropriate.  Always be sure to include prayer and thanksgiving.

“Big Boy” Mode

With morning and mid day prayer as a foundation, continue your prayers constantly throughout your day and night: In your mind just keep talking with God.  Ask questions make observations and requests just as if God were standing next to you… because in truth, even if you can’t see Him with your eyes, He is there.