Developing Your Prayer Life

Developing Your Prayer Life

The most important thing we can do right now is develop our prayer life and keep it strong.

Romans 12:12 (PHILLIPS)

Base your happiness on your hope in Christ. When trials come, endure them patiently, steadfastly maintain the habit of prayer.

A regular time each morning…

You wouldn’t think of leaving home in the morning without dressing yourself!

We should not think of leaving home without praying about our day!

You deal with the demonic realm in prayer oppression/depression/fear panic attacks, etc

Ephesians 6:10-18 (NLT)

A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. 12 For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.

13 Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. 14 Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. 15 For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. 16 In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. 17 Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

18 Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.

We build up an ability to pray effectively over time. Just like learning to drive a car. You learn by doing.

Isaiah 28:9-10 (NKJV)

Whom will he teach knowledge? And whom will he make to understand the message? Those just weaned from milk? Those just drawn from the breasts?

(10) For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept, Line upon line, line upon line, Here a little, there a little.”

Incremental maturity is a part of life, including our prayer life.

Mark 4:28 (NLT)

The earth produces the crops on its own. First a leaf blade pushes through, then the heads of wheat are formed, and finally the grain ripens.

Start small and grow.

I’ve been praying for 45 plus years.

Start where you are and develop your own prayer life.

Pray in English, then pray in the spirit.

1 Corinthians 14:15 (NLT)

Well then, what shall I do? I will pray in the spirit, and I will also pray in words I understand. I will sing in the spirit, and I will also sing in words I understand.

Make a list of topics.

Listen inside when you pray.

It is a very effective way to pray when you pray in the spirit!

Romans 8:26-28 (NLT)

And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words. (27) And the Father who knows all hearts knows what the Spirit is saying, for the Spirit pleads for us believers in harmony with God’s own will. (28) And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.

Praying About Unknown Things

1 Corinthians 14:2 – NKJV

For he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God, for no one understands him; however, in the spirit he speaks mysteries.

New Century Version

Those who have the gift of speaking in different languages are not speaking to people; they are speaking to God. No one understands them; they are speaking secret things through the Spirit.

J.B. Phillips

The man who speaks in a “tongue” addresses not men (for no one understands a word he says) but God: and only in his spirit is he speaking spiritual secrets.

Amplified

For one who speaks in an [unknown] tongue speaks not to men but to God, for no one understands or catches his meaning, because in the [Holy] Spirit he utters secret truths and hidden things [not obvious to the understanding].

1 Corinthians 14:13-15 – NKJV

Therefore let him who speaks in a tongue pray that he may interpret. 14 For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful. 15 What is the conclusion then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will also pray with the understanding. I will sing with the spirit, and I will also sing with the understanding.

1 Corinthians 14:13-15 – J.B. Phillips

And that means if one of your number speaks with a “tongue”, he should pray that he may be able to interpret what he says. If I pray in a “tongue” my spirit is praying but my mind is inactive. I am therefore determined to pray with my spirit and my mind, and if I sing I will sing with both spirit and mind.

1 Corinthians 14:13-14 – Amplified

Therefore, the person who speaks in an [unknown] tongue should pray [for the power] to interpret and explain what he says. 14 For if I pray in an [unknown] tongue, my spirit [by the Holy Spirit within me] prays, but my mind is unproductive [it bears no fruit and helps nobody].

Romans 8:26-28 – NKJV

Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. 27 Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.

28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.

Romans 8:26-28 – Amplified

So too the [Holy] Spirit comes to our aid and bears us up in our weakness; for we do not know what prayer to offer nor how to offer it worthily as we ought, but the Spirit Himself goes to meet our supplication and pleads in our behalf with unspeakable yearnings and groanings too deep for utterance.

27 And He Who searches the hearts of men knows what is in the mind of the [Holy] Spirit [what His intent is], because the Spirit intercedes and pleads [before God] in behalf of the saints according to and in harmony with God’s will.

28 We are assured and know that [God being a partner in their labor] all things work together and are [fitting into a plan] for good to and for those who love God and are called according to [His] design and purpose.

Edify Yourself!

1 Corinthians 14:4 – NKJV

He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church.

1 Corinthians 14:4 – NLT

A person who speaks in tongues is strengthened personally, but one who speaks a word of prophecy strengthens the entire church.

Jude 20 – NKJV

But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit,

Isaiah 28:11 – NKJV

For with stammering lips and another tongue He will speak to this people, 12 To whom He said, “This is the rest with which You may cause the weary to rest,” And, “This is the refreshing”…