Dr. Wesley L. Duewel: 2a. Guide in establishing regular daily prayer times. Each one's circumstances vary, so general prayer principles need to be taught and then each person helped to adapt these to his or her own need.
A time early in the day is always preferable for at least one of the prayer times. Hours of employment, times when children are sleeping or away at school, health, and personality characteristics must be taken into consideration.
Not everyone can have his main prayer time at the beginning of the day. It may be necessary to have a briefer time before others are up or noisy, or at a planned time in the early morning, with a major time later when the person can have a longer undisturbed period.
Some are "night" people. They find it hard to be alert and at their best when they first awake. However, some of one's best time, priority time, should be given to the Lord near the beginning of each day. Help your people explore other possible times and places for meaningful prayer.
As shepherd of your people, on a personal basis counsel each of your people about his prayer plan.
b. Guide in the use of the prayer time. Emphasize such points as:
(1) Be as fresh and alert as possible. Washing the face can help one be instantly alert as he wakes up. Praying in bed is rarely the way to get the most out of prayer time. During longer prayer periods, varying posture can make one more alert. All postures are sacred to the Lord.
When exceptionally weary, some find they are more alert if they stand when they read the Bible or pray. Some walk back and forth while praying if they are alone in a room. This may also add a sense of urgency (2 Kings 4:32-35). Sometimes a sip of water or a very small snack—a nut or two or a small bite of bread or fruit may refresh and help one to be at his best during prayer.
(2) Begin with Bible reading. It is as important to hear God as it is to speak to God. Normally, begin with the Word and pray afterward. A good average is to spend half of the quiet time reading Scripture and half in prayer. Remember, no devotional book is a substitute for God's Word. Time with other good books should be in addition to the regular prayer time.
No literate Christian should read less than one chapter of the Bible each day. For most Christians it is wise to read at least three chapters each day and five on Sunday. In this way anyone can read consecutively through the Bible each year.
(3) Plan the normal content and outline for the prayer time. God welcomes all prayer and all forms of prayer (Eph. 6:18). Usually one begins with worship, and expresses love and thanksgiving. Many find the outline Jesus gave us in the "Lord's prayer" (Matt. 6:9-13) helpful as a guideline:
—First adoring, worshiping, and thanking God (v. 9)
—Next praying for Christ's cause (v. 10)
—Praying for situations where God's will must be done (v.10)
—Then praying for personal, family, or group physical and material needs (v. 11)
—Asking forgiveness for failures, shortcomings, or sins (v.12)
—Praying for guidance and victory (v. 13)
—Closing with further worship and love expressed to God
v. 13).
Many prayer leaders suggest this model outline; Adoration, Thanksgiving, Confession, Intercession, and Commitment.
Often personal prayer times arise out of a need or emergency situation when your usual prayer outline may be disregarded. Always trust the Spirit's guidance in the freedom of his presence.
(4) Use prayer lists for at least one major time of intercession daily. Every believer should use a major portion of his prayer time in intercession for others and for the advance of God's cause. Probably the only effective way to do this and to be sure you include all for which you should pray is to prepare several short prayer lists or a longer list with several sections.
Temporary lists can be changed from time to time and may include current events; those ill or in mourning; problem situations.
Teach your people to prepare and use personal prayer lists.
Not everyone can have his main prayer time at the beginning of the day. It may be necessary to have a briefer time before others are up or noisy, or at a planned time in the early morning, with a major time later when the person can have a longer undisturbed period.
Some are "night" people. They find it hard to be alert and at their best when they first awake. However, some of one's best time, priority time, should be given to the Lord near the beginning of each day. Help your people explore other possible times and places for meaningful prayer.
As shepherd of your people, on a personal basis counsel each of your people about his prayer plan.
b. Guide in the use of the prayer time. Emphasize such points as:
(1) Be as fresh and alert as possible. Washing the face can help one be instantly alert as he wakes up. Praying in bed is rarely the way to get the most out of prayer time. During longer prayer periods, varying posture can make one more alert. All postures are sacred to the Lord.
When exceptionally weary, some find they are more alert if they stand when they read the Bible or pray. Some walk back and forth while praying if they are alone in a room. This may also add a sense of urgency (2 Kings 4:32-35). Sometimes a sip of water or a very small snack—a nut or two or a small bite of bread or fruit may refresh and help one to be at his best during prayer.
(2) Begin with Bible reading. It is as important to hear God as it is to speak to God. Normally, begin with the Word and pray afterward. A good average is to spend half of the quiet time reading Scripture and half in prayer. Remember, no devotional book is a substitute for God's Word. Time with other good books should be in addition to the regular prayer time.
No literate Christian should read less than one chapter of the Bible each day. For most Christians it is wise to read at least three chapters each day and five on Sunday. In this way anyone can read consecutively through the Bible each year.
(3) Plan the normal content and outline for the prayer time. God welcomes all prayer and all forms of prayer (Eph. 6:18). Usually one begins with worship, and expresses love and thanksgiving. Many find the outline Jesus gave us in the "Lord's prayer" (Matt. 6:9-13) helpful as a guideline:
—First adoring, worshiping, and thanking God (v. 9)
—Next praying for Christ's cause (v. 10)
—Praying for situations where God's will must be done (v.10)
—Then praying for personal, family, or group physical and material needs (v. 11)
—Asking forgiveness for failures, shortcomings, or sins (v.12)
—Praying for guidance and victory (v. 13)
—Closing with further worship and love expressed to God
v. 13).
Many prayer leaders suggest this model outline; Adoration, Thanksgiving, Confession, Intercession, and Commitment.
Often personal prayer times arise out of a need or emergency situation when your usual prayer outline may be disregarded. Always trust the Spirit's guidance in the freedom of his presence.
(4) Use prayer lists for at least one major time of intercession daily. Every believer should use a major portion of his prayer time in intercession for others and for the advance of God's cause. Probably the only effective way to do this and to be sure you include all for which you should pray is to prepare several short prayer lists or a longer list with several sections.
Temporary lists can be changed from time to time and may include current events; those ill or in mourning; problem situations.
Teach your people to prepare and use personal prayer lists.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Used by permission of the author and Duewel Literature Trust, Inc., Greenwood, Indiana. Creative reading style by Jean.
Ablaze for God
#62 Guide Establishing Regular Daily Prayer Times
by Dr. Wesley L. Duewel
(pp. 185-187) ZondervanPublishingHouse
Ablaze for God
#62 Guide Establishing Regular Daily Prayer Times
by Dr. Wesley L. Duewel
(pp. 185-187) ZondervanPublishingHouse
 |
| Bible with praying hands |
Father, the general prayer principles do need to be taught so each of us can adapt them to our circumstances, which may vary according to our needs.
Although early morning may be best for many, there is a need for many of us to have briefer times throughout the day when it's quite and we're undisturbed.
The suggestions given for us to consider are to help us participate in adoring our Lord, giving thanks for all His benefits, confess any and all of our sins, intercede for others and make our commitment to serve and obey You throughout the day in obedience to Your leading.
We ask for the Holy Spirit's help to follow the best way for each of us for our prayer time daily. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
Today's Bible verses-
Is. 59:1 (KJV) "Behold, the LORD's hand is not
shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear
heavy, that it cannot hear."
Jer. 15:16 (KJV) "Thy words were found, and I
did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy
and rejoicing of my heart: for I am called by thy
name, O LORD God of hosts."
Mark 10:27 )KJV) "And Jesus looking upon them
saith, With Men it is impossible, but not with God:for with God all things are possible."
Today's quote-
Today's guest post-
O How I Need You, Father By Debbie McEwen
 |
"Just as the earth needs the warmth of the sun to survive,
I need the love and the grace of my Father."
I need the love and the grace of my Father."
Upcoming posts-
The Power of the Word
16th- Tuesday's post by Richard Spillman
#63 Teach the Stewardship of Time & Possessions
19th- Thursday's post by Dr. Wesley L. Duewel
Constant Communion
23rd- Saturday's post by Lee Forbes
#65 Help Your People Discover and Develop their Spiritual Gifts
6/26- Tuesday's post by Dr. Wesley L. Duewel |
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