Several years ago, the Lord startled me in prayer one day by dropping a strong word into my spirit. The word was this; “My people are not praying specific enough prayers, they’re praying too vaguely.”
The thought jarred my “prayer theology” and thrust me into a personal journey to discovery the role of prayer and how it affects God’s plan in the earth. This journey helped me to understand that my prayers really do have the power to affect what God does in the earth.
Dr. Cho, founding pastor of Yoido Full Gospel Church of South Korea says the reason he has been able to build the world’s largest church is because early on in his Christian experience, God taught him how to pray specific prayers.
Are you praying “specific” prayers? Do you believe your prayers can touch the heart of God? So how does one pray specifically? It’s not as easy as we would assume! Here are a few principles that have helped me over the years.
1. Start by journaling your requests
Why journal? The reason is that most of us are not disciplined enough to stay on target in our prayer life without it. We pray for a few days and then easily lose our focus.
Writing down your prayer request helps you crystallize your thinking and brings clarity and focus to your prayer time.
Learn to journal your “prayer projects.” Don’t be lengthy; just use one- liners, focused and specific. No more “scatter shot” praying.
2. Pray consistently over your prayer journal.
When you get a good, specific prayer in place, be persistent in your asking. A classic example in scripture would be the parable of the persistent widow in Luke 18:1.
Interestingly enough, the verbs in this passage are all in present tense, indicating a continuation of the action. Are you praying consistently? Are you asking boldly, relentlessly, and without shame.
3. Be open to adjusting your requests.
After praying consistently over your specific requests, periodically evaluate them to see if any adjustment is needed. Practice these disciplines:
1. Listening to the Holy Spirit
2. Watching what is happening in the situation.
3. Hearing from those involved or close to the situation.
4. Hearing God’s voice in His Word.
Conclusion:
Do you pray “specifically” enough? Or, are your prayers so vague that you wouldn’t know if God did answer them? God wants you and me to pray specific prayers. Go ahead give it a try – God is calling us to partner with Him. Hey – what do you say, let’s change the planet!
Coach John
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