LIFESTYLE PRAYER

 

How do we make prayer a part of our everyday life? We can learn from three things that Jesus did…

 

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)

 

• A CERTAIN TIME

Jesus got up very early in the morning to spend time with His Heavenly Father. In order for prayer to work,

we should do the same. Make a daily appointment with God and keep it.

 

• A CERTAIN PLACE

Jesus had a prayer place. Your prayer place needs to be an non-distracting environment where you can pray out loud

and perhaps have some worship music playing in the background.

 

• A CERTAIN PLAN

Go into your prayer time with a plan. If it changes that’s fine. When Jesus taught His disciples how to pray,

He gave His disciples a prayer outline. We call it the Lord’s Prayer.

This outline along with several other tools are available in this page.

 

 

 

 

THE LORD’S PRAYER

 

One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When He finished, one of his disciples said to him,

“Lord, teach us to pray…” (Luke 11:1)

 

“Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one, for yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever.” (Matthew 6:9-13)

 

 

“Our Father in heaven...”

 

1. CONNECT WITH GOD RELATIONALLY

 

You have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when he adopted

you as his own children. Now we call him, “Abba, Father”. (Romans 8:15 NLT)

 

God loves for us to call Him our Father. Establish your intimate relationship with Him

and thank Him for the relationship you have with Him.

 

 

“…Hallowed be Your Name…”

 

2. WORSHIP HIS NAME

 

God’s name is a place of protection—the righteous can run there and be safe. (Proverbs 18:10 MSG)

 

What are His Names?

 

Righteousness – He makes me clean

Sanctifier – He has called me and set me apart

Healer – He heals all my diseases

Banner of Victory – He has defeated my enemy

Shepherd – He speaks to me and leads me

Peace – He is my peace in every storm

Provider – He supplies all of my needs

 

 

“…Your Kingdom come, Your will be done

on earth as it is in heaven…”

 

3. PRAY HIS AGENDA FIRST

 

He will always give you all you need from day to day if you will make the Kingdom of God your primary concern.

(Luke 12:31 TLB)

 

God’s priorities:

 

Saving the Lost

Guiding those in authority – parental, spiritual, governmental,

workplace

His will in us

 

 

“…Give us this day our daily bread…”

 

4. DEPEND ON HIM FOR EVERYTHING

 

I look up to the mountains—does my help come from there? My help comes from the Lord, who made

heaven and earth! (Psalm 121:1-2 NLT)

 

Ask God for what you want and need and then trust Him for the answer.

 

 

“…Forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors…”

 

5. GET YOUR HEART RIGHT WITH GOD AND PEOPLE

 

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us

from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9)

 

Ask God to check your heart and motives. Receive His forgiveness for any area that He brings to mind.

Forgive anyone who has offended you in any way. You can even forgive people in advance.

 

 

“…And do not lead us into temptation but deliver us from the evil one…”

 

6. ENGAGE IN SPIRITUAL WARFARE

 

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers

of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. (Ephesians 6:12)

 

Take your stand against the enemy and fight the good fight of faith. Every lie that the enemy

has told you should be replaced with the truth of God’s Word.

 

 

“…For yours is the Kingdom and the Power and the Glory forever.”

 

7. EXPRESS FAITH IN GOD’S ABILITY

 

“Ah, Sovereign LORD, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm.

Nothing is too hard for you.” (Jeremiah 32:17)

 

End your prayer time by reminding yourself of God’s ability. Return to praise and make your faith declarations.

 

“Yours is the Kingdom” – all rule belongs to You

“Yours is the Power” – all mightiness flows from You

“Yours is the Glory” – Your victory shall be complete

 

 

 

 

TABERNACLE PRAYER

 

The Tabernacle was the dwelling place of God where He met His people. As they entered the Tabernacle, they

passed through seven stations as a protocol to God’s presence. Today, these same steps can help us to connect

with God and lead us through important elements of prayer.

 

1. THE OUTER COURT – THANKSGIVING AND PRAISE

 

Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise;

give thanks to him and praise his name. (Psalm 100:4)

 

As the people of God entered the Tabernacle, they came in with thanksgiving on their lips. Thanking God for all the blessings in your life is a great way to begin. Every day, think of a fresh reason why you love and appreciate God.

 

 

2. THE BRAZEN ALTAR – THE CROSS OF JESUS

 

Praise the LORD, my soul, and forget not all his benefits— who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases,

 who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desire

 with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. (Psalm 103:2-5)

 

In the Old Testament, everyone who had committed sin had to bring animal sacrifices. Jesus paid for all your sins

once and for all. You simply need to receive the benefits of what Jesus did for you.

 

Salvation – God forgives all my sin

Healing – God heals all my diseases

Redemption – God rescues me from every attack

Transformation – God puts His love in me

Provision – God provides everything I need

 

 

3. THE LAVER – CLEANSING AND PREPARING

 

Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing

to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. (Romans 12:1)

 

The next step in the Tabernacle was a bowl of water where people could wash. Checking your hearts and motives

and then surrendering your life to God is an important part of daily prayer. Here are some ways to keep your heart

right with God.  Repent from any known sin. Offer your body to God.

 

Your tongue – to speak good and not evil

Your eyes – to see God and the needs of others

Your ears – to be sensitive to His voice

Your hands – to do good to others

Your feet – to walk in God’s ways

 

Offer your mind to God. (Philippians 4:8; Romans 12:2)

Ask God to give you the fruit of the Spirit. (Galatians 5:22-23)

 

 

4. THE CANDLESTICK – THE HOLY SPIRIT

 

The Spirit of the LORD will rest on him— the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the Spirit of counsel

and of might, the Spirit of the knowledge and fear of the LORD.

(Isaiah 11:2)

 

The next piece of furniture in the Tabernacle was a seven-branched golden candlestick. The fire represents the Holy Spirit.

Every day you should invite the presence of the Holy Spirit into your life.

 

The Spirit of the Lord

The Spirit of Wisdom

The Spirit of Understanding

The Spirit of Counsel

The Spirit of Might

The Spirit of Knowledge

The Fear of the Lord

 

You should also ask God to give you spiritual gifts.

(1 Corinthians 12:8-10)

 

 

5. THE TABLE OF SHEWBREAD – THE WORD OF GOD

 

Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything

written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.

(Joshua 1:8)

 

A table with twelve loaves of bread represents the importance of reading God’s Word for daily sustenance.

With this in mind, here are ways to nourish your soul:

 

Read God’s Word.

Claim His many great promises.

Ask for fresh revelation of the Word.

Take time to read and meditate on the Word.

Get a Word for the day.

 

 

6. THE ALTAR OF INCENSE – WORSHIP

 

The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe. (Proverbs 18:10)

 

A small altar of burning incense stood at the entrance to the Holy of Holies, where God’s presence dwelt. This altar represents worship. The people of God literally entered God’s presence worshiping the Names of God, including:

 

God is My Righteousness – Jeremiah 23:6

God is My Sanctifier – Leviticus 20:7-8

God is My Healer – Exodus 15:26

God is My Provider – Genesis 22:14

God is My Banner of Victory – Exodus 17:15

God is My Peace – Judges 6:24

God is My Shepherd – Psalm 23:1

God is Always There – Ezekiel 48:35

 

 

7. THE ARK OF THE COVENANT – INTERCESSION

 

I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone—for kings and all

those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. (1 Timothy 2:1-4)

 

The final place in the Tabernacle was the place where God’s presence dwelt. It was there that the priest interceded

on behalf of the people. In the New Testament, you and I are all called priests and instructed to intercede for others.

 

Those in authority – spiritual, civil, family, and workplace

My family

My church – pastor, small group, members, and vision/mission

My city, nation, and world

My needs