Impact Prayer International and Jerry McCullah’s
“7 Keys to Kingdom Praying!”
In the devotional prayer outline which I am sharing, we have covered the first five aspects of prayer:
“Praise” — “Confession” — “Intercession” – “Petition” – “Thanksgiving”
With this writing, I will conclude with the final two aspects making the “7 Keys to Kingdom Praying”.
- Listening: Hearing from God is the beginning point of effective praying! Someone has said, “You do not pray for the purpose of informing God. The beginning point of prayer is hearing from God!” –Unknown–
We cannot call our prayer time “communication” if we are not allowing God to speak to us. This is a time for God to share His heart with us, to express His love for us, to share direction, wisdom, instruction and answers to some of what we may have been asking about.
“Be still and know that I am God!” (Psalm 46:10).
“Call unto Me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not” (Jeremiah 33:3).
But we must listen! We must develop spiritual ears! We must have the Scriptures open! We must meditate on His Word . . . listening for His voice to us.
“God speaks by the Holy Spirit through the Bible, prayer, circumstances, and the church to reveal Himself, His purposes, and His ways.” — Henry Blackaby – “Experiencing God . . . Knowing and Doing the Will of God”
“Watch and pray” and listen!
Our minds are created with amazing abilities. We can train ourselves to hear what we truly want to hear. With purposed concentration, we will hear what we deem to be important. I cannot speak for you, but when I take the time and trouble to set an alarm clock, it is because I need to awaken at that specific time. It becomes important to me. Most often it is so important to me I awaken five minutes prior to the ringing of the alarm. The determined mind is a power. Satan knows.
Let me share about new mothers and fathers. Statistics show that new mothers have determined to hear every small sound of their new baby even while in a deep sleep. Moms will arise with every “coo” and “sigh”. Most fathers, on the other hand, have not decided that it is all that important to listen for Junior.
By the same token, with some practice you can tune out the sound of a train, or plane, passing near to your home. Years ago, my family became concerned that my dad was losing his hearing as he never responded to things we would say or ask. So, we had his hearing tested. He passed with perfect hearing. The doctor simply stated, “He’s tuning you out.” Beloved, we will hear what we deem to be important to us!
Beloved, take time to be silent before God and His Word, and listen!
- Praise: Jesus taught us to begin and end our prayer with praise in the LORD’s Prayer (Matthew 6:9 and 13). You have been in the presence of the LORD during your time of prayer. He has listened for and heard your prayers. As you prayed in submission to the Spirit’s guidance, the Father has begun to act. He has imparted wisdom, correction, and forgiveness of your confessed sin.
When someone has called me on the phone, one who I really wanted to have a conversation with, I do not simply end the call by hanging up before I express my joy over the call. Neither should I want to rush out of God’s Holy presence before I show some gratitude for His time and concern. So, . . . Rejoice in Praise!
Note: This outline is intended only as an encouraging guide to help you focus in your prayer time. Consider it to be as training wheels on a bicycle, to be used while you become comfortable with the process of balancing and riding. At some point, the Holy Spirit may help you to develop your own system of praying in your appointed time with God. Always follow the Spirit. He is your prayer Teacher! He is the Master Intercessor! May Father bless you as you pray!