Matthew 6:9-13 – “In this manner, therefore, pray:

Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. 10 Your kingdom come. Your 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 forgive our debtors. 13 And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one.” NKJV

You have heard of the Texas Two-Step dance but how about the Prayer Two-Step?  I would never suggest there are only two steps in prayer but wish to offer two that I believe are crucial to Victorious Praying. 

• STEP ONE – – Praise.

In this step as we enter our prayer closets praise enables us to shift the focus from “self” and “circumstances” to GOD!  It is as we focus on Him, His Promises, and His Provisions we create a place for faith to rise up and become strong.  Our confidence begins to flourish and our hope soars in new and powerful ways, enabling us to rise above the struggles of life and view things from God’s perspective mounting up with the wings of an eagle.  It is here that our hearts are strengthened, emboldened, and encouraged for the more difficult matters of Spiritual Warfare.

• STEP TWO – – Submission.

Until we come to the place of total surrender and submission we will never soar with the eagles and become the mighty warriors in prayer the Kingdom needs and God desires.  It is in the place of TOTAL SURRENDER of everything that we become formidable weapons in the hands of the Holy Spirit waging spiritual warfare and pulling down strongholds, moving mountains, and plucking souls from the clutches of hell.

As we do the Prayer Two-Step we find that a new dimension in the realm of the Spirit opens. Prayer becomes much more than a daily chore or obligation but a joy as we sense. We see the hand of God move in ways we may never have experienced or dreamed possible.  In this condition, we can invite God’s Presence into our lives so powerfully that the stage is set for the Holy Spirit to begin praying through us and guiding us in prayer to be the most effective. 

We must determine in our minds that God’s will is of paramount importance and that we are willing for His will to be done fully in our lives here and now on earth.  This is a total surrender.  I am not talking about getting saved all over again but a daily TOTAL SURRENDER of ourselves to HIS WILL!  It is here that we are in a position and condition to engage in prayer.  For it is here that the Holy Spirit takes control of the rudder of our lives our tongues and in agreement with the Spirit and Word of God, we set the course of life in prayer!

In this Two-Step we find four areas of focus: 

SELF – We place self on the altar of sacrifice daily and completely.  We determine that we will stay before God until the Holy Spirit charts that day’s course and then we proceed but not before. 

FAMILY – We should be praying for our spouses, children, and extended family.  We are placing them on the altar before God and praying for His guidance in their lives. 

THE CHURCH – If you are not praying daily for your pastor, the leadership, the congregation, and the harvest, I must ask why not? 

THE NATION – We are commanded by God to pray for those who have the rule over us and pray for His guidance in the decisions of the state that will affect everything we do in life.  I would suggest a fifth focus according to Psalm 122:6 that we are to pray for the peace of Jerusalem. 

Someone asked me how long we should pray and my consistent response is UNTIL!  Until what or until when?  UNTIL you have heard from God, come into His presence, and received your marching orders for that day.  I have never placed a time on prayer for I have found times when in a matter of minutes I knew that I knew that I knew and at other times it was hours and even days before I knew.  Prayer is more than an exercise to twist God’s arm and get Him to do something for us it is Worship and Warfare as well as Petition.

God bless you as you embark on today’s journey in Jesus!