OnCall Prayer

"Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken." – Ecclesiastes 4:12

Tuesday, August 16, 2016

Sharin’ with Sharon – How to Pray Intentionally

Begin praying by asking the Holy Spirit to open your heart and mind.   If you are too busy to spend time with God you are too busy.

Choose a setting to be alone with God:

It might be on your patio with a candle, soft music and possibly the sounds of a fountain. Perhaps it is in a favorite chair in your home or study with a delicious cup of coffee, or a park bench near your workplace where you can retreat during your lunch hour. Spending time with God will change your life!

Scheduled prayer team conference calls:

This could be weekly, monthly or for a specific event or need. There are several websites providing the conference calls services at no charge to include: freeconferencecall.com, totallyfreeconferencecalls.com and others.

 Set your alarms for conference prayer calls:

Set phone alarms (or other alarms) as reminders of time to pray for a specific prayer request or scheduled conference prayer calls. These calls may be set up at the same time weekly or monthly.

Schedule prayer walks with a detailed list of prayer needs:

Give an itemized list to each person who is participating in the prayer walk. A location ex-ample would be to pray quietly in and around a facility where a conference or event is taking place, or walk in pairs down the streets of a neighborhood to pray for salvation and blessings for those living in those homes. Churches often do this and leave behind a door hanger.

 Have photos of people you are praying for on hand:

It is powerful to look at the face of a person or loved one you are praying for and calling out their name to God in prayer. This is especially meaningful for the people who ask you to pray for them and their family members.

 Pocket Prayer Book – a record of prayer requests:

One of the most important questions you can ask another person is “How can I pray for your today?” You may want to ask the waitress, grocery store clerk, fast food server, store clerk, and others. Use the OnCall Pocket Prayer Book© or a small notebook to record the names and prayer requests.

Another suggestion is to write prayer re-quests on the Prayer List pages of your OnCall Prayer Journal© or in a notebook. Periodically reflect back on those prayer requests and write in red ink how God has answered that prayer and the date.

Text Messages:

Text a short prayer to the person you are praying for. And if your Prayer Shield or Prayer Team is praying for you, text them the word “PRAY” during those specific times you need prayer.

 For Speakers:

Have your assigned Prayer Shield members or prayer team on site to pray for you before you speak. They can pray over your notes, the empty chairs in the room and for those who will sit in those chairs, and for the sound equipment. It is very powerful for your prayer warriors to remain in the room praying quietly as you speak. Or your prayer team may want to pray on site in another room during the time you are speaking to a group. It is especially meaningful at churches to have a specific team of warriors pray for the pastor during the service.

 Fasting and Prayer ~ Why Fast?

Fasting is not so much about food as it is about focus. Fasting and prayer is an outward response to an inward attitude and cry of the soul. Fasting is a spiritual discipline that is taught in the Bible. Fasting releases God’s supernatural power. (Matthew 6) The focus of fasting is to be in the Lord’s presence without disturbance so that you can hear from God.

 40 Days of Prayer:

You or your Prayer Team Coordinator can schedule 40 Days of Prayer before an event or important decision. I highly recommend the book “Draw the Circle – The 40 Day Prayer Challenge” by Mark Batterson. Quoting this author . . . “There is nothing magical about forty days, but there is something biblical about it.”

 Very Important Reminder:

When you ask others to pray for you (especially in a serious or crisis situation) remember to get back with these intercessors to let them know the progress and/or how God has answered your prayer request. This is too often forgotten! This will encourage those who have been faithful to intercede on your behalf.

 

 

 

posted by Sharon Hill at 6:42 pm  

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