We Pray the Word of God:

In Matthew 4:1-12, Jesus was led up of the Holy Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. Satan tempted Jesus three times during a 40 day period. Each time Jesus responded to Satan with absolute truth—the Word of God. So, we pray the Word of God because it is: TRUE, ALIVE, ACTIVE, POWERFUL and CONVICTING.

We Approach God through:

Praise

God knows that how we come before Him makes a difference. Praise puts us in a posture of recognizing that God is in control. Because Jesus conquered Satan on the cross, we already have the victory to overcome life’s issues. So, we praise God before our physical circumstances look favorable.

“Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise; be thankful unto him, and bless his name.” (Psalms 100:4)

“I will praise you, O Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonders. I will be glad and rejoice in you; I will sing praise to your name, O Most High.” (Psalms 9:1-2)

Thanksgiving

The list of things that we thank God for is endless. The purpose of our thanksgiving is to recognize God for all of His goodness, get close to God and to proclaim God’s goodness to others.

“Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms.” (Psalm 95:2)

“I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify him with thanksgiving.” (Psalm 69:30)

Repentance

Repentance is a change of mind, a change of heart and a change in actions. It is confessing our sin to God and turning away from sin and toward God. In that turn, we trigger the compassion of our almighty God.

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9)

“Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.” (Isaiah 55:7)

Bold Requests

God has already blessed us with all spiritual blessings. Knowing this, we can approach God boldly with thanksgiving and make our requests known to God.

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:” (Ephesians 1:3)

“Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.” (Philippians 4:6)

Intercession

When we ask God to intervene on behalf of others, we are interceding on that person’s behalf. As Christians, we are called to pray for other people. Intercession should be a regular part of our prayer life. God even commands us to engage in intercessory prayer for those who do us wrong.

“But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,” (Matthew 5:44)

“I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;” (1 Timothy 2:1)

Active Listening

Silence is golden. Waiting on God to speak and listening to God is one of the most important aspects of prayer. God’s words are simply more important than our words. As we learn to recognize God’s voice, we will experience more fully the blessings of God and freedom from sin.

“Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and show thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.” (Jeremiah 33:3)

“Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” (Psalms 119:105)

“But he said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it.” (Luke 11:28)

“And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” (John 8:32)

“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.” (John 10:27)

Identifying with Christ:

Knowing who we are in Christ gives us the strength to overcome sin and become more like Christ. As we identify with Christ, we learn that we are a new creation and that Christ lives within us. We are called out of our old lives and into a new life that shows others Christ in us the hope of glory.

“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” (2 Corinthians 5:7)

“I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.”(Galatians 2:20)