Seven Steps of Prayer

This is a handout from MeadowCrest Church, I don't refer to it everyday, but I do read it occasionally ~ keeping it fresh in my mind. 

 

 

1. Preparation ~ The Cleansing of our Spirits

 

"Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me and know my anxious thoughts.   Psalm 139:23

 

"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteouness."

I John 1:9

 

Confess specific sin.  Accept God's forgiveness.

 

"Create  in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me."  Psalm 51:10

 

2.  Praise ~ Worshipping a Holy God

 

"Praise the Lord, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise His Holy name.  Praise the Lord, O my soul and forget not all His benefits."  Psalm 103:1-2

 

We praise Him for who He is:

His grace, love, power, holiness, goodness, patience.

 

We thank Him for what He has done and is going to do:

Material Blessings ~ jobs, home, family

Physical Blessings ~ health, strength

Spiritual Blessings ~ church, Christian friends

 

 

 

3.  Power ~ Filled with the Holy Spirit

 

"We have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has already given us. 

I Corinthians 2:12

 

Lord, fill me with the power of your Holy Spirit.  Make my mind like the mind of Christ.    (2 Corinthians 3:16)  May Your thoughts be my thoughts.

 

4.  Protection

 

Ephesians 6:10-17 ~

Armor

Belt of Truth ~ protection of Satan's deception.

Breastplate of Righteousness ~ protection from envy, jealousy, deceit, pride, easily offended, and desires not pleasing to God.

Shoes ~ protection for the direction God wants you to go.

Shield of Faith ~ protection from all Satan's distractive darts, including: fear, doubt and unbelief.

Helmet of Salvation ~ protects thought life.

Sword of the Spirit ~ (Word of  God) Protects and provides discernment for dealing with all that we face in life.

 

 

 

5.  Pleasure ~ We are Created to Please God

 

1.  We please Him by faith - Hebrews 11:6

2.  We please Him by bearing fruit - John 15:16

 

"Lord, I want to serve You, bearing fruit for Your glory.  Help me to lose my focus on self and live my life for Your glory."

 

6.  Peace

 

"Lord, let me have the peace that only you can give."

Philippians 4:7

 

 

7.  Petitions

 

My family's need

The needs of others

(intercessors - I Timothy 2:1-4)

* Church

* Spiritual Leaders

* Country

* Missions

* People I touch regularly that don't know God

* Be specific

My Needs

 

 

 

 

 

The prayer that is born of meditation upon the Word of God is the prayer that soars upward most easily to God's listening ear.

R. A. Torrey

How To Pray (1900)