Lord, Teach Us How To Pray - Learn to Pray More Effectively Using the Word of God

 

Let us Pray. 

1.Opening Prayer of Praise and Thanksgiving: Psalm 100: 4, 5 | Psalm 103: 1 - 4

1.     Our Heavenly Father, today as Your precious people, we come before You in one accord and enter into Your gates with thanksgiving and into Your courts with praise. We are thankful to You and bless Your Holy Name; for You are good and Your mercy is everlasting. We are truly grateful that Your truth by Your Word endures not only in our lives today but to all generations.

 Today, we are here to thank You for our lives, children, husbands, wives, families, jobs, churches, communities, schools and our nation and the nations of the world.

 We are here to bless Your Holy Name with all our souls and everything within us.

We are ever so grateful that You forgive all our iniquities, sins, wrong-doings among many and You heal all our diseases, sicknesses, pains and hurts by the precious blood of our Lord Jesus Christ.

 We are here to say thank You for redeeming our lives from destruction daily.

We thank You for crowning each one of us with Your loving-kindness and tender mercies and satisfy our mouths with good things to keep us young and vibrant for our daily activities. Amen

2.Prayer of Forgiveness: 1 John 1:6-10 | Psalm 51: 1-4, 10 | Proverbs 4:23

Father, we come to You with our hearts opened and ask that You cleanse us with the precious blood of Jesus.

6 If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not practice the truth: 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanses us from all sin. 8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

¹ Our Heavenly Father, have mercy upon each one of us according to Your loving-kindness and according to the multitude of Your tender mercies, blot out our transgressions. ² Wash each one of us thoroughly from our iniquities, and cleanse us from our sins. ³ For we acknowledge our transgressions: and our sins are ever before us. ⁴ Against You only, have we sinned, and done any wrong in Your sight, knowingly and unknowingly.

Today, we stand in Your presence, believing with all our hearts that we are truly cleansed by the precious blood of our Saviour.

All we ask is for You to create in us a clean heart and renew Your steadfast Spirit within us.

Father God, help us by Your Spirit to guard and keep our hearts with all vigilance, above all else, from out of our hearts, flow/springs forth all the issues and source of life. Amen

3.Invitation of the Holy Spirit To Attend and Preside Over Our Meeting: Romans 8:26, 27

Father, we are truly grateful for Your Spirit who indwells us. We acknowledge and call for His presence to come and quicken our mortal bodies.

Precious Holy Spirit, we welcome You to join this meeting to do our praying in and for us, as we are not able to make prayer to God in the right way. We appreciate that only You can put our desires into words which are not in our power to say;

Father, we thank You for Your Holy Spirit presence right now to this meeting because You know all our hearts and understand fully what Your Spirit is saying, for Your Spirit pleads for us as Your children in harmony with Your own will.

4.Time to Put on the Whole Armour of God to Enter into Spiritual Prayer Warfare: 2 Corinthians 10:3,4 | John 10:10 | Ephesians 6:10

Heavenly Father, the Bible tells us that for though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh because the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but are divine mighty power from God for pulling down and destroying strongholds.

Father, as Your precious people, we understand the severity of the battles we face daily. The Bible tells us that we are fighting a war against Satan, who tirelessly seeks to steal, kill and destroy us and so, we take action to put on Your whole armour. Firstly, we ask for Your strength, power and might to come upon us as we enter into spiritual warfare through prayer.

Father, we read in First Samuel Chapter 17 that Goliath threatened, intimidated and defied the Israelites, the armies of the Living God, with words of reproach. The Bible tells us that Goliath used his worldly weapons of human reasoning and false arguments by cursing David by his gods, a sword, spear and javelin BUT YOUNG DAVID USED THE NAME OF THE LORD OF HOSTS, THE GOD OF THE ARMIES OF ISRAEL AS HIS MIGHTY WEAPON TO KNOCK GOLIATH DOWN!!

Father, we pray right now in the Name of Jesus and use the staff and sling which young man David had in his hand and the five smooth stones he chose from the brook in his shepherd’s bag to knock/pull down and destroy any spiritual and physical strongholds of human reasoning and false arguments. 

2 Corinthians 10: 3 - 6 ³ For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. ⁴ For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, ⁵ casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, ⁶ and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled. 

Ephesians 6: 10 – 20 ¹⁰ Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. ¹¹ Put on the whole armour of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. ¹² For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. ¹³ Therefore take up the whole armour of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. ¹⁴ Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, ¹⁵ and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; ¹⁶ above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. ¹⁷ And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; ¹⁸ praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints— ¹⁹ and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel, ²⁰ for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak. 

5.Take Authority Over the Spiritual Atmosphere: With God’s Weapons of Warfare

Heavenly Father, we come in the Name of Jesus with the keys given to us by our Saviour which states that whatever we bind on earth will be bound in heaven and whatever we loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. (Matthew 16:19)

In the Name of Jesus, we take absolute control over the air-waves, galaxies, systems, spheres, stratospheres, hemispheres, atmospheres, realms, regions and domains. We dispossess master spirits and employ the angelic hosts to handle any satanic contentions, disputes, striving and resistance concerning this injunction.

Matthew 12:29 Or how can one enter a strong man’s house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man? And then he will plunder his house.

Mark 3:27 No one can enter a strong man’s house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man. And then he will plunder his house.

Luke 11:21,22 When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own palace, his goods are in peace. ²² But when a stronger than he comes upon him and overcomes him, he takes from him all his armour in which he trusted, and divides his spoils.

Matthew 16:19 And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”

Matthew 18:18 “Assuredly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.

Isaiah 54:15 Indeed they shall surely assemble, but not because of Me. Whoever assembles against you shall fall for your sake.

Isaiah 54:17 No weapon formed against you shall prosper, and every tongue which rises against you in judgment You shall condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness is from Me,” says the Lord.

Isaiah 49:24 - 26 ²⁴ Shall the prey be taken from the mighty, Or the captives of the righteous be delivered? ²⁵ But thus says the Lord: “Even the captives of the mighty shall be taken away, and the prey of the terrible be delivered; For I will contend with him who contends with you, And I will save your children. ²⁶ I will feed those who oppress you with their own flesh, and they shall be drunk with their own blood as with sweet wine. All flesh shall know That I, the Lord, am your Savior, And your Redeemer, the Mighty One of Jacob.”

6.The Importance of being Baptised In the Spirit and to Speak with other Tongues (Pray In the Spirit).

Matthew 3:11 John the Baptist said in this passage that he baptised unto repentance but Jesus baptises with the Holy Spirit and fire. And in the Beatitudes teachings in Matthew Chapter 5 verse 6, Jesus stated that “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled.” This speaks of those who seek God’s righteousness rather than attempting to establish a righteousness of their own (Romans 10:3; Philippians 3:9). What they seek will fill them, that is, it will satisfy their hunger and thirst for a right relationship with God. 

Mark 16:15-18 The Great Commission ¹⁵ And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. ¹⁶ He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. ¹⁷ And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; ¹⁸ they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.” 

The Word of God teaches that when we are filled with the Holy Ghost, we speak with other tongues as the Spirit of God gives utterance. Speaking in tongues is initial evidence, or sign, of the baptism of the Holy Spirit. “And they were filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance” — Acts 2:4. 

In Acts Chapter 10, God directed Peter into the house of a Gentile (non-Jewish) and he traveled to Joppa into the house of Cornelius and this was what happened Acts 10:44-46 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the word. ⁴⁵ And those of the circumcision who believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also. ⁴⁶ For they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God. 

The Apostle Peter defended the Gift of the Spirit in Acts 11: 14-17 who will tell you words by which you and all your household will be saved.’ 15 And as I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell upon them, as upon us at the beginning. 16 Then I remembered the word of the Lord, how He said, ‘John indeed baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’ 17 If therefore God gave them the same gift as He gave us when we believed on the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could withstand God?”

The Apostle Paul encouraged the Corinthian Christians to continue the practice of speaking with other tongues in their worship of God. He also encouraged them to speaking tongues in their individual prayer life as a means of spiritual edification or building up. The Bible says, “He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself” — I Corinthians 14:14. Paul also continues in the same passage, “For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prays.” The Amplified Bible reads, “My spirit, by the Holy Spirit within me, prays.” God is Spirit. When you pray in tongues, your spirit is in direct contact with God, Who is Spirit. When you speak in tongues, you are talking to Him by divine supernatural means.

Speaking with other tongues keeps us continually aware of the Holy Spirit’s indwelling presence. Every day that is bound to affect the way you think and live.

Speaking in tongues eliminates the possibility of selfishness entering your prayer life. For instance, if I pray a prayer out of my own mind and thinking, it may be unscriptural and it may be selfish. Paul wrote to the Church at Rome, “We know not what we should pray for as we ought” — Romans 8:26. He didn’t say we didn’t know how to pray. We are instructed to pray to the Father in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ (John 16:23-24). However, just because I know how to pray doesn’t mean that I know what to pray for as I ought. So Paul said, “We know not what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit itself (Himself) makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered” — Romans 8:26. The Holy Ghost is not going to do our praying for us. He is sent to help us pray. Speaking with other tongues is praying as the Spirit gives utterance. It is Spirit-directed praying, and it eliminates the possibility of selfishness in our prayers. 

It helps believers learn to trust God. The Bible says, “Building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost” —Jude 20. Speaking in tongues stimulates faith and helps us learn how to trust God more fully. For example, faith must be exercised to speak with tongues because the Holy Spirit specifically directs the words we speak. We don’t know what the next word will be. We have to trust God for that. Trusting God in one area helps us to learn to trust Him in other areas.

It provides a way for you to pray about things that you would not think to pray about or aren’t’ even aware of. We already know that the Holy Spirit helps us pray for particular situations when we don’t know how to pray about them. In addition, the Holy Spirit, who knows everything, everywhere, can pray for us for things about which our natural mind knows nothing.

James 3:8 says, “But the tongue can no man tame, it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.” Yielding your tongue to the Holy Spirit to speak with other tongues is a big step toward being able to fully yield all your members to God. If you can yield your tongue, you can yield any member of your body to God. Speaking in tongues is the initial evidence of the infilling of the Holy Spirit. God has given us this wonderful spiritual gift to bless us, edify us, and refresh us throughout our lives on this earth. Let’s remember what God has provided and enjoy the benefits of speaking in tongues. 

Matthew 3:11 John the Baptist said> I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He (Jesus) will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. 

Matthew 5:6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled.

Mark 1:8 I indeed baptized you with water, but He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”

Luke 3:16 John answered, saying to all, “I indeed baptize you with water; but One mightier than I is coming, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to loose. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.

John 14:16,17 And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever— 17 the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. 

Acts 1:4,5 And being assembled together with them, He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, “which,” He said, “you have heard from Me; 5 for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”