Sweet Hour of PrayerSample

The Pattern of Prayer

Jesus’ disciples saw Him praying, and when He was done, they asked Jesus to teach them to pray. And in that conversation, Jesus outlined the pattern of prayer. I remember the first time I heard about praying for an hour. My thoughts were, “Really? like prayer is not already hard enough”! However, praying for an hour is possible, when we pray with the pattern Jesus outlines for us in the Lord’s prayer. The first thing that stands out, something we must not miss, is that prayer is based on a relationship with God as “Our Father”. That is where we need to start. If God is not your Father, or perhaps you have moved away from your Father [backslidden], you need to sort that out. Every prayer originates from our relationship with our Father.

This is the pattern of prayer. First, when you approach God, worship. Second, be Kingdom minded. This means praying for the Church. Pray for the Word of God to prosper on earth and for the churches being persecuted. Pray that God’s Kingdom will come (righteousness, peace, joy in the Holy Ghost) and that everywhere will be filled with God’s Presence. Pray for your community, that everyone who comes into your community will feel God’s Presence and God’s will be done.

Third, pray for provision. You cannot be too spiritual to ask your Father for provision. Some people feel it is selfish to ask God to bless you. Why? Jesus says we should pray for daily bread [for provision]. If Jesus thought it was important to include asking for daily bread in prayer, then who am I not to ask for daily bread? God is your Father; don’t be afraid, ashamed, or too holy to ask Him for provision. Fourth, ask for forgiveness and receive forgiveness. To the measure with which you forgive, that is the same measure with which you will be forgiven. God wants us to forgive, as we want Him to forgive us. How much of God’s forgiveness do you want? He says to that same measure, you must also forgive.

Fifth, pray for protection. Why? When God is with you and He is blessing you, the enemy will try to make you offend God. The enemy will bring temptation your way. So, pray that you will overcome such temptation. Pray that you will have victory over every attack of the enemy. Jesus says after you pray for protection, you conclude your prayers with worship. Start and end your time of prayer to your Father with thanksgiving and worship. Give glory to God.

Spend the first ten minutes thanking and praising God. Spend the next ten minutes praying for God’s work on earth, for His Kingdom to come, and that His will be done. Pray for your church family and for the Word of God to prosper. Then, spend another ten minutes praying for provision for your needs. After that, take time to introspect, and ask to forgive you. Think about those that have hurt you, bring them before God, and forgive them. Ask God to forgive you also. For the next ten minutes, pray for protection, and for the last ten minutes, thank God again. You have successfully prayed for one hour - a sweet hour of prayer.

Hymn:

Sweet hour of prayer!

Sweet hour of prayer!

Thy wings shall my petition bear,

To Him whose truth and faithfulness,

Engage the waiting soul to bless.

And since He bids me seek His face,

Believe His Word and trust His grace,

I’ll cast on Him my every care,

And wait for thee, sweet hour of prayer!