864 lines
45 KiB
HTML
Executable File
864 lines
45 KiB
HTML
Executable File
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<div class=Section1>
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<h1 align=center style='margin-right:11.3pt;text-align:center'><span
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style='font-size:16.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt'>Suggested Divisions For Your
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(Half-) Day of Prayer<o:p></o:p></span></h1>
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<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:11.3pt'><![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:11.3pt'><![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:11.3pt'>There are three major divisions
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you will want to use in the establishing an order for your extended time of
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prayer, and one minor division. They are as follows:</p>
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<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0cm;margin-right:11.3pt;margin-bottom:
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0cm;margin-left:36.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:36.0pt'>I.<span
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style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Waiting on the Lord.</p>
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<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0cm;margin-right:11.3pt;margin-bottom:
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0cm;margin-left:36.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:36.0pt'>II.<span
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style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Praying for others.</p>
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<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0cm;margin-right:11.3pt;margin-bottom:
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0cm;margin-left:36.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:36.0pt'>III. Praying
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for yourself.</p>
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<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0cm;margin-right:11.3pt;margin-bottom:
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0cm;margin-left:36.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:36.0pt'>IV.<span
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style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Summarizing and concluding.</p>
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<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:11.3pt'><![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:11.3pt'>The most important part of your
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prayer time will be<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>w<i
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style='mso-bidi-font-style:normal'>aiting on the Lord</i><span
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style='font-family:Arial'>, </span>the first section of time.<span
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style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Listed below are three aspects of<span
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style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span><i style='mso-bidi-font-style:normal'>waiting
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on the Lord </i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>that you will want to
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use to gain a more meaningful and fruitful prayer time.</p>
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<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0cm;margin-right:11.3pt;margin-bottom:
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0cm;margin-left:36.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:36.0pt'>a. Realizing
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His presence.</p>
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<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0cm;margin-right:11.3pt;margin-bottom:
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0cm;margin-left:36.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:36.0pt'>b. Confessing
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and being cleansed.</p>
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<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0cm;margin-right:11.3pt;margin-bottom:
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0cm;margin-left:36.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:36.0pt'>c. Worshipping
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and praising God.</p>
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<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:11.3pt'><![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:11.3pt'>To help you in this first
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section of your day, we encourage you to use Scripture -- read, meditate and listen
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with an expectant heart. This is also an excellent time to read a devotional,
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hymns or listen to Christian music.</p>
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<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:11.3pt'><span style="mso-spacerun:
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yes"> </span><span style='font-family:Arial'><span style="mso-spacerun:
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yes"> </span></span><i style='mso-bidi-font-style:normal'>"Be still before
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the Lord and wait patiently for Him..."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">
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</span></i>(Psalm 37:7)</p>
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<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:11.3pt'><![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:11.3pt'>The second section is<span
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style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span><i style='mso-bidi-font-style:normal'>Praying
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for others</i><span style='font-family:Arial'>. </span>Listed below are three
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suggestions for a more productive intercessory prayer time.</p>
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<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0cm;margin-right:11.3pt;margin-bottom:
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0cm;margin-left:36.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:36.0pt'>a. Prepare a
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list ahead of time of loved ones, friends, neighbors, etc.<span
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style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and their needs.</p>
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<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0cm;margin-right:11.3pt;margin-bottom:
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0cm;margin-left:36.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:36.0pt'>b. Pray
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Scripture - inserting their names whenever possible.</p>
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<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0cm;margin-right:11.3pt;margin-bottom:
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0cm;margin-left:36.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:36.0pt'>c. Ask for
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them what you pray for yourself.</p>
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<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:11.3pt'><i style='mso-bidi-font-style:
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normal'><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>"As for me, far be it
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from me that I should sin against the Lord by failing to pray for you.."</i><span
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style='font-family:Arial'> </span>( I Samuel 12:23 )</p>
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<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:11.3pt'><![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:11.3pt'>The third section is<span
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style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span><i style='mso-bidi-font-style:normal'>Praying
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for yourself</i><span style='font-family:Arial'>. </span>This is a time to seek
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God's will and direction, examine your position before Him and to ask "
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Who are you Lord?" and "What do you want me to do?" as Paul
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essentially asked this in Acts 22:6-10. You may want to put this section ahead
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of<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span><i style='mso-bidi-font-style:normal'>Praying
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for others,</i><span style='font-family:Arial'> </span>or even skip it
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altogether and devote this time to intercession also - it's up to you. Nonetheless,
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following are some helpful steps:</p>
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<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0cm;margin-right:11.3pt;margin-bottom:
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0cm;margin-left:36.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:36.0pt'>a. Let this
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time be ordered by Scripture.</p>
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<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0cm;margin-right:11.3pt;margin-bottom:
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0cm;margin-left:36.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:36.0pt'>b. Submit
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yourself wholly to God ( Luke 1:38 ).</p>
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<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:0cm;margin-right:11.3pt;margin-bottom:
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0cm;margin-left:36.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:36.0pt'>c. Record your
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thoughts, impressions, meaningful/helpful Scriptures and specific directions.</p>
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<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:11.3pt'><i style='mso-bidi-font-style:
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normal'><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>"Call to me and I will
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answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know."</i><span
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style='font-family:Arial'><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></span>(Jer
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33:3 )</p>
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<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:11.3pt'><![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:11.3pt'>The fourth and last section of
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your prayer time is<span style='font-family:Arial'><span style="mso-spacerun:
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yes"> </span></span><i style='mso-bidi-font-style:normal'>Summarizing and
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concluding</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Take 5 to 10 minutes to
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reflect on your time alone with the Lord. Make notes of highlights, any
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conclusions you were led to, or Scripture that was particularly meaningful. If
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you are with a group, consider one or two short things you might share when the
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group gathers together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span><i
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style='mso-bidi-font-style:normal'>"My ears had heard of you but now my
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eyes have seen you."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></i>(Job 42:5)</p>
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||
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||
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:11.3pt'><![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p></p>
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<h2 align=center style='margin-right:11.3pt;text-align:center'>MISCELLANEOUS
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SUGGESTIONS</h2>
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<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:11.3pt'>1. Try to keep an atmosphere of
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silence, speaking aloud only to God - to others only when necessary.</p>
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<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:11.3pt'>2. Pray for the power of
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concentration. (II Cor. 10:5).</p>
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<p class=MsoBlockText>3. Make a "Worry List" to include things that
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do pop into your mind - things that are bugging you - pray about them.</p>
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<p class=MsoBlockText>4. Make a<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">
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</span>"Do List"<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>for those
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things on your<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>"Worry
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||
List".<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>This will allow you to be
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||
freed from worry and concern and to pursue communion with our Lord.</p>
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<p class=MsoBlockText>5. Seek out your leader/leaders if you need someone to
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pray with you for a short time, or if you need help. They will be available.</p>
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||
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||
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:11.3pt'><![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p></p>
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||
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||
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:11.3pt'><i style='mso-bidi-font-style:
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normal'>"Seek the Lord while He may be found; call on Him while He is
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near."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></i>( Isaiah 55:6).</p>
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||
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||
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:11.3pt'><![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p></p>
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||
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||
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:11.3pt'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;
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||
mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt'>*********************************************************************<o:p></o:p></span></p>
|
||
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||
<p class=MsoNormal align=center style='margin-right:11.3pt;text-align:center'><b><span
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||
style='font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt'><![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
|
||
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||
<p class=MsoNormal align=center style='margin-right:11.3pt;text-align:center'><b><span
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style='font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt'>How to spend a Day in Prayer
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||
<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
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||
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<h3><span style='font-size:11.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt'>Lorne C. Sanny<o:p></o:p></span></h3>
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||
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||
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:11.3pt'><![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p></p>
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||
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||
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:11.3pt'>"Avail yourself of the
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||
greatest privilege this side of heaven. Jesus Christ died to make this
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||
communion and communication with the Father possible." -Billy Graham</p>
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||
|
||
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:11.3pt'><![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p></p>
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||
|
||
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:11.3pt'>"Prayer is a powerful
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||
thing, for God has bound and tied Himself thereto." -Martin Luther</p>
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||
|
||
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:11.3pt'><![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p></p>
|
||
|
||
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:11.3pt'>"God's acquaintance is not
|
||
made hurriedly. He does not bestow His gifts on the casual or hasty comer and
|
||
goer. To be much alone with God is the secret of knowing Him and of influence
|
||
with Him." E.M. Bounds</p>
|
||
|
||
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:11.3pt'><![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p></p>
|
||
|
||
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:11.3pt'>“I never thought a day could
|
||
make such a difference," a friend said to me. "My relationship to
|
||
everyone seems improved. Why don't I do it more often?"</p>
|
||
|
||
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:11.3pt'><![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p></p>
|
||
|
||
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:11.3pt;text-indent:36.0pt'>Comments like
|
||
these come from those who set aside a personal day of prayer. With so many
|
||
activities - important ones -clamouring for our time, real prayer is considered
|
||
more of a luxury than a necessity. How much more so spending a <span
|
||
style='font-family:Arial'>day</span> in prayer!</p>
|
||
|
||
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:11.3pt;text-indent:36.0pt'>The Bible
|
||
gives us three time-guides for personal prayer. There is the command to
|
||
"pray without ceasing" - the spirit of prayer - keeping so in tune
|
||
with God that we can lift our hearts in request or praise anytime through the
|
||
day. </p>
|
||
|
||
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:11.3pt;text-indent:36.0pt'>There is also
|
||
the practice of a quiet time or morning watch -seen in the life of David (Psalm
|
||
5:3), of (Daniel 6:10) and of the Lord Jesus (Mark 1:35). This daily </p>
|
||
|
||
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:11.3pt'>time specified for meditation in
|
||
the Word of God and prayer is indispensable to the growing, healthy Christian.</p>
|
||
|
||
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:11.3pt;text-indent:36.0pt'>Then there
|
||
are examples in the Scripture of extended time given to prayer alone. Jesus
|
||
spent whole nights praying. Nehemiah prayer “certain days” upon hearing of the
|
||
plight of Jerusalem. Three times Moses spent 40 days and 40 nights alone with
|
||
God.</p>
|
||
|
||
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:11.3pt'><![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p></p>
|
||
|
||
<h2 style='margin-right:11.3pt'>LEARNING FROM GOD<span style='mso-bidi-font-family:
|
||
Arial'> <o:p></o:p></span></h2>
|
||
|
||
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:11.3pt;text-indent:36.0pt'>I believe it
|
||
was in these special times of prayer that God made known His ways<span
|
||
style='font-family:Arial'> </span>and His plans to Moses (Psalm 103:7). He<span
|
||
style='font-family:Arial'> </span>allowed Moses to look through a chink in<span
|
||
style='font-family:Arial'> </span>the fence and gain special insights, while<span
|
||
style='font-family:Arial'> </span>the rank-and-file Israelites saw only the<span
|
||
style='font-family:Arial'> </span>acts of God as they unfolded day by day.<span
|
||
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span><span style='mso-tab-count:1'> </span>Once
|
||
I remarked to Dawson Trotman,<span style='font-family:Arial'> </span>founder of
|
||
The Navigators, "You impress<span style='font-family:Arial'> </span>me as
|
||
one who feels he is a man of<span style='font-family:Arial'> </span>destiny,
|
||
one destined to be used of God."<span style='font-family:Arial'> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
|
||
|
||
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:11.3pt;text-indent:36.0pt'>"I don't
|
||
think that's the case," he replied, “but I know this. God has given me
|
||
some promises that I know He will<span style='font-family:Arial'> </span>fulfill."
|
||
During earlier years Daws spent<span style='font-family:Arial'> </span>countless
|
||
protracted times alone with God,<span style='font-family:Arial'> </span>and out
|
||
of these times the Navigator work<span style='font-family:Arial'> </span>grew-
|
||
not by methods or principles, but<span style='font-family:Arial'> </span>by
|
||
promises given to him from the Word.<span style='font-family:Arial'> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
|
||
|
||
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:11.3pt;text-indent:36.0pt'>In my own
|
||
life one of the most<span style='font-family:Arial'> </span>refreshing and
|
||
stabilizing factors, as well<span style='font-family:Arial'> </span>as the
|
||
means for new direction or<span style='font-family:Arial'> </span>confirmation
|
||
of the will of god, has been<span style='font-family:Arial'> </span>those
|
||
extended times of prayer- in the<span style='font-family:Arial'> </span>neighborhood
|
||
park in Seattle, on a hill<span style='font-family:Arial'> </span>behind your
|
||
home in Southern<span style='font-family:Arial'> </span>California, or out in
|
||
the Garden of the<span style='font-family:Arial'> </span>Gods here in Colorado
|
||
Springs.</p>
|
||
|
||
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:11.3pt;text-indent:36.0pt'>These special
|
||
prayer times can become anchor points in your life, times when you "drive
|
||
a stake" as a landmark and go on from there. Your daily quiet time is more
|
||
effective as you pray into day-by-day reality some of the things the Lord
|
||
speaks to your heart in protracted times of prayer. The quiet time in turn is
|
||
the foundation for "praying without ceasing," going through the day
|
||
in communion with God.</p>
|
||
|
||
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:11.3pt;text-indent:36.0pt'>Perhaps you
|
||
haven't spent a protracted time in prayer because you haven't <span
|
||
style='font-family:Arial'><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></span>recognized
|
||
the need for it. Or maybe you aren't sure what you would do with a whole day on
|
||
your hands<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span><i style='mso-bidi-font-style:
|
||
normal'>just to pray.<o:p></o:p></i></p>
|
||
|
||
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:11.3pt'><span style='font-family:Arial'><![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p></span></p>
|
||
|
||
<h2 style='margin-right:11.3pt'>WHY A DAY OF PRAYER</h2>
|
||
|
||
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:11.3pt;text-indent:36.0pt'>Why take this
|
||
time from a busy life? What is it for?</p>
|
||
|
||
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:11.3pt'><![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p></p>
|
||
|
||
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:11.3pt'>1. <u>For extended fellowship
|
||
with God </u><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>- beyond your morning
|
||
devotions. It means just plain being with and thinking about God. God has
|
||
called us into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ<span
|
||
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>(1 Corinthians 1:9). Like many personal
|
||
relationships, this fellowship is nurtured by spending time together. God takes
|
||
special note of times when His people reverence Him and <span style='font-family:
|
||
Arial'>think upon His Name </span>(Malachi 3:16)</p>
|
||
|
||
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:11.3pt'><![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p></p>
|
||
|
||
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:11.3pt'>2. <u>For a renewed perspective.</u><span
|
||
style='font-family:Arial'><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></span>Like
|
||
flying over the battlefield in a reconnaissance plane, a day of prayer gives
|
||
opportunity to think of the world from God's point of view. Especially when
|
||
going through some difficulty we need this perspective to sharpen our vision of
|
||
the unseen and to let the immediate, tangible things drop into proper place.
|
||
Our spiritual defenses are strengthened while "we fix our eyes not on what
|
||
is seen, but on what is unseen. For ....what is unseen is eternal."<span
|
||
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>(II Corinthians 4:18 ).</p>
|
||
|
||
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:11.3pt'><![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p></p>
|
||
|
||
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:11.3pt'>3<span style='font-family:Arial'>.
|
||
</span><u>For catching up on intercession.</u><span style='font-family:Arial'><span
|
||
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></span>There are non-Christian friends and
|
||
relatives to bring before the Lord, missionaries on various fields, our
|
||
pastors, our neighbors and Christian associates, our government leaders - to
|
||
name a few. Influencing people and changing events through prayer is well known
|
||
among Christians but too little practiced. And as times become more serious
|
||
around us, we need to reconsider the value of personal prayer, both to
|
||
accomplish and to deter.</p>
|
||
|
||
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:11.3pt'><![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p></p>
|
||
|
||
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:11.3pt'>4.<span style='font-family:Arial'>
|
||
</span><u>For prayerful consideration of our own lives before the Lord</u><span
|
||
style='font-family:Arial'> - </span>personal inventory and evaluation. You will
|
||
especially want to take a day of prayer when facing important decisions, as
|
||
well as on a periodic basis. On such a day you can evaluate where you are in
|
||
relation to your goals, and get direction from the Lord through His Word.
|
||
Promises are there for you and me, just as they have been for Hudson Taylor or
|
||
George Mueller or Dawson Trotman. And it is in our times alone with God that He
|
||
gives inner assurance of His promises to us.</p>
|
||
|
||
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:11.3pt'><![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p></p>
|
||
|
||
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:11.3pt'>5. <u>For adequate preparation.</u><span
|
||
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Nehemiah, after spending "certain
|
||
days" seeking the Lord in Prayer, was called in before the king.
|
||
"Then the king said unto me, "For what dost thou make request?"
|
||
So I prayed to the God of heaven. And I said unto the king, "If it please
|
||
the king ....."- and he outlined his plan. (Nehemiah 2:4-5 ,KJV). Then
|
||
Nehemiah says, "I arose in the night, I and some few men with me; neither
|
||
told I any man what my God had put in my heart to do at Jerusalem" (Neh
|
||
2:12). When did God put in his heart this plan? I believe it was when he fasted
|
||
and prayed and waited on God. Then when the day came for action, he was ready.</p>
|
||
|
||
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:11.3pt'><![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p></p>
|
||
|
||
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:11.3pt;text-indent:36.0pt'>I heard a boy
|
||
ask a pilot if it didn't take quick thinking to land his plane when something
|
||
went wrong. The pilot answered that no, he knew at all times where he would put
|
||
down <span style='font-family:Arial'>if</span> something went wrong. He had
|
||
that thought out ahead of time.</p>
|
||
|
||
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:11.3pt;text-indent:36.0pt'>So it should
|
||
be in our Christian life. If God has given us plans and purposes in those times
|
||
alone, we will be ready when opportunity comes to move right into it. We won't
|
||
have to say, "I'm not prepared." The reason many Christians are dead
|
||
to opportunities is not because they are not mentally alert, but they are simply
|
||
unprepared in heart. Preparation is made when we get alone with God.</p>
|
||
|
||
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:11.3pt'><![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p></p>
|
||
|
||
<h2 style='margin-right:11.3pt'>PRAY ON THE BASIS OF GOD’S WORD</h2>
|
||
|
||
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:11.3pt;text-indent:36.0pt'>Daniel said,
|
||
“In the first year of his reign ( the reign of Darius), I Daniel, understood
|
||
from Scriptures, according to the word of the Lord given to Jeremiah the
|
||
prophet, that the desolation of Jerusalem would last seventy years. So I turned
|
||
to the Lord God and pleaded with Him in prayer and petition , in fasting, and
|
||
in sackcloth and ashes. I prayed to the Lord my God and confessed” (Daniel
|
||
9:2-4).</p>
|
||
|
||
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:11.3pt;text-indent:36.0pt'>He understood
|
||
by the Scriptures what was to come. And as a result of his exposure to the Word
|
||
of God, he prayed. It has been said that God purposes, therefore He promises.
|
||
And we can add, "Therefore I pray the promises, so that God's purposes
|
||
might come to reality.” God purposed to do something, and he promised it,
|
||
therefore Daniel prayed. This was Daniel's part in completing the circuit, like
|
||
an electrical circuit, so that the power could flow through.</p>
|
||
|
||
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:11.3pt;text-indent:36.0pt'>Your day
|
||
alone with the Lord isn't a matter of sitting out on a rock like the statue of <span
|
||
style='font-family:Arial'>The Thinker</span> and taking whatever thoughts come
|
||
to your mind. That's not safe. It should be a day exposed to God's Word, and
|
||
then His Word leads you into prayer. You will end the day worse than you
|
||
started if all you do is engage in introspection, thinking of yourself and your
|
||
own problems. It isn't your estimate of yourself that counts anyway. It's God's
|
||
estimate. And He will reveal His estimate to you by the Holy Spirit through His
|
||
Word, the open Bible. And then the Word leads into prayer.</p>
|
||
|
||
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:11.3pt'><![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p></p>
|
||
|
||
<h2 style='margin-right:11.3pt'>HOW TO GO ABOUT IT</h2>
|
||
|
||
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:11.3pt;text-indent:36.0pt'>How do you go
|
||
about it? Having set aside a day or portion of a day for prayer, pack a lunch
|
||
and start out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span><i style='mso-bidi-font-style:
|
||
normal'>Find a place where you can be alone, away from distractions.</i><span
|
||
style='font-family:Arial'> </span>This may be a wooded area near home, or your
|
||
backyard. An outdoor spot is excellent if you can find it; but don't get
|
||
sidetracked into nature studies and fritter God's faithfulness to forgive away
|
||
your time. If you find yourself watching the squirrels or the ants, direct your
|
||
observation by reading Psalm 104 and meditating on the power of God in
|
||
creation. </p>
|
||
|
||
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:11.3pt;text-indent:36.0pt'><i
|
||
style='mso-bidi-font-style:normal'>Take along a Bible, a notebook and<span
|
||
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>pencil, a hymnbook, and perhaps a<span
|
||
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>devotional book.</i><span
|
||
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I like to have with me the booklet<span
|
||
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span><u>Power through Prayer </u><span
|
||
style='font-family:Arial'><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></span>by
|
||
E.M. Bounds and read a chapter or two as a challenge to the strategic value of
|
||
prayer. Or I sometimes take Horatius Bonar's<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">
|
||
</span><u>Words to Winners of Souls</u><span style='font-family:Arial'>,</span>
|
||
or a missionary biography like<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span><u>Behind
|
||
the Ranges</u><span style='font-family:Arial'><span style="mso-spacerun: yes">
|
||
</span></span>by Mary C. Taylor, which records the prayer victories of J.O.
|
||
Fraser in inland China.</p>
|
||
|
||
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:11.3pt;text-indent:36.0pt'>Even if you
|
||
have all day, you will want to use it profitably. So lose no time in starting,
|
||
and start purposefully.</p>
|
||
|
||
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:11.3pt'><![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p></p>
|
||
|
||
<h2 style='margin-right:11.3pt'>WAIT ON THE LORD</h2>
|
||
|
||
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:11.3pt;text-indent:36.0pt'>Divide the
|
||
day into three parts: waiting on the Lord, prayer for others, and prayer for
|
||
yourself.</p>
|
||
|
||
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:11.3pt;text-indent:36.0pt'><![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p></p>
|
||
|
||
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:11.3pt;text-indent:36.0pt'>As you wait on
|
||
the Lord, don’t hurry. You will miss the point if you look for some mystical or
|
||
ecstatic experience. Just seek the Lord, waiting on Him. Isaiah 40:31 promises
|
||
that those who wait upon the Lord will renew their strength. Psalm 27:14 is one
|
||
of dozens of verses which mention waiting on Him. Psalm 62:5 says, “My soul,
|
||
wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from Him.”</p>
|
||
|
||
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:11.3pt;text-indent:36.0pt'>Wait on him
|
||
first to realize His presence. Read through a passage like Psalm 129, grasping
|
||
the truth of His presence with you as you read each verse. Ponder the
|
||
impossibility of being anywhere in the universe where He is not. Often we are
|
||
like Jacob when he said, “Surely the Lord is in this place; and I knew it not”
|
||
(Genesis 28:16, KJV).</p>
|
||
|
||
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:11.3pt;text-indent:36.0pt'>Wait on him
|
||
for cleansing. The last two verses of Psalm 139 lead you into this. Ask God to
|
||
search your heart as these verses suggest. When we search our own hearts it can
|
||
lead to imagination, morbid introspection, or anything the enemy may want to
|
||
throw before us. But when the Holy Spirit searches He will bring to your
|
||
attention that which should be confessed and cleansed. Psalms 51 and 32,
|
||
David’s songs of confession, will help you. Stand upon the firm ground of 1
|
||
John 1:9 and claim God’s faithfulness to forgive whatever specific thing you
|
||
confess.</p>
|
||
|
||
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:11.3pt;text-indent:36.0pt'>If you realize
|
||
you’ve sinned against a brother, make a note of it so you won’t forget to set
|
||
it right. Otherwise, the rest of the day will be hindered. God won’t be
|
||
speaking to you if there is something between you and someone else that you
|
||
haven’t planned to take care of at the earliest possible moment. </p>
|
||
|
||
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:11.3pt;text-indent:36.0pt'>As you wait
|
||
on God, Ask for the power of concentration. Bring yourself back from
|
||
daydreaming.</p>
|
||
|
||
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:11.3pt;text-indent:36.0pt'>Next, wait on
|
||
God, to<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span><i style='mso-bidi-font-style:
|
||
normal'>worship Him</i><span style='font-family:Arial'>.<span
|
||
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></span>Psalm 103, 111, and 145 are wonderful
|
||
portions to follow as you praise the Lord for the greatness of His power. Most
|
||
of the psalms are prayers. Or turn to Revelation, chapters 4 and 5 and use them
|
||
in your praise to Him. There is no better way to pray Scripturally than to pray
|
||
Scripture. </p>
|
||
|
||
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:11.3pt;text-indent:36.0pt'>If you
|
||
brought a hymnbook you can sing to the Lord. Some wonderful hymns have been
|
||
written that put into words what we could scarcely express ourselves. Maybe you
|
||
don't sing very well-then be sure you're<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">
|
||
</span>out of earshot of someone else and "make a joyful noise unto the
|
||
Lord." He will appreciate it.</p>
|
||
|
||
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:11.3pt;text-indent:36.0pt'>This will
|
||
lead you naturally into<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>thanksgiving.
|
||
Reflect upon the wonderful things God has done for you and thank Him for
|
||
these-for your own salvation and spiritual blessings, for your family, friends,<span
|
||
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and opportunities. Go beyond that which you
|
||
thank the Lord for daily and take time to express appreciation to Him for<span
|
||
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>countless things He's given.</p>
|
||
|
||
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:11.3pt'><![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p></p>
|
||
|
||
<h2 style='margin-right:11.3pt'>PRAY FOR OTHERS</h2>
|
||
|
||
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:11.3pt;text-indent:36.0pt'>Now is the
|
||
time for the unhurried , more detailed prayer for others that you don't get to
|
||
ordinarily. Remember people in addition to those for whom you usually pray.
|
||
Trace your way around the world, praying for people by countries. Here are
|
||
three suggestions as to what to<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>pray:</p>
|
||
|
||
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:11.3pt;text-indent:36.0pt'>First, ask
|
||
specific things for them. Perhaps you remember or have jotted down various
|
||
needs of people have mentioned. Use requests from missionary<span
|
||
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>prayer letters. Pray for spiritual
|
||
strength,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>courage, physical stamina,
|
||
mental<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>alertness, and so on. Imagine yourself
|
||
in<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>the situations where these people
|
||
are and<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>pray accordingly.</p>
|
||
|
||
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:11.3pt;text-indent:36.0pt'>Second, look
|
||
up some prayers in Scripture. Pray what Paul prayed for other<span
|
||
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>people in the first chapter of
|
||
Philippians<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and Colossians, and in the
|
||
first and third chapters of Ephesians. This will help you advance in your prayer
|
||
from the stage of<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>"Lord, bless so
|
||
and so and help them to do such and such." </p>
|
||
|
||
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:11.3pt;text-indent:36.0pt'>Third, ask
|
||
for others what you are praying for yourself. Desire for them what the Lord has
|
||
shown you. If you pray a certain verse or promise of Scripture for a person you
|
||
may want to put a reference by his name on your prayer list, and use this verse
|
||
as you pray for that person the next time. Then use it for thanksgiving as you
|
||
see the Lord answer. </p>
|
||
|
||
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:11.3pt'><![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p></p>
|
||
|
||
<h2 style='margin-right:11.3pt'>PRAYER FOR YOURSELF</h2>
|
||
|
||
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:11.3pt;text-indent:36.0pt'>The third
|
||
part of your day will be prayer for yourself. If you are facing an important
|
||
decision you may want to put this before prayer for others. Again, let your
|
||
prayer be ordered by Scripture and ask the Lord for understanding according to
|
||
Psalm 119:18. Meditate upon verses of Scripture you have memorized or promises
|
||
you have previously claimed from the Word. Reading a whole book of the Bible
|
||
through, perhaps aloud, is a good idea. Consider how it might apply to your
|
||
life.</p>
|
||
|
||
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:11.3pt;text-indent:36.0pt'>In prayer for
|
||
yourself,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I Chronicles 4:10 is one good
|
||
example to follow. Jabez prayed, “Oh that You would bless me and enlarge my
|
||
territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be
|
||
free from pain." That's prayer for<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">
|
||
</span><i style='mso-bidi-font-style:normal'>your personal life, for your
|
||
growth, for God's presence, and for God's protection.<span style="mso-spacerun:
|
||
yes"> </span></i>Jabez prayed in the will of God and God granted his request.
|
||
"Lord ,what do you think of my life?" is the attitude of this portion
|
||
of your day of prayer. Consider your main objectives in the light of what you
|
||
know to be God's </p>
|
||
|
||
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:11.3pt;text-indent:36.0pt'>As you pray,
|
||
record your thoughts on your activities and use of time, and plan for better
|
||
scheduling. Perhaps the need for better preparation for your Sunday school
|
||
class or a personal visit with an individual will come to your mind. Or the
|
||
Lord may impress you to do something special for someone. Make a note of it. </p>
|
||
|
||
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:11.3pt;text-indent:36.0pt'>During this
|
||
part of your day, bring up any problems or decisions you are facing and seek
|
||
the mind of God on them. It helps to list the factors involved in these
|
||
decisions or problems. Pray over these factors and look into the Scriptures for
|
||
guidance. You may be led to a promise or direction from the passages with which
|
||
you have already filled your mind during the day.</p>
|
||
|
||
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:11.3pt;text-indent:36.0pt'>After prayer,
|
||
you may reach some definite conclusions upon which you can base firm
|
||
convictions. It should be your aim in a day of prayer to come away with some
|
||
conclusions and specific direction -- some stakes driven. However, do not be
|
||
discouraged if this is not the case. It may not by God’s time for a conclusive
|
||
answer to your problem. And you may discover that your real need was not to
|
||
know the next step but to have a new revelation of God himself.</p>
|
||
|
||
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:11.3pt;text-indent:36.0pt'>In looking
|
||
for promises to claim there’s no need to thumb through looking for new or
|
||
startling ones. Just start with the promises you already know. If you have been
|
||
through <i style='mso-bidi-font-style:normal'>the Topical Memory System, </i>start
|
||
by meditating on the verses in<i style='mso-bidi-font-style:normal'> the Rely
|
||
on God’s Resources</i> section. Chew over some old familiar promises the Lord
|
||
has given you before, ones you remember as you think back. Pray about applying
|
||
these verses to your life.</p>
|
||
|
||
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:11.3pt;text-indent:36.0pt'>I have found
|
||
some of the greatest blessings from a new realization of promises I already
|
||
knew. And the familiar promises may lead you to others. The Bible is full of
|
||
them. You may want to mark or underline in your Bible the promises the Lord
|
||
gives during these protracted times alone, and put the date and a word or two
|
||
in the margin beside them.</p>
|
||
|
||
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:11.3pt;text-indent:36.0pt'>Variety is
|
||
important during your day of prayer. Read a while, pray a while, then walk
|
||
around. A friend of mind paces the floor of his room for his prayer time.
|
||
Rather than get cramped in one position take a walk and stretch; get some
|
||
variety.</p>
|
||
|
||
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:11.3pt;text-indent:36.0pt'>As outside
|
||
things pop into your mind, simply incorporate those items into prayer. If it’s
|
||
some business item you must not forget, jot it down. Have you noticed how many
|
||
things come to mind while you are sitting in church? It will be natural for
|
||
things to occur to you during your prayer day that you should have done, so put
|
||
them down, pray about them and plan how you can take care of them and when.
|
||
Don’t just push them aside or they will plague you the rest of the day.</p>
|
||
|
||
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:11.3pt;text-indent:36.0pt'>At the end of
|
||
the day summarize in your notebook some things God has spoken to you about.
|
||
This will be profitable to refer to later.</p>
|
||
|
||
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:11.3pt'><![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p></p>
|
||
|
||
<h2 style='margin-right:11.3pt'>TWO QUESTIONS</h2>
|
||
|
||
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:11.3pt;text-indent:36.0pt'>The result of
|
||
your day of prayer should be answers to the two questions Paul asked the Lord
|
||
on the Damascus road (Acts 22:6-10). Paul’s first question was, “Who are you,
|
||
Lord?” The Lord replied, “I am Jesus.” You will be seeking to know Him, to find
|
||
out who He is. The second question Paul asked was, “What shall I do, Lord?” The
|
||
Lord answered him specifically. This should be answered or reconfirmed for you
|
||
in that part of the day when you unhurriedly seek His will for you.</p>
|
||
|
||
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:11.3pt;text-indent:36.0pt'>Don’t think
|
||
you must end the day with some new discovery or extraordinary experience. Wait
|
||
on God and expose yourself to His Word. Looking for a new experience or insight
|
||
you can share with someone when you get back will get you off track. True, you
|
||
may gain some new insight, but often this can just take your attention from the
|
||
real business. The test of such a day is not how exhilarated we are when the
|
||
day is over but how it works into life tomorrow. If we have really exposed
|
||
ourselves to the Word and come into contact with God, it will affect our daily
|
||
life. </p>
|
||
|
||
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:11.3pt;text-indent:36.0pt'>Days of
|
||
prayer don’t just happen. Besides the attempts of our enemy Satan to keep us
|
||
from praying, the world around us has plenty to offer to fill our time. So we
|
||
have to <span style='font-family:Arial'>make</span> time. Plan ahead -- the
|
||
first of every other month, or once a quarter. </p>
|
||
|
||
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:11.3pt;text-indent:36.0pt'>God bless you
|
||
as you do this -- and do it soon! You too will probably as yourself, “Why not
|
||
more often?”</p>
|
||
|
||
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:11.3pt'><![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p></p>
|
||
|
||
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:11.3pt'><![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p></p>
|
||
|
||
<p class=MsoNormal align=center style='margin-right:11.3pt;text-align:center'><i>“I
|
||
love the Lord, for He heard my voice;<o:p></o:p></i></p>
|
||
|
||
<p class=MsoNormal align=center style='margin-right:11.3pt;text-align:center'><i><span
|
||
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>He heard my cry for mercy.<o:p></o:p></i></p>
|
||
|
||
<p class=MsoNormal align=center style='margin-right:11.3pt;text-align:center'><i>Because
|
||
He turned His ear to me, <o:p></o:p></i></p>
|
||
|
||
<p class=MsoNormal align=center style='margin-right:11.3pt;text-align:center'><i><span
|
||
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I will call on Him as long as I live ...<o:p></o:p></i></p>
|
||
|
||
<p class=MsoNormal align=center style='margin-right:11.3pt;text-align:center'><i>I
|
||
will sacrifice a thank offering to You<o:p></o:p></i></p>
|
||
|
||
<p class=MsoNormal align=center style='margin-right:11.3pt;text-align:center'><i><span
|
||
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>and call on the name of the Lord.”<o:p></o:p></i></p>
|
||
|
||
<p class=MsoNormal align=center style='margin-top:0cm;margin-right:11.3pt;
|
||
margin-bottom:0cm;margin-left:72.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:center;
|
||
text-indent:36.0pt'>Psalm 116:1-2,17</p>
|
||
|
||
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:11.3pt'><![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p></p>
|
||
|
||
<p class=MsoNormal align=center style='margin-right:11.3pt;text-align:center'>[copied
|
||
from Nav’s 2:7 materials, and used with permission of the Navigators]</p>
|
||
|
||
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:11.3pt'><![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p></p>
|
||
|
||
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:11.3pt'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;
|
||
mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt'>*********************************************************************<o:p></o:p></span></p>
|
||
|
||
<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-right:11.3pt'><![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p></p>
|
||
|
||
</div>
|
||
|
||
</body>
|
||
|
||
</html>
|