Matthew 6:9-13 – “Pray, then, in this way:

‘Our Father who art in heaven, Hallowed be Thy name.  10’Thy kingdom come.  Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. 11’Give us this day our daily bread. 12’And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. 13’And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.’”  NASB

In the last devotional on prayer, we considered the six (6) topics which are, praise, priorities, provision, peace, power, and praise.  We listed two steps involved in engaging in prayer warfare and becoming mighty warriors in prayer in the spirit realm.  Those are, we begin with praise and then we move into total submission.

We must make up our mind (our will) that God’s will is the top priority in our life.  It is first, in us, then in the world around us.  There must be a total commitment and surrender to God and then we enter into the atmosphere and attitude of prayer where we verbalize our desires and His.  We use the rudder of the tongue, in agreement with the Holy Spirit, and allow that action to set the course of our lives. 

There are Four (4) Areas of Focus.

• Ourselves

We must place our lives on the altar of sacrifice, daily.  There must be a continual and regular renewal of our relationship and commitment to God.  We must allow the Holy Spirit to lift the Will of God and His Priorities to the top spot in our lives.  We determine to stay before Him, in prayer, UNTIL. 

Until what?  Until the Holy Spirit has charted the course for our day in accordance with the mind and will of the Father.  We must do, as the disciples and followers did in the Book of Acts and tarry UNTIL.  That is vital.  Before you argue that you have to work and don’t have time to do this, realize what is most important and you will find a way to make time for God.

• Our Family

If we are married, one of the key prayers we should be praying is for our mate.  We pray for their needs, not our wants.  We pray for their fulfillment of the purposes of God, not what we think they ought to do or be.  If we have children, they must be a high priority in our prayer focus.  Pray specific prayers.  Ask God for guidance in their lives, in everything.  Then, we pray for our extended family.  It is important that we allow the Holy Spirit to direct us in our prayers.  We may have opinions as to their needs and what they need to do or be, but it is God who makes the final decision, not us.

• Our Spiritual Fellowship (Church).

Pray for the Leaders that God will anoint them giving them wisdom and strength.  Pray for God to give them the heart of a shepherd and use them in the Gifts of the Spirit and that they operate under the anointing of the Holy Spirit.  Call the names individually of all the leaders in the fellowship.  Next, pray for the other members that God will enable them to be faithful in everything.  Next, pray for the Harvest.  Isaiah 43:4-7 is powerful.  I suggest you read it and incorporate it in your prayers.  God wants to draw from the North, South, East, and West.

I suggest that this will require determination and persistence because the devil will not willingly give up those he has under his control.  But, remember we are overcomers and through the Power and Promise of God, we can overcome.

• The Nation

Pray for the leaders, not just the ones you like.  I do not say pray for them to succeed in deviousness or personal agenda, but in doing His purposes and for the good of the nation. 

• For Israel

Psalms 122 gives the basis for this.  “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: “May they prosper who love you. 7 “May peace be within your walls, and prosperity within your palaces.” 8 For the sake of my brothers and my friends, I will now say, “May peace be within you.” 9 For the sake of the house of the LORD our God I will seek your good.” 

Never allow discouragement to distress you.  Allow the Holy Spirit to direct your praying and if you find that you do not sense a release in the Spirit and use up all your available time, don’t fret.  Simply put it on hold, meditate on it as you can through the day, and in your next prayer time, pick it up again and press into the Presence of the Lord and the Promises. 

If we will allow the Holy Spirit to direct our prayers, we will find that being to pray the will of God and discover that we are Praying the Promises of God and seeing results. 

God bless you as you embark on your spiritual journey in becoming a Prayer Warrior.  Have a fantastic day!