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

As we opened this discussion in the previous session, we identified Six (6) Topics and Actions or Activities in Prayer.  Today, I would like for us to turn to Four (4) areas of focus and launch into a new journey of prayer.

THE FOUR AREAS OF FOCUS:

• Yourself.

It is important and necessary that we place ourselves on the altar of service daily.  It is important we continually renew our relationship and commitment to God and His purposes.  We must allow the Holy Spirit to establish the will of God and His priorities in our lives and help us to stay focused on the commission and command.

We must determine that we are going to stay before Him in prayer until the course charted before us for that day is clear.  That might mean that we will go throughout the entire day in prayer and meditation.  I understand that you may have to go to work or do other things and cannot stay in the prayer closet all day, but you can remain in a consciousness of His Word, Purpose, and Presence.  (Pray without ceasing).

• Your Family.

I believe that it is important that we make it a daily practice to pray for your mate, their needs not our wants for or from them.  We need to bring our children before the throne of heaven and dedicate them to God, daily.  We must pray specific prayers and ask for God’s guidance in their lives, not just a confirmation of what we want for or from them.   We need to pray for other members of the family and allow the Holy Spirit to direct us in our prayers and involvement with them.

• Your Church.

Let’s begin with the Pastor or Pastors.  We should be praying for God’s anointing, guidance, leadership, wisdom, and strength to be infused into their hearts and minds.  We should be praying that God would develop a shepherd’s heart in them.  We are not going before the LORD to tell on them but ask His help in their lives.  We should pray that God would anoint them with the Spirit of God and allow the gifts to flow through them and enable them to become vessels of healing to the community.

We should pray for the Leadership of the Church.  Call their names in prayer and as God to give them wisdom and favor so they can lead and help others rise to the place God desires.  (Equipping the saints for the work of ministry.)

We should pray for the other members of the congregation that God would help them overcome difficulties and enable them to live victoriously in every dimension of life. 

We should pray for the Harvest.  God desires to give every church a spiritual harvest.  Pray for the harvest (Isaiah 43:4-6). Pray for the Holy Spirit to draw people into your church from the north, south, east, and west. 

You will discover that the devil will prolifically resist you when you commit to that kind of prayer but if you will persist you will find a new awakening take place in you, your family, your church, and your community.  We can reach our world.  God’s commission is never impossible.

• The Nation.  This goes without saying that it is vital that we pray for the nation because if the nation fails our liberties and freedoms are destroyed.
• Israel – The Bible instructs us to pray for the peace of Jerusalem (Psalms 122:6).

We can be more effective in prayer, but we cannot be selfish in our prayers and we must recognize that our commission and directive are to enforce the victory of Jesus.  That is done largely on our knees!

God bless you as you enjoy this day in Him!