Seize this unique moment!

podcast: https://www.pastorwoman.net/podcast/episode/f07b6907/seize-this-unique-moment

Most people pray. But asked about whether they set time apart to focus on prayer--speaking and listening to God--those same people admit they intend to, but. . .

. . . if totally honest, they get bored by their prayers, and they are pretty sure

God is bored too

. . . they are not sure their prayers really go anywhere or make any difference

We cannot look at Christ's life and miss the premium he put on prayer, right up to the last hours of his life. So then, how could we not make it a priority in our lives?

For years, I have regularly prayed a particular order, consisting of several different elements:

Adoration: recognizing God for who he is, giving him his rightful place

Confession: admission of sin and asking God for forgiveness

Appeal: presenting requests to God, for others and for myself

Thanks: offering my thanks to God for his good gifts, naming them

>note: when possible, I pray scripture back to God.

**I write my prayers daily in a thin journal, which keeps me present, guards against distraction.

May I offer this prayer to you today? Note: all the scriptures are listed at the end of this prayer.

Dear Heavenly Father,

Adoration. You are worthy to receive glory and honor and power. For you created all things, and they exist because you created what you pleased.1 Let all that I am praise you, Lord. O Lord my God, how great you are! You are robed with honor and majesty.2 How good it is to be near you, God! I have made the Sovereign Lord my shelter, and I will tell everyone about the wonderful things you do.3

Confession. I want to be right before you. Like David, I understand that if I hold on to my sin, You would not hear my prayers.4

Search me, O God, know my heart.5 Cleanse me of sin and renew a right spirit in me.6 Would you refill me with your Holy Spirit--your power?7 Produce in me your love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control!8

Appeal.[I draw a CROSS and write the names of those who are far from God.]

"Lord, I carry them to you and ask that you would draw them to yourself! "

For those who need healing, I pray: Lord you said to bring the sick for the prayer of healing,9 so I carry each one to you by name. I boldly approach your throne of grace for mercy!10

For myself, Lord, I ask for your wisdom, and I know you will give it to me.11

I will look for your direction this day and listen for your voice, so that like Isaiah, whether I turn to the right or to the left, I will hear you saying 'this is the way, walk in it.'12

Thanks-giving. Lord, I just gotta say 'Thank you!' If I said thank you for all of the ways you have been good to me, if I named all of the things for which I can say 'thank you' today, well--there wouldn't be enough paper. But for now, Lord, thank you for loving me. Thank you for your grace, your forgiveness and mercy. Thank you for your provision. Thank you, Lord, for life with you--here in this life and forever! O God, you are so good.

All of these things I pray in the merciful mighty name of Jesus,

Amen

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Wait! Perhaps you were up all night with a sick child or you tossed and turned, trying not to worry about how you are going to pay the bills.... you want to start your day with God, but your mind is spent.

Here is an alternative way to commune with God:

Click to listen to each song or go back up and click on podcast and pray along with me.

Adoration

You're Worthy of it All, CeCe Winans - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GbPwlplQc7Y

Confession

Search Me, Know Me, Kathryn Scott - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GxWX95tNFAU

Appeal

-instrumental version of Don't Stop Praying - lift your requests before God. Name them, one by one. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bOA--gNJySU

Thanks

Thank you for Today, Billy Causey, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xb48JHSiwBM

Amen!

It has never been more vital to

stay close to Jesus.

Christine



1 - Revelation 4.11; 2 - Psalm 104.1; 3 - Psalm 73.28; 4 - Psalm 66.18; 5 - Psalm 139.23;

6 - Psalm 51; 7 - Ephesians 5.18; 8 - Galatians 5.22-23; 9 - James 5.14-16;

10 - Hebrews 4.16; 11 - James 1.5; 12 - Isaiah 30.21