The Importance of Prayer

How to pray

Why is prayer of pivotal importance?

. Hebrews 11:6 (NIV)
     “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him
     must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.”
If we keep ourselves in the Word of God and allow it to speak with authority to our lives we will be built up in faith and stirred to pray.
Prayer may be developed in our lives until it is something we don’t want to live without.

Through prayer we can express the deepest needs and desires of our heart to God.
Through prayer we are connected with the flow of Gods wisdom and revelation.
Through prayer we are empowered to do greater things than we thought possible.
Through prayer we see his great promises come to pass in our life.

Our experience with God is related to our level of earnest prayer and expectation. 
Prayer is where Gods refining work begins in your life to produce a character of gold.

 How prayer works

Jesus’ Pattern of Prayer

God wants you to speak to him from your heart. No religious lingo is required.
Use this pattern as your guide but elaborate as God brings people and needs to mind.
Philippians 4:6 “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. “

1. “Our father in heaven hallowed be thy name”
         Acknowledge Gods presence and give thanks and praise to him for his greatness and goodness and faithfulness.
          If you haven’t experienced his goodness and provision yet then praise him because he said he would. He will!

2. “Your kingdom come, your will be done, one earth as it is in heaven.”
   Ask for Gods will to be done in your heart, your family, your job, your church, your community and nation.

3. “Give us this day our daily bread.”
   Acknowledge God as your provider. Since Jesus is the bread of life ask for his presence to sustain you.
   Also ask for him to confirm the covenant you have entered by giving you the power to prosper. Deuteronomy 8:18

4. “Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who have sinned against us”
   One of the greatest privileges we have is to not hold a grudge but to forgive anyone that has wronged us no matter how bad it is. It doesn’t mean what they have done is right but you are releasing them from your vengeance before God. This will release your soul from bitterness and Gods peace will now rule in your heart at the same time. This is what God has done for us. Luke 6:37, Matthew 6:14

5. “Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil”
   This is trusting God for all of his promises to protect us and lead us away from sin and into his righteousness.
   Quote his promises and say “Lord I believe that…no weapon formed against me shall prosper Isaiah 54:17 … No plague shall come nigh my dwelling Psalm 91:10 … etc. etc.”

6. “For yours is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.”
   Acknowledge Gods authority and power to do all we have asked, to bring his will to pass in our lives and in anticipation of his rule coming ultimately to the whole world.

For the City

Pray that God would give us leaders after his heart in our City.
Pray that the leaders of our city would be blessed with wisdom and conviction to do Gods will for our city.
Pray for Gods favor and blessing on our city that people and organization would want to do business in our city.
Pray for righteousness and godliness and unity and peace from God to pervade our city. That’s Transformation!

Rockford Renewal Ministries City-wide Prayer List
Fall 2007

“It must never be forgotten that Almighty God rules this world…just as He rules the Church through prayer. In dealing with mankind, nothing is more important to God than prayer.... Failure to pray is failure in all of life. It is failure of duly, service, and spiritual progress. It is only by prayer that God can help people. He who does not pray, therefore, robs himself of God’s help and places God where He cannot help…. God’s purposes and plans are conditioned on prayer. His will and His glory are bound up in praying…. The days of God’s splendor and renown have always been the great days of prayer….           
E.M. Bounds

               Leadership             

The Area-wide Church

• Pray for the monthly G.R.I.P.P. gathering, that it will grow in passion and participation (Greater Rockford in Prayer and Praise), the 1st Thurday of each month…for the revival of the Church and the transformation of the city.  

• Pray for repentance and humility to sweep through the Church . . . fresh Holy Spirit fire . . . . (Isa 64:1-4)

• Pray for the unity/harmony of the Church across the city—one Church, many congregations, that she will be mobilized to transform the city, motivated by the love of Christ.   

• Pray that the enemy’s agenda of DIVISION, crime/homicide, gambling, abortion, gangs, drugs, etc. will be thwarted.

ARE YOU A CALLED & GIFTED INTERCESSOR?
Call RRM for information about strategic ministry in prayer. 962-6246

PRAY FOR A SWEEPING REVIVAL OF THE CHURCH
AND THE TRANSFORMATION OF THE CITY!
(*EXCELLENCE - EVERYWHERE)